William N. Porter

William N. Porter (March 15, 1886 – February 5, 1973) was a United States Army officer who led the Army's Chemical Warfare Service during the second World War.

Early life and education Porter was born in Lima, Ohio on March 15, 1886. He attended the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland, graduating in 1909. (Until 1912, midshipmen who graduated from the academy had to serve two years in the fleet before being commissioned as ensigns.) He then joined the Army as a second lieutenant in the U.S. Army Coast Artillery Corps. Porter graduated with distinction in 1927 from the Command and General Staff School and then attended both the Army Industrial College and the Army War College.

Porter served as Director of the Chemical Warfare School, located at the time in Washington, DC, and, as a colonel, as Chemical Officer, 9th Corps Area.

After the outbreak of World War Two, Porter was appointed head of the Army Chemical Warfare Service and promoted to major general. He led the service from May 1941 until 1945, despite having had no experience as a chemical officer in the First World War. Until March 1942, he reported directly to the Army Chief of Staff, but from then on to the Service of Supply, later renamed the Army Service Forces.

Porter was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal for his wartime efforts.

Porter retired from active duty on November 13, 1945.

Retirement Following his retirement from the Army, Porter was president of the Chemical Construction Corporation.

Porter also served as president of the New York Chapter of the Armed Forces Chemical Association.

Porter died of a heart attack at his home in Key West, Florida in 1973 at the age of 86. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Personal life Porter was married to Mary Porter. At the time of his death, he was survived by a son and a daughter.