George H. Torney
Encyclopedia
Brigadier General George Henry Torney (June 1, 1850 – December 27, 1913) was a physician in the United States Navy
and Army
who served as the 21st Surgeon General of the United States Army.
Tonrey was born in Baltimore
, Maryland in 1850. He was the son of John B. and Mary M. (Peacock) Torney. He began his education at Carroll University in New Windsor, Maryland
and received his medical training at the University of Virginia
, graduating in 1870. and began his military career in the United States Navy
as assistant surgeon of the Navy in 1871. He resigned from the Navy in 1875 and was appointed first lieutenant assistant surgeon of the United States Army. During the Spanish American War, he served on the hospital ship Relief, transporting sick and injured soldiers between Cuba
and Puerto Rico
. He also served in the Philippines
from 1902 to 1903, where he was in charge of the First Reserve Hospital in Manila
. From 1904 to 1908, he served in California in command of the General Hospital at the Presidio of San Francisco. In 1909, he was appointed Surgeon General of the United States Army, a position which he held until the time of his death. He died of bronchial pneumonia at his home in Washington, D.C. in December 1913.
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
and Army
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...
who served as the 21st Surgeon General of the United States Army.
Tonrey was born in Baltimore
Baltimore
Baltimore is the largest independent city in the United States and the largest city and cultural center of the US state of Maryland. The city is located in central Maryland along the tidal portion of the Patapsco River, an arm of the Chesapeake Bay. Baltimore is sometimes referred to as Baltimore...
, Maryland in 1850. He was the son of John B. and Mary M. (Peacock) Torney. He began his education at Carroll University in New Windsor, Maryland
New Windsor, Maryland
New Windsor is a town in Carroll County, Maryland, United States. The population was 1,303 at the 2000 census. It is a suburb of Westminster, which is about 6 miles east of New Windsor on Maryland Route 31. It contains many neighborhoods, the most known being the 100-acre Atlee Ridge, or "The...
and received his medical training at the University of Virginia
University of Virginia
The University of Virginia is a public research university located in Charlottesville, Virginia, United States, founded by Thomas Jefferson...
, graduating in 1870. and began his military career in the United States Navy
United States Navy
The United States Navy is the naval warfare service branch of the United States Armed Forces and one of the seven uniformed services of the United States. The U.S. Navy is the largest in the world; its battle fleet tonnage is greater than that of the next 13 largest navies combined. The U.S...
as assistant surgeon of the Navy in 1871. He resigned from the Navy in 1875 and was appointed first lieutenant assistant surgeon of the United States Army. During the Spanish American War, he served on the hospital ship Relief, transporting sick and injured soldiers between Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
and Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico
Puerto Rico , officially the Commonwealth of Puerto Rico , is an unincorporated territory of the United States, located in the northeastern Caribbean, east of the Dominican Republic and west of both the United States Virgin Islands and the British Virgin Islands.Puerto Rico comprises an...
. He also served in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
from 1902 to 1903, where he was in charge of the First Reserve Hospital in Manila
Manila
Manila is the capital of the Philippines. It is one of the sixteen cities forming Metro Manila.Manila is located on the eastern shores of Manila Bay and is bordered by Navotas and Caloocan to the north, Quezon City to the northeast, San Juan and Mandaluyong to the east, Makati on the southeast,...
. From 1904 to 1908, he served in California in command of the General Hospital at the Presidio of San Francisco. In 1909, he was appointed Surgeon General of the United States Army, a position which he held until the time of his death. He died of bronchial pneumonia at his home in Washington, D.C. in December 1913.