Horace H. Fuller

Major General Horace H. Fuller (August 10, 1886 – September 18, 1966) was an American soldier and general in the first half of the 20th century. He is best known for his command of the 41st Infantry Division in the South West Pacific Area during World War II.

Education and early life Horace Hayes Fuller was born on August 10, 1886, in Fort Meade, South Dakota, the son of Major Ezra B. Fuller. He was appointed to the United States Military Academy at West Point – where his father had graduated with the class of 1873 – by President Theodore Roosevelt in 1904. He graduated 59th in the class of 1909, a distinguished class that also included future generals George S. Patton (46), Jacob L. Devers (39), John C. H. Lee (12), Edwin F. Harding (74), Robert L. Eichelberger (68), and William H. Simpson (101). He was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the 11th Cavalry. He was stationed with the 11th Cavalry at Fort Oglethorpe until April 1914 when he transferred to the 7th Cavalry which was then based at Fort William McKinley. He remained in the Philippines until 1916, transferring to the 8th Cavalry. He was promoted to First Lieutenant on June 12, 1916. He transferred to the field artillery on July 1, 1916, but returned to United States to serve with the 17th Cavalry at Fort Bliss. He was promoted to captain on May 15, 1917.

Great War Fuller transferred to the 11th Field Artillery in July 1917, and attended a course of instruction at Fort Sill. He was promoted to temporary Major on January 8, 1918. He sailed for France in October 1918 and joined the 108th Field Artillery at Véronnes. He participated in the Meuse–Argonne offensive and commanded the 108th Field Artillery in the Battle of the Sambre, earning promotion to temporary Lieutenant Colonel on September 11, 1918. He commanded the 109th Field Artillery until March 1919 and then served with the Motor Transport Corps and Graves Registration Service.

Brigadier General Jens A. Doe, formerly the assistant division commander (ADC) of the 41st, took over command of the division and remained in command for the rest of the war. Fuller became commander of the U.S. Army Forces Far East in August 1944. In November he became deputy chief of staff at South East Asia Command.

Later life Fuller retired from the army in August 1946 and died on September 18, 1966.

Awards Army Distinguished Service Medal Mexican Border Service Medal World War I Victory Medal with "Meuse-Argonne" campaign clasp American Defense Service Medal with "Foreign Service" clasp Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with two campaign stars World War II Victory Medal

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