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Robert Miller Montague

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Robert Miller Montague
Montague as commander of the Sandia Missile Base
BornAugust 7, 1899 (1899-08-07)
Portland, Oregon, US
DiedFebruary 20, 1958 (1958-02-21) (aged 58)
Balboa, Panama
Buried
Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance United States
Service / branch United States Army
Years of service1918–1958
Rank Lieutenant general
Service number0-12261
UnitField Artillery Branch
Commands83rd Infantry Division Artillery
83rd Infantry Division
Sandia Missile Base
I Corps
U.S. Caribbean Command
Battles / warsWorld War I
World War II
AwardsArmy Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Bronze Star

Robert Miller Montague (August 7, 1899 – February 20, 1958) was a lieutenant general in the United States Army. He achieved prominence as the deputy commander of Fort Bliss, Texas, commander of the Sandia Missile Base in New Mexico and head of the U.S. Caribbean Command.

Early life

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As a West Point cadet

Montague was born in Portland, Oregon, on August 7, 1899. He attended the University of Oregon and then transferred to the United States Military Academy at West Point, from which he graduated in 1918 with a commission as a second lieutenant of artillery.[1][2][3]

World War I

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Having graduated in November during a wartime expansion of the West Point student body, Montague began his career too late for active combat in World War I. As many other students from his class did, Montague carried out a European observation tour for most of 1919, enhancing his professional knowledge by visiting battlefields in France, Belgium, and Germany, compiling after action reports, and interviewing battlefield veterans.[4]

Post World War I

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Montague completed the Field Artillery Basic Course in 1920.[5]

He then carried out numerous assignments throughout the United States, including serving as an instructor at the United States Military Academy in the 1930s.[6][7]

In 1933 Montague graduated from the Field Artillery Advanced Course.[8]

Montague completed the Command and General Staff College in 1938.[9]

World War II

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From 1944 to 1945 Montague was commander of the 83rd Infantry Division Artillery in the European Theater of Operations. He also served as acting division commander on several occasions.[10][11]

Post World War II

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From 1945 to 1947 Montague served as deputy commander of the Army’s Air Defense Artillery Center at Fort Bliss, Texas.[12]

From 1947 to 1951 Montague was the commander of the Sandia Missile Base near Albuquerque, New Mexico.[13][14][15]

Montague served as the head of plans, operations and training, G-3, for the United States European Command from 1951 to 1952.[16][17]

From 1952 to 1955 Montague was assigned as deputy commander of Army Field Forces, based at Fort Monroe, Virginia.[17][18][19]

Montague commanded the U.S. I Corps in South Korea from 1955 to 1957.[16][20][21]

UFOlogy

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Montague’s name appears in some UFO conspiracy theories such as Majestic 12.[22]

Commander, U.S. Caribbean Command

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In 1957 Montague was appointed to command the U.S. Caribbean Defense Command, the post he was still serving in when he died.[23][24][25]

Death

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General Montague was stricken with an intestinal illness in January, 1958 after traveling extensively in South America. He did not recover, and died on February 20 from a cerebral hemorrhage at Gorgas Hospital, Balboa, Panama Canal Zone.[26][27][28][29]

Robert M. Montague is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Section 30, Site 533 RH.[30][31]

Awards and decorations

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General Montague received the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit and two awards of the Bronze Star.[32][33]

Memorials

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Montague Road at Fort Sill is named for him as is Montague Loop at Fort Bliss.[33][34]

Personal

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Robert Miller Montague was the father of Brigadier General Robert M. Montague, Jr., (October 22, 1924 – October 15, 1996), who graduated from West Point in 1947 and was one of the early U.S. strategists of the Vietnam War. After retiring from the Army the younger Montague served as executive director of the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation and the Special Olympics.[28][32][35][36]

