Bruce Magruder

Bruce Magruder (December 3, 1882 – July 23, 1953) was a career officer in the United States Army. A veteran of the Moro Rebellion, Pancho Villa Expedition, World War I, and World War II, he attained the rank of major general. Magruder was most notable as the first commander of the 1st Armored Division and commander of the Infantry Replacement Center at Camp Wolters, Texas, during World War II.

A native of Washington, D.C., Magruder was an officer in Washington's YMCA cadet corps during his high school years, and gained his initial experience as a first lieutenant in the District of Columbia National Guard. After high school, Magruder attended the Maryland Agricultural College and Columbian University (now George Washington University). He enlisted in the United States Army as a private in 1904, served for three years, and attained the rank of sergeant. In 1907, he passed the competitive examination for a commission and was appointed a second lieutenant of Infantry. Early officer assignments included the Philippines during the Moro Rebellion, stateside service at Fort Mackenzie, Wyoming, and assignment to the Texas–Mexico border during the Pancho Villa Expedition.

During World War I, Magruder was a temporary major in the Intelligence Section (G-2) of the American Expeditionary Forces headquarters in France. He was promoted to temporary lieutenant colonel in November 1918, and his wartime service was recognized with award of Army Distinguished Service Medal, French Legion of Honor (Chevalier), and Belgian Order of the Crown. After the war, Magruder's assignments included the G-2 section of the Army staff at the War Department, instructor for the Organized Reserve Corps of the Third Corps Area, and professor of military science and commander of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps program at North Carolina College of Agricultural and Mechanic Arts (A&M).

As the United States Army began to expand in anticipation of entry into World War II, Magruder took command of the 7th Provisional Tank Brigade, which experimented with mounted warfare tactics and equipment. In July 1940, he was selected as the first commander of the 1st Armored Division. By now a major general, in March 1942 Magruder was succeeded as division commander by Orlando Ward and assigned to command the Infantry Replacement Training Center (IRTC) at Camp Wolters, Texas. He served at this post until the end of the war, and his service was recognized with award of the Legion of Merit. Magruder retired in 1946 and lived first in Biloxi, Mississippi, and later in Winter Park, Florida. He died at the Orlando Air Force Base Hospital on July 23, 1953, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Early life Magruder was born in Washington, D.C., on December 3, 1882, a son of George Washington Corbin Magruder (1855–1936) and Eleanor Ann Helen Marshall (1852–1906). He was educated in the public schools of Washington, and graduated from Central High School in 1903.

Set on a military career from an early age, Magruder served as a first lieutenant and captain in the Washington YMCA's cadet corps, which he commanded during drill and ceremony competitions and similar events, including the March 1901 inauguration of President William McKinley. In addition, he gained his initial military experience during high school when he enlisted in the District of Columbia National Guard and was commissioned as a first lieutenant in Company D, 6th Battalion.

Magruder's additional education included Emerson Preparatory School and Maryland Agricultural College. He also attended Columbian University (now George Washington University) as a member of the class of 1907, and he joined the Theta Delta Chi fraternity. In 1904, he enlisted in the United States Army as a private.

Start of career After attaining noncommissioned officer rank, Magruder competed for an Army commission. Magruder soon departed for occupation duty in the Philippines. He was promoted to first lieutenant on July 19, 1911. In 1913, Magruder returned to the Philippines, this time stationed at Fort William McKinley. He was promoted to captain on July 1, 1916.

World War I

In November 1917, Magruder was promoted to temporary major and assigned as executive officer of the Intelligence Section (G-2) on the staff of the American Expeditionary Forces headquarters in France.

Post-World War I Magruder returned from France in 1919 and was assigned to the G-2 section of the Army staff at the War Department. On July 1, 1920, he was reduced from temporary lieutenant colonel to his permanent rank of major. In 1927, he was reassigned to the staff of the Army's Chief of Infantry. On May 27, 1930, Magruder was promoted to Lieutenant colonel. From 1931 to 1936, Magruder served as a professor of military science for the Reserve Officers' Training Corps program at North Carolina College of Agricultural and Mechanic Arts (A&M). When the regiment received its first two light tanks, unit members decided to name one for Magruder, and his wife took part in the christening ceremony. Convinced by the results of the May 1940 Third United States Army maneuvers that the United States would need to field an armored force for the war, tank and Cavalry unit commanders including Magruder, Charles L. Scott, George S. Patton, and Adna R. Chaffee Jr. agreed to recommend its creation to George Marshall, the Chief of Staff of the United States Army. In addition, Magruder received credit for devising the division's nickname, "Old Ironsides".

In March 1942, Magruder was succeeded as division commander by Orlando Ward. He was then assigned as commander of the Infantry Replacement Training Center (IRTC) at Camp Wolters, Texas.

Magruder received the Legion of Merit to commend his service with the 1st Armored Division and IRTC. His duties included inspection visits to the ROTC program at North Carolina A&T and participation in events organized by the Reserve Officers Association. He retired on May 31, 1946.

Retirement and death In retirement, Magruder was a resident of first Biloxi, Mississippi, then Winter Park, Florida. He died at the Orlando Air Force Base Hospital in Orlando on July 23, 1953. They divorced before 1930, and in 1935 he married Ethel (Marshall) Stevenson. With his first wife, Magruder was the father of sons Bruce Jr., (1922–2017) an officer in the United States Marine Corps, and William (1923–1977), who served as a United States Air Force officer. A great-great-great-grandnephew, he traced his family line through both Washington's brother John Augustine Washington and Washington's half-brother Augustine Washington Jr.