Evening star., 1939-12-07

Native Of Baltimore. =.
Born August 8, 1874, in Baltimore,
Nd, he attended the University Of
Pennsylvania, where he took spe-
cial course In architecture.
From May, 1895, to the outbreak
Of the Spanish-American War he
served as an artillery captain In
the Cuban Insurgent Army under
Gen. Calixto Garcia. Two years
later he was commissioned cap
tain In the 4th United States Vol
mteer Infantry. Later he was de-
tailed as aide de camp to Maj. Gen.
James H. Wilson, commanding the
1st Division of the 1st Army Corps,
In which capacity he participated
in the entire campaign in Puerto
Rico.
Col. Latrobe was well known for
his storytelling abilities and could
sketch picture after picture OF
thrilling episodes of outdoor life.
President Coolidge frequently got
away from White House routine for
a session OF yarns by the colonel.
When Mr.. Coolidge left the White
House Col. Latrobe stayed on in
Washington for some time at the
War Department.
Active Until Year Ago.
Col. Latrobe was in active service
until a year and half ago when
he was retired for age on August
81, 1898. Prior to his retirement he
was chief Of staff of the 62d Cavalry
Division, Organized Reserves. with
headquarters at Towson, Md.
On leaving as White House mill
tary aide March %, 1929, he served
as chief Of material and equipment
and co-ordinator Of the plans and
training section Of the cavalry. In
1882 he became officer Of Organized
Reserve Affairs in the 7th Corps
Area and also the laision officer. In
May, 1887, he was transferred to the
Sd Corps Area with the Organized
Reserves.
Col. Latrobe had a colorful career
after he left his Baltimore home for
soldering, which gave him many
stirring assignments at various mill
tary posts and in several campaigns.
He was commended for gallantry
in the Puerto Rican campaign and
in 1916 was back in action with Gen.
Pershing in the dash into Mexico
after Pancho Villa. While in Chi
huahua he risked his life to save
private from drowning in Norman
Lake.
The Cuban government in 1929
presented Col. Latrobe with medal
and diploma for his services in the
Cuban insurgent army. The pres
entatlon was made by Col. Orestes
Ferrara, the Cuban Ambassador,
who also saw service with the army.
After leaving Puerto Rico in Feb
ruary, 1901. he was made q first
lieutenant of cavalry in the Regular
Army, In which branch he served
almost continuously. On assignment
to the 9th Cavalry he Joined his
regiment in Cuba and a year later
returned to the United States for
duty at Jefferson Barracks, Mo.
In 1905 he went to the Philip
pines for two years duty. On re-
turning to the United States he
was assigned to Fort Robinson,
Nebr., but two years later again
was sent to the Philippines.
Helped Organize Scouts.
His second tour of duty lasted ap-
proximately five years, during which
time Col. Latrobe served for an
extended period with organizations
of the Philippine Scouts. In 1916
as q captain he was ordered from
the Philippines to join the punitive
expedition into Mexico with the
18th Cavalry.
When the United States went into
the World War he was ordered to
Plattsburg Barracks, N. Y, where
he commanded a unit of the officers
training camp. At the close of the
camp in 1917 he was promoted to a
major and sent to Camp Gordon,
Ca, where he organized and COM
manded trains Of the SD Division.
With this National Army unit from
Georgia. Tennessee and Alabama
he went to France, but three months
later was returned to the United
States with the temporary grade Of
colonel. He was put in command
of the 42d United States Infantry.
At the close of the World War
he served a short while at Governors
Island, N. Y, until ordered to the
headquarters of the 9th Corps Area
at Preside, Calf. He remained
there until August, 1922, as corps
area educational and recreational
officer. He then Joined the 1st Cav
airy Division at Fort Bliss, Tex.
In January, 1924, he was sent to
the Cavalry School at Fort Riley,
Kans., as student and the fol-
lowing year returned to his Fort
Bliss post.
Commanded 4th Cavalry.
Having received his promotion
to the grade Of colonel he was then
ordered to Fort D. A. Russell, Wyo.,
where he commanded the 4th U. s.
Cavalry until June, 1927, when he
was transferred to Fort Meade, S.
Dak., as commanding officer. It was
during the Western assignment that
he met President Coolidge. This led
to his Washington assignment in
January, 1928, in the office of the
Chief of Cavalry and his appoint
ment as military aide to the Pres
ident.
He made his home here at 6308
Connecticut avenue NV. Besides
his wife, Mrs. Maria l.. Latrobe, who
was born in Puerto Rico, the daugh-
ter of Spanish naval ofdcer, he
leaves q daughter, Mrs. r. H. Lewis,
New Orleans, La; = son, 1t. Comdr.
w. @. Latrobe, q. 8. N, and two
sisters, Edna G. Latrobe, Baltimore,
Nd, and Mrs. s. n. Browne, New
York City.
Funeral services will Be held Mon-
day In Arlington National Cemetery.