John Wilson Ruckman
| John Wilson Ruckman | |
|---|---|
| Born |
October 10, 1858 Sidney, Illinois |
| Died | June 6, 1921 (aged 62) Brookline, Massachusetts |
| Buried at | United States Military Academy Cemetery |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1883–1921 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Commands held | Southeastern, Southern and Northeastern Departments |
| Awards |
 Distinguished Service Medal
|
John Wilson Ruckman (October 10, 1858 – June 6, 1921) was a general in the United States Army.
Ruckman was born at Deers, Illinois, a flag-station just southeast of the University of Illinois. Biographies, however, usually list his place of birth as Sidney, Illinois (Champaign County). His parents, Thomas and Mary O'Brien Ruckman, were farmers. His uncles, John W. and Wilson Ruckman served the Union Army with distinction in the American Civil War (Company A, Illinois 35th Infantry).
After three semesters at the University of Illinois, Ruckman was appointed from the 14th Congressional District of Illinois for acceptance to the United States Military Academy. His nomination was made by Republican Congressman Joseph Cannon.
Ruckman graduated from West Point (1883), the U.S. Artillery School (1892), the U.S. Army War College (1915), and the U.S. Naval War College (1916).
Ruckman was assigned to Fort Hamilton, New York (1883–1890) and developed a friendship with Tasker Bliss. From 1881 to 1899, he served at Fort Monroe where he and four other officers of the Artillery School founded the Journal of the United States Artillery in 1892. He also served as the Editor of the Journal for four years (July 1892 to January 1896) and published several articles therein afterward. One publication by West Point notes Ruckman's “guidance” and “first-rate quality” work were obvious as the Journal “rose to high rank among the service papers of the world.” The Journal was renamed the Coast Artillery Journal in 1922 and the Antiaircraft Journal in 1948. He invented several artillery devices that were critical in World War I.
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