George Windle Read

Read was born in Indianola, Iowa, the son of James C. Read and Elizabeth Snell (Windle) Read.[https://books.google.com/books?id=wEkFzIWjdn4C&pg=PA519 U.S. Leadership in Wartime: Clashes, Controversy, and Compromise], by Spencer C. Tucker, 2009, Volume 1, page 519 He graduated from the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, New York, in 1883 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant of Infantry.[https://books.google.com/books?id=YiZRC8bsOuoC&pg=PA495 The United States in the First World War: An Encyclopedia], by Anne Cipriano Venzon and Paul L. Miles, 1999, page 495

Read's initial assignments were in the American West, and his first posting was with the 16th Infantry Regiment.[https://books.google.com/books?id=4ZEVAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA223 Harper's Pictorial Library of the World War], edited by Albert Bushnell Hart, 1920, Volume 9, page 223 A few months later he transferred to the 5th Cavalry Regiment, with which he served until 1889.[https://books.google.com/books?id=BJPeAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA374 Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point], by George Washington Cullum, 1891, Volume 3, page 374

From 1889 to 1893, Read was Assistant Professor of Military Science at the University of Iowa, after which he returned to the 5th Cavalry Regiment in Texas.[https://books.google.com/books?id=8ZQUAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA384 The Iowa Historical Record], published by the State Historical Society of Iowa, 1893, Volumes 7–9, page 384

In 1898, Read authored The Automatic Instructor: A Practical System for Home Study.[https://archive.org/details/automaticinstru00readgoog The Automatic Instructor: A Practical System for Home Study], by George Windle Read, 1898, title page

At the start of the Spanish–American War Read was assigned to an Ordnance unit, with which he served in Cuba until 1899. Receiving promotion to captain, he served in New Mexico from 1901 to 1902, after which he was assigned to the Philippines.

After leaving Cuba, Read served in California and Hawaii. From 1905 to 1909 he served on the Army's General Staff.Who Was Who in America with World Wotables, 1943, Marquis Company (Chicago), Volume 1, page 1014 Promoted to major, he served in Cuba, Puerto Rico and the Philippines before attending the Army War College, from which he graduated in 1914.Webster's American Military Biographies, G. and C. Merriam and Company, 1978, page 343

Advanced to lieutenant colonel after his war college graduation, Read served in Texas and Arizona during the US–Mexico border conflict, including the Pancho Villa Expedition. From 1915 to 1917 Read again served in Washington, D.C., as a member of the Army General Staff.[https://books.google.com/books?id=8pOxaExnQ9kC&pg=PA90 The World's Work Magazine] Volume 37, Number 1 (November, 1918), page 90

File:George Windle Read WW I.jpg

In April, 1917, Read (now a colonel) was appointed to head recruiting as the army began to mobilize for World War I.[https://books.google.com/books?id=Ok1VTvwkC2kC&pg=PA243 Who's Who in World War One], by J.M. Bourne, 2001, pages 243-244 In August he was selected to command the 152nd Depot Brigade at Camp Upton, New York. In December Read was promoted to temporary major general and assigned to command first the 77th Infantry Division, and then the 15th Cavalry Division in El Paso, Texas.[https://books.google.com/books?id=v7oTAAAAYAAJ&pg=PA188 Year Book of the Pennsylvania Society], published by the society, 1919, page 188

The 15th Cavalry Division was disbanded in favor of fielding all infantry divisions, and in April, 1918 Read took command of the 30th Infantry Division, which he led to France.The Thirtieth Division in the World War, by Elmer A. Murphy and Robert S. Thomas, 1936, page 267 In June he was selected by General John J. Pershing, Commander-in-Chief (C-in-C) of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) on the Western Front, to command the II Corps, consisting of five divisions assigned to the British sector of the Western Front. After three of his divisions were transferred to take part in the Saint-Mihiel Offensive, Read continued to command the other two divisions, which were attached to the Australian Corps in the Ypres sector, and participated in the Hundred Days Offensive (August–November 1918) that breached the Hindenburg Line.[https://books.google.com/books?id=px_1JGtbeIAC&pg=PA286 The War to End All Wars: the American Military Experience in World War I], by Edward M. Coffman, 1998, page 286[https://archive.org/details/americainfrance01palmgoog America in France], by Frederick Palmer, 1919, page 286

