Raymond Hartwell Fleming was born in Waxahachie, Texas, on July 5, 1889. He graduated from San Antonio's Trinity University in 1915 and moved to Louisiana.Evans J. Casso, [https://books.google.com/books?id=agxauTThtokC&dq=%22raymond+h.+fleming%22+waxahachie&pg=PA233 Louisiana Legacy: A History of the State National Guard], 1999, page 233

Pancho Villa Expedition

Fleming joined the Louisiana National Guard in 1916 and served on the Mexican border during the Pancho Villa Expedition, attaining the rank of Sergeant.Powell A. Casey, [https://books.google.com/books?id=Pz8vAAAAMAAJ&q=%22raymond+h.+fleming%22+mexican+border Try Us: The Story of the Washington Artillery in World War II], 1971, page 10

World War I

In 1917 Fleming received his commission as a second lieutenant. Assigned to the 141st Field Artillery Regiment, he served in France throughout World War I, advancing to captain as commander of Battery D. His unit was mustered out in 1919, and he returned to Louisiana.National Guard Association of the United States, [https://books.google.com/books?id=tWnfAAAAMAAJ&q=%22raymond+h.+fleming%22+141st+france Official Proceedings], 1955, page 219

Post World War I

After the war Fleming continued his membership in the Louisiana National Guard and took part in its reorganization. He commanded Batteries A and D of the 141st Field Artillery Regiment as a captain, and continued to advance through the ranks in command and staff positions of increasing responsibility.National Guard Bureau, [https://books.google.com/books?id=uMYZAQAAIAAJ&dq=%22raymond+h.+fleming%22+141st+battery+a&pg=PA112 Official National Guard Register], 1922, page 112National Guard Bureau, [https://books.google.com/books?id=lcAZAQAAIAAJ&q=%22fleming,+raymond+h%22+141st+battery+a Official National Guard Register], 1925, page 329

He graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College in 1925 and the United States Army War College in 1928.Southern Editors Association, [https://books.google.com/books?id=rxwSAAAAYAAJ&q=%22fleming,+raymond+hartwell%22+staff+college The Southerner: A Biographical Encyclopedia of Southern People], Volume 1, 1945, page 172

Fleming also continued his academic studies by undertaking post-graduate work in economics and labor relations at Tulane University.William R. Denslow, [https://books.google.com/books?id=ZvBjhJr9Ev0C&dq=%22raymond+h+fleming%22+trinity+university&pg=RA1-PA56 10,000 Famous Freemasons From A To J Part One], 2004, page 56

Adjutant General of Louisiana

In 1928 Fleming was appointed Adjutant General of the Louisiana National Guard with the rank of brigadier general. He continued to serve in this position until 1948.Louisiana Department of Military Affairs, [https://books.google.com/books?id=OE0MAQAAIAAJ&q=%22raymond+h.+fleming%22+1928+1948 Annual Report of Department of Military Affairs and Selective Service System], 1954, page 10

Seen as an ally of the political organization run by Senator Huey Long and Governor O.K. Allen, in 1934 Fleming deployed National Guardsmen to the offices of election officials in New Orleans when Allen declared martial law during a disputed election between the Long-Allen group and a group headed by Mayor T. Semmes Walmsley. In response, Walmsley deployed hundreds of New Orleans police officers. Fleming was charged with contempt of court for refusing a judge's order to dismiss the troops. The dispute was resolved when the National Guard vacated the election offices (while remaining in New Orleans) and the police stood down, and the election proceeded as planned.St. Joseph Gazette, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=bldiAAAAIBAJ&sjid=NXYNAAAAIBAJ&pg=4019,2106937&dq=raymond-fleming+long&hl=en Long Forces and Mayor’s Gird for War], August 4, 1934Associated Press, Milwaukee Journal, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=G69QAAAAIBAJ&sjid=6yEEAAAAIBAJ&pg=4910,5648119&dq=raymond-fleming+long&hl=en Two of Huey Long’s Officers Judged Guilty], August 13, 1934New York Times, [https://www.nytimes.com/1934/09/10/archives/longs-troops-stay-despite-protests-new-orleans-civic-groups-declare.html Long's Troops Stay Despite Protests], September 10, 1934

When Long was assassinated in 1935, Fleming commanded the honor guard for his funeral.Greensburg Daily Tribune, [https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=OEtUAAAAIBAJ&sjid=rjoNAAAAIBAJ&pg=1693,3757764&dq=raymond+fleming+huey+long+funeral&hl=en Death Ends Career of Sen. Huey Long], September 10, 1935Boston Globe, [https://archive.today/20130630044818/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/boston/access/2033530582.html?FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&type=historic&date=Sep+11,+1935&author=&pub=Daily+Boston+Globe+(1928-1960)&desc=FUNERAL+OF+LONG+TO+BE+TOMORROW&pqatl=google Funeral of Long to be Tomorrow], September 11, 1935

