William M . Morrow William M . Morrow ( September 6 , 1866 – July 21 , 1944 ) was an American football player and soldier . He played college football at the University of Michigan in 1885 and 1886 and was the starting quarterback for the 1886 Michigan Wolverines football team . He enlisted in the United States Army in 1888 where he served for more than 40 years until his retirement in 1930 . He was decorated for his service in World War I and achieved the rank of Brigadier General . Early years . Morrow was born in 1866 in Niles , Michigan . He attended the University of Michigan . He was a forward on the 1885 Michigan Wolverines football team , and the quarterback of the undefeated 1886 team . Military career . Morrow enlisted in the United States Army in 1888 . He was appointed to the Army from the State of Michigan . He served as a private , corporal and sergeant in Company F , 17th Infantry , from December 1888 to August 1891 . He became a second lieutenant in the 21st Infantry in 1891 and graduated from the Infantry and Cavalry School in 1897 . He was promoted to first lieutenant in April 1898 . He was promoted to the rank of captain in 1901 . In 1906 , Morrow gained acclaim for leading the 21st Infantry in attacks against rebel forces on the island of Samar in the Philippines . In October 1912 , he was assigned to the Fifth Infantry Regiment and was promoted to the rank of major in March 1913 . During World War I , he served with the 7th Infantry , 3rd Division , in France . For his leadership at Claire Chêne Woods in October 1917 , he received the Distinguished Service Cross . The citation recognized Morrow " for extraordinary heroism in action while serving as Commanding Officer , 7th Infantry Regiment , 3d Division , A . E . F . , in the Claires - Chenes Woods , north of Montfaucon , France , October 20 – 21 , 1918 . On October 20 , 1918 , when the Claire Chenes had been taken by the troops of his command and a hostile counterattack had forced them back over the ground gained in the morning ' s fighting , Colonel Morrow at once took personal command of the battalion engaged in the operations , reorganized it , and with distinguished gallantry and inspiring example led his men to a victorious counterattack , drove the enemy from the woods , secured its possession , and consolidated it . On October 21 he again displayed the same qualities of leadership and personal gallantry in the successful assault on Hill No . 299 . " He was also awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal " for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States , in a duty of great responsibility during World War I . Colonel Morrow served with conspicuous success as Commanding Officer of the 7th Infantry , 3d Division , succeeding in all of the difficult missions assigned to him . His sound judgment and untiring energy proved important factors in the successful operations of his division against the enemy . " He also received the French Légion d´honneur by Presidential Decree on May 14 , 1919 , and French Croix de Guerre with palm in April 1919 . After the war , Morrow was placed in command of the United States Disciplinary Barracks at Fort Leavenworth in Kansas . He was later placed in charge of the Discharge and Replacement Depot at the Brooklyn Army Base prior to his retirement in 1930 . He retired with the rank of colonel , but he was promoted on the retired list by Act of Congress to the rank of Brigadier General . Death . In July 1944 , Morrow died after a short illness at Quebec , Canada . He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery . Morrow was survived by his wife , Bessie ( 1876 – 1971 ) .