Read continued to command the II Corps after the Armistice. After the organization was demobilized in February, 1919 Read was assigned to command of the American Embarkation Center at Le Havre, France, where he was responsible for arranging the transportation of men and materiel back to the United States.Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y, by George Washington Cullum, 1930, Volume 7, page 204 He was also the final commander of the 42nd Infantry Division as it completed post-war occupation duty in Germany and prepared to depart Europe.[https://books.google.com/books?id=vsoh_fBkAtwC&pg=PA45 The US Army in World War I – Orders of Battle], by Richard A. Rinaldi, 2004, page 45[https://archive.today/20130131191305/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/chicagotribune/access/380761231.html?dids=380761231:380761231&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Apr+22,+1919&author=&pub=Chicago+Tribune&desc='REILLY'S+BUCKS'+DUE+HOME+APRIL+25&pqatl=google "'Reilly's Bucks' Due Home April 25"], Chicago Tribune, April 22, 1919[https://books.google.com/books?id=SaVg4WgPhhwC&pg=PA144 Vin Rouge, Vin Blanc, Beaucoup Vin, the American Expeditionary Force in WWI], by Van Lee, 2005, page 144

For his services during the war Read received numerous awards and decorations, which included the Army Distinguished Service Medal and the British Order of the Bath.[https://books.google.com/books?id=kwdNAAAAMAAJ&q=read&pg=PA439 Heroes All!: A Compendium of the Names and Official Citations of the Soldiers and Citizens of the United States and of Her Allies who Were Decorated by the American Government for Exceptional Heroism and Conspicuous Service Above and Beyond the Call of Duty in the War with Germany, 1917–1919], edited by Harry R. Stringer 1919, page 479[https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FA0F17F8385511738DDDAC0A94DB405B898DF1D3 "High British Honor to Major Gen. Read; Second American Corps Commander Made Knight of the Order of the Bath"], The New York Times, March 25, 1919 The citation for his Army DSM states the following:

{{Quote|The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General George Windle Read, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. General Read Commanded with distinction the 30th Division, and organized and Commanded the 2d Army Corps in its operations with the British forces in France. He displayed qualities of leadership and professional attainments of a high order, and to his efforts are largely due the brilliant success achieved. {{cite web|url=https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/18067|title=Valor awards for George Windle Read|publisher=Military Times}}}}

In addition, he received the French Legion of Honor (Commander), and French Croix de Guerre with Palm.{{cite book |last=United States Military Academy Association of Graduates |date=1935 |title=Annual Report |url=http://digital-library.usma.edu/cdm/compoundobject/collection/aogreunion/id/18194/rec/18 |location=Newburgh, NY |publisher=Moore Printing Company |page=126}}

In May, 1919, Read was assigned to command the US V Corps at Camp Jackson, South Carolina, with the permanent rank of brigadier general.[https://www.nytimes.com/1934/11/07/archives/iaj-oen-o-w-read-is-dead-at-capital-world-war-officer-succumbs-in-w.html Newspaper article, Maj Gen. GW Read is Dead at Capital; World War Officer Succumbs in Walter Reed Hospital], The New York Times, November 7, 1934 In March, 1921 he received permanent promotion to major general.[https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/718624432.html?dids=718624432:718624432&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Apr+14,+1921&author=&pub=Boston+Daily+Globe&desc=HARDING+APPROVES+ARMY+PROMOTIONS&pqatl=google "Harding Approves Army Promotions"] {{Webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20121104014445/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/718624432.html?dids=718624432:718624432&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Apr+14,+1921&author=&pub=Boston+Daily+Globe&desc=HARDING+APPROVES+ARMY+PROMOTIONS&pqatl=google |date=2012-11-04 }}, Boston Daily Globe, April 14, 1921

