Karl Truesdell (August 27, 1882 – July 16, 1955) was a career officer in the United States Army who attained the rank of major general and was a veteran of both World War I and World War II. He was most notable for his leadership assignments as commander of the 1st Infantry Division and VI Corps, and commandant of the United States Army Command and General Staff College.

A native of Moorhead, Minnesota, Truesdell was raised in Washington, D.C., and graduated from Central High School in 1901. He enlisted in the United States Army, and served in the Coast Artillery Corps until 1904. He attained the rank of sergeant, and served until 1904, when he passed the examination for a commission and received appointment as a second lieutenant of Infantry. Truesdell served in Infantry assignments until 1912, when he was detailed for service in the Signal Corps. During World War I, he was the signal officer on the staffs of the 1st Division and V Corps, for which he received the Army Distinguished Service Medal.

Following his World War I service, Truesdell returned to the Infantry branch and continued to rise through the ranks in command and staff positions, including command of the 16th Infantry Regiment, 12th Infantry Brigade, and 1st Infantry Division. During World War II, he commanded the VI Corps and the United States Army Command and General Staff College, for which he received a second award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal and the Order of the British Empire (Honorary Commander). He retired at the end of 1945.

In retirement, Truesdell was a resident of Chevy Chase, Maryland, and maintained a summer home in Silver Lake, New York. He died in Silver Lake on July 16, 1955, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Early life

Karl Truesdell was born in Moorhead, Minnesota, on August 27, 1882, a son of Julius A. Truesdell and Cornelia (Riggs) Truesdell.{{cite magazine |editor-last=Woodburn |editor-first=Thos. B. |date=August 1937 |title=Former Private Commands Fort Jay |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XRWJXA-56KwC&pg=RA19-PA11 |magazine=Recruiting News |location=Governors Island, NY |publisher=Recruiting Publicity Bureau, U.S. Army |page=11 |via=Google Books}} His maternal grandfather was Stephen Return Riggs{{cite magazine |date=1955 |title=Death Notice, Karl Truesdell |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=SoZbAAAAMAAJ&q=%22His+maternal+grandfather+,+Rev.+Stephen+Return+Riggs%22 |magazine=National Genealogical Society Quarterly |volume= 43–44 |location=Falls Church, VA |publisher=National Genealogical Society |page=154 |via=Google Books}} and his siblings included Stephen Return Truesdell, a U.S. Army lieutenant colonel and civil engineer with the Chicago and North Western Transportation Company,{{cite news |date=August 25, 1952 |title=Stephen Truesdell, 64, Retired Railway Engineer |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100239892/obituary-for-stephen-truesdell-aged-64/ |work=The Evening Star |location=Washington, DC |page=8 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news |date=March 29, 1965 |title=Mrs. Truesdell Dies; Active In Adoption Work |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/39744281/obituary-for-helen-paddock-truesdell/ |work=Chicago Tribune |location=Chicago, IL |page=Section 3, Page 11 |via=Newspapers.com}} and Horace Warner Truesdell, a U.S. government agricultural scientist, socialist political activist, and U.S. Army captain who grew apples on a farm in Bluemont, Virginia.{{cite book |author=U.S. House of Representatives Special Committee on Subversive Influences in the Army |date=July 18, 1945 |title=Investigations of the National War Effort |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=NdIuAAAAMAAJ&pg=PP8 |location=Washington, DC |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |page=2 |via=Google Books}}{{cite book |last=Williams |first=Mark |date=1982 |title=Autobiography and Across the Desert of Gobi |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=ufbbAAAAMAAJ&q=%22and+Horace+Warner+Truesdell+,+apple+grower+,+of+Bluemont+,+Virginia%22 |location=Madison, WI |publisher=M. Eccles |page=294 |via=Google Books}}

