George B. Duncan

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
This article is about the military officer. For others, see George Duncan.
George B. Duncan
111-SC-39287 - NARA - 55237690-cropped.jpg
George B. Duncan as a major general in Prauthoy, France, November 25, 1918.
Born(1861-10-10)October 10, 1861
Lexington, Kentucky, United States
DiedMarch 15, 1950(1950-03-15) (aged 88)
Lexington, Kentucky, United States
Place of burial
Lexington Cemetery, Kentucky, United States
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1886−1925
RankUS-O8 insignia.svg Major General
UnitUSA - Army Infantry Insignia.png Infantry Branch
Commands held1st Brigade
77th Division
82nd Division
Seventh Corps Area
Battles/warsSpanish–American War
Philippine–American War
World War I
AwardsArmy Distinguished Service Medal
Croix de Guerre (France)
Commander of the Legion of Honor (France)
Companion of the Order of the Bath (United Kingdom)

Major General George Brand Duncan (October 10, 1861 – March 15, 1950) was a United States Army officer who served in numerous conflicts, most notably World War I, where he commanded the 82nd Division, now the 82nd Airborne Division.

Military career[]

The son of Henry Timberlake Duncan Jr., mayor of Lexington, Kentucky, George Brand Duncan entered the United States Military Academy (USMA) in 1882, graduating in 1886 and receiving a position as a second lieutenant in the 9th Infantry.[1] Several of his fellow classmates included men who would, like Duncan himself, eventually rise to general officer rank, such as John J. Pershing, Charles T. Menoher, Walter Henry Gordon, Edward Mann Lewis, Mason Patrick, Julius Penn, Avery D. Andrews, John E. McMahon, Ernest Hinds, William H. Hay, James McRae, Lucien Grant Berry and Jesse McI. Carter.

He was stationed in Cuba during the Spanish–American War, and he served with distinction during the Philippine–American War, helping to organize the Philippine Scouts.[2]

After a term on the General Staff, Duncan reported to France in June 1917, two months after the American entry into World War I, where he served as the commander of the 77th Division.[1] After having been relieved over concerns about his physical condition, Duncan successfully convinced John J. Pershing to return him to command. In October 1918, Duncan relieved William P. Burnham as commander of the 82nd Division, and participated in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive.[3] As a result of his service in World War I, he received numerous decorations, including the Croix de Guerre with two palms and a star and status as a Commander in the Legion of Honor from France, status as a Companion of Order of the Bath from the United Kingdom, and the Army Distinguished Service Medal from the United States.[3] Duncan and fellow Major General Campbell King were the first two Americans ever honored with the Croix de Guerre.[1] Duncan commanded the Seventh Corps Area from 1922 until 1925.[4]

Personal life[]

Duncan married Mary Kercheval on October 23, 1895.[3] The couple had two sons: Daniel, born in 1901, and Henry, born in 1903. Daniel, however, died as a child in 1906.

Duncan retired from military service in 1925.[5] He is buried in Lexington, Kentucky.

References[]

  1. ^ a b c "Pershing Has 1,100,000 Men", the New York Times, published July 14, 1918, front page, accessed February 18, 2008.
  2. ^ Davis, Jr., Henry Blaine (1998). Generals in Khaki. Raleigh, NC: Pentland Press, Inc. pp. 114–115. ISBN 1571970886.
  3. ^ a b c Davis, Jr., Henry Blaine (1998). Generals in Khaki. Raleigh, NC: Pentland Press, Inc. p. 115. ISBN 1571970886.
  4. ^ Clay, Steven E. (2010). US Army Order of Battle 1919–1941, Vol. 1: The Arms: Major Commands and Infantry Organizations (PDF). Fort Leavenworth, Kansas: Combat Studies Institute Press.
  5. ^ Davis, Jr., Henry Blaine (1998). Generals in Khaki. Raleigh, NC: Pentland Press, Inc. p. 115. ISBN 1571970886.

External links[]

Military offices
Preceded by Commanding General 77th Division
May–July 1918 		Succeeded by
Preceded by Commanding General 82nd Division
1918–1919 		Succeeded by
Post deactivated
Preceded by Commanding General Seventh Corps Area
1922–1925 		Succeeded by
Retrieved from ""