Pine Bluff daily graphic., 1918-07-26
"LIGGE1T LUCK"
 ALREADY UNlUCkY'
 FOR THE GERMANS
First American Corps Com mander in France "Gen-
 tie but Tough" >

soldier Of the type 1Ound Tn 1lctlOn Of knighthood days: gentle, and win rare graces, and yet one of the tough est propositions in the field that the country has ever known"
 Such is- the description given by an army associate of Major General Hunter Liggett, the field commander of the first American army corps which, in the language of the street, has been giving the Germans in their recent big drive "all that was com. ing to them"
 Relatively few Americans ever heard of Hunter Liggett, or remem- bered ever hearing of him, until his name suddenly loomed big in the news a short time ago as commander of the first American army corps organ ized in France-the force that has done it's full share of the hard fight ing in blocking the road of the Huns to Paris.
 Yet ever since he came out of West Point, when 22 years of age, Gen. Liggett has been living and fighting battles that fit him preeminently to deal with the Kaiser's hordes. He made an excellent record in the Spanish-American war, both in Cuba and the Philippines. Later he dis played brains as well as bravery in handling affairs along section of the Mexican border, when Villa was at the apex of his career and war be- tween the United States and Mexico seemed imminent. It was for all these things that President Wilson promot- ed him to the rank of major-general and sent him over to France as right hand man to General Pershing.
 "Liggett luck" is a phrase often heard among army officers when tbl name of the famous commander has been mentioned. The phrase is not used to belittle Gen. Liggett's ach- ievements, but to indicate faith that he will always "get there" in the fu- ture as in the past. When as Maj. Liggett he was in command of bat. talion that leaky old transport car ried, or tried to carry. to the Philip pines. When the ship was all but sinking, help reached it and saved these on board.
 An eyewitness has told how the soldiers. "waist-deep in the water of the hold, were pumping and bailing for dear life and right in the midst of them, giving grim, determined aid as we'll as direction, stood a tall, pow erful man, with the jaw of a snap ping turtle and the obvious disposi- tion of one who would not unduly hur- rv if he was about to catch the last train for heaven" That officer was Maj. Liggett, and he won promotion for his work in the next two years among the Moros. Another officer who was engaged in the same task al the same time was Col. John J. Per. shing. The two formed a fast friend ship at that time. and it is extreme. ly probable that the selection of Gen Liggett for his present command was due to a personal request from Gen Pershing, who naturally desired tEat his chief aid in France should be ar officer with whose capabilities he was already acquainted.
 The reputation achieved by Maj Liggett in the Philippines led to his appointment, following his return te the United States, to become presi dent of the War College in Washing ton.
 Reading, Pa., was Gen. Liggett's birthplace. After receiving the GUS tomary public school training he was appointed to the United States Milf tary Academy and was graduated ir the class of 1879. During the 4( years of his military career his ser vice has been mainly with the infan trv arm. He attained the rank of col onel in 1912, and the next year was made a brigadier-general. In 1917 hs was "iven the major genership made vacant by the death of Mai. Gen Frederick Funston. This rank he hele when the call to France came, the cal that has now made him rank next te Gen. Pershing there.