Charles F. Humphrey
Encyclopedia
Charles F. Humphrey (August 11, 1876 - January 22, 1968) was a career United States Army
officer who served for over 40 years during the first half of the 20th century, retiring as a Brigadier General
in 1940 one year before the entry of the United States of America
into World War II
.
In his early career, as a First lieutenant
, he received the Distinguished Service Cross
for actions against insurgents
in the Philippines
on August 16, 1899. Primarily involved in training, he at one time or another trained and instructed such future legends as George Patton, Dwight Eisenhower, and Omar Bradley
. Appointed a Regular Army
Colonel
in the 1920s, he was one of the top "career" officers in the establishment during a time when America's Army was badly underfunded and ranked 16th in the world.
Appointed a Brigadier General in the 1930s, Humphrey commanded an Infantry Brigade and also did what he could to convince Army leaders that America would almost certainly be involved in the next coming World War which, by 1935, was already obviously on the horizon with Nazi Germany
and Imperial Japan. Humphrey was a strong advocate of better training and equipment; thoughts which were also voiced by senior Army leaders such as George C. Marshall and Douglas MacArthur
.
In 1940, after nearly 42 years in uniform, Humphrey retired but was not called back during World War II as he was at this point over 65 years old. He died in 1968 at Walter Reed Medical Center.
He was born into a military family. His father, Charles Frederic Humphrey, Sr.
was the first recipient of the Civil War Campaign Medal
and also received the Medal of Honor
and Distinguished Service Cross. His brother was Brigadier General Evan Harris Humphrey
, and another brother was Col Marion Bell Humphrey, USMC.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
officer who served for over 40 years during the first half of the 20th century, retiring as a Brigadier General
Brigadier general (United States)
A brigadier general in the United States Army, Air Force, and Marine Corps, is a one-star general officer, with the pay grade of O-7. Brigadier general ranks above a colonel and below major general. Brigadier general is equivalent to the rank of rear admiral in the other uniformed...
in 1940 one year before the entry of the United States of America
United States
The United States of America is a federal constitutional republic comprising fifty states and a federal district...
into World War II
World War II
World War II, or the Second World War , was a global conflict lasting from 1939 to 1945, involving most of the world's nations—including all of the great powers—eventually forming two opposing military alliances: the Allies and the Axis...
.
In his early career, as a First lieutenant
Lieutenant
A lieutenant is a junior commissioned officer in many nations' armed forces. Typically, the rank of lieutenant in naval usage, while still a junior officer rank, is senior to the army rank...
, he received the Distinguished Service Cross
Distinguished Service Cross (United States)
The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army, for extreme gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force. Actions that merit the Distinguished Service Cross must be of such a high degree...
for actions against insurgents
Insurgency
An insurgency is an armed rebellion against a constituted authority when those taking part in the rebellion are not recognized as belligerents...
in the Philippines
Philippine-American War
The Philippine–American War, also known as the Philippine War of Independence or the Philippine Insurrection , was an armed conflict between a group of Filipino revolutionaries and the United States which arose from the struggle of the First Philippine Republic to gain independence following...
on August 16, 1899. Primarily involved in training, he at one time or another trained and instructed such future legends as George Patton, Dwight Eisenhower, and Omar Bradley
Omar Bradley
Omar Nelson Bradley was a senior U.S. Army field commander in North Africa and Europe during World War II, and a General of the Army in the United States Army...
. Appointed a Regular Army
Regular Army
The Regular Army of the United States was and is the successor to the Continental Army as the country's permanent, professional military establishment. Even in modern times the professional core of the United States Army continues to be called the Regular Army...
Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
in the 1920s, he was one of the top "career" officers in the establishment during a time when America's Army was badly underfunded and ranked 16th in the world.
Appointed a Brigadier General in the 1930s, Humphrey commanded an Infantry Brigade and also did what he could to convince Army leaders that America would almost certainly be involved in the next coming World War which, by 1935, was already obviously on the horizon with Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany
Nazi Germany , also known as the Third Reich , but officially called German Reich from 1933 to 1943 and Greater German Reich from 26 June 1943 onward, is the name commonly used to refer to the state of Germany from 1933 to 1945, when it was a totalitarian dictatorship ruled by...
and Imperial Japan. Humphrey was a strong advocate of better training and equipment; thoughts which were also voiced by senior Army leaders such as George C. Marshall and Douglas MacArthur
Douglas MacArthur
General of the Army Douglas MacArthur was an American general and field marshal of the Philippine Army. He was a Chief of Staff of the United States Army during the 1930s and played a prominent role in the Pacific theater during World War II. He received the Medal of Honor for his service in the...
.
In 1940, after nearly 42 years in uniform, Humphrey retired but was not called back during World War II as he was at this point over 65 years old. He died in 1968 at Walter Reed Medical Center.
He was born into a military family. His father, Charles Frederic Humphrey, Sr.
Charles Frederic Humphrey, Sr.
Charles Frederic Humphrey, Sr. was a major general in the United States Army and a Medal of Honor recipient.-Biography:...
was the first recipient of the Civil War Campaign Medal
Civil War Campaign Medal
The Civil War Campaign Medal is considered the first campaign service medal of the United States military. The decoration was awarded to members of the United States military who had served in the American Civil War between 1861 and 1865.-Establishment:...
and also received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
and Distinguished Service Cross. His brother was Brigadier General Evan Harris Humphrey
Evan Harris Humphrey
Evan Harris Humphrey was a Brigadier General in the United States Army.-Biography:Humphrey was born on March 5, 1875 in California. His father was Major General and Medal of Honor recipient Charles Frederic Humphrey, Sr., his brothers were Brigadier General Charles F. Humphrey and Marine Corps...
, and another brother was Col Marion Bell Humphrey, USMC.