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William Durward Connor
William Durward Conner
MG William D. Connor
Born (1874-02-22)February 22, 1874
Died June 16, 1960(1960-06-16) (aged 86)
Place of birth Rock County, Wisconsin
Place of death West Point, New York
Buried at West Point Cemetery
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Department of the Army Seal United States Army
Years of service 1897–1938, 1941–1942
Rank US-O8 insignia Major General
Commands held 2nd Infantry Division
Superintendent of the United States Military Academy
Battles/wars Spanish-American War
World War I
World War II
Awards Silver Star (2)
Distinguished Service Medal

William Durward Connor (February 22, 1874 – June 16, 1960) was career United States Army officer who became superintendent of the United States Military Academy.

Early life[]

Connor was born in Wisconsin on February 22, 1874. He received an appointment to West Point from Iowa, graduating first in his class in 1897. He received his commission as an engineer.[1]

Military career[]

He began his military career commissioned an officer in the Corps of Engineers upon graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1897. During the Spanish-American War he served in the Philippines as an engineer and was awarded a Silver Star for heroism in combat.

Bundesarchiv Bild 102-08068, Döbritz, Manöverübung der III

Connor (wearing civilian clothes) inspecting a maneuver of the German Reichswehr in July 1929.

From 1909 to 1916, he was with the War Department General Staff and was promoted to Colonel Deputy Chief of Staff of the American Expeditionary Forces in 1917. In July 1918, World War I, he was promoted Brigadier General of the 32nd Infantry Division and given command of the 63rd Brigade. Later he served as Commanding General of American forces in France from 1918 to 1920. At the Battle of Château-Thierry he was awarded a second Silver Star. For his World War I service he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.

After the war, he was the Chief of Transportation Service in 1921, Deputy Chief of Staff US Army, in 1922 and Commanding General of US Army forces in China, 1923 to 1926. He was promoted to Major General in 1926, he was Commanding General of the 2nd Infantry Division and was Commandant of the Army War College from 1927 until 1932. He served as the Superintendent at West Point from 1932 to 1938 and then retired on 28 February 1938.[1]

He was recalled for service during World War II from 1941 to 1942.[1][2] He is buried at the West Point Cemetery, section 18, row G, grave 75.[3]

References[]

Military offices
Preceded by
William Ruthven Smith
Superintendents of the United States Military Academy
1932–1936
Succeeded by
Jay Leland Benedict
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