Hugh Aloysius Drum
United States Army general
Died when: 72 years 14 days (864 months)Star Sign: Virgo
Hugh Aloysius Drum (September 19, 1879 – October 3, 1951) was a career United States Army officer who served in World War I and World War II and attained the rank of lieutenant general.
He was notable for his service as chief of staff of the First United States Army during World War I, and commander of First Army during the initial days of World War II.
The son of a career army officer, Drum was attending Boston College when his father was killed during the Spanish–American War.
Offered a direct commission in the United States Army, Drum was appointed a second lieutenant of Infantry.He served in the Philippines during the Philippine–American War, took part in the Battle of Bayan, and received the Silver Star for heroism.
He continued to advance through positions of more rank and responsibility in the early 1900s, and took part in the Veracruz and Pancho Villa Expeditions.
During World War I, Drum was chief of staff for First United States Army, and led the planning for First Army's participation in the Saint Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne offensives.
He was promoted to temporary brigadier general and received the Army Distinguished Service Medal.After the war, Drum commanded 1st Infantry Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, Fifth Corps Area, and the Hawaiian Department.
Having served as the Army's Deputy Chief of Staff and Inspector General, Drum was a candidate for Army Chief of Staff in 1939 but the position went to George Marshall.
Drum received promotion to lieutenant general in August 1939, and commanded the Eastern Defense Command during the early years of World War II.
He reached the mandatory retirement age of 64 in 1943, after which he was commander of the New York Guard (1943–1948), and president of Empire State, Inc., the company that managed the Empire State Building (1944–1951).
Drum died in New York City on October 3, 1951, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
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