David Ayres Depue Ogden
Encyclopedia
David Ayres Depue Ogden (October 16, 1897-November 26, 1969) was a United States Army
Lieutenant General
. He was noteworthy for his command of the 3rd Engineer Special Brigade during World War II
, the Ryukyus Command in the early 1950s, and his culminating assignment as the US Army's Inspector General.
. He graduated from the United States Military Academy
in 1918 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Engineers.
, after which he completed the Engineer Officer Course at Camp Humphreys
, Virginia
.
, instructing Reserve officers in engineering.
During the early 1930s Ogden was assigned as assistant to the chief engineer of the district that included Chicago
.
By the mid-1930s, Ogden had been promoted to Captain and assigned to the Los Angeles
, California
engineer district.
In 1940 Ogden was named district engineer in Trinidad
.
, California.
In 1947 Ogden was selected for command of the Eniwetok atomic test site.
Ogden returned to the United States in 1950 as chief of the organization and training section in the Army's Training and Operations Directorate, G-3.
General Ogden was named Chief Engineer of the Far East Command
in 1952.
In 1953 General Ogden was named to head the Ryukyus Command and appointed as the islands' Deputy Governor.
Ogden was appointed the Army's Deputy Inspector General in 1955. In 1956 he became Inspector General and was promoted to Lieutenant General, serving until his 1957 retirement.
, as well as the Legion of Merit
and the Bronze Star Medal
.
, where he died on November 26, 1969. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery
, Section 3 Site 2506-R.
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...
Lieutenant General
Lieutenant General (United States)
In the United States Army, the United States Air Force and the United States Marine Corps, lieutenant general is a three-star general officer rank, with the pay grade of O-9. Lieutenant general ranks above major general and below general...
. He was noteworthy for his command of the 3rd Engineer Special Brigade during 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...
, the Ryukyus Command in the early 1950s, and his culminating assignment as the US Army's Inspector General.
Early life
Ogden was born in Newark, New JerseyNewark, New Jersey
Newark is the largest city in the American state of New Jersey, and the seat of Essex County. As of the 2010 United States Census, Newark had a population of 277,140, maintaining its status as the largest municipality in New Jersey. It is the 68th largest city in the U.S...
. He 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...
in 1918 and was commissioned a Second Lieutenant in the Engineers.
World War I
After receiving his commission Ogden carried out an observation tour of Europe at the end of World War IWorld 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...
, after which he completed the Engineer Officer Course at Camp Humphreys
Fort Belvoir
Fort Belvoir is a United States Army installation and a census-designated place in Fairfax County, Virginia, United States. Originally, it was the site of the Belvoir plantation. Today, Fort Belvoir is home to a number of important United States military organizations...
, Virginia
Virginia
The Commonwealth of Virginia , is a U.S. state on the Atlantic Coast of the Southern United States. Virginia is nicknamed the "Old Dominion" and sometimes the "Mother of Presidents" after the eight U.S. presidents born there...
.
Post World War I
In 1923 Ogden was assigned to Camp Devens, MassachusettsMassachusetts
The Commonwealth of Massachusetts is a state in the New England region of the northeastern United States of America. It is bordered by Rhode Island and Connecticut to the south, New York to the west, and Vermont and New Hampshire to the north; at its east lies the Atlantic Ocean. As of the 2010...
, instructing Reserve officers in engineering.
During the early 1930s Ogden was assigned as assistant to the chief engineer of the district that included Chicago
Chicago
Chicago is the largest city in the US state of Illinois. With nearly 2.7 million residents, it is the most populous city in the Midwestern United States and the third most populous in the US, after New York City and Los Angeles...
.
By the mid-1930s, Ogden had been promoted to Captain and assigned to the Los Angeles
Los Ángeles
Los Ángeles is the capital of the province of Biobío, in the commune of the same name, in Region VIII , in the center-south of Chile. It is located between the Laja and Biobío rivers. The population is 123,445 inhabitants...
, California
California
California is a state located on the West Coast of the United States. It is by far the most populous U.S. state, and the third-largest by land area...
engineer district.
In 1940 Ogden was named district engineer in Trinidad
Trinidad
Trinidad is the larger and more populous of the two major islands and numerous landforms which make up the island nation of Trinidad and Tobago. It is the southernmost island in the Caribbean and lies just off the northeastern coast of Venezuela. With an area of it is also the fifth largest in...
.
World War II
Ogden was appointed to command the 3rd Engineer Special Brigade in 1942, and he remained in command until July, 1945. ESBs were organized to conduct amphibious operations during combat, moving soldiers from transport ships to landing sites on a beach, or from beaches to transport ships. The 3rd ESB operated in the Southwest Pacific Theater throughout the war.Post World War II
Following World War II General Ogden commanded Fort OrdFort Ord
Fort Ord was a U.S. Army post on Monterey Bay in California. It was established in 1917 as a maneuver area and field artillery target range and was closed in September 1994. Fort Ord was one of the most attractive locations of any U.S. Army post, because of its proximity to the beach and California...
, California.
In 1947 Ogden was selected for command of the Eniwetok atomic test site.
Ogden returned to the United States in 1950 as chief of the organization and training section in the Army's Training and Operations Directorate, G-3.
General Ogden was named Chief Engineer of the Far East Command
Far East Command
The Far East Command was a military regional division of the British military, United States military and Soviet Armed Forces* British Far East Command* United States Far East Command...
in 1952.
In 1953 General Ogden was named to head the Ryukyus Command and appointed as the islands' Deputy Governor.
Ogden was appointed the Army's Deputy Inspector General in 1955. In 1956 he became Inspector General and was promoted to Lieutenant General, serving until his 1957 retirement.
Awards and decorations
General Ogden's decorations included multiple awards of the Distinguished Service MedalDistinguished Service Medal (Army)
The Distinguished Service Medal is a military award of the United States Army that is presented to any person who, while serving in any capacity with the United States military, has distinguished himself or herself by exceptionally meritorious service to the Government in a duty of great...
, as well as the Legion of Merit
Legion of Merit
The Legion of Merit is a military decoration of the United States armed forces that is awarded for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services and achievements...
and the Bronze Star Medal
Bronze Star Medal
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery, acts of merit, or meritorious service. As a medal it is awarded for merit, and with the "V" for valor device it is awarded for heroism. It is the fourth-highest combat award of the...
.
Retirement and death
In retirement Ogden lived in Bradenton, FloridaBradenton, Florida
Bradenton is a city in Manatee County, Florida, United States. The U.S. Census Bureau estimated the city's 2007 population to be 53,471. Bradenton is the largest Principal City of the Bradenton-Sarasota-Venice, Florida Metropolitan Statistical Area, which had a 2007 estimated population of 682,833...
, where he died on November 26, 1969. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery
Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington County, Virginia, is a military cemetery in the United States of America, established during the American Civil War on the grounds of Arlington House, formerly the estate of the family of Confederate general Robert E. Lee's wife Mary Anna Lee, a great...
, Section 3 Site 2506-R.