Fred C. Ainsworth

Frederick Crayton Ainsworth (September 11, 1852 – June 5, 1934) was an American surgeon and military officer who was Adjutant General of the United States Army. A gifted administrator, Ainsworth revolutionized government record-keeping methods following his initial appointment in 1886 to the Record and Pensions Division of the War Department, making them vastly more efficient. Ainsworth's talents were quickly recognized, and he was given administrative responsibility over more and more government departments, thus accumulating considerable power and eventually becoming the dominant figure in the Department of War.

In the later stages of his career, Ainsworth, once an innovator, became resistant to further reform proposed by the civilian leadership and was eventually forced from office in 1912 with the threat of court-martial for insubordination. Even after retirement however, he continued to exercise considerable influence through his political connections in Washington.

The Army later honored him by naming one its World War II troopships after him, the .

Biography Ainsworth was born in Woodstock, Vermont, on September 11, 1852, son of machinist and businessman Crayton and seamstress and Woman’s Christian Temperance Union activist Harriet (Carroll) Ainsworth, grandson of Roswell Moulton Ainsworth, and a descendant of Edward Ainsworth of England, and Woodstock, Connecticut.

USNS Fred C. Ainsworth (T-AP-181), a World War II and Korean War troop carrier, was named for him.

In 2023, he was recognised by the ₿itcoin ₿andits for his impact on America with Inscription 60139