From 1940 to 1946 Fleming also commanded the 55th Cavalry Brigade, a unit of the 23rd Cavalry Division.National Guard Association of the United States, [https://books.google.com/books?ei=6ROBUfTaBfXi4AODh4FQ&id=CnzfAAAAMAAJ&dq=%22raymond+h.+fleming%22+55th+cavalry+brigade&q=55th+cavalry+brigade The National Guardsman magazine], Volume 18, 1964, page 35

From 1940 to 1947 Fleming also concurrently served during World War II as the federal Director of Selective Service for Louisiana.Christian Science Monitor, [https://archive.today/20130630041334/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/csmonitor_historic/access/290103582.html?dids=290103582:290103582&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:AI&date=Oct+24,+1940&author=&pub=Christian+Science+Monitor&desc=Roosevelt+Names+Draft+Directors&pqatl=google Roosevelt Names Draft Directors], October 24, 1940

Post World War II

In 1946 Fleming was named commander of the 39th Infantry Division, an assignment he carried out while still serving as Adjutant General.Army and Navy Journal, Inc., [https://books.google.com/books?id=wPcYAQAAMAAJ&q=%22raymond+h.+fleming%22+39th+division Army and Navy Journal], Volume 86, Issues 1-26, 1948, page 197 He was promoted to major general in 1947.New York Times, [https://www.nytimes.com/1947/12/13/archives/president-names-50-to-be-generals-civilians-who-served-in-war-as.html President Names 50 to be Generals], December 13, 1947

National Guard Bureau

Fleming was appointed Chief of the Army Division at the National Guard Bureau in 1947. He was the first individual to hold this post, which was created as a result of the founding of the Air National Guard. The Chief of the Army Division and Chief of the Air Division each reported to the Chief of the National Guard Bureau.New York Times, [https://www.nytimes.com/1948/10/13/archives/commanders-are-named-in-guard-air-force-army.html Commanders Are Named In Guard Air Force, Army], October 13, 1948

In 1948 also took on an additional assignment as an Assistant to Lewis B. Hershey, the federal Director of Selective Service.Christian Science Monitor, [https://archive.today/20130630041154/http://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/csmonitor_historic/access/173942662.html?dids=173942662:173942662&FMT=CITE&FMTS=CITE:AI&date=Sep+13,+1948&author=&pub=Christian+Science+Monitor&desc=Fleming+Is+Appointed+Assistant+to+Hershey&pqatl=google Fleming Is Appointed Assistant to Hershey], September 13, 1948

In 1950 Fleming was named acting Chief of the National Guard Bureau, succeeding Kenneth F. Cramer.New York Times, [https://select.nytimes.com/gst/abstract.html?res=FB0811FC3A5F177A93C4A91782D85F448585F9 43d Federalized, Chief Relieved of Civil Post], September 6, 1950 In 1951 Fleming's nomination was confirmed, and he served as NGB Chief until reaching the federal military's mandatory retirement age in 1953.New York Times, [https://www.nytimes.com/1951/08/02/archives/louisiana-officer-named-us-guard-bureau-head.html Louisiana Officer Named U.S. Guard Bureau Head], August 2, 1951New York Times, [https://www.nytimes.com/1953/02/14/archives/gen-fleming-leaves-guard-post.html Gen. Fleming Leaves Guard Post], February 14, 1953

In 1951 he was succeeded as commander of the 39th Infantry Division by Joseph A. Redding.National Guard Association of the United States, [https://books.google.com/books?id=MG_fAAAAMAAJ&q=%22joseph+a+redding%22+mexican+border The National Guardsman], Volume 5, 1951, page 29

Return as Adjutant General

In 1952 Fleming was reappointed as Louisiana's Adjutant General, serving until 1956. He resumed the Adjutant General's post again in 1960, serving until his 1964 retirement.Evans J. Casso, [https://books.google.com/books?id=agxauTThtokC&dq=%22raymond+h.+fleming%22+waxahachie&pg=PA233 Louisiana Legacy: A History of the State National Guard], 1999, page 233

Awards and decorations

Fleming's awards included the Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army) and Legion of Merit.United States Army, [https://armypubs.army.mil/epubs/pdf/go6428.pdf General Orders], August 24, 1964, page 3Military Times, Hall of Valor, [https://valor.militarytimes.com/hero/104291 Distinguished Service Medal, Raymond H. Fleming], accessed May 1, 2013

Retirement and death

In retirement Fleming resided in New Orleans. He died there on November 23, 1974, and was buried in Waxahachie's Hillcrest Burial Park Cemetery.Louisiana History.org, [http://lahistory.org/site23.php Biography, Raymond Hartwell Fleming], accessed May 1, 2013

Legacy

The headquarters building at Jackson Barracks was named Fleming Hall. The building was damaged during Hurricane Katrina, but has since been rehabilitated. It is now used for ceremonies, conferences and other meetings.Gibbs Construction, [http://www.gibbsconstruction.com/projects/historic/fleming-hall/ Modernization of Fleming Hall, Jackson Barracks], 2010