[Much of my site will be useless to you if you've got the images turned off!]
mail:
Bill Thayer

[Link to a series of help pages]
Help
[Link to the next level up]
Up
[Link to my homepage]
Home

This site is not affiliated with the US Military Academy.

[decorative delimiter]
USMA
Home

 [decorative delimiter] Class of 1897

Vol. IV
p617
3775

(Born Pa.)

Frank Ross McCoy​1

(Ap'd Pa.)

34

Born Oct. 29, 1874, Lewistown, PA.​a

Military History. — Cadet at the U. S. M. A., June 21, 1893 to June 11, 1897, when he was graduated and promoted in the army to

(Add. Second Lieut. of Cavalry, 8th Cavalry, June 11, 1897)

(Second Lieut. of Cavalry, 7th Cavalry, March 11, 1898)

Served: At Fort Meade, S. D., to May 4, 1898.

(Transferred to 10th Cavalry, May 4, 1898)

— Chickamauga, May 4 to 14. — Lakeland, Fla., May 14 to June 1. — On transport for Cuba, June 1, 1898. — In fights of Las Guasimas and San Juan. — Wounded at San Juan. — Nominated for brevets for both engagements. — Rejoined regiment from sick leave (result of wound) at Montauk, L. I., Aug. 25. — Montauk, L. I., Aug. 25 to Oct. 6. — Huntsville, Ala., Oct. 10, 1898 to Jan. 30, 1899. — Fort Clark, Tex., from Jan. 30, 1899 to ––––

Vol. V
p583
[Supplement, Vol. V: 1900‑1910]

Military History. — At Fort Clark, Tex., from Jan. 30, 1899 to April, 1899; at Manzanillo and Bayamo, Cuba, April, 1899 to May, 1900; at Havana, Cuba, May 4, 1900 to May 22, 1902; Aide-de‑Camp to Major-General Leonard Wood, Governor-General, charged with fiscal affairs and budget, Washington, D. C., to

(First Lieut., 10th Cavalry, Feb. 2, 1901)

— March 23, 1903, settlement of Cuban affairs, and Acting Aide to the President; accompanied General Wood, German maneuvers, Sept., 1902; en route to the Philippine Islands with General Wood and Colonel Indicates a West Point graduate, Class of 1876: a link to his biographical entry in Cullum's Register.H. L. Scott, to study colonial affairs, Egypt and Java, March 23, 1903, July 20, 1903.º

(Captain, 3d Cavalry, Aug. 16, 1903)

— Zamboanga, P. I., Aug. 6, 1903; Aide-de‑Camp to General Leonard Wood, commanding, and Governor, Moro Province, Feb. 1, 1906; Secretary and Engineer, member of Legislative Council, Acting Governor, Moro Province, Nov., 1904 to Feb., 1906. In following expeditions against hostile Moros: Lake Lanao, Mindanao, Nov., 1903; Jolo expedition, Nov., 1903; Serenaya expedition, March, 1904; Taraco expedition, April, 1904; Simpetan expedition, May, 1904; Pala expedition (Jolo), May, 1905; Bud Dajo (Jolo), March, 1906; commanded Datu Ali expedition, Oct., 1905; with parties who captured Panglima Hassan (Jolo), Nov., 1903; Datu Djimbangan, Rio Grande de Mindanao, March, 1904; Adriano Concepcion, Lake Mainit, Mindanao, April, 1904; Military Information duty, Canton, China, Dec., 1905; Manila, Feb. 1; Aide-de‑Camp to Major-General Wood, commanding, June 20, 1906; Washington, D. C., Aide to the President, Aug., 1906; accompanied Peace Commission to Cuba, as Aide to Secretary of War and to Provisional Governor of Cuba, Sept. 4, 1906, Dec. 1, 1906;º with 14th Cavalry, Yosemite Park, June, 1907, Oct., 1907; at Army War College, Nov. 1, 1907 to –––––.

Vol. VI
p804
[Supplement, Vol. VI: 1910‑1920]

(Born Oct. 29, 1874.)

Military History. —

Captain, 3d Cavalry, Aug. 16, 1903.

At Washington, D. C., Student officer at Army War College, Nov. 1, 1907, to Nov. 1, 1908; at Fort Wingate, N. M., commanding Squadron and post, 1908 to 1910; Member General Staff, 1910 to 1914; under confidential instruction of Secretary of War, with Major Indicates a West Point graduate, Class of 1897: a link to his biographical entry in Cullum's Register.S. A. Cheney, investigated Underrago Canal Concession, and made reconnaissance of routes mentioned therein from Atrato River to the Pacific, Colombia, South America, December, 1911, to March, 1912; returned to U. S. via Central America and Mexico, where assisted in organizing and arming colony, City of Mexico, into a defence association, and laid plans for protection; Aide-de‑Camp to Major-General Wood, commanding Department of the East, June to December, 1914; rejoined regiment February, 1915; on Mexican border, commanding Mission Cavalry Patrol District, to December, 1915, and on duty on border between Brownsville and Laredo, Texas, to December, 1916, including a period of active service of some six months, commanding in two official and success­ful engagements with Mexican Bandits, Cavazos Crossing, September, 1915, and Ojo de Agua, and a tour of six months as Chief of Staff to General Indicates a West Point graduate, Class of 1876: a link to his biographical entry in Cullum's Register.Parker, commanding Brownsville District during mobilization of National Guard on border; at Mexico City, Military Attaché, American Embassy, February to

