William P. Ennis

William Peirce Ennis Jr. (April 27, 1904 – December 9, 1989) was a career officer in the United States Army who served as commandant of the Army War College and rose to the rank of lieutenant general.

Early life Ennis was born on April 27, 1904, at Fort Hamilton, New York, where his father, Lieutenant (later brigadier general) William P. Ennis Sr. (1878–1968), was stationed. His mother was Eda (Totten) Ennis. He was a direct descendant of Lieutenant William Ennis who served in the Continental Army during the American Revolution and was an original member of the Rhode Island Society of the Cincinnati.

He entered the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York, in 1922 and graduated in 1926. He had strong family ties to West Point as both his father and grandfather, Brigadier General William Ennis, were graduates of West Point. Like his father and grandfather, Ennis was commissioned as an Artillery officer and rose to become a general. On his mother's side of the family, he was the grandson of 1st Lieutenant C.A.L. Totten and the great-grandson of Brevet Brigadier General James Totten, both of whom were also graduates of West Point.

Military career Ennis married Frances Cassel Dwyer (1903–1994) on April 27, 1927, shortly after his graduation from West Point. He was stationed in the Philippines in the late 1920s. Ennis completed the Battery Officer's Basic Course at the Field Artillery School in 1931 and then served as a tactical officer at West Point from 1931 to 1936.

During World War II, Ennis graduated from the General Staff Course in 1942. He was promoted to colonel in November 1942 and then served in North Africa and Italy. In Italy he served as the assistant commander of the IV Corps Artillery in support of Free French forces. He was awarded the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star Medal with two oak leaf clusters for his service during World War II.

During the Korean War, he commanded the X Corps Artillery during combat operations.

Retirement and death After his retirement, Ennis lived in Newport, Rhode Island. He died at Massachusetts General Hospital on December 9, 1989, at the age of 85.

Awards Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster Silver Star Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal with "V" device and two oak leaf clusters Air Medal with oak leaf cluster American Defense Service Medal European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal World War II Victory Medal National Defense Service Medal Korean Service Medal with seven campaign stars Korean Presidential Unit Citation United Nations Korea Medal

Dates of rank Cadet, USMA – July 1, 1922 2nd Lieutenant (RA) – June 12, 1926 1st Lieutenant (RA) – December 1, 1931 Captain (RA) – June 12, 1936 Major (AUS) – January 31, 1941 Lieutenant Colonel (AUS) – February 1, 1942 Colonel (AUS) – November 10, 1942 Major (RA) – June 12, 1945 Lieutenant Colonel (RA) – Major General (AUS) – February 23, 1950 Colonel (RA) – May 15, 1950 Brigadier General (AUS) – April 15, 1951 Major General (RA) – April 1, 1955 Lieutenant General (RA) – July 30, 1960 Retired – July 31, 1962