Julius Truesdell was a newspaper reporter and editor; he relocated to Washington, D.C., soon after Truesdell's birth.{{cite news |date=September 8, 1952 |title=Julius A. Truesdell, 98, Former Newsman, and Father of General |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100241284/obituary-for-julius-a-truesdell-aged/ |work=The Evening Star |location=Washington, DC |page=A-10 |via=Newspapers.com}} Truesdell attended the public schools of Washington and was a graduate of Washington's Central High School. While in high school he was a member of Washington's YMCA Corps of Cadets, which was composed of uniformed students who took part in military drill and ceremony competitions.{{cite news |date=February 28, 1935 |title=D.C. Cadet Wins Promotion |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100241582/cadet-promotion/ |work=The Evening Star |location=Washington, DC |page=A-9 |via=Newspapers.com}} After his 1901 graduation, Truesdell enlisted in the United States Army with the intention of qualifying for an officer's commission. He quickly advanced from private to corporal to sergeant as a member of Fort Monroe, Virginia's 73rd and 74th Coast Artillery Companies.{{cite news |date=April 19, 1902 |title=Promotions in the Army: Artillery Corps |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=OZKMN7OLPMYC&pg=PA826 |work=Army and Navy Journal |location=New York, NY |page=826 |via=Google Books}}{{cite news |editor-last=Rosewater |editor-first=E. |date=January 26, 1904 |title=Army Gossip in Washington |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100238085/appointment-lieutenants/ |work=Omaha Daily Bee |location=Omaha, NE |page=6 |via=Newspapers.com}}

Early career

In 1903, Truesdell took part in the competitive examination process for appointment as an officer.{{cite news |date=January 23, 1904 |title=Army and Navy News: More Civilian Candidates |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100242580/new-york-tribune/ |work=New-York Tribune |location=New York, NY |page=9 |via=Newspapers.com}} He passed, and in June 1904 he received his commission as a second lieutenant in the 5th Infantry Regiment.{{cite news |date=June 20, 1904 |title=Assigned to Regiments |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100242345/assigned-regiments/ |work=The Evening Star |location=Washington, DC |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com}} Truesdell joined his regiment at Plattsburgh Barracks, New York and his initial assignments included escorting military prisoners from the Castle Williams penitentiary on Governors Island, New York to the United States Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.{{cite news |date=May 26, 1906 |title=New York: Thirty-one military prisoners |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100244096/31-prisoners/ |work=Dayton Evening Herald |location=Dayton, OH |page=11 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news |date=August 27, 1907 |title=Army and Navy News: Army Orders |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100244557/army-orders/ |work=The Evening Star |location=Washington, DC |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com}} In August 1907, Truesdell was assigned as quartermaster and commissary officer of the 5th Infantry's 2nd Battalion and posted to Sagua La Grande during the Second Occupation of Cuba. Truesdell returned to the United States in 1909, and his duties after rejoining his regiment included assisting in planning and overseeing execution of 1909's annual Civilian Marksmanship Program National Matches at Camp Perry, Ohio.{{cite news |date=July 17, 1909 |title=Army and Navy News: Army Orders |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100245117/army-orders/ |work=The Evening Star |location=Washington, DC |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com}} In March 1911, Truesdell was promoted to first lieutenant in the 15th Infantry Regiment.{{cite news |date=March 31, 1911 |title=Promotions Are Announced by the War Department |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100245493/promotions-announced/ |work=Leavenworth Times |location=Leavenworth, KS |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com}}

In March 1912, Truesdell was detailed to the Signal Corps.{{cite news |date=March 6, 1912 |title=Army and Navy Orders |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100246065/army-navy/ |work=The Sun |location=New York, NY |page=15 |via=Newspapers.com}} After beginning the Signal Officers Course at Fort Leavenworth's Army Service Schools, he completed the course with Field Company A, Signal Corps, at Fort Omaha, Nebraska.{{cite news |date=May 11, 1912 |title=Army and Navy Orders |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100246545/army-orders/ |work=The Washington Times |location=Washington, DC |page=8 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news |date=June 22, 1912 |title=Signal School Graduates |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100247809/signal-graduates/ |work=Fort Leavenworth News |location=Fort Leavenworth, KS |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com}} On May 29, 1912, Truesdell was one of several officers taking part in a hot air balloon flight to learn how balloons facilitated radio communications.{{cite news |date=May 30, 1912 |title=Army Balloon From Fort Omaha Is Lost |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100247356/army-balloon/ |work=Lincoln Daily Star |location=Lincoln, NE |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com}} What was supposed to be a short familiarization flight over Fort Omaha became the subject of nationwide headlines on May 29 and 30 when the pilot lost control and the balloon was no longer visible to observers on the ground. Several hours later, the pilot made a successful nighttime landing in Burlington Junction, Missouri, about 80 miles from Fort Omaha, which was reported in newspapers throughout the United States on May 30 and May 31.

