Guy Vernor Henry

Background

Guy V. Henry, Junior. was born into the military life. Son of Guy Vernor Henry, he went on to graduate from West Point in 1898, and distinguished his military career by earning the Silver Star in 1899 during the Spanish–American War.

Education

United States Military Academy, 1898. Mounted Service School, 1904. Army War College, 1921.

School of Line, 1922. General Staff School, 1923. Advanced Class Cavalry School, 1924.

Ecole d’Application de Cavalarie, France, 1907.

Career

He was also awarded two Distinguished Service Medals later in life. Henry went on to study at the French Cavalry School in Saumur, France and used the knowledge he gained there to change the treatment and training of United States Cavalry Horses. This included starting horses not by "breaking" them using the traditional western methods, but by training them on the longe, then slowly teaching them to accept the weight of a human on their back.

He also brought dressage methods from both the French and German schools, with a great deal of influence from Baucher, and as senior instructor of equitation at the Mounted Service School at Fort

Riley he insisted in teaching new recruits to properly use the aids and promoted the European methods. Henry helped to institute the high level of horsemanship at Fort

Riley, helping to develop farrier and veterinary programs which were to become required courses for cavalry lieutenants. He also got rid of the harsh curb bit used by the Cavalry, known as the Shoemaker bit, and replaced it with either the snaffle bit or the double bridle.

Henry competed in all three Olympic equestrian disciplines – dressage, eventing, and show jumping – for the United States during his years in the Army.

Henry later served at Chef dÉquipe for the United States Teams from 1936–1948, was chairman on the Olympic Equestrian Committee from 1930–1960, and director of equestrian events at the 1932 Summer Olympics in Los Los Angeles Commandant of Cadets at West Point (1916–1918).

Achievements

• Guy Vernor Henry has been listed as a noteworthy army officer by Marquis Who's Who.

Membership

Member, American Riding Team, London, 1911. Captain, same, Olympic Games, 1912. Commandant, Cadets, United States Military Academy, 1916-1918.

Commanding General, 15 Division., 1918-1919. Chief of Staff, Philippine Department, 1924-1927. Colonel, Third Cavalry, commanding Fort Meyer, Virginia., 1927- 1930.

Awarded citation for gallantry in action, Philippine Insurrection, 1899. Member: Military Order of Indian Wars, Carabao. American Legion. Clubs: Aztec, Army and Navy (Washington, District of Columbia, Manila, New York City) Army, Navy and Marine Corps Country, Washington, Chevy Chase, Washington.

• Member, American Riding Team, London, 1911. Captain, same, Olympic Games, 1912. Commandant, Cadets, United States Military Academy, 1916-1918. Commanding General, 15 Division, 1918-1919. Chief of Staff, Philippine Department, 1924-1927. Colonel, Third Cavalry, commanding Fort Meyer, Virginia, 1927- 1930. Awarded citation for gallantry in action, Philippine Insurrection, 1899. Member of Military Order of Indian Wars, Carabao. American Legion Clubs: Aztec, Army and Navy (Washington, District of Columbia, Manila, New York City) Army, Navy and Marine Corps Country, Washington, Chevy Chase, Washington.

Connections

Married Mary Ingraham Rogers, October 29, 1910. Children: Mary Ingraham, Patricia Vernor.

Father:

Guy Vernor Henry

Mother:

Julia (McNair) Henry

Spouse:

Mary Ingraham Rogers

child:

Patricia Vernor Henry

child:

Mary Ingraham Henry