Background
SAMPLE, William Roderick was born on June 29, 1866 in Memphis, Tennessee, United States. Son of William A. and Ellen (Dodge) Sample.
SAMPLE, William Roderick was born on June 29, 1866 in Memphis, Tennessee, United States. Son of William A. and Ellen (Dodge) Sample.
State University of Agriculture. United States Master of Arts.
Y.C. First Lieutenant, assigned to 13 Infantry., Buffalo, New York, 1895. Served through Spanish-American War. Commanded company at battle of San Juan Hill.
Cited for gallantry. Appointed Captain and Assistant Adjutant. General of Volunteers. 1898 and assigned to Brigade commanded by General Ames in Cuba and later to Albany, Georgia.
Patricipated in numerous campaigns against Filipino Insurrectors, 1899. Promoted Captain and assigned to Third Infantry. in Philippine Islands. Promoted Major, assigned command of twelve companies Phil.
Scouts, Island of Luzon, 12. Detailed as Major, in Adjutant. General Department; went with Eighth Brigade to Mexico Border, stationed at Fort Bliss, Texas Assigned to command of the Base and Base Section of Line of Communications of Punitive Expedition under General Pershing.
Built Base at Columbus, establishing first motor transport service in Army. Promoted to Lieutenant Colonel 34 Infantry., El Paso, Texas, 1916: Chief of Staff. 11 Providence Division., El Paso, Texas.
Colonel, 1917; command First Officers Training Camp, Madison Barracks, New York, 1917. Brigadier General, December, 1917. Arrived in France November, 1917 and assigned command of Advance Section, Service of Supplies, E.F. Awarded Distinguished Service Medal. by TJ.S. and Legion of Honor by France.
Returned to Regular Army with grade of Colonel, Chief of Staff, 81 Division., Organized Reserves, Knoxville, Tennessee In charge of Organized Reserve Affairs, Headquarters. Second Corps Area, Governors Island, New York, 1926. Transferred to National.
Guard duty at Fame hdqrs., since 1928.
Member: Society of Santiago. Society of Military Order of World War. American Legion. Club: Army and Navy (New York City and Washington, District of Columbia).
Married Bettie M. C. Saunders, of Birmingham, Alabama, May 27, 1891.