References

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  1. ^ U.S. Federal Census, 1900 entry for Charles D. Montague family
  2. ^ Annual Catalogue, published by the University of Oregon, 1917, page 318
  3. ^ Assembly, published by the West Point Alumni Association, Volumes 16-17, page 97
  4. ^ Cullum, George Washington (1920). Robinson, Wirt (ed.). Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. From Its Establishment, in 1802, to 1890. Vol. VI-B: 1910–1920. Association of Graduates, United States Military Academy. p. 2070. Retrieved December 19, 2022 – via Google Books.
  5. ^ Official U.S. Army Directory, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1922, page 153
  6. ^ U.S. Federal Census Entry, Robert Miller Montague, 1930
  7. ^ Roster of Officers and Troops, published by United States Military Academy, 1932, page 4
  8. ^ Official U.S. Army Directory, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1949, page 376
  9. ^ Official U.S. Army Directory, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1954, page 524
  10. ^ Order of Battle, 83rd Infantry Division in World War II, U.S. Center of Military History
  11. ^ The Thunderbolt Across Europe: a History of the 83rd Infantry Division, 1942–1945, published by the 83rd Infantry Division, 1945, Page 18
  12. ^ "Dept. Working On Secret Weapon". The Palm Beach Post. Washington. AP. July 16, 1947. p. 1. Retrieved December 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  13. ^ "Atomic Cave Tale Spreads". Milwaukee Journal. August 25, 1947. p. 1. Archived from the original on July 13, 2012. Retrieved December 20, 2022 – via Google News Archive.
  14. ^ "14 Killed as Flames Sweep New Mexico A-Bomb Plant". Pittsburgh Post-Gazette. Albuquerque, New Mexico. AP. March 9, 1950. pp. 1, 2. Retrieved December 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  15. ^ "News in Review", The Southeast Missourian, p. 16, February 13, 1951
  16. ^ a b Who Was Who in America, 1963, Volume 3, page 609
  17. ^ a b Assembly, published by the West Point Alumni Association, 1951, Volumes 10-11, page 24
  18. ^ The New International Year Book, 1953, page 336
  19. ^ Official Register of the United States, published by U.S. Government Printing Office, 1954, page 146
  20. ^ Official U.S. Army Directory, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1956, page 596
  21. ^ "Lowe is Named for Guam Post", The Spokesman-Review, p. 2, October 3, 1956
  22. ^ Out There: the Government's Secret Quest for Extraterrestrials, by Howard Blum, 1990, page 247
  23. ^ Previous Commanders page Archived November 4, 2002, at the Wayback Machine, U.S. Southern Command web site
  24. ^ "Gen. Montague Shifted; Commander of Corps in Far East Will Go to Canal Zone", The New York Times, p. 7, October 9, 1956 (subscription required)
  25. ^ Dubois, Jules (April 25, 1957). "President of Panama Sees US War Games". Chicago Tribune. Gatun, Canal Zone. p. 28. Retrieved December 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  26. ^ "Loses Fight With Illness". The Daily Chronicle. Balboa, Canal Zone. Associated Press. February 20, 1958. p. 15. Retrieved December 20, 2022 – via Newspapers.com.
  27. ^ "Gaither Caribbean Forces C.O.", by United Press International, Pacific Stars and Stripes, March 6, 1958
  28. ^ a b Social Security Death Index
  29. ^ Panama Canal Zone, Gorgas Hospital Mortuary Records, 1906-1991
  30. ^ Nationwide Gravesite Locator, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs
  31. ^ ANC Explorer
  32. ^ a b Official U.S. Army Directory, published by U.S. Army Adjutant general, 1957, page 602
  33. ^ a b Names of Fort Sill Streets and Buildings, published by Fort Sill Office of Administrative Services
  34. ^ Fort Bliss garrison web site, History page
  35. ^ Memorial Service for Robert M. Montague, Jr., Delivered by Sargent Shriver, Chairman, Special Olympics International, October 23, 1996
  36. ^ "Gen. Robert Montague Jr. Dies; Was Head of Special Olympics". The Washington Post. October 17, 1996. p. B.07. Archived from the original on June 4, 2011. Retrieved December 20, 2022.
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