Otho B. Rosenbaum

Otho Bane Rosenbaum (February 26, 1871 – December 21, 1962) was a career officer in the United States Army. A veteran of the Spanish–American War, Philippine–American War, and World War I, he served from 1894 to 1935, and attained the rank of brigadier general. Rosenbaum's command assignments included the 173rd Infantry Brigade, 155th Infantry Brigade, and 3rd Division, and his awards and decorations included the Silver Star.

A native of Marion, Virginia, Rosenbaum graduated from the United States Military Academy (West Point) in 1894 and began a career in the Infantry. He served in Cuba during the Spanish–American War in 1898 and received the Citation Star for heroism at the Battle of El Caney. When the army created the Silver Star, his Citation Star was converted to the new award. Rosenbaum went on to serve in the Philippines during the Philippine–American War in the early 1900s. As his career progressed, Rosenbaum served with Infantry regiments throughout the United States, frequently in quartermaster, commissary officer, and adjutant posts. During World War I, he commanded first the 315th Infantry Regiment, then several Infantry brigades in succession. He received temporary promotion to brigadier general, and his wartime service included the Battle of Saint-Mihiel, Meuse–Argonne offensive, Lorraine campaign, and Occupation of the Rhineland.

After the First World War, Rosenbaum attended the United States Army Command and General Staff College and United States Army War College, received permanent promotion to brigadier general in 1927, and commanded the 1st Infantry Brigade, 78th Division, 22nd Infantry Brigade, Hawaiian Division, and 3rd Division. He left the army upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 64 in 1935.

In retirement, Rosenbaum resided in Washington, D.C. and operated two farms in Fairfax County, Virginia. He died in Washington on December 21, 1962 and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Early life Otho Bane Rosenbaum was born in Marion, Virginia on August 26, 1871, the son of Confederate States Army veteran Thomas M. Rosenbaum and Nannie Virginia (Bane) Rosenbaum. He was raised and educated in Marion, and in 1890 received appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point from U.S. Representative John A. Buchanan. He graduated in 1894 ranked 36th of 54.

Among Rosenbaum's classmates who also attained general officer rank were Clarence C. Williams, Dwight Edward Aultman, Paul Bernard Malone, Hamilton S. Hawkins III, Frank Sherwood Cocheu, Ora Elmer Hunt, Frank Parker, George Henson Estes, Oliver Edwards, Briant H. Wells, and John William Barker. Among the notable classmates who did not become generals was U.S. Representative Butler Ames, who left the army as a lieutenant colonel. Rosenbaum received his commission as a second lieutenant of Infantry. From April 1900 to February 1901, Rosenbaum served as the 7th Infantry's commissary officer. In September 1912, he transferred to the 24th Infantry Regiment, but the following month he was assigned to the 2nd Infantry Regiment.

With the army expanding after U.S. entry into World War I, Rosenbaum served in the office of the Office of the Inspector General of the United States Army from May to August 1917. In November and December 1927 he attended the refresher course for officers at the Langley Field, Virginia Air Corps Tactical School. Rosenbaum left the army upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 64 in August 1935. He resided in Washington, D.C., where he died on December 21, 1962. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Rosenbaum's son Frederick died at age 56 in 1953 and his daughter Elizabeth died in January 1962 at age 64.

Some sources indicate that Rosenbaum was Jewish, including lists of Jewish Spanish–American War veterans. However, Rosenbaum's parents were buried in a Lutheran cemetery in Marion, Virginia, and contemporary biographies also indicate that Rosenbaum stated his religious preference as Lutheran.