Robert Lee Howze Robert Lee Howze ( August 22 , 1864 – September 19 , 1926 ) was a United States Army Major General who was a recipient of the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Indian Wars . Howze graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1888 and then accepted a commission to the United States Army . He first served in the Indian wars , then served in the Spanish – American War , Philippine – American War and World War I . His last assignment was presiding over the courts - martial for Colonel Billy Mitchell . Early life . Howze was born to Captain James A . Howze , of the 14th Texas Cavalry , and Amanda Hamilton Howze in Overton , Rusk County , Texas . After graduating from Hubbard College in 1883 , he attended the United States Military Academy at West Point and was in the graduating class of 1888 . Military career . Howze participated in the Pine Ridge Campaign from November 1890 to January 1891 . On January 1 , 1891 , the 6th Cavalry crossed the frozen White River in South Dakota to engage a group of Brulé Sioux . It was for this action he was presented with the Medal of Honor . He married Anne Chiffelle Hawkins , daughter of General Hamilton S . Hawkins , on February 24 , 1897 . At the outbreak of the Spanish - American War , Howze , now a cavalry captain , was made adjutant general of the cavalry in Cuba . Upon his return to the United States , he was appointed lieutenant colonel of volunteers and commanded the Thirty - fourth Volunteer Infantry throughout the Philippine Insurrection . He was promoted to captain in the United States Army on February 2 , 1901 ; to brigadier general of volunteers on June 20 , 1901 ; and to major of the Puerto Rico provincial regiment of infantry in 1901 . In 1905 , Howze was appointed Commandant of Cadets at West Point , remaining in that post until 1909 . In 1907 he threatened to discharge an entire class from the Academy over a hazing incident . Howze was a Major in the 11th Cavalry during General John J . Pershing ' s Punitive Expedition into Mexico in 1916 . During World War I he was promoted to Major General and placed in command of the 38th Infantry Division , which fought in the Meuse - Argonne Offensive in October 1918 . He served as commander of the 3rd Division during their march on the Rhine River , and commanded the Third Army of Occupation in Germany in 1919 . He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal , the French Croix de Guerre , and French Legion of Honor for his service in command of the Third Army . Howze died September 19 , 1926 , and is buried in the United States Military Academy Cemetery West Point , New York . Court - Martial of Billy Mitchell . Howze ' s last assignment was to preside over the court - martial of Colonel Billy Mitchell , who had made public comments in response to the Navy dirigible " " crashing in a storm . The crash killed 14 of the crew and Mitchell issued a statement accusing senior leaders in the Army and Navy of incompetence and " almost treasonable administration of the national defense . " In November 1925 he was court - martial ed at the direct order of President Calvin Coolidge . The trial attracted significant interest , and public opinion supported Mitchell . The court found Mitchell guilty of insubordination , and suspended him from active duty for five years without pay . The generals ruling in the case wrote , " The Court is thus lenient because of the military record of the Accused during the World War . " On February 1 , 1926 Mitchell resigned in - lieu of accepting the courts punishment . Honors and awards . During the course of his life Howze received numerous military honors in addition to the Medal of Honor , including the Distinguished Service Medal , Croix de Guerre , French Legion of Honor and had a World War I military base named in his honor . Medal of Honor citation . Rank and organization : Second Lieutenant , Company K , 6th U . S . Cavalry . Place and date : At White River , S . Dak . , 1 January 1891 . Entered service at : Overton , Rusk County , Tex . Born : 22 August 1864 , Overton , Rusk County , Tex . Date of issue : 25 July 1891 . Citation : Bravery in action . Army Distinguished Service Medal citation . Citation : The President of the United States of America , authorized by Act of Congress , July 9 , 1918 , takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Robert Lee Howze , United States Army , for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States , in a duty of great responsibility during World War I . As Commander of the 3d Division on its march to the Rhine and during the occupation of the enemy territory General Howze proved himself energetic and capable , exhibiting superb qualities of leadership . He maintained an unusually high standard of efficiency in his unit , rendering eminently conspicuous service as a Division Commander . Camp Howze . Camp Howze was a large World War II training facility near Gainesville , Texas and was named in his honor . USS General R . L . Howze ( AP - 134 ) . The , launched May 1943 , was named in his honor . Relations . Two of his sons graduated from the U . S . Military Academy at West Point and became generals : Major General Robert Lee Howze Jr . , Class of 1925 , and General Hamilton H . Howze , Class of 1930 .