William Chamberlaine facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Chamberlaine
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From Chamberlaine's obituary in the 1925 Annual Report of the West Point Association of Graduates.
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| Born | January 1, 1871 Norfolk, Virginia
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| Died | June 8, 1925 (aged 54) |
| Allegiance | United States |
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Branch
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Field Artillery Coast Artillery |
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Rank
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Brigadier General |
| Commands | Coast Artillery School Fort Warren Fort Andrews 6th Provisional Coast Artillery Regiment 57th Field Artillery Brigade 2nd Artillery Brigade Railway Artillery Reserve, American Expeditionary Force Coast Artillery Training Center |
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Conflicts
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Spanish–American War World War I |
| Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Honor (Officer) (France) Croix de Guerre with palm (France) |
| Spouse | Margaret Smith |
| Relations | Frank Guest Smith (1840-1912) (father-in-law) Frank W. Coe (brother-in-law) |
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William Chamberlaine (March 1, 1871 – June 8, 1925) was a brave officer in the United States Army. He went to the United States Military Academy and fought in the Spanish–American War. Chamberlaine is best known for being a brigadier general who led artillery units during World War I.
After graduating from West Point, Chamberlaine became an expert in defending coasts and harbors. He used special large guns called Coast Artillery. During the Spanish–American War, he was in charge of a group of guns that protected the port of Mobile, Alabama. Later, Chamberlaine worked as a military helper in Japan. He also commanded forts that protected Boston Harbor and led the Coast Artillery School.
During World War I, Chamberlaine commanded two groups of artillery. He led them during important battles like the Battle of Belleau Wood. After that, he commanded the special Railway Artillery Reserve for the American Expeditionary Force. This unit used huge guns on trains. He led them in battles such as the Battle of Saint-Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive.
After the war, Chamberlaine worked in Hawaii before he retired in 1923. He sadly died in a car accident in Paris, France, in 1925. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Contents
Early Life and Schooling
William Chamberlaine was born on March 1, 1871. His hometown was Norfolk, Virginia. His parents were William Wilson Chamberlaine and Matilda Dillaird Chamberlaine. He went to the United States Military Academy. He finished school in 1892, ranking 18th out of 62 students.
Beginning His Army Career
After finishing West Point, Chamberlaine became a second lieutenant. He joined the 2nd Field Artillery Regiment. His first jobs were at Fort Adams in Rhode Island and Fort Hamilton in New York. In 1896, he finished a special course for artillery officers. He was the best student in his class.
Chamberlaine then worked at Fort Monroe, Virginia. He stayed there until the Spanish–American War started in 1898. During the war, he led a group of guns at Fort Morgan, Alabama. These guns helped protect Mobile Bay.
In 1899, Chamberlaine was promoted to first lieutenant. After the war, he helped the Army's Chief of Artillery. He also taught chemistry at West Point. In 1901, he became a captain.
In 1903, Chamberlaine joined the Artillery Board. This group gave advice to the Chief of Artillery. They helped decide how artillery units should be set up. They also helped with new equipment and weapons. Chamberlaine chose to work with the Coast Artillery. He became an expert in defending coasts and harbors.
In 1906, Chamberlaine was chosen to work on the Army's General Staff. His first job was as a military helper in Japan. He worked with other important officers there.
From 1907 to 1909, Chamberlaine helped lead the Pacific Division and then the Philippine Division. He also managed their artillery. He helped make the defenses stronger around Manila Bay. This included Corregidor Island. On his way back to the United States, he visited Europe. He watched the French army practice their drills.
Continuing His Service
Chamberlaine became a major in 1910. He was put in charge of Fort Warren. This fort protected Boston Harbor. In 1911, he led his soldiers as temporary infantry near the U.S.-Mexico border. From late 1911 to September 1913, Chamberlaine was the director of the Coast Artillery School.
Next, Chamberlaine worked as an assistant to the Chief of Coast Artillery. He helped make plans to improve coastal defenses. These plans were for places like Panama, Guantanamo Bay, and the Chesapeake Bay.
From March 1914 to February 1917, Chamberlaine commanded Fort Andrews in Boston Harbor. Then he moved to Fort Totten, New York. There, he helped plan and organize the defense of U.S. harbors in New York and New England. In July 1917, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel.
World War I Service
In August 1917, Chamberlaine became a colonel. He was given command of the 6th Provisional Coast Artillery Regiment. He trained this group and led them to France.
Because he knew people in France from his earlier visits, Chamberlaine became a link officer. He worked with the French Army's main Artillery Headquarters. On December 17, 1917, he was promoted to brigadier general. He was then put in charge of the 57th Field Artillery Brigade.
In May and June 1918, Chamberlaine commanded the 2nd Field Artillery Brigade. This was part of the 2nd Division. On June 24, 1918, during the Battle of Belleau Wood, Chamberlaine's artillery fired for 14 hours. This prepared the way for an attack by the 5th Marine Regiment.
Chamberlaine's success at Belleau Wood led to a new job. He was chosen to command the Railway Artillery Reserve for the American Expeditionary Force. This unit used huge artillery pieces mounted on trains. He led them during the Battle of Saint-Mihiel and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive. He was recommended to become a major general, but the war ended before it happened.
After World War I
In January 1919, Chamberlaine returned to the United States. He went back to his permanent rank of colonel. He became the commander of the Coast Artillery Training Center at Fort Monroe. Later, he moved to Hawaii. There, he was the chief of staff for the Army's Hawaiian Department. He retired on December 31, 1923. He was then made a brigadier general in the Army Reserve.
Death and Burial
Chamberlaine died in Paris, France. He was riding in a taxi that hit a streetcar. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. His grave is in Section 2, Grave 1091-SS.
Awards and Honors
Chamberlaine received the Army Distinguished Service Medal. This was for his excellent service during World War I. He also received two awards from France. These were the Legion of Honor (Officer) and the Croix de Guerre with a special palm.
Family Life
In 1894, William Chamberlaine married Margaret Smith. Her father was Brigadier General Frank Guest Smith. Chamberlaine's sister, Anne, was married to his classmate from West Point, Frank W. Coe.