After serving with Field Company A, Truesdell departed Fort Omaha in November 1912 to assume command of USAMP Cyrus W. Field, an army cable laying ship that carried out installation and maintenance of military telegraph and telephone cables along the Atlantic coast.{{cite news |date=November 20, 1912 |title=Army–Navy: Army Orders |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100248801/army-navy/ |work=The Evening Star |location=Washington, DC |page=16 |via=Newspapers.com}} In May 1913, Truesdell relinquished command and was assigned as assistant to the chief signal officer on the staff of the army's Eastern Department, which was based at Fort Jay on Governors Island.{{cite news |date=May 14, 1913 |title=Army–Navy: Army Orders |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100250291/army-orders/ |work=The Evening Star |location=Washington, DC |page=17 |via=Newspapers.com}} In February 1914, was assigned to duty with Field Company I, Signal Corps, at Fort Bliss, Texas.{{cite news |date=February 4, 1914 |title=Army Orders |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100250648/army-orders/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |location=Washington, DC |page=6 |via=Newspapers.com}} In April 1914, he was reassigned to Fort Sam Houston, Texas for duty with Field Company H, Signal Corps.{{cite news |date=April 3, 1914 |title=Army–Navy: Army Orders |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/38090709/evening-star/ |work=The Evening Star |location=Washington, DC |page=23 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news |date=July 26, 1914 |title=Military Tournament Will Be Spectacular |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100251171/military-tournament/ |work=Austin American-Statesman |location=Austin, TX |page=12 |via=Newspapers.com}}

In February 1915, Truesdell was assigned to the 25th Infantry Regiment with duty at Texas City, Texas.{{cite news |date=February 21, 1915 |title=Army Orders |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100251614/army-orders/ |work=El Paso Times |location=El Paso, TX |page=6 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news |date=May 23, 1915 |title=War Department First Lieut. Karl Truesdell |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100251788/war-department/ |work=The Evening Star |location=Washington, DC |page=34 |via=Newspapers.com}} In July 1915, he returned to Plattsburgh Barracks as inspector of training for an army instruction encampment.{{cite news |date=July 8, 1915 |title=Army–Navy: Army Orders |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100252071/army-orders/ |work=The Evening Star |location=Washington, DC |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com}} In December 1915, Truesdell rejoined the 25th Infantry at Schofield Barracks, Hawaii.{{cite news |date=December 4, 1915 |title=Cavalrymen Will March Tomorrow |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100252565/cavalrymen-march/ |work=San Francisco Chronicle |location=San Francisco, CA |page=14 |via=Newspapers.com}} He was promoted to captain in November 1916{{cite news |date=November 1, 1916 |title=Assignment and Promotion Order |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100253229/assignment-promotion/ |work=The Honolulu Advertiser |location=Honolulu, HI |page=9 |via=Newspapers.com}} and assigned as commander of the regiment's Company I.{{cite news |date=April 4, 1917 |title=Soldiers Are Delighted With New Military Camp |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100253565/soldiers-delighted/ |work=The Honolulu Advertiser |location=Honolulu, HI |page=8 |via=Newspapers.com}}

World War I

In the summer of 1917, Truesdell was promoted to temporary major and assigned to signal duty with the 33rd Division.{{cite news |date=September 3, 1917 |title=Sherman Taking Many To States |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100254647/sherman-taking/ |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |location=Honolulu, HI |page=8 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news |date=September 18, 1917 |title=Forbes Is Only Signal Officer From Reserves |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100254757/signal-officer/ |work=Honolulu Star-Bulletin |location=Honolulu, HI |page=12 |via=Newspapers.com}} In the fall of 1917, Truesdell was with the 33rd Division as it completed organization and training at Camp Logan, Texas prior to departing for service in France.{{cite news |date=September 25, 1917 |title=With the Men in Olive Drab: Major Karl Truesdell |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100256071/major-truesdell/ |work=Houston Post |location=Houston, TX |page=7 |via=Newspapers.com}}

