Joseph Alfred Gaston facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Joseph Alfred Gaston
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From 1899's A Military Album, Containing Over One Thousand Portraits of Commissioned Officers Who Served In the Spanish-American War
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| Born | September 2, 1856 Honey Brook, Pennsylvania, United States |
| Died | March 31, 1937 (aged 80) Washington, D.C., United States |
| Buried |
Arlington National Cemetery, Virginia, United States
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| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service/ |
 United States Army |
| Years of service | 1881–1920 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General |
| Service number | 0-13494 |
| Unit |  Cavalry Branch |
| Commands held | United States Army Cavalry School 6th Cavalry Regiment 165th Depot Brigade 19th Division 90th Division 74th Infantry Brigade 37th Division 11th Infantry Brigade 11th Division Camp Meade, Maryland |
| Battles/wars | American Indian Wars Spanish–American War Pancho Villa Expedition World War I |
| Spouse(s) | Lavinia Haskin (m. 1903-1937, his death) |
Brigadier General Joseph Alfred Gaston (September 2, 1856 – March 31, 1937) was an important officer in the United States Army. He served in the late 1800s and early 1900s. He took part in several important events and wars, including the Spanish–American War.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Joseph Alfred Gaston was born in Honey Brook, Pennsylvania, on September 2, 1856. He went to school at Wyoming Seminary and a business college. After that, he joined the United States Military Academy (West Point). He finished his studies there in 1881. After graduating, he became an officer in the 8th Cavalry Regiment.
Military Career Highlights
From 1881 to 1891, Gaston worked on the American frontier. This mostly involved military actions against Native American groups like the Apache and Sioux. He later served in the Spanish–American War in Cuba from 1899 to 1902. After this, he traveled to the Philippines.
In 1906, Gaston helped command relief camps. These camps were set up after the big 1906 San Francisco earthquake to help people who lost their homes. He also went to the Philippines again between 1908 and 1910. In 1912, he graduated from the United States Army War College. From November 1913 to April 1914, he led the Cavalry School at Fort Riley. Gaston later commanded the 6th Cavalry Regiment. In this role, he served near the border with Mexico and was part of the Pancho Villa Expedition.
World War I Service
On August 5, 1917, Gaston was promoted to the rank of brigadier general. He then took command of the 165th Depot Brigade at Fort Travis in Texas. He also commanded several different army divisions:
- The 19th Division
- The 90th Division (from November 23 to December 27, 1917)
- The 74th Infantry Brigade, which was part of the 37th Division
- The 11th Infantry Brigade, part of the 6th Division (from January to March 1918)
He was the commander of the 37th Division from April 25 to May 8, 1918. From June 1918 to February 5, 1919, he commanded Camp Meade, Maryland. In August 1918, he also commanded the 11th Division.
After World War I, Gaston returned to his permanent rank of colonel. He worked on recruiting new soldiers in Philadelphia. He officially retired from the Army on September 2, 1920. In June 1930, the United States Congress decided to give him back his rank of brigadier general.
Later Life and Family
Joseph Alfred Gaston married Lavinia Haskin on May 16, 1903. Lavinia was the daughter of another military officer, Brigadier General William L. Haskin.
Gaston passed away on March 31, 1937. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, a famous military cemetery in Virginia.
