James Taggart Kerr (April 22, 1859 – April 13, 1949) was an American brigadier general, who served with the U.S. Army. Kerr received a Distinguished Service Medal for his service with the Adjutant General's Department and 2 Silver Stars.
James Taggart Kerr | |
|---|---|
 J.T. Kerr as brigadier general in Washington D.C., 1919 | |
| Born | April 22, 1859 Martins Ferry, Ohio, U.S. |
| Died | April 13, 1949 (aged 89) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Buried | |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service |  United States Army |
| Years of service | 1881-1922 |
| Rank |  Brigadier General |
| Service number | 0-61 |
| Wars | |
| Awards | |
Early years
editJames Kerr was born in Martins Ferry, Ohio, in 1859.[1]
Military career
editGraduating from West Point in 1881, Kerr was assigned to frontier duty with the 17th Infantry until 1888.[1] He participated in the Ghost Dance War in 1890-1891[1] and was later an honor graduate of the Infantry and Cavalry School at Fort Leavenworth in 1897.[2]
Spanish–American War
editKerr saw action in Cuba during the Spanish–American War, and received a Silver Star Commendation for his actions before being transferred to the Sanitary Corps.[1][3]
Philippine–American War
editShortly after his assignment to the Sanitary Corps in Cuba, Kerr was sent to the Philippines to take part in the suppression of the Philippine rebels, for which he received a second Silver Star.[1][3]
First World War
editKerr had initially retired in August 1914 due to physical disabilities contracted earlier in his career,[1] but was recalled to active duty in 1917 following the U.S. entry into the First World War.[4] During the First World War, Kerr served in the Adjutant General's Department until the end of the war, and was Assistant Adjutant General from 1920 until his retirement in 1922.[1] He was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal for his service with the Adjutant General's Department.[4][3]
Death
editJames Taggart Kerr passed away on 13 April 1949, aged eighty-nine.[1] He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.[5]
References
edit- ^ a b c d e f g h Davis, Henry Blaine Jr. Generals in Khaki (Raleigh, NC: Pentland Press, 1998), pp. 212 –213 ISBN 9781571970886
- ^ Who Was Who in American History - The Military (Chicago, IL: Marquis Who's Who, Inc., 1975) p. 303
- ^ a b c "James Kerr - Recipient - Military Times Hall Of Valor". valor.militarytimes.com.
- ^ a b Cullum, George W. Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, New York Since Its establishment in 1802: Supplement, Volume VI-A 1910-1920 (Saginaw, MI: Seemann & Peters, Printers, 1920), p. 320
- ^ Find a Grave: Gen James Taggart Kerr, James Taggart Kerr, accessed 21 May 2019, https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/32875759/james-taggart-kerr