Walter Augustus Bethel

From Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia
Walter Augustus Bethel
111-SC-24358 - NARA - 55208323-cropped.jpg
Bethel at AEF headquarters in Chaumont, September 1918
Born(1866-11-25)November 25, 1866
Freeport, Ohio
DiedJanuary 11, 1954(1954-01-11) (aged 87)
Washington, D.C.
Buried
West Point Cemetery, West Point, New York
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1889-1924
RankUS-O8 insignia.svg Major General
Service number0-316
UnitUnited States Army Judge Advocate General's Corps
Commands heldJudge Advocate General of the United States Army
Battles/warsSpanish–American War
World War I
AwardsArmy Distinguished Service Medal
Alma materAtlanta Law School (B.L.)
Columbian Law School (LL.M.)
Spouse(s)Elizabeth Strong Bethel (m. 1904-1954, his death)
Children3
Other workAttorney

Walter Augustus Bethel (November 25, 1866 – January 11, 1954) was a career officer in the United States Army. A veteran of the Spanish–American War and World War I, he attained the rank of major general and was most notable for his service as Judge Advocate General of the United States Army from 1923 to 1924.

Early life[]

Bethel was born in Freeport, Ohio, the son of David Ridgley Bethel and Rebecca Jane (Brown) Bethel. He entered the United States Military Academy and graduated number fourteen in the class of 1889.[1][2]

Career[]

Bethel was commissioned in the artillery. He received his B.L. degree from Atlanta Law School in 1892[3] and switched to the Judge Advocate General's Department. In 1894, he received his LL.M. degree from Columbian Law School (now George Washington University Law School) in Washington, D.C. During 1894 and 1895, he was an instructor of chemistry at the United States Military Academy. From 1895 to 1899 he instructed law at West Point. He served on the Puerto Rican Expedition from January to November 1898.[2][4]

On August 5, 1917, he was promoted to brigadier general and was the Judge Advocate General from 1917 to 1920. After the war, he served in the JAG headquarters in Washington. In 1923, Bethel became the Judge Advocate General of the army, with the rank of major general.[2] In 1924, he retired due to poor eyesight, and from 1926 to 1947 he engaged in the practice of international law.[4] In 1940, Atlanta Law School awarded Bethel the honorary degree of LL.D.[5]

Awards[]

He received the Army Distinguished Service Medal for his actions during World War I.[6]

Death and legacy[]

Walter Augustus Bethel died at the age of eighty-seven on January 11, 1954.[7]

References[]

  1. ^ Davis, Henry Blaine Jr. Generals in Khaki. Raleigh, NC: Pentland Press, 1998. P. 33 ISBN 1571970886 OCLC 231779136
  2. ^ a b c Cullum, George W. (1920). Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U. S ... (3d ed., rev. and extended ed.). Boston and New York: Houghton, Mifflin and Company. p. 515.
  3. ^ Columbian University (1893). Catalogue of the Columbian College in the District of Columbia. Washington, DC: Judd & Detweiler. p. 12, 192 – via Google Books.
  4. ^ a b Davis, Henry Blaine. Generals in Khaki. Raleigh, NC: Pentland Press, 1998. P. 33-34 ISBN 1571970886 OCLC 231779136
  5. ^ "Law's Majesty Lies In Right, Reid Declares". The Constitution. Atlanta, GA. June 8, 1940. p. 2 – via Newspapers.com.
  6. ^ "Valor awards for Walter Augustus Bethel".
  7. ^ Davis, Henry Blaine. Generals in Khaki. Raleigh, NC: Pentland Press, 1998. P. 34 ISBN 1571970886 OCLC 231779136
Bibliography
  • Davis, Henry Blaine. Generals in Khaki. Raleigh, NC: Pentland Press, 1998. ISBN 1571970886 OCLC 231779136

External links[]

Retrieved from ""