(Major of Cavalry, March 24, 1917)

June, 1917; detail as Chief of Staff of the Roosevelt Division requested of the President by Col. Roosevelt, April, 1917; joined A. E. F., in Paris, France, as member of General Staff, June 24, 1917; Assistant to Chief of Staff, General Harbord, and Secretary of General Staff to

 p805  (Lieut.‑Colonel, Temporary, of Cavalry, Aug. 5, 1917)

(Colonel, Temporary, of Cavalry, Feb. 6, 1918)

May, 1918; assigned to command of 165th Infantry in Baccarat Sector, May, 1918; engaged with 4th French Army in Champagne Defensive north of Châlons, July, 1918; with 6th French Army in Marne-Aisne Offensive, July and August, 1918;

(Brigadier-General, U. S. A., Aug. 16, 1918)

in Juvigny and Terny-Sorny Battles of Oise-Aisne Offensive, 10th French Army, August to September, 1918; in Argonne-Meuse Offensive, 1st Army, September to Nov. 11, 1918; on March through Germany to Nov. 24, 1918; at Tours, France, Director Army Transport Service, November, 1918, to Jan. 1, 1919; Deputy Director General of Transportation, to May 15, 1919; Director-General of Transportation, May 16, 1919, to ––––

Awarded

Distinguished Service Medal

"For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services. As secretary of the General Staff, American Expeditionary Forces, his services were of particular value in the original organization of the forces in France. Later, in command of the 165th Regiment of Infantry in the Baccarat sector, and then in command of the 63d Infantry Brigade in the difficult fighting east of Rheims, he had a prominent part in the successes achieved."

Decorations conferred: Officer of the Legion of Honor and Croix de Guerre with three palms (French); Commander of the Order of Leopold (Belgian); Companion of the Order of St. George and St. Michael (English); campaign medals and ribbons; Santiago, Military Occupation of Cuba, Philippine Insurrection, Army of Cuban Pacification, Mexican Medal.

Vol. VII
p444
[Supplement, Vol. VII: 1920‑1930]

Military History: —

Distinguished Service Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster

Brigadier-General, U. S. A., Aug. 16, 1918.

 p445  At Tours, France, Director Army Transport Service, Nov., 1918, to Jan. 1, 1919; Deputy Director General of Transportation, to May 15, 1919; Director General of Transportation, American Expeditionary Forces, to Aug. 20, 1919; Chief of Staff to American Military Mission to Armenia, with headquarters in Constantinople, to Nov., 1919; en route to United States, Nov. 11, 1919; at Washington, D. C., General Indicates a West Point graduate, Class of 1886: a link to his biographical entry in Cullum's Register.Pershing's headquarters, to Dec. 8, 1919; on leave of absence to Jan. 31, 1920; at Douglas, Ariz., commanding Arizona District to Mar. 15, 1920;

Honorably Discharged as Brigadier-General, U. S. A., Only,
Mar. 15, 1920.

Colonel of Cavalry, July 1, 1920.

at Chicago, Ill., Assistant to Department Adjutant, Central Department, to Sept. 1, 1920; at Fort Sheridan, Ill., Assistant Chief of Staff for Operations, Headquarters, 6th Corps Area, to Apr. 5, 1921; en route to Philippine Islands, to May 4, 1921; Chief of Staff, Special Mission of Investigation to Philippine Islands to Sept. 30, 1921; Technical Assistant (civil affairs) to the Governor General of the Philippine Islands;

Brigadier-General, U. S. A., Dec. 4, 1922.

(in charge of earthquake relief work, Director-General of American Red Cross, Tokio, Japan, Sept. 8, 1923, to Nov. 2, 1923) to Apr. 17, 1925; en route to the United States and on leave of absence to Sept. 15, 1925; at Washington, D. C., in Bureau of Insular Affairs, as Liaison officer, between the Bureau and the Philippine Government, to Dec. 31, 1925; at Fort Benning, Ga., taking Refresher Course, Infantry School, to Feb. 6, 1926; at Fort Sam Houston, Tex., commanding 3d Infantry Brigade, to Mar. 9, 1927; at Fort Sill, Okla., student officer, Field Artillery School, to May 7, 1927; at Fort Hoyle, Md., commanding 1st Field Artillery Brigade and post, (on duty in Nicaragua, as Special Representative of the President and Supervisor of Elections, Aug. 6, to Oct. 4, 1927 and Dec. 4, 1927, to Jan. 18, 1929; Chairman, of Commission of Inquiry and Conciliation (Bolivia-Paraguay), Jan. 19, to Sept. 30, 1929; at Washington, D. C., on detached service with Department of State;

Major-General, U. S. A., Sept. 4, 1929.

to Oct. 2, 1929) to Oct. 2, 1929; at Fort McPherson, Ga., Commanding General, 4th Corps Area, to ––––

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

Campaign Medals and ribbons, Santiago; Military Occupation of Cuba; Philippine Insurrection; Army of Cuban Pacification; Mexican Medal; World War.

