Robert Milchrist Cannon
Encyclopedia
Robert Milchrist Cannon was a United States Army
Lieutenant General
. He was notable for his World War II
service in the China Burma India Theater and his command of Sixth United States Army.
prominent Cannon family
, Robert Milchrist Cannon was born on August 16, 1901 in Salt Lake City, Utah
.
for two years before transferring to the United States Military Academy
. He graduated in 1925, received a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery
branch, and was initially assigned to Fort D.A. Russell, Wyoming
.
In 1927 Cannon completed the Army Air Corps
Primary Flying School.
Cannon attended the Battery Officers Course in 1931.
In 1938 Cannon graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College.
Prior to World War II
Cannon served as an instructor at the Army's Fort Sill, Oklahoma Field Artillery School.
Cannon served in the China-Burma-India Theater, advancing to brigadier general and chief of staff for the Northern Combat Area Command.
In 1948 Cannon attended Basic Airborne Course in preparation for his assignment to the 82nd Airborne Division, afterwards taking command of the Division Artillery.
Cannon served as commander of the U.S. Army Advisory Group in Turkey
from 1951 to 1952.
From 1952 to 1953 Cannon was head of the Army Audit Agency.
Cannon then served as Chief of the Joint U.S. Military Advisory Group which advised the Philippine government during its effort to stop the Hukbalahap
insurgency.
Following his Philippines
assignment, Cannon was appointed Service Special Assistant to the Joint Chiefs of Staff
for Mutual Defense Advisory Pact Affairs.
.
In 1958 Cannon was a participant in the ceremony used by the Army to select World War II
and Korean War
remains for placement in the Tomb of the Unknowns
.
From 1959 until his 1961 retirement General Cannon served as commander of the Sixth United States Army.
, the Legion of Merit
and the Bronze Star Medal
.
on September 3, 1976 after being stricken while visiting his daughter JoAnne Schwartz in Wilton, Connecticut
. He was buried in San Francisco National Cemetery
, Plot H-35.
in 1928 Cannon married Josephine Riter (1902–1991), a member of another family prominent in Utah
.
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 notable for his 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...
service in the China Burma India Theater and his command of Sixth United States Army.
Early life
A member of Utah'sUtah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
prominent Cannon family
Cannon Family
The Cannon family is a prominent U.S. political family in the states of Utah, Nevada and Idaho which descends from the 19th century marriage of George Cannon and Ann Quayle before their emigration from Peel, Isle of Man. The family's most notable member was their oldest son George Q. Cannon...
, Robert Milchrist Cannon was born on August 16, 1901 in Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City, Utah
Salt Lake City is the capital and the most populous city of the U.S. state of Utah. The name of the city is often shortened to Salt Lake or SLC. With a population of 186,440 as of the 2010 Census, the city lies in the Salt Lake City metropolitan area, which has a total population of 1,124,197...
.
Start of military career
Cannon attended the University of UtahUniversity of Utah
The University of Utah, also known as the U or the U of U, is a public, coeducational research university in Salt Lake City, Utah, United States. The university was established in 1850 as the University of Deseret by the General Assembly of the provisional State of Deseret, making it Utah's oldest...
for two years before transferring to 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...
. He graduated in 1925, received a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery
Field artillery
Field artillery is a category of mobile artillery used to support armies in the field. These weapons are specialized for mobility, tactical proficiency, long range, short range and extremely long range target engagement....
branch, and was initially assigned to Fort D.A. Russell, Wyoming
Wyoming
Wyoming is a state in the mountain region of the Western United States. The western two thirds of the state is covered mostly with the mountain ranges and rangelands in the foothills of the Eastern Rocky Mountains, while the eastern third of the state is high elevation prairie known as the High...
.
In 1927 Cannon completed the Army Air Corps
United States Army Air Corps
The United States Army Air Corps was a forerunner of the United States Air Force. Renamed from the Air Service on 2 July 1926, it was part of the United States Army and the predecessor of the United States Army Air Forces , established in 1941...
Primary Flying School.
Cannon attended the Battery Officers Course in 1931.
In 1938 Cannon graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College.
Prior to 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...
Cannon served as an instructor at the Army's Fort Sill, Oklahoma Field Artillery School.
World War II
In World War IIWorld 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...
Cannon served in the China-Burma-India Theater, advancing to brigadier general and chief of staff for the Northern Combat Area Command.
Post World War II
After World War II Cannon served as chairman of an Army board which interviewed and made recommendations on applicants for commissions as officers. He also served as Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics, G-4 for Sixth United States Army.In 1948 Cannon attended Basic Airborne Course in preparation for his assignment to the 82nd Airborne Division, afterwards taking command of the Division Artillery.
