John W . Heavey John W . Heavey ( February 19 , 1867 – November 18 , 1941 ) was a United States Army Brigadier General who served as Chief of the National Guard Bureau . Early life . John William Heavey was born in Vandalia , Illinois on February 19 , 1867 and graduated from Vandalia High School in 1884 . He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1891 , receiving his commission as a Second Lieutenant of Infantry . Heavey served with the 5th Infantry Regiment in several southern states and New York between 1891 and 1898 . A member of one of West Point ' s earliest football teams , Heavey was the right guard on Army ' s offensive line during the first Army - Navy Game in 1890 . Spanish - American War . In 1898 Heavey joined the 11th Infantry for the Spanish - American War , serving in Puerto Rico , including battles at Hormigueros and Las Marias and assignment as commander of the post at Mayaguez . He remained on duty in Puerto Rico until 1902 , when he was assigned to the Philippines , including a posting to Camp Jossman and action against the Moros on Mindanao and Jolo . Post Spanish - American War . In 1904 Heavey was assigned to Fort D . A . Russell , Wyoming . He served there until 1905 , when he went to the University of Wyoming as Professor of Military Science . In 1908 Heavey was assigned to duty in Cuba with the 11th Infantry , remaining until 1911 when he was promoted to Major and carried out assignments at Fort D . A . Russell and Fort Sam Houston . Heavey graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth in 1912 and the United States Army War College in 1913 . From 1913 to 1914 Heavey was assigned as regular Army advisor to the Massachusetts National Guard , and from 1914 to 1916 he was a member of the staff at the Militia Bureau . In 1916 Heavey served on the Mexican border with the 9th Infantry during the Pancho Villa Expedition . Now a Lieutenant Colonel , he was then assigned to Fort Niagara as the commander and senior instructor for the Officer Training School . World War I . During World War I Heavey received temporary promotions to Colonel and Brigadier General and served as executive officer of the Militia Bureau . From August , 1918 to February , 1919 he served as acting Chief of the Militia Bureau when incumbent Jesse McI . Carter was assigned to command the 11th Infantry Division . Heavey ’ s World War I duties included responsibility for National Guard soldiers assigned to guard utilities and railroads within the United States to protect them from sabotage . Post World War I . Heavey remained as executive officer of the Militia Bureau until 1922 , reverting to the permanent rank of Colonel . He was then assigned to the office of the Army Chief of Staff . From 1923 to 1926 he served at Fort Clayton , Panama Canal Zone and successively commanded the 20th and 33rd Infantry Regiments . From 1926 until retiring in 1931 Heavey was an Area Coordinator for the Bureau of the Budget , assigned to Philadelphia , Pennsylvania . Retirement and death . In retirement Heavey resided in Washington , D . C . where he died on November 18 , 1941 . He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery , Section 2 , Site 3513 . Family . In 1894 Heavey married Julia Baggett ( 1871 – 1906 ) . They had three sons : William Francis Heavey ( West Point , 1917 ) , Thomas Jackson Heavey ( West Point , 1917 , second class ) , and Wade Hampton Heavey ( West Point , 1923 ) . In 1915 Heavey married Katherine Theresa Sullivan ( 1868 – 1943 ) . William F . Heavey ( 1896 – 1974 ) retired as a Major General and was the author of 1947 ’ s " Down Ramp ! The Story of the Army Amphibian Engineers " . Thomas J . Heavey ( 1897 – 1951 ) served in the China Burma India Theater during World War II and retired as a Colonel . Wade H . Heavey ( 1902 – 1961 ) was Assistant Comptroller of the Army and retired as a Colonel .