Robert Campbell Van Vliet
Brigadier General Robert Campbell Van Vliet (August 22, 1857 – October 27, 1943) was a career officer in the United States Army. He attained the rank of brigadier general, and was most notable for his World War I service as commander of the 87th Division.
Robert Campbell Van Vliet | |
|---|---|
.jpg.webp) National Archives and Records Administration photo of Van Vliet as a captain in 1898 | |
| Born | August 22, 1857 Fort Leavenworth, Kansas |
| Died | October 27, 1943 (aged 86) New Smyrna, Florida |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1876–1919 |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Commands held | Company G, 10th Infantry Regiment 25th Infantry Regiment 4th Infantry Regiment 173rd Infantry Brigade, 87th Division 87th Division Student Army Training Corps, City College of New York |
| Battles/wars | American Indian Wars Spanish–American War United States occupation of Veracruz World War I |
| Awards | Silver Star Purple Heart |
| Spouse(s) | Harriet "Hattie" Stephens |
| Children | 4 |
| Relations | Stewart Van Vliet (father) Robert L. Spragins (son-in-law) |
Biography
He was born at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas on August 22, 1857, the son of Stewart Van Vliet and Sarah Jane Brown.[1] He was appointed to the United States Military Academy from New Jersey, which he attended from July to December 1875.[2]
He was commissioned a second lieutenant in 1876.[3] Van Vliet participated in the Indian Wars, including the Geronimo campaign.[3] He served as commander of Fort Davis in Nome, Alaska prior to the Spanish–American War.[3] During the war, he served as commander of Company G, 10th Infantry Regiment in Cuba, including the attack on Santiago, at which he was wounded.[3] He received the Silver Star and Purple Heart.[2]
Van Vliet commanded several posts and garrisons, including: Fort Slocum, New York; the federal prison on Alcatraz Island in San Francisco, California; and Fort McIntosh, Texas.[3] In 1911 and 1912 he commanded the 25th Infantry Regiment and he commanded the 4th Infantry Regiment in 1913 and 1914.
During the Veracruz expedition, Van Vliet was served as second in command of US forces under Frederick Funston.[3] During World War I, Van Vliet's physical condition as a result of his old wound prevented him from serving in France.[3] He was promoted to brigadier general, and assigned as commander of the 173rd Infantry Brigade and the 87th Division during their pre-deployment training at Camp Pike, Arkansas.[3] Van Vliet's ill health prevented him from serving with his brigade in France, so in September 1918 he was assigned to command of the Student Army Training Corps unit at the City College of New York.
Death and burial
In retirement, Van Vliet resided in Shrewsbury, New Jersey and New Smyrna, Florida.[3] He died at the Palma Hotel in New Smyrna on October 27, 1943.[1] He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.[4]
Family
Van Vliet was the husband of Harriet "Hattie" Stephens (1861–1929). Their children included: Sarita (1889–1965), the wife of Lieutenant Colonel David Perry Wood; Stewart (1885–1956), a New Jersey newspaper editor and columnist; Colonel Robert C. Van Vliet Jr. (1893–1943); and Marguerite (1895–1982), the wife of Major General Robert L. Spragins.[1][3]
References
- "General Van Vliet, 86, In Army 42 Years".
- Generals in Khaki, pp. 367–378.
- "Gen Van Vliet is Dead at 86", pp. 1–2.
- Burial Detail: Van Vliet, Robert C (Section 2, Grave 3447) – ANC Explorer
Sources
Newspapers
- "General Van Vliet, 86, In Army 42 Years, Former Commander of 87th Division Dies in Florida". New York Times. October 28, 1943. Retrieved 2014-12-29.
- "Gen Van Vliet is Dead at 86". Asbury Park Press. Asbury Park, NJ. October 28, 1943 – via Newspapers.com.
Books
- Davis, Henry Blaine Jr. (1998). Generals in Khaki. Raleigh, NC: Pentland Press. ISBN 978-1-5719-7088-6 – via Google Books.
External links
- Robert Campbell Van Vliet at Find a Grave
- Robert Campbell Van Vliet at ArlingtonCemetery•net, an unofficial website