(1860-1927) Army General. Son of Civil War General Alvord, he graduated 17th in his class at West Point in 1883 and had the serial number 110! After graduation he joined in the Infantry and also taught at West Point. During the Spanish-American War he was a major in the Adjutant General's Department and during the Philippine-American War he commanded the 20th Infantry in action and was the Adjutant General of the Northern Luzon Department. When the first General Staff was organized in 1901 he was appointed the first Secretary and served until 1905. Alvord transferred to the Advocate General's Office and served until 1914 when he was the Chief of Staff to General Funston, who led the 1914 Military Expedition that captured Vera Cruz, Mexico. At the American entry into WW I he accompanied Gen. Pershing to France as Adjutant General of the AEF, serving until May 1918 when he was forced to return to the U.S. due to ill health. He retired in 1924 and died three years later. A prominent sportsman, he played a major influence in bringing golf to the Army. Fine Dark Sig. "Benj. Alvord Brig. Genl, N.A., Adjutant General, AEF"

Ask a question about this item. 

Return to Catalog