Chase Wilmot Kennedy

Chase Wilmot Kennedy (4 January 1859 – 23 November 1936) was a career officer in the United States Army. A veteran of the American Indian Wars, Spanish–American War, Philippine–American War, and World War I, he attained the rank of major general and was most notable for his First World War command of first the 78th Division, and later the 85th Division.

Early years Chase Wilmot Kennedy was born to Milton and Josephine Kennedy on 4 January 1859. After graduating from the public school system in 1875, Kennedy began working at the Portsmouth Tribune until 1879. Several of his classmates would go on to become general officers in their careers, such as Omar Bundy, George H. Cameron, Harry C. Hale, George W. Read, John W. Heard, Ira A. Haynes, Samson L. Faison, William C. Langfitt, Robert D. Walsh, Lawrence Tyson, Charles G. Morton, Tyree R. Rivers, John W. Ruckman, Isaac Littell and Clarence R. Edwards.

Military career Following his graduation from the U.S.M.A., Kennedy was commissioned into the Third Infantry with which he performed frontier duty from 1883 to 1895, Kennedy remained in France with the 78th until February 1918, when returned to the U.S. to take command of the 85th Infantry Division. The 85th deployed to France in August, 1918. He would remain in command of the 85th until March 1919.

Between the Wars After the end of the First World War, Kennedy was placed in command of the Panama Canal Department from April 1919 to November 1921. Following this, he commanded the 9th Coastal Artillery District and the 9th Training Center at the Presidio of San Francisco until his retirement in 1922.

Personal life Kennedy married Elizabeth Lord Jewett (1867–1946) on 13 November 1889. He died in Washington, D.C., on 23 November 1936. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.