Evening star. [volume] (Washington, D.C.) 1854-1972, 1930-01-12
NAL GEN. WILLIAM C.. RIVERS
IS RETIRED AFTER AZ YEARS
Inspector General of Army
Ends CoIorfuI Career With
U. S. Military Service.
Officer in Indian Campaigns,
Philippines, Cuba and in
France During World War.

Mai Gen. william C. Rivers, inspec-
tor general of the Army, whose Al years
of duty Is the longest service record
of any officer on the active list, went
on the retired list yesterday after an
unusually colorful career.
Gen. Rivers saw service in many
parts of the world and he is the dean
Of a generation of Army officers whose
duty covered one of the most eventful
periods in American history.
The officer first saw action in the
campaign against the Western Indians,
later commanded troops with distinc-
ton in the Philippines, in Cuba and
In France during the World War.
Rivers was appointed to West Point
from Tennessee in 1883, gradua ting as
second lieutenant in the Cavalry,
the branch Of service In which he
spent most of his career.
Service In Yellowstone.
He was with the first troops to take
over the administration of Yellowstone
National Park. In 1890 he saw field
service against the Northern Cheyenne
turbances in Montana, and a year later
participated in the arduous Winter
campaign under Gen. Nelson A. Miles
against the Sioux, in the the Dakotas.
While lieutenant of Cavalry, Riv-
ers was detailed by his commanding
officer to establish the first agency and
school for the White Mountain Apache
Indians. shortly after they had been
placed on q reservation.
Between 1899 and 1903 he was
adjutant at the United States Military
Academy, after returning from the
Spanish American War, in Cuba In
the Philippines he had headed the con-
stabulary.
Organized 18th Cavalry.
When the World War broke out Riv-
ers organized the 18th Cavalry, which
later was changed to the 18th Field
Artillery of the Sd Division.
He took this regiment to France and
commanded 1t in the battle of the Sec
ond Marine, in the advance north to-
ward Vesle, and In the battles Of St
Mihiel and the Meuse- Argonne
In subsequent operations he wa.
promoted frop a colonelcy to the rank
OF brigadier general in command Of
the 5th Field Artillery Brigade.
Gen. Rivers received the Distinguished
Service Medal for this service, and the
citation praised the power and accu-
racy of the fire of the 10th Field Ar
tillery during the engagements.
Gen. Rivers also received the Rec
Indian campaign medal for service or
the plains and the Cuban campaign
medal.
Gets Red Cross Medal.
In addition to his military honors
Gen. Rivers was decorated with the
gold medal Of the American Red eros,
for rescue work in the Philippines ir
1911, following the disastrous eruption
Of the Taal volcano.
After the World War, Gen. Rivers
was placed in command OF the 18th
Cavalry at Columbus, N. Mex, and
then transferred to the Sd Cavalry al
Fort Myer, Va.
During the latter tour of duty HI
commanded his regiment during the
entombment of the Unknown Soldier
at Arlington, and at other importan
ceremonies at the Naval Armament
Conference In Washington and in thu
Harding inaugural parade. Three
years ago he was appointed inspector
general, winning his second star.
Gen. Rivers was the last member
Of the West Point class Of 81 In &C.
tive duty.