United States Army general
Robert Miller Montague (7 August 1899 – 20 February 1958) was a lieutenant general in the United States Army . He achieved prominence as the deputy commander of Fort Bliss, Texas , commander of the Sandia Missile Base in New Mexico and head of the U.S. Caribbean Command .
Early life
As a West Point cadet
Montague was born in Portland, Oregon , on 7 August 1899. He attended the University of Oregon and then transferred to the United States Military Academy at West Point, from which he graduated in 1918 with a commission as a second lieutenant of artillery .[ 1] [ 2] [ 3]
World War I
Having graduated in November during a wartime expansion of the West Point student body, Montague began his career too late for active combat in World War I . As many other students from his class did, Montague carried out a European observation tour for most of 1919, enhancing his professional knowledge by visiting battlefields in France , Belgium , and Germany , compiling after action reports, and interviewing battlefield veterans.[ 4]
Post World War I
Montague completed the Field Artillery Basic Course in 1920.[ 5]
He then carried out numerous assignments throughout the United States , including serving as an instructor at the United States Military Academy in the 1930s.[ 6] [ 7]
In 1933 Montague graduated from the Field Artillery Advanced Course.[ 8]
Montague completed the Command and General Staff College in 1938.[ 9]
World War II
From 1944 to 1945 Montague was commander of the 83rd Infantry Division Artillery in the European Theater of Operations . He also served as acting division commander on several occasions.[ 10] [ 11]
Post World War II
From 1945 to 1947 Montague served as deputy commander of the Army's Air Defense Artillery Center at Fort Bliss, Texas .[ 12]
From 1947 to 1951 Montague was the commander of the Sandia Missile Base near Albuquerque, New Mexico .[ 13] [ 14] [ 15]
Montague served as the head of plans, operations and training, G-3, for the United States European Command from 1951 to 1952.[ 16] [ 17]
From 1952 to 1955 Montague was assigned as deputy commander of Army Field Forces , based at Fort Monroe, Virginia .[ 17] [ 18] [ 19]
Montague commanded the U.S. I Corps in South Korea from 1955 to 1957.[ 16] [ 20] [ 21]
UFOlogy
Montague's name appears in some UFO conspiracy theories such as Majestic 12 .[ 22]
Commander, U.S. Caribbean Command
In 1957 Montague was appointed to command the U.S. Caribbean Defense Command , the post he was still serving in when he died.[ 23] [ 24] [ 25]
Death
General Montague was stricken with an intestinal illness in January 1958 after traveling extensively in South America . He did not recover, and died on February 20 from a cerebral hemorrhage at Gorgas Hospital , Balboa, Panama Canal Zone .[ 26] [ 27] [ 28] [ 29]
Robert M. Montague is buried at Arlington National Cemetery , Section 30, Site 533 RH.[ 30] [ 31]
Awards and decorations
General Montague received the Distinguished Service Medal , the Legion of Merit and two awards of the Bronze Star .[ 32] [ 33]
Memorials
Montague Road at Fort Sill is named for him as is Montague Loop at Fort Bliss .[ 33] [ 34]
Personal
Robert Miller Montague was the father of Brigadier General Robert M. Montague, Jr. , (22 October 1924 – 15 October 1996), who graduated from West Point in 1947 and was one of the early U.S. strategists of the Vietnam War . After retiring from the Army the younger Montague served as executive director of the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation and the Special Olympics .[ 28] [ 32] [ 35] [ 36]
References
^ U.S. Federal Census, 1900 entry for Charles D. Montague family
^ Annual Catalogue, published by the University of Oregon, 1917, page 318
^ Assembly , published by the West Point Alumni Association, Volumes 16-17, page 97
^ Cullum, George Washington (1920). Robinson, Wirt (ed.). Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. From Its Establishment, in 1802, to 1890 . Vol. VI-B: 1910–1920. Association of Graduates, United States Military Academy . p. 2070. Retrieved 19 December 2022 – via Google Books.
^ Official U.S. Army Directory , published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1922, page 153
^ U.S. Federal Census Entry, Robert Miller Montague, 1930
^ Roster of Officers and Troops, published by United States Military Academy, 1932, page 4
^ Official U.S. Army Directory , published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1949, page 376
^ Official U.S. Army Directory , published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1954, page 524
^ Order of Battle, 83rd Infantry Division in World War II , U.S. Center of Military History
^ The Thunderbolt Across Europe: a History of the 83rd Infantry Division, 1942–1945 , published by the 83rd Infantry Division, 1945, Page 18
^ "Dept. Working On Secret Weapon" . The Palm Beach Post . Washington. AP. 16 July 1947. p. 1. Retrieved 20 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Atomic Cave Tale Spreads" . Milwaukee Journal . 25 August 1947. p. 1. Archived from the original on 13 July 2012. Retrieved 20 December 2022 – via Google News Archive.
^ "14 Killed as Flames Sweep New Mexico A-Bomb Plant" . Pittsburgh Post-Gazette . Albuquerque, New Mexico. AP. 9 March 1950. pp. 1, 2 . Retrieved 20 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "News in Review" , The Southeast Missourian , p. 16, February 13, 1951
^ a b Who Was Who in America , 1963, Volume 3, page 609
^ a b Assembly , published by the West Point Alumni Association, 1951, Volumes 10-11, page 24
^ The New International Year Book , 1953, page 336
^ Official Register of the United States , published by U.S. Government Printing Office, 1954, page 146
^ Official U.S. Army Directory , published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1956, page 596
^ "Lowe is Named for Guam Post" , The Spokesman-Review , p. 2, October 3, 1956
^ Out There: the Government's Secret Quest for Extraterrestrials , by Howard Blum, 1990, page 247
^ Previous Commanders page Archived November 4, 2002, at the Wayback Machine , U.S. Southern Command web site
^ "Gen. Montague Shifted; Commander of Corps in Far East Will Go to Canal Zone" , The New York Times , p. 7, October 9, 1956 (subscription required)
^ Dubois, Jules (25 April 1957). "President of Panama Sees US War Games" . Chicago Tribune . Gatun, Canal Zone. p. 28. Retrieved 20 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Loses Fight With Illness" . The Daily Chronicle . Balboa, Canal Zone. Associated Press. 20 February 1958. p. 15. Retrieved 20 December 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
^ "Gaither Caribbean Forces C.O.", by United Press International, Pacific Stars and Stripes , March 6, 1958
^ a b Social Security Death Index
^ Panama Canal Zone, Gorgas Hospital Mortuary Records, 1906-1991
^ Nationwide Gravesite Locator, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
^ ANC Explorer
^ a b Official U.S. Army Directory , published by U.S. Army Adjutant general, 1957, page 602
^ a b Names of Fort Sill Streets and Buildings , published by Fort Sill Office of Administrative Services
^ Fort Bliss garrison web site, History page
^ Memorial Service for Robert M. Montague, Jr. , Delivered by Sargent Shriver, Chairman, Special Olympics International, October 23, 1996
^ "Gen. Robert Montague Jr. Dies; Was Head of Special Olympics" . The Washington Post . 17 October 1996. p. B.07. Archived from the original on 4 June 2011. Retrieved 20 December 2022 .
External links