Harry Chamberlin facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Harry Chamberlin
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Chamberlin as commander of the 4th Cavalry Brigade at Camp Funston in 1941
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| Born | May 19, 1887 Elgin, Illinois |
| Died | September 29, 1944 (aged 57) San Francisco, California |
| Buried |
Post Cemetery, Presidio of Monterey, California
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| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1910-1944 |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Service number | O-2848 |
| Unit | Cavalry Branch |
| Commands held | 1st Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment 10th Forestry District, Civilian Conservation Corps 2nd Cavalry Regiment Cavalry Replacement Center, Fort Riley 4th Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division New Hebrides Task Force Southwestern Security District Fort Ord |
| Battles/wars | Moro Rebellion Pancho Villa Expedition World War I World War II |
| Awards | Military Cross (Belgium) |
| Spouse(s) | Sally Garlington (m. 1912-1933, divorced) Helen Elena Bradman (m. 1933-1944, his death) |
| Children | 2 |
| Relations | Ernest Albert Garlington (father-in-law) |
| Signature | .png){kind=small} |
| Olympic medal record | ||
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| Equestrian | ||
Representing the  United States |
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| Gold | 1932 Los Angeles | Team eventing |
| Silver | 1932 Los Angeles | Individual show jumping |
Harry Dwight Chamberlin (born May 19, 1887 – died September 29, 1944) was a brave officer in the United States Army. He served in many important events, like the Moro Rebellion, the Pancho Villa Expedition, World War I, and World War II. He became a brigadier general, which is a high rank.
General Chamberlin was also a very talented horse rider, known as an equestrian. He competed in the Olympic Games several times. His biggest success was in 1932, when he helped the U.S. team win a gold medal in team eventing. He also won a silver medal for himself in individual show jumping.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Harry D. Chamberlin was born in Elgin, Illinois, on May 19, 1887. His father, Dwight A. Chamberlin, was a leader in their local government. Harry went to school in Elgin and graduated from Elgin High School in 1905. He also studied at the Elgin Academy.
In 1906, Harry was accepted into the United States Military Academy, also known as West Point. This is a famous school for training army officers. While there, he was a great athlete. He played halfback on the football team and was on the track and boxing teams. In a famous football game against Navy in 1908, he made a huge play. He picked up a fumbled ball and ran 92 yards, setting up a touchdown that helped Army win 6-4.
Harry graduated from West Point in 1910. He became a second lieutenant in the Cavalry, which meant he would serve with horse-mounted soldiers. His first assignment was with the 7th Cavalry Regiment.
Beginning His Army Career
Chamberlin served with the 7th Cavalry at Fort Riley, Kansas. In 1911, his regiment moved to the Philippines during the Moro Rebellion. This was a conflict where the U.S. Army was fighting against local groups.
In 1914, Chamberlin returned to the United States. He joined the 5th Cavalry Regiment and later attended the Mounted Service School at Fort Riley. This school taught soldiers how to ride and care for horses. After finishing his training, he rejoined the 5th Cavalry in Columbus, New Mexico. He was part of the Pancho Villa Expedition, where the U.S. military chased a Mexican revolutionary leader. In July 1916, he was promoted to first lieutenant. Later that year, he became an instructor at West Point. By May 1917, he was a captain.
Service in World War I
In June 1918, during World War I, Chamberlin was promoted to temporary major. He was assigned to the 152d Depot Brigade and then to the 161st Infantry Brigade. This unit was part of the 81st Division. After training in France, his division was sent to the front lines in September 1918. They fought near Saint-Dié-des-Vosges and later in the Sommedieue area until the war ended in November 1918.
After the war, Chamberlin stayed in France. He taught at the First United States Army's School for the Care of Animals. He also traveled to England, France, Belgium, and Germany to learn about how other armies cared for their horses. In April 1919, he was promoted to temporary lieutenant colonel.
Post-War and Olympic Equestrian Success
In 1919, Chamberlin trained in Germany for the Inter-Allied Games in Paris. He was part of the U.S. equestrian team and placed second in the individual championship. After this, he became an instructor at the Cavalry School at Fort Riley. In September, he returned to his permanent rank of captain.
In 1920, Chamberlin was on the U.S. equestrian team for the Olympic Games in Antwerp, Belgium. He competed in two events: the Three Day Event (a military competition) and the Prix de Nations (an individual show jumping contest). In July 1920, he was promoted to major.
After the 1920 Olympics, Chamberlin continued teaching at the Cavalry School. In 1922, he went to the French Cavalry School in Saumur. Then, he studied at the Italian Cavalry School in Tor di Quinto. While in Italy, he learned a new way of riding called the "forward seat." This style became very popular in America and is now used in many horse jumping events. It was even called the 'Chamberlin seat' for a while.
From 1925 to 1926, Chamberlin led the 1st Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment in Fort Bliss, Texas. He was also a skilled polo player and captained the Army team that won the U.S. Junior Championship in 1926. He then attended the United States Army Command and General Staff College, where he was an honor graduate.
Chamberlin continued his Olympic journey. He trained and captained the 1928 Olympic Team. He competed in both eventing and jumping. From 1929 to 1932, he was the captain of the U.S. Equestrian Team. At the 1932 Olympic Games, the U.S. team won its first-ever gold medal in team eventing. Chamberlin also won a silver medal in the individual jumping event.
Later Military Career
After his Olympic triumphs, Chamberlin attended the United States Army War College from 1932 to 1933. He then commanded the 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment and also led the 10th Forestry District of the Civilian Conservation Corps in Wisconsin. In November 1934, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel.
As the United States prepared for World War II, Chamberlin commanded the 2nd Cavalry Regiment from 1939 to 1941. In April 1941, he was promoted to brigadier general. From 1941 to 1942, he commanded the 4th Cavalry Brigade.
In 1942, General Chamberlin led a special military group that took over and defended the New Hebrides islands in the Pacific Ocean from Japanese attacks. While serving there, he became very ill and had to return to California. He continued to command the Southwestern Security District and later Fort Ord, but his illness was very serious.
Death and Legacy
Harry Chamberlin passed away at the Presidio of San Francisco's Letterman Army Hospital on September 29, 1944. He was buried at the post cemetery in the Presidio of Monterey, California.
Chamberlin was also an author. He wrote several books about horsemanship and horse training, including Riding and Schooling Horses (1934) and Training Hunters, Jumpers, and Hacks (1939).
His legacy lives on. The Chamberlin Library at Fort Ord, opened in 1970, is named after him. He was honored for his equestrian skills by being inducted into the United States Show Jumping Hall of Fame in 1990. In 2006, he was also inducted into the Elgin Sports Hall of Fame in his hometown.
Images for kids
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Harry Chamberlin's signature.
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In Spanish: Harry Chamberlin para niños
