Product Code Database
Harry Dwight Chamberlin (May 19, 1887 – September 29, 1944) was a career officer in the United States Army. A veteran of the Moro Rebellion, Pancho Villa Expedition, World War I, and World War II, he attained the rank of brigadier general, and was most notable for his command of several Cavalry units, including 1st Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Squadron, 14th Cavalry Regiment, 2nd Cavalry Regiment, the Cavalry Replacement Center at Fort Riley, and 4th Cavalry Brigade, 2nd Cavalry Division. During World War II, he commanded the New Hebrides Task Force, Southwestern Security District, and Fort Ord.
Chamberlin was also a notable equestrian, and participated in several Olympic games. His most noteworthy success came in 1932, when the U.S. contingent won the gold medal in Team eventing and Chamberlin won the silver medal in Individual show jumping.
Chamberlin was appointed to the United States Military Academy in 1906. While at West Point, Chamberlin was a member of the track and boxing teams, played halfback on the football team, and was his class representative to the student athletic council. A highlight of Chamberlin's football career was his pickup of a fumbled Navy punt and 92 yard return during the 1908 Army-Navy game, which set up his three-yard run for the touchdown that enabled Army's 6–4 victory.
In 1910, Chamberlin graduated and was ranked 29th of 83. He received his commission as a second lieutenant of Cavalry and was assigned to the 7th Cavalry Regiment.
After graduating from the Mounted Service School, Chamberlin returned to the 5th Cavalry, which he joined in Columbus, New Mexico. He remained in the Columbus area until August as part of the U.S. military's Pancho Villa Expedition. He was promoted to first lieutenant in July 1916. In October 1916, Chamberlin was assigned to West Point as an instructor in the Department of Tactics. In May 1917, he received promotion to captain.
After the war, Chamberlin remained in France as an instructor at First United States Army's School for the Care of Animals. From February to March 1919, he was inspector of animal transportation on the First Army staff. In March and April, Chamberlin carried out an inspection trip in England, France, Belgium, and Germany, on which he visited British cavalry regiments and remount depots to learn their animal care techniques. He was promoted to temporary lieutenant colonel in April 1919.
In 1920, Chamberlin was a member of the U.S. equestrian team that took part in the Olympic games which were held in Antwerp, Belgium. He participated in both the Three Day Event, a military competition and the Prix de Nations (Prize of Nations), an individual show jumping contest. In July 1920, Chamberlin was promoted to major.
From 1925 to 1926, Chamberlin commanded 1st Squadron, 8th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Bliss, Texas. Chamberlin was an accomplished polo player and was captain of the Army team that won the U.S. Junior Championship in 1926. From 1926 to 1927, Chamberlin attended the United States Army Command and General Staff College, and he completed the course as an honor graduate. After graduating, he was assigned to the 9th Cavalry Regiment at Fort Riley. In 1927, he trained the 1928 Olympic Team, which he captained. Chamberlin finished 21st in the event competition and 18th individually in the jumping competition. Overall, the U.S. team placed 8th of 16.
From 1929 to 1932, Chamberlin was captain of the U.S. Equestrian Team. He competed at the 1932 Olympic Games, again as a member of the event and jumping teams. In the eventing competition, he finished fourth, while the U.S. team was first overall and won its first-ever gold medal. Chamberlin finished second in the individual jumping event and won the silver medal.
As the United States prepared for entry into World War II, Chamberlin commanded the 2nd Cavalry Regiment at Fort Riley from 1939 to 1941. In April 1941, he was promoted to brigadier general. From 1941 to 1942, Chamberlin commanded the 4th Cavalry Brigade at Fort Riley.
In 1942, Chamberlin commanded the combined services task force which occupied New Hebrides and defended the islands against attack from Japan. While serving in the Pacific theater, Chamberlin was taken ill and returned to California. Doctors attempted to treat Chamberlin as he commanded first the Southwestern Security District and later Fort Ord, but his illness proved to be terminal.
During World War II, Sally Garlington Chamberlin was employed as General George C. Marshall's private secretary. Chamberlin's sister Marie E. Chamberlin was the wife of Army officer John Gray Thornell, who was killed while piloting the dirigible Roma in 1922 when it crashed in Norfolk, Virginia.
|
|
