William Lassiter facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
William Lassiter
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Lassiter ca. 1930
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| Born | September 29, 1867 Petersburg, Virginia |
| Died | March 29, 1959 (aged 91) Santa Barbara, California |
| Buried |
Santa Barbara Cemetery, Santa Barbara, California
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| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1889-1931 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Service number | 0-70 |
| Unit | U.S. Army Field Artillery Branch |
| Commands held | 7th Field Artillery Battery Base Section Number 3, England U.S. Army Forces in England 51st Field Artillery Brigade I Corps Artillery IV Corps Artillery Second Army Artillery 32nd Division Third Army Artillery Fort Knox Panama Canal Division Panama Canal Department Sixth Corps Area Philippine Department Eighth Corps Area Hawaiian Department |
| Battles/wars | Spanish–American War Occupation of Veracruz World War I Occupation of the Rhineland |
| Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star |
| Spouse(s) | Jeannette Fallon Johnson (m. 1935-1959, his death) |
| Relations | Francis Rives Lassiter (brother) |
William Lassiter (September 29, 1867 – March 29, 1959) was an important officer in the United States Army. He served in several major conflicts, including the Spanish–American War, Occupation of Veracruz, and World War I. He rose through the ranks to become a Major General.
Lassiter was born in Petersburg, Virginia. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1889. He then began his career in the Army's Field Artillery Branch. His early jobs included working at forts in New York and California. During the Spanish–American War, he fought in Cuba. He earned the Silver Star for his bravery during the Siege of Santiago.
After the war, he taught at West Point. He also worked for the Army's Inspector General. This job took him to places like Cuba and the Philippines.
During World War I, Lassiter was promoted to brigadier general and then to major general. He commanded several units during the war. In the final days of the war, he led the 32nd Division. He continued to lead them during the Occupation of the Rhineland after the war. For his service, he received the Army Distinguished Service Medal. He also received awards from other countries.
After World War I, Lassiter held many important leadership roles. He commanded Army forces in places like the Panama Canal, the Philippines, and Hawaii. He retired in 1931 as a major general. He lived in Santa Barbara, California, where he passed away in 1959. He was buried at Santa Barbara Cemetery.
Contents
Early Life and Education
William Lassiter was born in Petersburg, Virginia, on September 29, 1867. His parents were Dr. Daniel W. Lassiter and Anna Rives (Heath) Lassiter. His brother, Francis Rives Lassiter, later became a representative for Virginia in the United States House of Representatives.
William went to McCabe's University School in Petersburg. This prepared him to attend the United States Military Academy at West Point. He started his studies at West Point in 1885. He graduated in 1889, ranking 23rd out of 49 students in his class.
Beginning His Army Career
After graduating, Lassiter became a second lieutenant in the 4th Artillery. His first assignment was at Jackson Barracks, Louisiana. In 1890, he moved to the 5th Artillery. He was then assigned to Fort Schuyler, New York. Later that year, he moved to Fort Mason, California. In 1891, he joined the 1st Artillery and served at Fort Slocum, New York.
In 1892, Lassiter went to the Artillery School at Fort Monroe, Virginia. He studied there for two years. After graduating in 1894, he returned to Fort Slocum. He later served at Fort Hamilton, New York, and Fort Sam Houston, Texas. In August 1897, he was promoted to first lieutenant.
Service in the Spanish–American War
In March 1898, Lassiter's regiment moved to Galveston, Texas. They were getting ready for service overseas during the Spanish–American War. In April, the 1st Artillery moved to Tampa, Florida. Lassiter was part of the regiment's Light Battery K.
The 1st Artillery served with the Fifth Army Corps in Cuba. Lassiter fought in the Siege of Santiago. He was recognized for his bravery at Santiago. He received the Citation Star for his actions. This award was later changed to the Silver Star in 1918.
Continuing His Military Path
After his time in Cuba, Lassiter taught tactics at West Point. He served there from 1898 to 1901. In February 1901, he was promoted to captain. He then commanded the 7th Field Artillery Battery at Fort Riley, Kansas, until 1903.
