Years of service 1896–1936 Rank Major General | Name Dennis Nolan | |
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Born April 22, 1872
Akron, New York ( 1872-04-22 ) Allegiance United States of America Commands held Chief, Intelligence Services, American Expeditionary Force
55th Brigade – 28th Infantry Division
Director, Military Intelligence Division G-2
2nd Infantry Division
Fifth Corps Area
Second Corps Area
First United States Army Battles/wars Spanish–American War
Philippine–American War
World War I Awards Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Medal
Order of the Crown – Italy
National Order of Merit – Chile Role American football head coach Died February 24, 1956, New York City, New York, United States Education United States Military Academy Other work President of the United States Battles and wars Spanish–American War, Philippine–American War, World War I | ||
Service/branch United States Army | ||
Dennis E. Nolan (April 22, 1872 – February 24, 1956) was a career officer with the United States Army through three wars. He distinguished himself by heading the first modern American military combat intelligence function during World War I. Nolan served as the head football coach at the United States Military Academy in 1902, compiling a record of 6–1–1.
Contents
- Early life and education
- During the Spanish American war
- Football coaching career
- Later military career
- Awards
- Personal life
- Death and legacy
- References
Early life and education
Born in Akron, New York, outside of Buffalo, New York, Nolan was the son of an Irish immigrant. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1896.
During the Spanish-American war
He was commissioned a second lieutenant and joined the Third Infantry. Nolan served with the Sanitary Corps, during the Spanish-American War.
Football coaching career
In 1902, Nolan coached the Army football team to a record of 6 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw. The New York Times of 1930s noted that many contemporary U. S. Generals (Nolan, Leon Kromer, Malin Craig, Paul Bunker) were connected by past football experience at West Point.
Later military career
During World War I, Nolan organized the Intelligence Section for the American Expeditionary Forces' general headquarters.
Starting in August 1920, Nolan, then a brigadier general, served for a year as the War Department Chief of Military Intelligence Division.
From 1927 to 1931, Nolan was commander of Fifth Corps Area, headquartered at Fort Hayes at Columbus, Ohio, one of and geographically the largest of nine corps areas established in the continental United States for the administration of the regular army and reserves by the National Defense Act of 1920. As a corps area commander, he oversaw peacetime training for Army Reserves and the National Guard. In time of war, the corps areas would theoretically have ready made corps combat command structures in place to administer regiments of Regular Army, Reserve and National Guard. During the lean post-war and Great Depression years of military spending, he as well other corps commanders were expected to maintain good relations with the public and civilian officials.
Nolan accepted his final posting as commanding general of Second Corps Area, in charge of army units and facilities in New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Puerto Rico on December 1, 1931. On October 1, 1933, U.S. First Army was reestablished, co-located and co-staffed with Second Corps Area at Fort Jay, Governors Island, New York. Nolan became First Army's first peace time commander. Nolan ended his active duty army career upon retirement on April 30, 1936.
Awards
Nolan received the Distinguished Service Cross, the Army Distinguished Service Medal, and 2 Silver Star Citations. He also received the Croix de Guerre with Palm and the Medal of Solidaridad from Panama. He was made a Commander of the Order of the Bath, a Commander of the Legion of Honour, and a Commander of Order of the Crown.
Personal life
He married Julia Grant Sharp on August 21, 1901. They had two children: Dennis and Ellen Honora.
Death and legacy
Nolan died on February 24, 1956 in New York City and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery. General Nolan is a member of the Military Intelligence Hall of Fame.