Class of 1879

Vol. IV
p311 [Supplement, Vol. IV: 1890‑1900]

Military History. — Served: With troop, and as Commissary and Quartermaster, at Camp Eagle Pass, Tex., from Dec., 1888 to Dec., 1891; in command of troop during operations on Mexican border against Garza and his followers for violation of neutrality laws, from Dec. 24, 1891 till Feb. 15, 1892; as Instructor in charge of Department of Engineering, U. S. Infantry and Cavalry School, Fort Leavenworth, from March 1, 1892 till April 25, 1898.

(Captain of Cavalry, 3d Cavalry, Aug. 16, 1892)

— In command of troop at Chickamauga Park, Ga., and Tampa, Fla., till May 20, 1898.

(Major and Engineer Officer, U. S. Volunteers, May 19, 1898)

— Served as Engineer, Cavalry Division, 5th Corps, from May 20 till division was disbanded at Montauk, L. I., being present, as member of General Wheeler's staff, at battles of Las Guasimas and San Juan, Cuba, and recommended for brevets of Lieut.‑Colonel and Colonel. — Acting Inspector-General of forces at Montauk Point, Aug. 31, 1898. — Acting Inspector-General, 4th Army Corps, Oct. 15, 1898 to Jan. 13, 1899. — Acting Inspector-General, 1st Division, 2d Corps, to March 2, 1899. — Assistant Inspector-General, 2d Corps, from March 3, 1899 to –––––

(Honorably discharged from Volunteer Service, May 12, 1899)

(Major and Inspector-General, U. S. Volunteers, Sept. 6, 1899)

Vol. V
p289 [Supplement, Vol. V: 1900‑1910]

Military History. — Served: Assistant Inspector-General, 2d Corps, from March 3, 1899 to May 12, 1899; with troop, as Captain, 3d Cavalry, from June, 1899 to Oct., 1899; at Fort Myer, p290  Virginia, and the Philippine Insurrection on the Island of Luzon; in Philippine Insurrection, participating in four minor engagements as Inspector-General, 1st Division, 8th Corps (General Lawton's), from Oct., 1899, till General Lawton's death, Dec. 19, 1899, then as Inspector-General, Department of Southern Luzon (General Bates), till Oct. 15, 1900; on sick leave in United States, till Feb. 25, 1901; President of Examining Board at San Francisco, for examination and selection of Volunteer Officers, till May, 1902.

(Major, 10th Cavalry, June 9, 1902)

— Instructor of Class of Enlisted Men, and as President of Examining Board for Enlisted Men for commissions at Fort Leavenworth, Kas., June till Oct., 1902; member of War College Board at War Department, till Aug. 15, 1903; member of first detail to General Staff Corps; Chief of Military Information Division, Aug. 15, 1903, till Aug. 15, 1906; duty with regiment at Fort Ethan Allen, Vermont, and Mt. Gretna, Pa., till

(Transferred to 15th Cavalry, Aug. 18, 1905)

Oct. 3, 1906, then with regiment to Santa Clara and Cienfuegos, Cuba, in second Cuban intervention, where served with squadron and commanding various stations till appointed Governor of Santa Clara Province, April 9, 1908, which office held till Oct. 1, 1908.

(Lieut.‑Colonel, Nov. 15, 1908)

(Transferred to 11th Cavalry, March 7, 1909)

— On leave of absence till Jan. 23, 1909; commanding post of Fort Ethan Allen, Vt., Jan. 23, 1909 till Oct. 30, 1909; redetailed for duty with the General Staff Corps, Oct. 30, 1909, with station in Washington, D. C.

Vol. VI
p270 [Supplement, Vol. VI: 1910‑1920]

(William Dorrance Beach, Born June 18, 1856.)

Military History. —

Lieut.‑Colonel, 4th Cavalry, Nov. 15, 1908.

Transferred to 11th Cavalry, March 7, 1909.

At Fort Ethan Allen, Vt., commanding post, Jan. 23 to July, 1909; at Fort Oglethorpe, Ga., with regiment, to Oct. 30, 1909; when he was redetailed for duty with the General Staff Corps; at Washington, D. C., on General Staff, to Sept. 5, 1910; at Manila, P. I., Chief of Staff, Philippines Division, to July 30, 1912;

(Colonel, 4th Cavalry, July 30, 1912)

at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, commanding regiment, to Jan. 3, 1913; at Schofield Bks., Hawaii, commanding regiment, to April 5, 1915; at San Francisco, Cal., on duty at Hdqrs. Western Department, to May 15, 1915; on leave of absence to Sept. 5, 1915; at Columbus Bks., Ohio, commanding Recruit Depot, to Nov. 1, 1915; at Washington, D. C., President of Board Revising Cavalry Drill Regulations, to Feb. 1, 1917, when book was issued to the service under title "Cavalry Drill Regulations, 1917"; on leave of absence to March 12, 1917; at Fort Bliss, Texas, commanding 8th Cavalry, and in border troubles with Mexico to

(Brigadier-General, National Army, Aug. 5, 1917)

Aug. 22, 1917; at Camp Dodge, Iowa, commanding 176th Infantry Brigade, 88th Division, to May 25, 1918, then commanding 88th Division at Camp Dodge, en route to France and in France to Sept. 10, 1918; in France, commanding 176th Infantry Brigade in War with Germany, Sept. 10, 1918, to May 31, 1919; awarded by French Government, Cross of the Legion of Honor (officer), and Croix de Guerre with palm; at Camp Jackson, S. C., Assistant to Commanding General and Executive Officer, June 16, 1919, to

(Returned to Grade of Colonel, Oct. 31, 1919)

June 15, 1920.

Colonel, U. S. A., Retired, June 18, 1920,
By Operation of Law.

Vol. VII
p159 [Supplement, Vol. VII: 1920‑1930]

Military History: —

Colonel, U. S. A., Retired, June 18, 1920,
By Operation of Law.

Brigadier-General, U. S. A., Retired, Feb. 28, 1927,
Act of Feb. 28, 1927.

Awarded

Distinguished Service Medal.

"For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services. As commanding officer, 176th Infantry Brigade, 88th Division, he displayed organizing and training abilities of the highest order, and by the sound judgment, constant initiative, resourcefulness, and indefatigable energy, abundant tact, and thorough understanding of men which characterized his performance of duty as brigade commander, he contributed materially to success­ful operations of that brigade and the 88th Division."

Awarded two Silver Stars and cited "for gallantry in action against Spanish forces at Las Guasimas, Cuba, June 24, 1898," and "for gallantry against Spanish forces at Santiago, Cuba, July 1, 1898."

Civil History: — Since retirement has qualified as a citizen of San Diego, Calif.; member of Civil Service Commission and City Museum Board.

Vol. VIII
p57 [Supplement, Vol. VIII: 1930‑1940]

Military History: —

Brig.‑Gen., Ret., Feb. 28, 1927.

Died, June 18, 1932, at Pelham, N. Y.: Aged 76.

Portrait and obituary in Annual Report, Association of Graduates, for 1933.º