Robert K . Evans Brigadier General Robert K . Evans ( November 19 , 1852 — July 31 , 1926 ) was a United States Army officer who served in several high profile assignments , including Chief of the National Guard Bureau and commander of the Hawaiian Department . Early life . Robert Kennon Evans was born in Jackson , Mississippi on November 19 , 1852 . He attended the University of Mississippi , graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1875 , and received his commission as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry . Start of career . Initially assigned to the 12th Infantry , Evans served with the regiment until 1898 , receiving promotion to First Lieutenant in 1882 and Captain in 1893 . From 1887 to 1898 Evans was the regimental adjutant . During his service with the 12th Infantry Evans was assigned to a variety of posts , including California , Kansas , North Dakota , numerous sites in Arizona , and New York . He was a veteran of the Nez Perce War and the Bannock War . During the Spanish - American War he served in Cuba and took part in the Battles of El Caney and San Juan Hill . During his service with the 12th Infantry Evans also performed detached duty , including Military Attache at the U . S . Embassy in Berlin , Germany . Later career . In 1901 Evans was promoted to Major in the 30th Infantry , and was soon reassigned to the 12th Infantry , while performing duty with the Army ' s Adjutant General department . In 1905 he was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the 5th Regiment and 28th Infantry , and performed duty with the Army General Staff . In 1908 and 1909 Evans was Director of the Army War College and served as acting President . Evans was promoted to Colonel in 1909 and assigned to the 30th Infantry , where he served until 1911 . In 1911 Evans was promoted to Brigadier General and selected to serve as Chief of the Militia Bureau , the forerunner of the National Guard Bureau . Career as a general officer . After leaving the Militia Bureau in 1912 Evans continued to serve in command assignments , including the Department of the Gulf ( 1912 - 1914 ) , the Department of the East ( 1914 - 1915 ) , the 2nd Cavalry Brigade in Laredo , Texas ( 1915 to 1916 ) , and the Hawaiian Department in 1916 . While commanding the Department of the East in 1914 Evans was reprimanded for a speech in which he made comments critical of President Woodrow Wilson ' s foreign policy . Evans retired in 1916 . In 1917 he volunteered for World War I , was recalled to active duty and assigned as commander of the Philippine Department , where he served until 1918 . He retired again in 1918 . Awards and decorations . Evans was awarded the Silver Star twice , once for heroism at El Caney and once for herosim while fighting insurgents in Luzon . He received the Distinguished Service Medal at his retirement . Published works . A noted author of articles on military subjects , Evans ' s published works included " The Indian Question in Arizona " ( Atlantic Monthly , August , 1886 ) ; and " The Infantry of Our Regular Army , Its History , Possibilities and Necessities " ( Monographs of the U . S . Infantry Society , 1898 ) . Retirement and death . In retirement Evans lived in Washington , D . C . , and later relocated to Camaldoli , Italy , where he died on July 31 , 1926 . He was buried in Rome , Italy ' s Campo Cestio .