Joseph A. Redding

Joseph A. Redding (June 7, 1894—February 24, 1984) was a United States Army Major General who served as commander of the Army National Guard’s 39th Infantry Division.

Joseph A. Redding
Redding as commander of 39th Infantry Division, circa 1952
BornJune 7, 1894
Yazoo City, Mississippi
DiedFebruary 24, 1984(1984-02-24) (aged 89)
Baton Rouge, Louisiana
Place of burial
Forest Park East Cemetery, Shreveport, Louisiana
Allegiance United States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1912 - 1956
Rank Major General
UnitLouisiana Army National Guard
Commands held204th Coastal Artillery Regiment
199th Infantry Regiment
39th Infantry Division
Battles/warsPancho Villa Expedition
World War I
World War II
AwardsPurple Heart
Other workOwner, Redding Tire
Owner, tax consulting office

Early life

Joseph Alsop Redding was born in Yazoo City, Mississippi on June 7, 1894, and his family relocated to Shreveport, Louisiana in 1910.[1] Redding attended Louisiana State University from 1910 to 1912, and was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity.[2]

Start of military career

Redding joined Company L, 1st Louisiana Infantry Regiment in 1912, and advanced through the ranks to Sergeant before obtaining his commission as a Second Lieutenant in 1916. Redding served on the Mexican border with the 1st Louisiana Infantry during the Pancho Villa Expedition in 1916.[3]

Business career

Redding became owner and operator of Redding Tire Service, a wholesale and retail automobile and truck tire business in Shreveport.[4]

World War I

Promoted to First Lieutenant in 1917, Redding was with the 1st Louisiana Infantry when the regiment was federalized and renamed the 156th Infantry Regiment. He served at Camp Nicholls, Camp Beauregard and in France, including assignments as Adjutant of the regiment’s 1st Battalion, Commander of the regiment’s Headquarters and Headquarters Company, and regimental Adjutant.[5]

During the war Germans attacked Redding’s unit with gas, and he received wounds that resulted in award of the Purple Heart. Redding was a Captain when he was discharged at the end of the war.[6]

Post World War I

Redding maintained his commission as a member of the organized reserve, and in 1922 returned to the Louisiana National Guard as a Captain and Commander of Company H, 156th Infantry Regiment.[7]

World War II

At the start of World War II, Redding was commander of the 204th Coastal Artillery Regiment (Antiaircraft), stationed in San Diego, California.[8]

He later served in Europe on the staff of Staff of the IX Air Defense Command, a unit of the Ninth Air Force. He was Commander of the Bad Neustadt area during the post-war occupation of Germany.[9]

Post World War II

In 1946 Redding was appointed Commander of the Louisiana National Guard’s 199th Infantry Regiment.[10]

He later served as Assistant Division Commander of the 39th Infantry Division, receiving promotion to Brigadier General.[11]

In 1951 Redding was appointed Commander of the 39th Infantry Division and promoted to Major General.[12] He served until his retirement in 1956.[13]

In 1952 he sold his tire business and moved to Baton Rouge, where he operated a tax consulting office.[14]

Death and burial

Redding died in Baton Rouge on February 24, 1984.[15] His wife Mary Byrd Redding and he are buried at Forest Park East Cemetery in Shreveport.[16]

References
  1. Louisiana State University, A Salute to Louisiana Veterans, November, 2012, page 14
  2. Sigma Alpha Epsilon, The Record, Volume 73, Issue 3, 1953, page 95
  3. American Historical Society, A History of Louisiana, Volume 2, 1925, page 201
  4. Marquis Who's Who, Who's Who in the South and Southwest, 1954, page 600
  5. Evans J. Casso, Louisiana Legacy: A History of the State National Guard, 1999, page 127
  6. Shannon Roberts, The Daily Reville, Ceremony for Military Service Celebrates Alumni Veterans, November 12, 2012, page 3
  7. National Guard Bureau, National Guard Register, 1923, page 135
  8. Sigma Alpha Epsilon, The Record, Volume 65, Issue 4, 1945, page 176
  9. Louisiana State University, A Salute to Louisiana Veterans, November, 2012, page 14
  10. Louisiana Department of Military Affairs, Annual Report, 1946, page 30
  11. Ruston Daily Leader, Ruston Guards Parade With 199th Regiment at Summer Training Camp, August 10, 1950
  12. National Guard Association of the United States, The National Guardsman magazine, Volume 5, 1951, page 29
  13. Louisiana. Department of Military Affairs, Annual Report, 1956, page 26
  14. Louisiana State University, A Salute to Louisiana Veterans, November, 2012, page 14
  15. U.S., Department of Veterans Affairs, BIRLS Death File, 1850-2010, entry for Joseph A. Redding
  16. Baton Rouge Advocate, Death notice Mary Byrd Redding, August 7, 1987
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