General Harry C. Hale
MAJOR GENERAL HARRY C HALE (1861 – 1946)Major General Hale, a graduate of West Point, was commissioned 2nd Lieutenant of Infantry in 1883. He was in various battles, from the Indian Wars where he participated in the capture Sitting Bull, to Vosges Pass. He participated in the Spanish-American War, the Philippine Insurrection, the Mexican Border troubles, and saw action in China prior to World War One.
In 1890-1891 he took part in the Sioux Indian Campaign, where he was the central figure in a notable defeat. He went out alone into the frozen Bad Lands of South Dakota, to hunt for band about 150 of Sitting Bull's tribe. The band of warriors had left Ft. Bennett the night before, after the "Ghost Dance" which ended with the accidental death of their Medicine Man. He located the 150 Sioux warriors on Cherry Creek, and brought them back single-handedly, two miles as captives. He was recommended for the Congressional Medal of Honor two times. However, regulations require that the CMH can only be issued in cases of actual battle, and since he accomplished his mission without firing a shot, the metal could not be awarded.
In 1917 he became the first Commanding General of the 84th Infantry Division at Camp Zachary Taylor. General Hale and the 4th Division left for France on August 20, 1918 where it served as Occupation Forces, and used as replacement Soldiers on the battlefield for other units. Major General Hale was later assigned to command the 1st Infantry Division and the 26th Division.
In 1925, at the age of 64, he was forced to retire, due to reaching the maximum age for service. General Hale passed away May 21, 1946, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.