William Abram Mann
Encyclopedia
William Abram Mann was a general officer in the United States Army
.
Mann was born on July 31, 1854 in Altoona, Pennsylvania
and graduated from the United States Military Academy
at West Point in 1875, receiving a commission as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry
.
He served in the western United States throughout the 1870 and 1880s, mostly in assignments with the 7th Cavalry. As part of the 17th Infantry Regiment
, he took part in the Sioux Indian campaign of 1890 to 1891.
Mann served with the 17th Infantry Regiment in the Spanish-American War
, participating in the Battle of El Caney
and the Siege of Santiago
. He received a Silver Star
for gallantry in action at El Caney. Mann also served in the Philippines
in 1899 and the early 1900s. He graduated from the Army War College in 1905.
From 1907 to 1909 Mann commanded the 6th Infantry Regiment at Fort William Henry Harrison
, Montana
, also temporarily commanding the Department of Dakota
on several occasions. From 1910 to 1911 he commanded the Recruit Depot, at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri
.
In 1911 he was assignd to the Army's General Staff, and from 1912 to 1913 he was Chief of Staff for the Eastern Department in New York City
. He served as Chief of Staff for the division based in Texas City, Texas from 1913 to 1914.
From 1914 to 1915 Mann commanded the 3rd Infantry Regiment at Madison Barracks
, New York, and in 1915 he was assigned as commander of the 1st Brigade in Albany, New York
, receiving promotion to Brigadier General
.
In 1916 General Mann assumed command of the School of Musketry and Field Artillery in Laredo, Texas
. In 1917 he was named to head the Army's Militia Bureau (now the National Guard Bureau), receiving promotion to Major General
.
General Mann left the Militia Bureau to become the first commander of the 42nd Infantry Division, nicknamed the Rainbow Division, which was composed of National Guard units from 26 states and the District of Columbia. His appointment was President Woodrow Wilson
's effort to gain support from Republicans including the brother of General Mann for America's war effort. The 42nd Division's activation was important because it was the first time National Guard units from multiple states were organized together and it was the first time smaller Guard units were formed into divisions.
Mann led the Rainbow Division to France
, but did not pass his physical exam, and so was not able to command the organization in combat. He then returned to the U.S. and commanded the Department of the East until he reached mandatory retirement age in late 1918.
After leaving the military Mann became an executive at Equitable Trust Company of New York.
In retirement Mann resided in Washington, D.C.
, and he died there on October 8, 1934. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery
, Section South, Site 1996.
The USS General W. A. Mann (AP-112)
, a World War II
troop carrier, was named for him. The General Mann was commissioned in 1943, used in World War II, the Korean War
and the Vietnam War
, and remained in service until 1965.
General Mann was the brother of U.S. House of Representatives Minority Leader
James Robert Mann (Illinois).
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
.
Mann was born on July 31, 1854 in Altoona, Pennsylvania
Altoona, Pennsylvania
-History:A major railroad town, Altoona was founded by the Pennsylvania Railroad in 1849 as the site for a shop complex. Altoona was incorporated as a borough on February 6, 1854, and as a city under legislation approved on April 3, 1867, and February 8, 1868...
and 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...
at West Point in 1875, receiving a commission as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry
Infantry
Infantrymen are soldiers who are specifically trained for the role of fighting on foot to engage the enemy face to face and have historically borne the brunt of the casualties of combat in wars. As the oldest branch of combat arms, they are the backbone of armies...
.
He served in the western United States throughout the 1870 and 1880s, mostly in assignments with the 7th Cavalry. As part of the 17th Infantry Regiment
17th Infantry Regiment (United States)
The 17th Infantry Regiment is a United States Army infantry regiment. While the 17th Infantry Regiment was organized on January 11, 1812, it was consolidated with the 3rd Infantry due to extremely heavy losses at Frenchtown, and lost its identity two years later until May 3, 1861, when it was...
, he took part in the Sioux Indian campaign of 1890 to 1891.
Mann served with the 17th Infantry Regiment in the Spanish-American War
Spanish-American War
The Spanish–American War was a conflict in 1898 between Spain and the United States, effectively the result of American intervention in the ongoing Cuban War of Independence...
