William M. Wright
| William M. Wright | |
|---|---|
William M. Wright
|
|
| Born |
September 24, 1863 Newark, New Jersey |
| Died | August 16, 1943 (aged 79) Walter Reed Army Medical Center |
| Place of burial | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance |
 United States of America
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Army
|
| Years of service | 1885–1923 |
| Rank |
 Lieutenant General
|
| Commands held |
19th Infantry Regiment Port of Embarkation, Hoboken, New Jersey 35th Division III Corps V Corps VII Corps 89th Division I Corps IX Corps Area Department of the Philippines |
| Battles/wars |
Spanish–American War Philippine–American War Veracruz occupation Pancho Villa Expedition World War I |
| Awards |
Distinguished Service Medal French Legion of Honor (Commander) French French Croix de Guerre with Palm Belgian Order of Leopold II (Grand Officer) Order of the Rising Sun (Japan) British Order of Saint Michael and Saint George (Commander) |
| Relations | Marjorie Jerauld (wife) (m. 1891) 3 children (including Jerauld Wright) Stevens Thomson Mason (grandfather) William Wright (grandfather) |
William Mason Wright (September 24, 1863 – August 16, 1943) was a lieutenant general in the United States Army. He was notable for his service as a division and corps commander during World War I.
The son of a career officer who served as an aide to Winfield Scott and George B. McClellan, Wright initially attracted attention when President Chester A. Arthur nominated him for a second lieutenant's commission despite Wright having failed his exams during his first year as a student at the United States Military Academy, where his roommate was John J. Pershing. Despite the setback, Wright obtained an appointment in the New Jersey National Guard, and served until receiving his Army commission, which was approved in a close vote of the United States Senate; several Senators opposed Arthur's nomination of Wright, arguing that someone who failed at West Point should not receive the same consideration as those who had passed.
Wright embarked on an Army career, and served initially in the western United States. He served for several years as an aide to General John C. Bates, including the Spanish–American War and the Philippine–American War. He later took part in both the Veracruz occupation and Pancho Villa Expedition.
During World War I, Wright commanded several divisions and corps, and took part in combat including the Battle of Saint-Mihiel and the final operations of the Meuse-Argonne Offensive, for which he received the Distinguished Service Medal and other decorations.
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