Foreign Decorations: Officer of the Legion of Honor; Croix de Guerre with three palms, French; Commander of the Order of the Crown, Belgium; Companion of the Order of St. Michael and St. George, English; Order of the Chia Ho, Chinese; Order of the Rising Sun, Japanese; Order of Prince Danilo I, Montenegro.

Vol. VIII
p109
[Supplement, Vol. VIII: 1930‑1940]

Military History: —

(Maj.‑Gen., Sept. 4, 1929.)

At Ft. McPherson, Ga., Comdg. 4th C. A., to Feb. 1, 1932; at Washington, D. C., D. S. with Dept. of State, to Feb. 9, 1932; American Member, Far Eastern Commission of Inquiry; en route to Far East, to Feb. 29, 1932; in Japan and China (including Manchuria) to Sept. 5, 1932; en route to Geneva, Switzerland, to Nov. 21, 1932; at Geneva, Switzerland, to Dec. 15, 1932; en route to U. S., to Dec. 23, 1932; at Washington, D. C., D. S. with Dept. of State, to Mar. 2, 1933; at Ft. Bliss, Tex., Comdg., 1st Cav. Div., to Oct. 1, 1933; at Omaha,  p110 Nebr., comdg., 7th C. A., to Feb. 1, 1935; at Chicago, Ill., Comdg. 2d Army and 6th C. A., to May 1, 1936; at Governor's Island, N. Y., Comdg., 2d C. A., to Oct. 31, 1938; (Comdg., 1st Army, Jan. 22, 1938, to Oct. 31, 1938.)

(Maj.‑Gen., Ret., Oct. 31, 1938. By operation of law.)

Award of Oak‑Leaf Cluster. — By direction of the president, in addition to the distinguished service medal awarded to Major General Frank R. McCoy by the Commanding General, A. E. F., as published on page 10, General Order, No. 12, W. D., 1919, a bronze oak‑leaf cluster as awarded to him by the W. D. under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W. D., 1918). The citation is as follows: Frank R. McCoy, major general, then brigadier general, U. S. A. For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services. As personal representative of the President in Nicaragua and Chairman of the Electoral Board during 1927 and 1928, General McCoy combined to a marked degree the qualities of diplomat and soldier and displayed excellent and sound judgment in a position of great responsibility, conducting a difficult mission with fairness, justice, and tact, thereby commanding the respect of all factions, the acceptance by all political parties of the results of the election and the free expression of the Nicaraguan people. In connection with our relations with Latin America this outstanding achievement of General McCoy, in the face of seemingly insurmountable obstacles, has brought great credit to himself and to the Army of the United States. Entered the Military Academy from Pennsylvania.

Civil History. — Pres., Foreign Policy Assn., Sept. 1, 1939, to –––––; Chairman, Advisory Committee on the Theodore Roosevelt Memorial, American Museum of Natural History; LL. D., Washington and Jefferson College, Oct., 1938; LL. D., Princeton U., June, 1939; awarded The Medal of Honor of the Roosevelt Memorial Assn., Oct. 27, 1939.

Vol. IX
p69
[Supplement, Vol. IX: 1940‑1950]

Military History: —

Maj Gen Ret 31 Oct 38

Civil History. — Pres, Foreign Policy Assn, 1 Sep 39‑46; Chrm, Far Eastern Commission, 46‑49; Pres of Military Commission trying and convicting German saboteurs, 42.

1633 31st St NW, Washington 8 DC

Died, June 4, 1954, Washington, D. C.: Aged 79.​b

Buried, Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, VA.


The Author's Note:

1 Son of Brevet Brigadier-General Thomas Franklin McCoy, late 1st Lieutenant, 11th U. S. Infantry, and Brevet Captain U. S. A.

Son of Captain Thomas F. McCoy, 11th Infantry.º


Thayer's Notes:

a Gen. McCoy's birthplace is given in a wide assortment of published sources; the house in which he was born, now designated the Frank McCoy House, is a National Landmark maintained by the Mifflin County Historical Society, which uses it as its headquarters.

[decorative delimiter]

b Gen. McCoy died after the publication of Vol. IX (1950), the most recent volume of the Supplements to Cullum's Register available to me, which may also be the most recent volume in the public domain. The date of his death is from multiple online sources.


[Valid HTML 4.01.]

Page updated: 12 Jun 16

Accessibility