James Taggart Kerr

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James Taggart Kerr
111-SC-36329 - NARA - 55231839-cropped.jpg
J.T. Kerr as brigadier general in Washington D.C., 1919
Born(1859-04-22)April 22, 1859
Martins Ferry, Ohio
DiedApril 13, 1949(1949-04-13) (aged 89)
Washington, D.C.
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branchSeal of the United States Department of War.png United States Army
Years of service1881-1922
RankUS-O7 insignia.svg Brigadier General
Service number0-61
Wars
Awards

James Taggart Kerr (April 22, 1859 – April 13, 1949) was an American Brigadier general, who served with the U.S. Army. Kerr received a Distinguished Service Medal for his service with the Adjutant General's Department and 2 Silver Stars.

Early years[]

James Kerr was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio, in 1859.[1]

Military career[]

Graduating from West Point in 1881, Kerr was assigned to frontier duty with the 17th Infantry until 1888.[2] He participated in the Ghost Dance War in 1890-1891[2] and was later an honor graduate of the Infantry and Cavalry School at Fort Leavenworth in 1897.[3]

Spanish–American War[]

Kerr saw action in Cuba during the Spanish–American War, and received a Silver Star Commendation for his actions before being transferred to the Sanitary Corps.[2][4]

Philippine–American War[]

Shortly after his assignment to the Sanitary Corps in Cuba, Kerr was sent to the Philippines to take part in the suppression of the Philippine rebels, for which he received a second Silver Star.[1][4]

First World War[]

Kerr had initially retired in August 1914 due to physical disabilities contracted earlier in his career,[2] but was recalled to active duty in 1917 following the U.S. entry into the First World War.[5] During the First World War, Kerr served in the Adjutant General's Department until the end of the war, and was Assistant Adjutant General from 1920 until his retirement in 1922.[2] He was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal for his service with the Adjutant General's Department.[5][4]

Death[]

James Taggart Kerr passed away on 13 April 1949, aged eighty-nine.[1] He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.[6]

References[]

  1. ^ Jump up to: a b c Davis Jr., Henry Blaine. Generals in Khaki (Raleigh, NC: Pentland press, 1998), p. 213 ISBN 9781571970886
  2. ^ Jump up to: a b c d e Davis Jr., Henry Blaine. Generals in Khaki (Raleigh, NC: Pentland press, 1998), p. 212 ISBN 9781571970886
  3. ^ Who Was Who in American History - The Military (Chicago, IL: Marquis Who's Who, Inc., 1975) p. 303
  4. ^ Jump up to: a b c "James Kerr - Recipient - Military Times Hall Of Valor". valor.militarytimes.com.
  5. ^ Jump up to: a b Cullum, George W. Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York Since Its establishment in 1802: Supplement, Volume VI-A 1910-1920 (Saginaw, MI: Seemann & Peters, Printers, 1920), p. 320
  6. ^ Find a Grave: Gen James Taggart Kerr, James Taggart Kerr, accessed 21 May 2019, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32875759/james-taggart-kerr
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