George S. Simonds
Encyclopedia
George S. Simonds was a U.S. Army General.
He graduated from the United States Military Academy
in 1899. After graduation he was assigned to the 22d Infantry. He served in the Philippines
and China
. He returned to West Point in 1904 as an instructor in the Department of Law. In addition from 1915 to 1917 he also taught in the Department of Tactics.
When World War I began, he was sent to France
as an observer. After returning to America he was assigned to the General Staff of the General Headquarters of the American Expeditionary Force
and returned to France again in 1917. Lieutenant Colonel
George S. Simonds, Infantry, was Chief of Staff of the 2nd Corps, American Expeditionary Force. He received the Army Distinguished Service Medal
for service in World War I.
Simonds was promoted to Brigadier General
in 1924.
Brigadier General Simonds served as Chief of the War Plans Division of the War Department from September 1, 1927 to September 1, 1931.
In 1932 he was assigned to run the Army War College. Previously he was Douglas MacArthur
's chief war planner, and his appointment was made to improve the planning ability in the Army War College.
Simonds was promoted to Major General
in 1933.
Major General Simonds served as Deputy Chief of Staff in the War Department from February 2, 1935 to May 28, 1936.
In June 1936, Simonds took command of the Fourth United States Army and Ninth Corps; the headquarters was at the Presidio of San Francisco
.
General Simonds retired from the Army at San Francisco, retiring in 1938. He died 7 months later and was buried in the West Point Cemetery
. The ship USAT General George S. Simonds was named for him.
He graduated from the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
in 1899. After graduation he was assigned to the 22d Infantry. He served in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
and China
China
Chinese civilization may refer to:* China for more general discussion of the country.* Chinese culture* Greater China, the transnational community of ethnic Chinese.* History of China* Sinosphere, the area historically affected by Chinese culture...
. He returned to West Point in 1904 as an instructor in the Department of Law. In addition from 1915 to 1917 he also taught in the Department of Tactics.
When World War I began, he was sent to France
France
The French Republic , The French Republic , The French Republic , (commonly known as France , is a unitary semi-presidential republic in Western Europe with several overseas territories and islands located on other continents and in the Indian, Pacific, and Atlantic oceans. Metropolitan France...
as an observer. After returning to America he was assigned to the General Staff of the General Headquarters of the American Expeditionary Force
American Expeditionary Force
The American Expeditionary Forces or AEF were the United States Armed Forces sent to Europe in World War I. During the United States campaigns in World War I the AEF fought in France alongside British and French allied forces in the last year of the war, against Imperial German forces...
and returned to France again in 1917. Lieutenant Colonel
Lieutenant Colonel (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Air Force, and United States Marine Corps, a lieutenant colonel is a field grade military officer rank just above the rank of major and just below the rank of colonel. It is equivalent to the naval rank of commander in the other uniformed services.The pay...
George S. Simonds, Infantry, was Chief of Staff of the 2nd Corps, American Expeditionary Force. He received the Army Distinguished Service Medal
Distinguished Service Medal (Army)
The Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Army that is presented to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the United States military, has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious service to the Government in a duty of great...
for service in World War I.
Simonds was promoted to Brigadier General
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
in 1924.
Brigadier General Simonds served as Chief of the War Plans Division of the War Department from September 1, 1927 to September 1, 1931.
In 1932 he was assigned to run the Army War College. Previously he was Douglas MacArthur
Douglas MacArthur
General of the Army Douglas MacArthur was an American general and field marshal of the Philippine Army. He was a Chief of Staff of the United States Army during the 1930s and played a prominent role in the Pacific theater during World War II. He received the Medal of Honor for his service in the...
's chief war planner, and his appointment was made to improve the planning ability in the Army War College.
Simonds was promoted to Major General
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
in 1933.
Major General Simonds served as Deputy Chief of Staff in the War Department from February 2, 1935 to May 28, 1936.
In June 1936, Simonds took command of the Fourth United States Army and Ninth Corps; the headquarters was at the Presidio of San Francisco
Presidio of San Francisco
The Presidio of San Francisco is a park on the northern tip of the San Francisco Peninsula in San Francisco, California, within the Golden Gate National Recreation Area...
.
General Simonds retired from the Army at San Francisco, retiring in 1938. He died 7 months later and was buried in the West Point Cemetery
West Point Cemetery
West Point Cemetery is a historic cemetery on the grounds of the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. It overlooks the Hudson River, and served as a burial ground for American Revolutionary War soldiers and early West Point inhabitants long before 1817 when it was officially...
. The ship USAT General George S. Simonds was named for him.