Background
SMITH, William Ruthven was born on April 2, 1868 in Nashville, Tennessee. Son of Robert McPhail and Lititia Clark (Trimble) Smith.
United States Military Academy superintendant
SMITH, William Ruthven was born on April 2, 1868 in Nashville, Tennessee. Son of Robert McPhail and Lititia Clark (Trimble) Smith.
Vanderbilt University 2 yrs.; United States Military Academy., 1892; School of Submarine Defense, 1908; University of Chattanooga, Doctor of Laws, 1929
Commissioned Addl. Second Lieutenant, first Artillery, 1892. First Lieutenant, Artillery, 1899. Captain Artillery Corps, 1899.
Major, Coast Artillery Corps, 1909. Lieutenant Colonel. 1916. Colonel 1917; Brigadier General N.A., 1917.
Major General N.A.. 1918. Honorary discharged 1919. General Staff, 1919; Chief of Staff, Philippine Department, rank Brigadier General, 1921.
Major General 1924. Tnstr. and Assistant Professor Chemistry. Mineralogy and Geology, Mathematics Natural and Experiment Philosophy, ordnance and gunnery, United States Military Academy, 11 years. Asst, to chief of Coast Artillery, Washington, DC., 4 years.
Director Dept, of Engineering and Mine Defense, Coast Artillery School, Fort Monroe, Virginia, 3 years. In charge of bldg, and placing first submarine net put down in United States, 1917. Assigned to Camp Sheridan, Alabama, 1917.
Command 62 Arty, brigades. 37 Division. O. National Guard and 37 Division National Guard. Commander, 36 Division, American Expeditionary Forces, Meuse-Argonne campaign.
Commandant, Coast Artillery School, Fort Monroe, Virginia, 24. Commanding general, Hawaiian Division Schofield Bks. Territory of Hawaii 1925-1927: Dent.
Commander. Hawaiian Department, Honolulu, T. H 1Q27-28. Superintendent. United States Military Academy, West, Point, New York. since 1928. Awarded. Distinguished Service Medal by United States.
Commander Legion of Honor, France. Croix de Guerre, with palm.
Spouse Mary Prince Davis, December 4, 1901.