Dennis E. Nolan

Dennis Edward Nolan
Gen. Dennis E. Nolan
Born	(1872-04-22)April 22, 1872 Akron, New York
Died	February 24, 1956(1956-02-24) (aged 83) New York, New York
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1896–1936
Rank	Major General
Commands held	Chief, Intelligence Services, American Expeditionary Force 55th Brigade – 28th Infantry Division Director, Military Intelligence Division G-2 2nd Infantry Division Fifth Corps Area Second Corps Area First United States Army
Battles/wars	Spanish–American War Philippine–American War World War I
Awards	Distinguished Service Cross Distinguished Service Medal Order of the Crown – Italy National Order of Merit – Chile
Other work	President, U.S. Military Academy Association of Graduates

Dennis E. Nolan (April 22, 1872 – February 24, 1956) was a career officer with the United States Army through three wars. He distinguished himself by heading the first modern American military combat intelligence function during World War I. Nolan served as the head football coach at the United States Military Academy in 1902, compiling a record of 6–1–1.

Born in Akron, New York, outside of Buffalo, New York, Nolan was the son of an Irish immigrant. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1896.

He was commissioned a second lieutenant and joined the Third Infantry. Nolan served with the Sanitary Corps, during the Spanish-American War.

In 1902, Nolan coached the Army football team to a record of 6 wins, 1 loss and 1 draw.The New York Times of 1930s noted that many contemporary U. S. Generals (Nolan, Leon Kromer, Malin Craig, Paul Bunker) were connected by past football experience at West Point.

During World War I, Nolan organized the Intelligence Section for the American Expeditionary Forces' general headquarters.

Starting in August 1920, Nolan, then a brigadier general, served for a year as the War Department Chief of Military Intelligence Division.

From 1927 to 1931, Nolan was commander of Fifth Corps Area, headquartered at Fort Hayes at Columbus, Ohio, one of and geographically the largest of nine corps areas established in the continental United States for the administration of the regular army and reserves by the National Defense Act of 1920. As a corps area commander, he oversaw peacetime training for Army Reserves and the National Guard. In time of war, the corps areas would theoretically have ready made corps combat command structures in place to administer regiments of Regular Army, Reserve and National Guard. During the lean post-war and Great Depression years of military spending, he as well other corps commanders were expected to maintain good relations with the public and civilian officials.