Years of service 1899-1938 Name George Simonds | Rank Major General | |
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Born March 12, 1874Iowa ( 1874-03-12 ) Allegiance United States of America Battles/wars Philippine–American WarWorld War I Died November 1, 1938, San Francisco, California, United States Awards Distinguished Service Medal Battles and wars | ||
Commands held Fourth ArmyIX Corps | ||
George Sherwin Simonds (March 12, 1874 – November 1, 1938) was a U.S. Army officer with the rank of Major General.
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Early life
He was born in Cresco, Iowa on March 12, 1874.
Military career
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. He commanded the tank center until 1925, and was succeeded by James K. Parsons.
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.
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.
Simonds retired from the Army at San Francisco, retiring in 1938.
Death and legacy
He died on November 1, 1938 and was buried in the West Point Cemetery. The ship USAT General George S. Simonds was named for him.