After arrival in France, Truesdell served as signal officer for first the 1st Division, and later the V Corps. He was commended for his work to establish telephone and radio networks that enabled American Expeditionary Forces units to communicate with each other, which facilitated success in combat by making it easier to gain and maintain situational awareness, transmit orders and reports, and coordinate for artillery support, logistics and transportation, and combat health support. During the war, Truesdell was promoted to temporary lieutenant colonel and then temporary colonel, and after the war he received the Army Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of his superior performance.{{cite news |date=August 3, 1919 |title=Radio Conference at Paris |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100257370/radio-conference/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |location=Washington, DC |page=15 |via=Newspapers.com}} Following the Armistice of November 11, 1918, which ended the war, Truesdell remained in France as the U.S. member of the Inter-Allied Radio Conference, which considered regulations intended to facilitate the development of radio for commercial use.

Post-World War I

File:Karl Truesdell Avery Cooper Joseph Patch 1936.jpg, May 8, 1936]]

Upon returning to the United States in late summer 1919, Truesdell was assigned as assistant commandant of the Signal School.{{cite news |date=August 17, 1919 |title=News of Army and Navy: Signal Corps Training |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100273193/signal-corps/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |location=Washington, DC |page=13 |via=Newspapers.com}} In June 1920, now returned to his permanent rank of captain, Truesdell was assigned to the Fort Leavenworth School of the Line as a student.{{cite news |date=June 18, 1920 |title=First Detail of Student Officers for Line Class |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100273689/line-class/ |work=Leavenworth Times |location=Leavenworth, KS |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com}} Now a major, he completed the course in June 1921 and attained distinction as an honor graduate.{{cite news |date=June 28, 1921 |title=Hold Graduation Exercises Today at Army Schools |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100273965/graduation-exercises/ |work=Leavenworth Times |location=Leavenworth, KS |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com}} After graduating, Truesdell remained at Fort Leavenworth to attend the United States Army Command and General Staff College.{{cite news |date=August 11, 1921 |title=Assign Quarters for Officers at Service Schools |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100274258/service-schools/ |work=Leavenworth Times |location=Leavenworth, KS |pages=2, 10 |via=Newspapers.com}} While attending the staff college, Truesdell served concurrently as an instructor.{{cite news |date=December 28, 1921 |title=Blaze Damaged Fort Quarters Early Tuesday |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100274599/blaze-damaged/ |work=Leavenworth Times |location=Leavenworth, KS |page=8 |via=Newspapers.com}} He graduated in 1922, and remained at the school as a faculty member.{{cite book |last=Ely |first=Hanson E. |author-link=Hanson Edward Ely |date=1922 |title=Annual Report of the General Service Schools |url=https://cgsc.contentdm.oclc.org/digital/api/collection/p4013coll4/id/436/download |location=Ft. Leavenworth, KS |publisher=General Service Schools Press |pages=20, 30, 42 |format=.pdf download}} In 1926, he graduated from the United States Army War College.{{cite book |author=United States Secretary of War |date=1944 |title=Official Army Register |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=0VIaAAAAMAAJ&pg=PA936 |location=Washington, DC |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |page=936 |via=Google Books}}

In December 1926, Truesdell was assigned to duty at the War Department as a member of the Army General Staff.{{cite news |date=December 21, 1926 |title=Officers Ordered Here |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100276826/ordered-here/ |work=The Evening Star |location=Washington, DC |page=24 |via=Newspapers.com}} In 1927, he completed the course at the Naval War College. Now a lieutenant colonel, in October 1931 Truesdell began attendance at a refresher course for Infantry officers which was offered at the Fort Benning Infantry School.{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=October 18, 1931 |title=21 Officers Attend Fort Benning School |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100277131/21-officers/ |work=Atlanta Constitution |location=Atlanta, GA |page=14 |via=Newspapers.com}} From 1932 to 1935, Truesdell was executive officer of the 15th Infantry Regiment, which was stationed in Tianjin, China.{{cite book |last=Cornebise |first=Alfred Emile |date=2004 |title=The United States 15th Infantry Regiment in China, 1912-1938 |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=XSZzBgAAQBAJ&pg=PA222 |location=Jefferson, NC |publisher=McFarland & Company |page=222 |isbn=978-0-7864-2716-1 |via=Google Books}} After returning to the United States, Truesdell was promoted to colonel and assigned to command the 16th Infantry Regiment at Fort Jay on Governors Island.

