Frank Ross McCoy

Frank Ross McCoy (October 29, 1874 – June 4, 1954) was a United States Army officer. He served in the Philippines, during World War I, and led an American relief mission to Tokyo after the 1923 earthquake. He retired from military service in 1938. In his civilian career, he was president of the Foreign Policy Association and chairman of the Far Eastern Commission.

Frank Ross McCoy
Frank R. McCoy
Born(1874-10-29)October 29, 1874
Lewistown, Pennsylvania
DiedJune 4, 1954(1954-06-04) (aged 79)
Washington, D.C.
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
AllegianceUnited States
Service/branchUnited States Army
Years of service1897–1938
1941–1942
RankMajor General
Commands heldSeventh Corps Area
Second Army
II Corps
Battles/warsSpanish–American War Philippine–American War
Bandit War
World War I
AwardsArmy Distinguished Service Medal (2)
Silver Star (2)
Other workPresident, Foreign Policy Association (1939–1945)
Chairman, Far Eastern Commission (1951–1954)

Early life

McCoy was born in Lewistown, Pennsylvania on October 29, 1874. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1897, was commissioned a second lieutenant and appointed to the 8th Cavalry.[1]

Military career

McCoy served on the western front in Cuba, in the Philippines, and in the Santiago campaign. In Cuba and in the Philippines, he acted as aide to General Leonard Wood and was for several years aide to President Theodore Roosevelt after his promotion to major general.[1]

In 1911, McCoy was appointed a member of the General Staff and, in 1917, became a member of the General Staff of the American Expeditionary Force in Europe, where he commanded the 165th Infantry Regiment in 1918.[2] McCoy wrote Principles of Military Training (1917).[3]

From 1918 to 1919, McCoy was Director of Transportation in the American Expeditionary Force. In 1919, he served as chief of staff in the United States military mission to Armenia. He led a relief mission to Tokyo after the 1923 earthquake. From 1926 to 1929, he commanded the 3rd Infantry Brigade and the 1st Field Artillery Brigade. From 1932 to 1933, he served on the Lytton Commission investigating the Japanese military invasion and occupation of Manchuria.[2] From 1933 to 1935, McCoy commanded the Seventh Corps Area.[4]

McCoy served as interim commander of First United States Army in 1938, and was succeeded by James K. Parsons. He retired on October 31, 1938,[5] but was recalled between 1941 and 1942 to serve on the Roberts Commission.

Civilian career

After the war, McCoy became the chairman of the Far Eastern Commission, an international body created to determine the fate of postwar Japan.[1]

Awards

McCoy received the Army Distinguished Service Medal with oak leaf cluster,[6] and two Silver Star Citations.[6]

Death

McCoy died on June 4, 1954 at Walter Reed Army Medical Center.[2]

Birthplace

His birthplace, the McCoy House, was added to the National Register of Historic Places in 1973.[7] His papers are held by the Library of Congress.[8]

References
  1. Davis, Jr., Henry Blaine (1998). Generals in Khaki. Pentland Press, Inc. p. 253. ISBN 1571970886. OCLC 40298151.
  2. Davis, Jr., Henry Blaine (1998). Generals in Khaki. Pentland Press, Inc. p. 253. ISBN 1571970886. OCLC 40298151.
  3. McCoy, Frank Ross. Principles of Military Training. [New York]: [P.F. Collier & Sons], 1917. OCLC 260320036
  4. Clay, Steven E. (2010). US Army Order of Battle 1919–1941, Vol. 1: The Arms: Major Commands and Infantry Organizations (PDF). Fort Leavenworth, Kansas: Combat Studies Institute Press.
  5. Davis, Jr., Henry Blaine (1998). Generals in Khaki. Pentland Press, Inc. p. 253. ISBN 1571970886. OCLC 40298151.
  6. "Valor awards for Frank Ross McCoy".
  7. "National Register Information System". National Register of Historic Places. National Park Service. July 9, 2010.
  8. McCoy, Frank Ross. "Frank Ross McCoy papers, 1847–1957".
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