Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-08-12
MAI. GEN. nENOHER'
PNEUMONIA VICTIM.
Commander of AID Division
During World War Expires
In Hospital.

Maj. Gen. Charles T. Menoher, heroic
commander Of the Rainbow Division in
the World War, and former chief Of
the Army Air Corps, whose break with
Col. william Mitchell. while in the
latter post precipiated q Nationwide
uproar over military aviation and Army
discipline, died last night Of pneumonia
IN st. Elizabeth'S Hospital.
In ill-health for some time, Gen.
Menoher's con ton had not been re-
garded as serious until Saturday, when
he was removed to the hospital.
Gen. Menoher will be buried with
full military honors in Arlington Gene
terry either Thursday or Friday. Mem
bers of his family today were completing
arrangements for the funeral with Of
ficials of the War Department.
He was regarded as one OF the most
picturesque soldiers In the Army. AS
battle commander of the famous Rain
bow Division, made UP Of National
GuardSmen from nearly every State, ne
led that organization to everlasting
World War glory, winning for himself
the Distinguished Service Medal and the
decorations of France, Belgium and
Italy. lie was regarded highly through
out the Army as military tacticlan
and as O leader of men.
It was shortly after his return from
the battlehelds of France that Gen.
Q colonel, was placed in command of
the Army Air Corps, with rank OF
major general, which he had held dur
ting the war.
Clashed with Mitchell.
His clash with the then Brig. Gen.
william Mitchell occurred shortly after
he became chief Of the Air Corps.
At that time he took issue with some
Of the statements and actions OF Gen.
Mitchell and openly demanded that the
stormy petrol" of the Air Corps &c re-
moved from duty. BY this demand he
famed into flame q smoldering discon-
tent in the Air Corps, with Mitchell
representing q small faction and his
commanding officer representing the
old-line Army disciplinarians.
Shortly after his demand for the re-
Saoval of Mitchell; Secretary Of War
John w. Weeks sought TO smooth over
the dissension in the Air Corps and
ment in which he said Gen. Menoher
has withdrawn his recommendation for
the relief OF Mitchell at the request Of
the Secretary Of War
At this time the Secretary of War
stated that the reasons submitted by
Gen. Menoher for relief Of Mitchell Gin
the opinion of the Secretary of War,
justified his action" but the secretary
believed that in the interest of the
Air Service and the Government itself,
such action would be undesirable and
unfortunate at this time" and has been
able TO secure satisfactory adjust
ment Of the difficulties involved"
Asked Duty With Troops.
But Secretary Weeks adjustment"
did not last. Almost Immediately
there developed conditions within the
Air Corps equally vexatious TO Gen.
Msnoher, and, after standing for them
for . while, he rendered his resignation
IS chief Of the Air Corps and asked for
duty with troops.
Gen. Menoher was assigned to COM
tnand the Hawaiian department, but
even there came into conflict with Gen.
Mitehells views on the conduct Of the
Air Corps. Later Gen. Menocher took
command of the 9th Corps Area. Ut
San Francisco.
He was the targetsof great many Of
Gen. Mitchell's barbs In testimony given
various aviation investigating bodies
Gen. Menoher, however, refrained In
these later days from public discussion
OF his differences with Gen Mitchell.
But the row between the two Army
cfncers resulted in first Gen. Menoher
going back to the troops and Gen.
resignation from the service.
Gen. Menoher was born In Philadel-
phia, March 20, 1852. He attended west
Point and was graduated in 1886. He
was graduated from the Artillery
school IN 1894 and from the War Col
lege in 1907.
Commanded A2nA Division.
He was Q colonel in the Artillery
when the war broke out, but was tent
. 70 France as a brigadier general. later
Peing promoted TO major general when
he took command of the Rainbow Eivi-
sion. relieving Mai. Gen. William A.
Mann, organizer Of the division and
chief Of the Militia Bureau.
Under Gen. Mefoher, the division
saw active fighting In the Luneville
and Baccarat sectors from February II
70 June 81, 1918; fought in the Cham
payne Marne defensive In July and Au-
gust; took part Ia the attack on the
81. Mihiel salient in September. cccu-
pied that sector until October and was
9 big factor in the Argonne attack just
before the Armistice.
For his service with the Rainbow Di.
vision Gen. Menofer was promoted To
the command of the 9Th Corps.
He Ia survived by his widow. Mrs
Elizabeth p. Meoher of Washington
and three sons, Mai. Pearson Menoher.
instructor at the General Service School.
Fort LeaVenworth, Kans.; Capt. Darrow
Menoher OF the 18th Cavalry, Fort
worm, Tex, and Cadet William Memo
nef' tnird classman ut West Point.