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Napoleon Riley

1881 – 1941

American football player, army officer

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About Napoleon Riley

Lived 1881 – 1941 (aged 60). Napoleon Riley was an American american football player.

Napoleon William Riley (February 22, 1881 – October 31, 1941) was an American football player and an officer in the United States Army.

Biography A native of Kentucky, Riley attended the United States Military Academy where he played at the guard position for the Army Black Knights football team from 1901 to 1903.

After graduating from the Military Academy, Riley served in the United States Army until February 1941. During World War I, he served as the Division Quartermaster for the 88th Division, and with the 352 Infantry in charge of Division School of Army. In 1920, Riley transferred to the Quartermaster Corps, attaining the rank of colonel and serving at Camp Dodge, Camp Lewis, the Office of the Quartermaster General, Watertown Arsenal, Chicago, the Philippine Islands, Tientsin, China, and the Panama Canal Zone. He developed an illness while serving in the Canal Zone and died from the illness in 1941 at Station Hospital in Fort Sam Houston, Texas, at age 60. He was buried at the Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

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Important facts

Birth century
Nationality
Education
United States Military Academy
Also known as
Napoleon William Riley

People in Napoleon Riley's life

Named in this biography and alive at the same time

Contemporaries

People whose lives overlapped Napoleon Riley's

Frequently asked questions

Who was Napoleon Riley?

American football player, army officer (1881-1941)

When was Napoleon Riley born?

Napoleon Riley was born on 22 February 1881 in Elkton.

When did Napoleon Riley die?

Napoleon Riley died on 31 October 1941 in Fort Sam Houston.

What was Napoleon Riley's occupation?

Napoleon Riley was an american football player.

What nationality was Napoleon Riley?

Napoleon Riley was American.

Sources & further reading

· Wikipedia: Napoleon Riley

· Wikidata: Q19664950

· DBpedia: Napoleon Riley

Cite this page

APA: Biography.guide. (2026). Napoleon Riley. https://biography.guide/napoleon-riley/

MLA: "Napoleon Riley." Biography.guide, https://biography.guide/napoleon-riley/.

Chicago: "Napoleon Riley." Biography.guide. https://biography.guide/napoleon-riley/.

Data last updated: 2026-09-20 · Spot an error? Report a correction.

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