George C. Rickards
| George C. Rickards | |
|---|---|
General Rickards as National Guard Bureau Chief
|
|
| Born |
August 25, 1860 Philadelphia, Pennsylvania |
| Died | January 15, 1933 (aged 72) Oil City, Pennsylvania |
| Buried at | Grove Hill Cemetery, Oil City, Pennsylvania |
| Allegiance |
 United States
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Army
|
| Years of service | 1877–1925 |
| Rank |
 Major General
|
| Unit |
Pennsylvania Army National Guard National Guard Bureau |
| Commands held |
112th Infantry Regiment 56th Brigade Chief of the National Guard Bureau |
| Battles/wars |
Spanish–American War Pancho Villa Expedition World War I |
| Awards | Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army) |
| Other work | Venango County Register and Recorder. |
George C. Rickards (August 25, 1860 – January 15, 1933) was a United States Army Major General who served as Chief of the Militia Bureau, the first National Guard officer to hold this position.
George Collins Rickards was born in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania on August 25, 1860. He was the son of Colonel William Rickards, who commanded the 29th Pennsylvania Infantry Regiment in the American Civil War. Rickards was raised and educated in Franklin, Pennsylvania. In 1877 he enlisted in the Pennsylvania National Guard, and in 1881 he settled in Oil City, Pennsylvania, where he became active in the hardware business. After obtaining his commission Rickards served primarily in the 16th Pennsylvania Infantry, including commander of Company F from 1883 to 1888, and Company D from 1888 to 1891. He was promoted to Captain in 1883, Major in 1891, and Lieutenant Colonel in 1892.
The 16th Pennsylvania was mobilized for the Spanish–American War and served in Puerto Rico. Rickards served as a battalion commander, and was mustered out with the regiment in December, 1898.
Rickards was promoted to Colonel as commander of the 16th Pennsylvania in 1907. In 1916 he commanded the regiment in Texas during the Pancho Villa Expedition.
...
Wikipedia