Charles T. Menoher
Encyclopedia
Major General Charles Thomas Menoher (March 10, 1862 - August 11, 1930) was a U.S. Army general, first Chief of the United States Army Air Service
, and commanded the U.S. Army Hawaiian Department from 1924-1925. The son of a Civil War veteran, Menoher was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania
in 1862 and graduated from the United States Military Academy
at Westpoint, New York in 1886 with a commission as an artillery officer. He later graduated from the Army War College and was selected for the original General Staff Corps, where he served from 1903-1907.
Major General Menoher commanded the Rainbow Division in France during World War I
, participating in the Champagne-Marne offensive and in the successful Allied offensives of Saint Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne. Menoher was succeeded by General Douglas MacArthur
in this position. At war's end, Menoher commanded the VI Corps (United States) and received the Distinguished Service Medal, along with foreign awards from France, Belgium, and Italy.
Following World War I, Menoher became first Director and then Chief of Air Service, where he began a famous (and ultimately losing) conflict with his Assistant Chief, Brigadier General Billy Mitchell. Requesting an assignment with troops, Menoher then took command of the Hawaiian Division before taking over the entire Hawaiian Department. After this, he commanded the IX Corps Area in San Francisco until his mandatory retirement on March 20, 1926. He died on August 11, 1930.
United States Army Air Service
The Air Service, United States Army was a forerunner of the United States Air Force during and after World War I. It was established as an independent but temporary wartime branch of the War Department by two executive orders of President Woodrow Wilson: on May 24, 1918, replacing the Aviation...
, and commanded the U.S. Army Hawaiian Department from 1924-1925. The son of a Civil War veteran, Menoher was born in Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Johnstown, Pennsylvania
Johnstown is a city in Cambria County, Pennsylvania, United States, west-southwest of Altoona, Pennsylvania and east of Pittsburgh. The population was 20,978 at the 2010 census. It is the principal city of the Johnstown, Pennsylvania, Metropolitan Statistical Area, which includes Cambria County...
in 1862 and graduated from the United States Military Academy
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
at Westpoint, New York in 1886 with a commission as an artillery officer. He later graduated from the Army War College and was selected for the original General Staff Corps, where he served from 1903-1907.
Major General Menoher commanded the Rainbow Division in France during World War I
World War I
World War I , which was predominantly called the World War or the Great War from its occurrence until 1939, and the First World War or World War I thereafter, was a major war centred in Europe that began on 28 July 1914 and lasted until 11 November 1918...
, participating in the Champagne-Marne offensive and in the successful Allied offensives of Saint Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne. Menoher was succeeded by General 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 this position. At war's end, Menoher commanded the VI Corps (United States) and received the Distinguished Service Medal, along with foreign awards from France, Belgium, and Italy.
Following World War I, Menoher became first Director and then Chief of Air Service, where he began a famous (and ultimately losing) conflict with his Assistant Chief, Brigadier General Billy Mitchell. Requesting an assignment with troops, Menoher then took command of the Hawaiian Division before taking over the entire Hawaiian Department. After this, he commanded the IX Corps Area in San Francisco until his mandatory retirement on March 20, 1926. He died on August 11, 1930.