, participating in the Battle of El Caney
Battle of El Caney
The Battle of El Caney was fought on July 1, 1898, during the Spanish-American War.-Background:At El Caney, Cuba, 514 Spanish regular soldiers, together with approximately 100 armed Spanish loyalists under the command of General Joaquín Vara de Rey were instructed to hold the northwest flank of...
and the Siege of Santiago
Siege of Santiago
The Siege of Santiago also known as the Siege of Santiago de Cuba was the last major operation of the Spanish-American War on the island of Cuba. This action should not be confused with the naval battle of Santiago de Cuba.-Santiago Campaign:...
. He received a Silver Star
Silver Star
The Silver Star is the third-highest combat military decoration that can be awarded to a member of any branch of the United States armed forces for valor in the face of the enemy....
for gallantry in action at El Caney. Mann also 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...
in 1899 and the early 1900s. He graduated from the Army War College in 1905.
From 1907 to 1909 Mann commanded the 6th Infantry Regiment at Fort William Henry Harrison
Fort William Henry Harrison
Fort William Henry Harrison is the Montana National Guard training facility.-History:Fort William Henry Harrison was authorized by a Congressional act of 12 May 1892 which was intended to establish, as a part of a greater consolidation program, concentrations of troops in a few larger...
, Montana
Montana
Montana is a state in the Western United States. The western third of Montana contains numerous mountain ranges. Smaller, "island ranges" are found in the central third of the state, for a total of 77 named ranges of the Rocky Mountains. This geographical fact is reflected in the state's name,...
, also temporarily commanding the Department of Dakota
Department of Dakota
A subdivision of the Division of the Missouri, the Department of Dakota was established by the United States Army on August 11, 1866 to encompass all military activities and forts within Minnesota, Dakota Territory and Montana Territory. The Department of Dakota was initially headquartered at Fort...
on several occasions. From 1910 to 1911 he commanded the Recruit Depot, at Jefferson Barracks, Missouri
Missouri
Missouri is a US state located in the Midwestern United States, bordered by Iowa, Illinois, Kentucky, Tennessee, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Kansas and Nebraska. With a 2010 population of 5,988,927, Missouri is the 18th most populous state in the nation and the fifth most populous in the Midwest. It...
.
In 1911 he was assignd to the Army's General Staff, and from 1912 to 1913 he was Chief of Staff for the Eastern Department in New York City
New York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He served as Chief of Staff for the division based in Texas City, Texas from 1913 to 1914.
From 1914 to 1915 Mann commanded the 3rd Infantry Regiment at Madison Barracks
Madison Barracks
Madison Barracks was a military installation at Sackets Harbor that was built for occupation by 600 U.S. troops, a few years after the War of 1812. It was named for James Madison who had just completed his presidency in 1817. The facility is a National Historic Landmark and a historic district...
, New York, and in 1915 he was assigned as commander of the 1st Brigade in Albany, New York
Albany, New York
Albany is the capital city of the U.S. state of New York, the seat of Albany County, and the central city of New York's Capital District. Roughly north of New York City, Albany sits on the west bank of the Hudson River, about south of its confluence with the Mohawk River...
, receiving promotion 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 1916 General Mann assumed command of the School of Musketry and Field Artillery in Laredo, Texas
Laredo, Texas
Laredo is the county seat of Webb County, Texas, United States, located on the north bank of the Rio Grande in South Texas, across from Nuevo Laredo, Tamaulipas, Mexico. According to the 2010 census, the city population was 236,091 making it the 3rd largest on the United States-Mexican border,...
. In 1917 he was named to head the Army's Militia Bureau (now the National Guard Bureau), receiving promotion 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...
.
General Mann left the Militia Bureau to become the first commander of the 42nd Infantry Division, nicknamed the Rainbow Division, which was composed of National Guard units from 26 states and the District of Columbia. His appointment was President Woodrow Wilson
Woodrow Wilson
Thomas Woodrow Wilson was the 28th President of the United States, from 1913 to 1921. A leader of the Progressive Movement, he served as President of Princeton University from 1902 to 1910, and then as the Governor of New Jersey from 1911 to 1913...
's effort to gain support from Republicans including the brother of General Mann for America's war effort. The 42nd Division's activation was important because it was the first time National Guard units from multiple states were organized together and it was the first time smaller Guard units were formed into divisions.
