Benjamin A Poore

Benjamin A. Poore (June 22, 1863 – August 21, 1940) was a career officer in the United States Army who attained the rank of major general. An 1886 graduate of the United States Military Academy, he was a veteran of the Spanish–American War, Philippine–American War, World War I, and Occupation of the Rhineland, and commanded several Infantry brigades as well as the 4th Division and Seventh Corps Area. Poore's awards included the Distinguished Service Cross, Army Distinguished Service Medal, and two awards of the Silver Star, as well as several foreign decorations.

A native of Centre, Alabama, Poore was raised and educated in Fitchburg, Massachusetts. He attended the United States Military Academy (West Point) beginning in 1882, and in 1886 received his commission as a second lieutenant in the Infantry Branch. Poore served in command and staff assignments during the Spanish–American War and Philippine–American War. During World War I and the post-war Occupation of the Rhineland, Poore was a temporary brigadier general and commanded the 7th Infantry Brigade and acted as commander of the 4th Division.

After the war, Poore returned to his permanent rank of colonel and commanded the 1st Infantry. He was promoted to permanent brigadier general in 1921 and commanded first the 4th Infantry Brigade, then the 12th Infantry Brigade. He received promotion to major general in 1925, and commanded the Seventh Corps Area until retiring in 1927. Poore died in Fitchburg on August 21, 1940, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Early life and education Benjamin Andrew Poore was born in Centre, Alabama on June 22, 1863, the son of Andrew Poore and Keziah (Brooks) Shropshire Poore. Andrew Poore was a veteran of the War of 1812 and was nearly 70 years old when Benjamin Poore was born. Keziah Poore was Andrew Poore's second wife, and she died in 1864. Following Andrew Poore's 1872 death, Benjamin Poore was raised by his half-brother Charles C. Poore, one of Andrew Poore's children with his first wife, who was over 30 years older. At graduation, Poore received his commission as a second lieutenant of Infantry.

Early career After receiving his commission, Poore was assigned to the 12th Infantry, with which he served at Madison Barracks, New York and Fort Sully, South Dakota. He was promoted to first lieutenant in the 10th Infantry in September 1892, and transferred to the 6th Infantry later that month.

From May 1899 to June 1902, Poore served with his regiment in the Philippines during the Philippine–American War and commanded a detachment in combat during the Battle of Guintabuan on the island of Negros, which resulted in a recommendation for promotion to brevet major.

In 1932, he made national headlines when he resigned from The American Legion because of disagreement with its advocacy for immediate payment of a bonus to World War I veterans that was due in 1945.

Poore died in Fitchburg on August 21, 1940, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Personal life In 1888, Poore married Adelaide Carleton of Salem, Massachusetts. She died in 1929, and in 1930 he married Flora B. Bullock, the widow of Brigham N. Bullock. With his first wife, Poore was the father of three daughters— Katherine, Priscilla, and Adelaide.

Katherine Poore was the wife of Major General Joseph Mauborgne. Priscilla Poore was the wife of Brigadier General Donald A. Robinson. Adelaide Poore was the wife of General Charles L. Bolte.