Charles Gerhardt (United States Army officer) facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Charles Gerhardt
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| Born | March 19, 1863 Baltimore, Maryland, United States |
| Died | June 7, 1957 (aged 94) Mendham Borough, New Jersey, United States |
| Buried |
Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, United States
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| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |
 United States Army |
| Years of service | 1887–1927 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General |
| Service number | 0-197 |
| Unit |  Infantry Branch |
| Commands held | 183rd Brigade 161st Depot Brigade 16th Infantry Regiment |
| Battles/wars | Sioux Wars World War I |
| Spouse(s) | Kate Watkins |
| Children | Two, including Charles H. Gerhardt |
Charles Gerhardt (born March 19, 1863 – died June 7, 1957) was an important officer in the United States Army. He served in the late 1800s and early 1900s. He fought in major events like the Sioux Wars and World War I. He later became a Brigadier General. His son, Charles H. Gerhardt, also became a general in the army.
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Early Life and Training
Charles Gerhardt was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on March 19, 1863. His family had moved to the United States from Hesse in the early 1800s.
Gerhardt went to the United States Military Academy (USMA) in West Point, New York. He graduated in June 1887. Many of his classmates at West Point also became important generals later on.
Military Service and Wars
After graduating, Gerhardt joined the 20th Infantry Regiment. This unit was stationed in Montana at the time.
Sioux Wars and Early Commands
From 1890 to 1891, Gerhardt took part in the Sioux Wars. These were conflicts between the U.S. Army and several Native American tribes.
After these wars, Gerhardt became a professor. He taught military science and tactics at Cumberland University from 1894 to 1897. He also served as a secretary for a group called U.S. Military Wheelmen.
Gerhardt served in Cuba from 1899 to 1900. After that, he was stationed in Minnesota and Montana. He also spent two years at Fort Gibbon starting in 1902. Later, he was stationed in Columbus, Ohio.
From 1906 to 1908, Gerhardt served in the Philippines. He was in charge of a command at Iloilo for one year.
World War I Service
In 1913, Gerhardt completed his studies at the United States Army War College. That same year, he helped teach at a student camp in Gettysburg. He then spent 18 months in the Panama Canal Zone. After that, he worked at the Militia Bureau in Washington, D.C..
When World War I began, Gerhardt played a key role. He led the 4th Infantry Division from Camp Greene to Fort Stuart in Virginia. Then, he took the division to France to join the war effort.
In France, Gerhardt commanded important supply and base sections. On April 12, 1918, he was promoted to brigadier general. He then served on the front lines with the 35th Infantry Division. Later, he commanded the 183rd Brigade of the 92nd Division.
Post-War and Retirement
After World War I ended, Gerhardt returned to the U.S. He helped with the process of sending soldiers home. He commanded the 161st Depot Brigade at Camp Grant. From September 1922 to September 1924, he commanded the 16th Infantry Regiment.
Gerhardt officially retired in 1927 with the rank of colonel. However, in June 1930, the U.S. Congress gave him back his rank of brigadier general.
He passed away on June 7, 1957, at the age of 94, in Mendham Borough, New Jersey. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, a famous military cemetery.
Family Life
Charles Gerhardt was married to Kate Watkins. They had two children together. One of their children was Charles H. Gerhardt, who followed in his father's footsteps.
The younger Charles Gerhardt also went to the United States Military Academy, graduating in 1917. He became a major general and led the 29th Infantry Division during the Normandy landings in World War II.