Truesdell was promoted to brigadier general in April 1938.{{cite news |agency=International News Service |date=April 2, 1938 |title=Ex-Private Becomes Brigadier General |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100279184/brigadier-general/ |work=Salt Lake Telegram |location=Salt Lake City, UT |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com}} After his promotion, Truesdell was assigned to command the 6th Infantry Division's 12th Infantry Brigade at Fort Sheridan, Illinois.{{cite news |date=April 12, 1938 |title=New Commander: Brig. Gen. Karl Truesdell |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100279485/brig-gen/ |work=Chicago Tribune |location=Chicago, IL |page=20 |via=Newspapers.com}} From October 1939 to December 1940, Truesdell served as commander of the 1st Infantry Division, first at Fort Benning, and later on Governors Island and at Fort Hamilton.{{cite news |date=November 17, 1939 |title=Yankee Soldiers Like Atmosphere of the South |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100280113/yankee-soldiers/ |work=Atlanta Constitution |location=Atlanta, GA |page=32 |via=Newspapers.com}} During his command, Truesdell oversaw the division's individual and collective training in anticipation of U.S. entry into World War II.{{cite news |date=October 3, 1940 |title=Entire Army Division to Occupy Fort Devens |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100280834/entire-division/ |work=The Boston Globe |location=Boston, MA |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com}} He was promoted to major general in October 1940.{{cite news |date=October 5, 1940 |title=Officers Raised to General Are Listed |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100280756/officers-raised/ |work=The State |location=Columbia, SC |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com}}

World War II

In January 1941, Truesdell was assigned to command VI Corps with headquarters in Providence, Rhode Island.{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=January 2, 1941 |title=Fort Hamilton Commander Shifted to 6th Corps Helm |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100283608/6th-corps/ |work=Brooklyn Eagle |location=Brooklyn, NY |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com}} While in this position, Truesdell oversaw the training of units in New York and New England, including the 1st Infantry Division and the 26th Infantry Division, as they prepared to travel overseas for combat.{{cite news |date=November 21, 1941 |title=Vermonters Answer Taunts From Regulars With Fists In Hot Battle in Carolina Town |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100284508/vermonters-answer/ |work=Rutland Herald |location=Rutland, VT |page=2 |via=Newspapers.com}}

In January 1942, Truesdell was assigned to the Panama Canal Zone as deputy commander of the Caribbean Defense Command.{{cite news |date=January 1, 1942 |title=Defends Canal |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100284744/defends-canal/ |work=Fillmore County News |location=Exeter, NE |page=4 |via=Newspapers.com}} He served in Panama only briefly because in March 1942 he was assigned to Fort Leavenworth as commandant of the Command and General Staff College.{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=March 6, 1942 |title=New Leavenworth Chief |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100285074/leavenworth-chief/ |work=The Kansas City Star |location=Kansas City, MO |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com}} While serving as commandant, Truesdell oversaw modernization of the curriculum, which ensured that officers learning skills that would enable them to serve on staffs at division level and higher worked with the geography, scenarios, and techniques of World War II rather than outdated scenarios and information.{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=October 14, 1942 |title=At Long Last Army Officers Will Turn From the Battle of Gettysburg |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100285528/army-officers/ |work=The Hutchinson News |location=Hutchinson, KS |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com}} In addition, women attended staff college courses for the first time when officers of the Women's Army Corps detailed to the Services of Supply were enrolled as students in courses on logistics management.{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=January 2, 1943 |title=War Bulletins: Fort Leavenworth |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100286488/fort-leavenworth/ |work=Fitchburg Sentinel |location=Fitchburg, MA |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com}}

