Years of service 1898–1941 Name Stanley Ford | ||
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Born January 30, 1877Columbus, Ohio ( 1877-01-30 ) Allegiance United States of America | ||
Stanley Hamer Ford was a United States Army General. He was prominent as commander of the Philippine Department, 1st Infantry Division, VII Corps, VI Corps, and the Second United States Army.
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Early life
Ford was born on January 30, 1877 in Columbus, Ohio. Ford graduated from the Ohio State University with a Bachelor of Philosophy degree in 1898, and was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity. He was then commissioned as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry in the United States Army.
Spanish–American War
Ford saw service in Cuba and the Philippines during the Spanish American War, serving with the 16th Infantry in Cuba and the 25th Infantry in the Philippines.
Post Spanish–American War
After the war he served in a series of staff and command assignments, including Infantry and Quartermaster postings to Jefferson Barracks, Missouri, Washington, D.C., and the installation now known as Fort Drum, New York.
World War I
During World War I, he served as Assistant Chief of Staff of the 84th Infantry Division and Chief of Staff of the 27th Infantry Division.
Post World War I
Ford continued his Army career after the war, completing the General Staff College in 1920.
He served as commander of the 16th Infantry Regiment from 1924 to 1926.
From 1926 to 1930 Ford served as Assistant Chief of Staff of the Army's Military Intelligence Division.
Ford attained the rank of Brigadier General in 1930. In the early 1930s, General Ford served as military attache in Paris, France. He then commanded 1st Brigade 1st Infantry Division. After his brigade command, Ford took command of the Philippine Department.
General Ford was promoted to Major General in 1936 and Lieutenant General in 1939, and successively commanded 1st Infantry Division VII Corps, and VI Corps.
He was a member of the Military Order of Foreign Wars.
World War II
As commander of Second Army Ford oversaw execution of large scale maneuvers and exercises by active Army and National Guard troops that enhanced their readiness in anticipation of fighting in Europe and the Pacific during World War II.
General Ford ended his military career upon reaching mandatory retirement age in January, 1941.
Awards and decorations
For his Spanish-American War service General Ford received the Spanish Campaign Medal, Philippine Campaign Medal and Cuban Pacification Medal.
Ford received the Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of his superior performance with the 27th Division in World War I.
General Ford also received the French Legion of Honor and Belgian Croix de Guerre in recognition of his World War I service.
In 1940 General Ford received an honorary Doctor of Laws degree from the Ohio State University.
Post military career
During World War II he assisted John F. O'Ryan, the World War I commander of the 27th Infantry Division, during O'Ryan's assignment as New York State's Civil Defense Director.
Personal
General Ford married Lona Pace in 1904. Their son Hamer Pace Ford (1905–1950) graduated from West Point in 1924 and was a career Army officer, attaining the rank of Colonel before his death in Berlin, Germany. In 1933 General Ford married Katherine Welch of Philadelphia.
Death and interment
General Ford died at the Army's Carlisle Barracks on January 19, 1961, while en route to John F. Kennedy's inaugural. He was buried in Philadelphia's Laurel Hill Cemetery, Section K, Lot 214-SW 1/4.