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.
Robert Miller Montague | |
|---|---|
 Montague as commander of the Sandia Missile Base | |
| Born | 7 August 1899 Portland, Oregon, US |
| Died | 20 February 1958 (aged 58) Balboa, Panama |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1918–1958 |
| Rank |  Lieutenant general |
| Service number | 0-12261 |
| Unit | Field Artillery Branch |
| Commands | 83rd Infantry Division Artillery 83rd Infantry Division Sandia Missile Base I Corps U.S. Caribbean Command |
| Battles / wars | World War I World War II |
| Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Merit Bronze Star |
Early life
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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
editHaving 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
editMontague 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
editFrom 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
editFrom 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
editMontague's name appears in some UFO conspiracy theories such as Majestic 12.[22]
Commander, U.S. Caribbean Command
editIn 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
editGeneral 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
editGeneral Montague received the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit and two awards of the Bronze Star.[32][33]
Memorials
editMontague Road at Fort Sill is named for him as is Montague Loop at Fort Bliss.[33][34]
Personal
editRobert 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
edit- ^ 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.