Mann led the Rainbow Division 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...
, but did not pass his physical exam, and so was not able to command the organization in combat. He then returned to the U.S. and commanded the Department of the East until he reached mandatory retirement age in late 1918.
After leaving the military Mann became an executive at Equitable Trust Company of New York.
In retirement Mann resided in Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C.
Washington, D.C., formally the District of Columbia and commonly referred to as Washington, "the District", or simply D.C., is the capital of the United States. On July 16, 1790, the United States Congress approved the creation of a permanent national capital as permitted by the U.S. Constitution....
, and he died there on October 8, 1934. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
, Section South, Site 1996.
The USS General W. A. Mann (AP-112)
USS General W. A. Mann (AP-112)
USS General W. A. Mann was a troop transport that served with the United States Navy in World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War....
, a World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
troop carrier, was named for him. The General Mann was commissioned in 1943, used in World War II, the Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
and the Vietnam War
Vietnam War
The Vietnam War was a Cold War-era military conflict that occurred in Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia from 1 November 1955 to the fall of Saigon on 30 April 1975. This war followed the First Indochina War and was fought between North Vietnam, supported by its communist allies, and the government of...
, and remained in service until 1965.
General Mann was the brother of U.S. House of Representatives Minority Leader
Minority leader
In U.S. politics, the minority leader is the floor leader of the second largest caucus in a legislative body. Given the two-party nature of the U.S. system, the minority leader is almost inevitably either a Republican or a Democrat, with their counterpart being of the opposite party. The position...
James Robert Mann (Illinois).
Sources
- U.S. Army Register, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General's Office, 1875
- Reminiscences of West Point in the Olden Time, Augusta Blanche Berard, 1886, page 50
- U.S. Army Register, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General's Office, 1888, page 266
- Historical Register of the United States Army, by Francis Bernard Heitman, 1890, Volume 1, page 450
- The World Almanac and Encyclopedia, published by Press Publishing Company, 1903, page 407
- Historical Register and Dictionary of the United States Army, 1903, Volume 1, page 687
- The Tribune Almanac and Political Register, published by the Tribune Association, 1906, Volume XVIII, No. 1, page 1866
- War Department Annual Reports, published by U.S. War Department, 1908, page 113
- Who's Who in Pennsylvania: a Biographical Dictionary of Contemporaries, 1908, Volume 2, page 466
- Journal of the Military Service Institution of the United States, 1913, Volume LII, page xii
- Magazine article, Army Promotions, The Outlook, November 25, 1914
- Magazine article, The General Staff, the North American Review, July 1917, Volume CCVI, page 230
- Professional journal article, New Army Board Named to Consider Relationship Between Department Commanders and Guard, Official U.S. Bulletin, June 28, 1917
- Current History: a Monthly Magazine of the New York Times, Volume VII, October 1917 to March 1918, page 12
- Newspaper article, Rainbow Division Again in Review, New York Times, October 8, 1917
- Newspaper article, New Commands for Returned Officers, Los Angeles Times, January 3, 1918
- Newspaper article, Gen. Mann to Command Eastern Department, Hartford Courant, January 3, 1918
- Newspaper article, Gen. Mann Goes Into Bank for Overseas, Chicago Tribune, November 24, 1918
- Trust Companies News, Banking Publicity Association of the United States, 1918, volume 27, page 624
- America's Part in the World War, Richard Joseph Beamish and Francis Andrew March, 1919, page 586
- Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy, by George W. Cullum, 1920, Volume 1, page 203
- Harper's Pictorial Library of the World War, Albert Bushnell Hart, 1920, page 109
- U.S. Army Register, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General's Office, 1922, page 1198
- Newspaper article, Maj. Gen. W. A. Mann died at 80, New York Times, October 9, 1934
- Carbine and Lance: The Story of Old Fort Sill, Wilbur Sturtevant Nye, 1983, page 326
- U.S.S. General W.A. Mann Association web site, http://www.ussgenwamann.org/
- Maneuver and Firepower: The Evolution of Divisions and Separate Brigades, by John B. Wilson, United States Army Center of Military History, 1998, Chapter 3, end note 31