In October, 1922, Read was appointed commander of the Philippine Department. He assumed command in early 1923, and remained in this assignment until his 1925 retirement.[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=yscoAAAAIBAJ&sjid=SQYGAAAAIBAJ&pg=4105,4569526&dq=george+read+philippines&hl=en "McRea Is Granted Post in Philippines"], Berkeley Daily Gazette, November 21, 1924

In retirement Read resided in Upper Providence Township, Pennsylvania.1930 United States Census entry for George W. Read and Burton Y. Read He died at Walter Reed Army Hospital, shortly before his 74th birthday, on November 6, 1934, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Section South, Site 1819."Officer Succumbs", Associated Press, reported in Lubbock Morning Advocate, November 7, 1934"Death Notice for George W. Read", Philippine Magazine, Volume 31 (December, 1934)Annual Report, United States Military Academy Association of Graduates, 1935, page 123{{Cite web |url=http://gravelocator.cem.va.gov/j2ee/servlet/NGL_v1 |title=US Department of Veterans Affairs Nationwide Gravesite Locator |access-date=2010-10-04 |archive-date=2019-05-17 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20190517121033/http://gravelocator.cem.va.gov/j2ee/servlet/NGL_v1 |url-status=dead }}[https://ancexplorer.army.mil/publicwmv/#/arlington-national/search/results/1/CgRyZWFkEgZnZW9yZ2U-/ Arlington National Cemetery]

In 1886, Read married Burton Young (1868–1944) in a ceremony that took place in El Paso. She was the daughter of General S.B.M Young, who served as the first Army Chief of Staff.[http://freepages.genealogy.rootsweb.ancestry.com/~janarmstrong/elpmgs.html Early Marriages of El Paso County, Texas], Book 1 (1876–1880) Their children included Burton Young Read (1889–1981), a career soldier who served from the early 1900s through World War II before retiring as a colonel,1910 United States Federal Census, entry for Burton Y. ReadU.S. Army Adjutant General, [https://archive.org/stream/officialarmyregi1946unit#page/566/mode/2up Official U.S. Army Register], 1946, page 366California Death Index, 1940–1997, entry for Burton Y. Read and George Windle Read Jr., a career soldier who served in both world wars and attained the rank of lieutenant general as commander of the US Army Armor Center and the Second United States Army.{{cite news |date=March 30, 1960 |title=Gen. Read of 2nd Army to Speak July 3 |url=https://newspaperarchive.com/gettysburg-times-mar-30-1960-p-2/ |work=Gettysburg Times |location=Gettysburg, PA |page=1 |url-access=subscription |via=NewspaperArchive.com}}

{{Reflist}}

• Borrowed Soldiers: Americans Under British Command, 1918. 2008. University of Oklahoma Press. {{ISBN|9780806139197}} {{OCLC|171287665}}{{cite book |title=Borrowed soldiers: Americans under British command, 1918 |author= |publisher=OCLC WorldCat |oclc = 171287665}}

{{Commons category|George Windle Read}}

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{{Authority control}}

{{DEFAULTSORT:Read, George Windle}}

Category:1860 births

Category:1934 deaths

Category:United States Army Cavalry Branch personnel

Category:United States Army Infantry Branch personnel

Category:University of Iowa faculty

Category:United States Army generals of World War I

Category:United States Military Academy alumni

Category:American military personnel of the Spanish–American War

Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army)

Category:Honorary Knights Commander of the Order of the Bath

Category:American recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 (France)

Category:Commanders of the Legion of Honour

Category:People from Indianola, Iowa

Category:Military personnel from Delaware County, Pennsylvania

Category:United States Army War College alumni

Category:United States Army generals

Category:Burials at Arlington National Cemetery

Category:Military personnel from Iowa

Category:19th-century United States Army personnel