Jesse McI . Carter Jesse McI . Carter ( April 12 , 1863 — June 23 , 1930 ) was a United States Army Major General who served as Chief of the Militia Bureau . Early life . Jesse McIlvaine Carter was born in Farmington , Missouri on April 12 , 1863 . He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1886 , the same year as fellow Missourian John J . Pershing . Carter was appointed a Second Lieutenant in the 3rd Cavalry . Start of career . Carter served in a variety of assignments throughout the United States at the beginning of his career , including postings during the Indian Wars to Fort Ringgold , Texas with the 3rd Cavalry , and Forts McIntosh , Clark and Sam Houston , Texas with the 5th Cavalry . From 1890 to 1891 he was Commandant of Cadets and an instructor at Norwich University . From 1893 to 1894 he served as a recruiting officer in Indianapolis , Indiana and Louisville , Kentucky . In the years immediately prior to the Spanish - American War , Carter commanded Troop C , 5th Cavalry at New Orleans , Tampa , Mobile and Huntsville . Spanish - American War . In 1898 Carter was appointed mustering officer for Georgia and Tennessee , responsible for recruiting and swearing in officers for the volunteer units formed to fight the Spanish - American War . In 1900 he was appointed a Captain in the Porto Rico Regiment , a volunteer organization raised shortly after the end of the war . Post Spanish - American War . Carter was appointed a Captain in the 14th Cavalry in 1901 . He served at Forts Leavenworth and Logan , in the Philippines , and at Walla Walla , Washington until 1909 . In 1909 Carter began two years of service on the Army General Staff . He was promoted to Major in 1911 . From 1912 to 1914 Carter served as a member of the Cavalry Board , the committee charged with reviewing tactics , weapons and equipment , and making recommendations for improvement . In 1914 Carter was again assigned to the 3rd Cavalry , serving on the Mexican Border in Texas during unrest caused by the Mexican Revolution . Pancho Villa Expedition . Carter served as a squadron commander with the 12th Cavalry in Panama in 1916 . Later that year he was promoted to Colonel and commanded the 12th Cavalry on the Texas - Mexico Border during the Pancho Villa Expedition . World War I . In 1916 Carter was appointed to head the Militia Bureau , the forerunner of the modern National Guard Bureau . He served until mid - 1918 , helping federalize and mobilize National Guard units for World War I . He was promoted to Brigadier General in 1917 and temporary Major General later that year . In August , 1918 Carter was appointed commander of the 11th Infantry Division , at Fort Meade , Maryland , and began training in anticipation of front line service in France . The Armistice took place before training was complete , and the division did not leave the United States . Post World War I . Carter reverted to his permanent rank of Brigadier General after the war , and returned to the Militia Bureau . Until his retirement he advocated for reforms to the National Guard , including a plan to have state Adjutants General be appointed from among officers of the regular Army . He also planned for the National Guard ’ s post - war reorganization and reequipping , taking steps to standardize training and other requirements in order to align them with the regular Army . Carter retired in 1921 , and resided in Wharton , Texas . Awards and decorations . Carter received the Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of his World War I service . Retirement and death . After retiring from the Army , Carter was employed by St . Louis ’ s Missouri - Lincoln Trust Company as manager of its Texas holdings . He later worked as a manager for the Wharton Development Company . Carter died in Houston , Texas on June 23 , 1930 as the result of complications after surgery for appendicitis . He was buried in Farmington . Congress subsequently passed a special act making Carter a permanent Major General on the retired list , to date from June 21 , 1930 .