page_title: William M. Wright
section_title: Post–World War I
hierarchical_section_title: William M. Wright / Post–World War I
caption_attribution_description: English: William Mason Wright (US Army Lieutenant General)
context_page_description: William Mason Wright was a lieutenant general in the United States Army. He was notable for his service as a division and corps commander during World War I.
  The son of a career officer who served as an aide to Winfield Scott and George B. McClellan, Wright initially attracted attention when President Chester A. Arthur nominated him for a second lieutenant's commission despite Wright having failed his exams during his first year as a student at the United States Military Academy, where his roommate was John J. Pershing. Despite the setback, Wright obtained an appointment in the New Jersey National Guard, and served until receiving his Army commission, which was approved in a close vote of the United States Senate; several Senators opposed Arthur's nomination of Wright, arguing that someone who failed at West Point should not receive the same consideration as those who had passed.
  Wright embarked on an Army career, and served initially in the western United States. He served for several years as an aide to General John C. Bates, including the Spanish–American War and the Philippine–American War. He later took part in both the Veracruz occupation and Pancho Villa Expedition.
context_section_description: Following the war, General Wright served as Executive Assistant to Peyton C. March, the Chief of Staff of the United States Army, and acting Army Chief of Staff.  He then commanded IX Corps Area.  In 1922, he was assigned to command  the Department of the Philippines, and he retired in 1923.
caption: Wright's photo appeared on the cover of the April 1, 1922 edition of the American Chamber of Commerce Journal, published by the ACC of the Philippines.
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