William E. R. Covell

Major general William Edward Raab Covell (29 November 1892 – 16 August 1975) graduated first in the 1915 West Point class that later became known as the class the stars fell on due to the high number of cadets who went on to attain general officer rank; this was more than any other class in the history of the academy. For comparison, out of 164 cadets, two Generals of the Army were Omar Bradley (44th) and Dwight D. Eisenhower (61st). Covell served two stints in the U.S. Army, the first was from 1915 to 1940; he was recalled to active service during World War II from 1941 to 1946.

Early life

Covell was born on 29 November 1892 in Washington, D.C.. On 14 June 1911, he entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York. He graduated first in his class of 164 on 12 June 1915 as a member of the class the stars fell on; his Cullum number is 5313. Dwight D. Eisenhower was ranked 61st in the same class.

Corp of Engineers Covell was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers on 12 June 1915 upon graduating from the Military Academy. He served as an instructor in the Department of Tactics at the academy in June and July 1915 before departing on his graduation leave. ; the article was published in the November–December 1917 edition of Professional Memoirs.

Covell was promoted to captain, Corps of Engineers on 31 July 1917.

Covell served in Washington, D.C., from June 1923 to May 1928. He then attended the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, graduating in June 1930. Covell served as district engineer in Pittsburgh until 31 May 1940, when he retired from active duty.

After his retirement, Covell became general manager of Crossett Arkansas Companies in Crossett, Arkansas. He was recalled to active duty in the Army on 1 June 1941.

Later life After the war, Covell joined the engineering and design firm Parsons, Brinckerhoff, Hogan and Macdonald. He became fluent in Spanish while representing the firm in South America.

Personal life He wed Vera Henshaw on 16 July 1917.

His older brother Leon C. Covell served as the second vice commandant of the United States Coast Guard; retiring as a vice admiral after World War II.

Death Covell died at Fort Ord, California on 16 August 1975. His papers are held by the Hoover Institution Library, Stanford University.

Awards

World War I Victory MedalArmy of Occupation of Germany Medal