Cannon served as commander of the U.S. Army Advisory Group in Turkey
Turkey
Turkey , known officially as the Republic of Turkey , is a Eurasian country located in Western Asia and in East Thrace in Southeastern Europe...
from 1951 to 1952.
From 1952 to 1953 Cannon was head of the Army Audit Agency.
Cannon then served as Chief of the Joint U.S. Military Advisory Group which advised the Philippine government during its effort to stop the Hukbalahap
Hukbalahap
The Hukbalahap , was the military arm of the Communist Party of the Philippines , formed in 1942 to fight the Japanese Empire's occupation of the Philippines during World War II. It fought a second war from 1946 to 1954 against the pro-Western leaders of their newly independent country...
insurgency.
Following his 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...
assignment, Cannon was appointed Service Special Assistant to the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Joint Chiefs of Staff
The Joint Chiefs of Staff is a body of senior uniformed leaders in the United States Department of Defense who advise the Secretary of Defense, the Homeland Security Council, the National Security Council and the President on military matters...
for Mutual Defense Advisory Pact Affairs.
Later military career
Cannon served as Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff for United States Army Pacific, receiving promotion to Lieutenant GeneralLieutenant 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...
.
In 1958 Cannon was a participant in the ceremony used by the Army to select 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...
and Korean War
Korean War
The Korean War was a conventional war between South Korea, supported by the United Nations, and North Korea, supported by the People's Republic of China , with military material aid from the Soviet Union...
remains for placement in the Tomb of the Unknowns
Tomb of the Unknowns
The Tomb of the Unknowns is a monument dedicated to American service members who have died without their remains being identified. It is located in Arlington National Cemetery in the United States...
.
From 1959 until his 1961 retirement General Cannon served as commander of the Sixth United States Army.
Awards and decorations
Cannon's awards included 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...
, 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
General Cannon retired to San Francisco. He died in Norwalk, ConnecticutNorwalk, Connecticut
Norwalk is a city in Fairfield County, Connecticut, United States. According to the 2010 U.S. Census, the population of the city is 85,603, making Norwalk sixth in population in Connecticut, and third in Fairfield County...
on September 3, 1976 after being stricken while visiting his daughter JoAnne Schwartz in Wilton, Connecticut
Wilton, Connecticut
Wilton is a town nestled in the Norwalk River Valley in southwestern Connecticut in the United States. It is located in Fairfield County. As of the 2010 census, the town population was 18,062. In 2007, it was voted as one of CNN Money's "Best Places to Live" in the United States.Located along...
. He was buried in San Francisco National Cemetery
San Francisco National Cemetery
San Francisco National Cemetery is a U.S. National Cemetery, located in the Presidio of San Francisco, California. Because of the name and location, it is frequently confused with Golden Gate National Cemetery, a few miles south of the city....
, Plot H-35.
Personal
While stationed at Fort Sheridan, IllinoisFort Sheridan, Illinois
Fort Sheridan is a residential neighborhood spread among Lake Forest, Highwood, and Highland Park in Lake County, Illinois, United States. It was originally established as a United States Army Post named after Civil War Cavalry General Philip Sheridan, to honor his services to Chicago...
in 1928 Cannon married Josephine Riter (1902–1991), a member of another family prominent in Utah
Utah
Utah is a state in the Western United States. It was the 45th state to join the Union, on January 4, 1896. Approximately 80% of Utah's 2,763,885 people live along the Wasatch Front, centering on Salt Lake City. This leaves vast expanses of the state nearly uninhabited, making the population the...
.
External links
- Find A Grave page, Robert Milchrist Cannon, accessed February 19, 2011
- Find A Grave page, Josephine R. Cannon, accessed February 19, 2011
- Robert Milchrist Cannon Papers, Hoover InstitutionHoover InstitutionThe Hoover Institution on War, Revolution and Peace is a public policy think tank and library founded in 1919 by then future U.S. president, Herbert Hoover, an early alumnus of Stanford....
, Stanford UniversityStanford UniversityThe Leland Stanford Junior University, commonly referred to as Stanford University or Stanford, is a private research university on an campus located near Palo Alto, California. It is situated in the northwestern Santa Clara Valley on the San Francisco Peninsula, approximately northwest of San... - Biography and memorabilia of Robert Milchrist Cannon, Harold B. Lee Library, Brigham Young UniversityBrigham Young UniversityBrigham Young University is a private university located in Provo, Utah. It is owned and operated by The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints , and is the United States' largest religious university and third-largest private university.Approximately 98% of the university's 34,000 students...