Truesdell remained in command through the end of the war and retired in November 1945.{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=November 3, 1945 |title=Gen. Gerow Takes Over at Leavenworth |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100288120/takes-over/ |work=The Parsons Sun |location=Parsons, KS |page=1 |via=Newspapers.com}} His wartime service was recognized with a second award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal.{{cite book |author=United States Secretary of War |date=1946 |title=Official Army Register |url=https://archive.org/details/officialarmyregi1946unit/page/692/ |location=Washington, DC |publisher=U.S. Government Printing Office |page=693 |via=Internet Archive}} In addition, Truesdell received the Order of the British Empire (Honorary Commander) to recognize his efforts to educate British officers at the Command and General Staff College and conduct student and instructor exchanges with the British staff college.{{cite news |date=January 28, 1946 |title=To Be Honored By British |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100288431/honored-british/ |work=Kansas City Times |location=Kansas City, MO |page=3 |via=Newspapers.com}}{{cite news |date=November 12, 1948 |title=Army Officers to Get Medals |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100288652/officers-medals/ |work=The Baltimore Sun |location=Baltimore, MD |page=11 |via=Newspapers.com}}

Later life

In retirement, Truesdell was a resident of Chevy Chase, Maryland, and maintained a summer home in Silver Lake, a hamlet in the village of Perry, which is in the town of Castile.{{cite news |agency=Associated Press |date=July 18, 1955 |title=Obituaries: Maj. Gen. Karl Truesdell |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/100289748/obituary-for-karl-truesdell-aged-73/ |work=Chicago Tribune |location=Chicago, IL |page=F6 |via=Newspapers.com}} He died at his summer home on July 16, 1955. Truesdell was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.{{cite news |date=July 18, 1955 |title=Maj. Gen. Karl Truesdell, 72, Began Army Career as Private |url=https://www.genealogybank.com/newspaper-clippings//njigsmvyslugylwlygkmqqdecnjsmgiy_wma-gateway011_1650683244766 |work=The Evening Star |location=Washington, DC |page=A-12 |via=GenealogyBank.com |url-access=subscription}}

Family

In April 1907, Truesdell married Mary Maurice Smith (1886–1960).{{cite book |last=Haskin |first=Joseph A. |date=1980 |title=A Haskin History: Descendants of John Haskins of Taunton, Massachusetts and of Richard Haskins |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=6KtRAAAAMAAJ&q=%22KARL+TRUESDELL+was+born+on+August+27+,+1882+in+Moorhead+,+Minnesota+and+married+Mary+Maurice+Smith+on+April+15+,+1907+.%22 |location=Conroe, TX |publisher=J. A. Haskin |page=142 |via=Google Books}} They were the parents of a son, Karl Truesdell Jr. (1908–1978) and a daughter, Cecile Olive (1910–1997).{{cite web |url=https://www.ancestry.com |title=1930 United States Census, Entry for Karl Truesdell Family |date=1930 |website=Ancestry.com |publisher=Ancestry.com, LLC |location=Lehi, UT |access-date=April 23, 2022 |url-access=subscription}} The younger Karl Truesdell was a career officer in the United States Army Air Forces and United States Air Force, and attained the rank of major general.{{cite news |date=August 28, 1978 |title=Air Force Gen. Karl Truesdell Dies |url=https://www.genealogybank.com/doc/newspapers/image/v2%3A13D5DA85AE05A305%40GB3NEWS-14EEC4FEABDA5710%402443749-14E91AB29D314624%4013-14E91AB29D314624?clipid=xiiznxwlkuzppmnaaivtjdeuazxnzhoz_wma-gateway013_1650718164789 |work=The Evening Star |location=Washington, DC |page=14 |via=GenealogyBank.com |url-access=subscription}} Cecile Truesdell was the wife of army Brigadier General Edgar Thomas Conley Jr.{{cite news |date=October 28, 1993 |title=Gen. Edgar T. Conley, D-Day Veteran, Dies |url=https://www.washingtonpost.com/archive/local/1993/10/28/gen-edgar-t-conley-d-day-veteran-dies/9616c9f8-8569-4967-9253-73bd15ed3ebc/ |newspaper=The Washington Post |location=Washington, DC}} Conley was the son of Major General Edgar Thomas Conley.

References

External links

[https://ancexplorer.army.mil/publicwmv/#/arlington-national/search/results/1/Cgl0cnVlc2RlbGwSBGthcmw6CDE4ODItXy1fQggxOTU1LV8tX7IBA1VTQQ--/ Karl Truesdell (1882–1955)] at Arlington National Cemetery
[https://generals.dk/general/Truesdell/Karl/USA.html Generals of World War II]

{{s-ttl|title=Commanding General 1st Infantry Division|years=1939–1940}}