From 1904 to 1908, Lassiter worked on an Army board. This board updated the rules for Field Artillery drills. He also helped test new cannons and ammunition. In February 1908, he became a major and joined the 3rd Field Artillery.
As a major, Lassiter worked for the Inspector General. He inspected the Army of Cuban Pacification from 1908 to 1909. He also inspected all Field Artillery regiments. He served in the Philippines until 1910. There, he inspected Field Artillery and other units.
In 1911, Lassiter returned to the United States. He inspected the experimental Maneuver Division at Fort Sam Houston. He also worked at the War Department in Washington, D.C.. In October 1911, Lassiter joined a U.S. Military Mission. This mission observed army training in Germany, France, and England. He stayed with the mission until March 1913. On March 16, he was promoted to lieutenant colonel.
Lassiter served with the 4th Field Artillery in Texas City, Texas. This was from March 1913 to April 1914. He took part in the 1914 Occupation of Veracruz, Mexico. This event happened because of problems between the United States and Mexico. In November 1914, he joined the 2nd Field Artillery. He served at Fort Stotsenburg, Philippines, until September 1916. In July 1916, Lassiter was promoted to colonel.
World War I Service
From November 1916 to August 1917, Lassiter was the U.S. military attaché in London. In August 1917, he became a temporary brigadier general. As the United States prepared for World War I, Lassiter commanded Base Section Number 3. He also commanded all American troops in England.
Lassiter took command of the 51st Field Artillery Brigade in October 1917. He led his unit during training in England and France. Then, they fought in France. His brigade was part of the 26th Division. They served with French forces in areas like Chemin des Dames and Toul.
As more American troops arrived in France in 1918, Lassiter became chief of artillery for I Corps. He also helped organize and train the 66th Field Artillery Brigade. He served with I Corps during battles in the Toul area and the Battle of Château-Thierry. He also took part in the Second Battle of the Marne in 1918. In August 1918, Lassiter became chief of artillery for IV Corps. He participated in the Battle of Saint-Mihiel. He was promoted to temporary major general in August 1918.
In October 1918, Lassiter became chief of artillery for Second Army. He served during fighting near Toul until the Armistice ended the war. In November 1918, Lassiter took command of the 32nd Division. He led this division during the Occupation of the Rhineland after the war.
For his service in World War I, Lassiter received the Army Distinguished Service Medal. France awarded him the Croix de Guerre and the Legion of Honor. England also gave him the Order of St Michael and St George.
After the War
While serving in Germany, Lassiter became chief of artillery for Third Army. He also served on a board that reviewed Army activities during the war. This board looked for ways to improve future training and equipment. In the summer of 1919, he joined General John J. Pershing in victory parades in Paris and London. When he returned to the United States in August 1919, he went back to his permanent rank of colonel.
Lassiter worked for the War Department until September 1920. In August 1920, he was promoted to brigadier general. From 1920 to 1921, he commanded the Fort Knox, Kentucky military post. From 1921 to 1923, Lassiter was the Army's assistant chief of staff for operations and training. He was promoted to major general in December 1922.
From 1923 to 1924, Lassiter commanded the Panama Canal Division. He then commanded the Panama Canal Department until January 1926. From January to June 1926, Lassiter led the Tacna-Arica Arbitration Plebiscite Commission. This group worked to solve a land dispute between Chile and Peru.
Lassiter again commanded the Panama Canal Department from June to October 1926. He then worked at the U.S. State Department in Washington, D.C. There, he finished the work of the plebiscite commission. From 1927 to 1928, Lassiter commanded the Sixth Corps Area in Chicago. From April to October 1928, he commanded the Philippine Department. From 1928 to 1930, Lassiter commanded the Eighth Corps Area in San Antonio. He commanded the Hawaiian Department from 1930 to 1931.
Retirement and Later Life
Lassiter reached the age of 64 in September 1931. He retired as a major general on September 30. On October 5, 1935, Lassiter married Jeannette Fallon Johnson (1884-1965) in London.
In retirement, Lassiter lived in Santa Barbara, California. He passed away in Santa Barbara on March 29, 1959. He was buried at Santa Barbara Cemetery.
Images for kids
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Lassiter ca. 1930
