John Loomis Chamberlain

John Loomis Chamberlain (January 20, 1858 – November 14, 1948) was 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 service as Inspector General of the United States Army from 1917 to 1921.

Early life Chamberlain was born in South Livonia, New York on January 20, 1858, the son of Jabez L. Chamberlin and Charity (Hart) Chamberlin. He was educated at District School Number 10 in South Livonia, then attended the Geneseo Normal School (now the State University of New York at Geneseo). He was rated as the most qualified applicant, received the appointment, and began attendance at the academy in September 1876. Chamberlain served again at Fort Alcatraz from June to October 1883, then was posted to the Presidio of San Francisco, where he remained until July 1884. Chamberlain carried out this duty until the end of March 1892, except for temporary duty during the Ghost Dance War with Light Battery E, 1st Artillery, at the Pine Ridge Indian Reservation in South Dakota in January 1891.

He also received the following medals:

Indian Campaign Medal Spanish War Service Medal Philippine Campaign Medal Mexican Border Service Medal World War I Victory Medal

Later life and death In retirement, Chamberlain was a resident of Washington, D.C. He died in Washington on November 14, 1948. At the time of his death, he was the oldest living graduate of the United States Military Academy. Chamberlain was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Family In 1896, Chamberlain married Carolyn Marrow in Narragansett Pier, Rhode Island. They were the parents of two children, army officer John L. Chamberlain Jr. and Carolyn Chamberlain, the wife of Frederick M. Bradley.