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United States Army Military District of Washington

(Redirected from U.S. Army Military District of Washington (MDW))

The United States Army Military District of Washington (MDW) is one of nineteen major commands of the United States Army. Its headquarters are located at Fort Lesley J. McNair in Washington, D.C. The missions of the units in the Military District of Washington include ceremonial tasks as well as a combat role in the defense of the National Capital Region.

United States Army Military District of Washington
United States Army Military District of Washington shoulder sleeve insignia
Active12 March 1862–1869, 1921-present
Country United States
Branch United States Army
TypeArmy Command
Part ofJFHQ-NCR
Garrison/HQFort Lesley J. McNair, Washington, D.C.
Nickname(s)Guardian of the Nation's Capital
Motto(s)Haec Protegimus
("This We Guard")
WebsiteOfficial Website
Commanders
Current
commander		MG Trevor J. Bredenkamp
Notable
commanders		Harry H. Bandholtz
John T. Cole
Insignia
Distinctive unit insignia
The U.S. Military District of Washington Joint Armed Forces Color Guard presents the Colors at the USDA Headquarters' Jefferson Auditorium, in Washington, D.C., on Tuesday, 4 Nov. 2014

Besides Fort McNair, the following installations are included under the umbrella of the MDW's command:

The Military District of Washington also represents the U.S. Army in the Joint Force Headquarters National Capital Region (JFHQ-NCR), as well as oversight of all ceremonial operations in Arlington National Cemetery.

The current Commanding General of the Military District of Washington is Major General Trevor J. Bredenkamp. The Commanding General, Chief of Staff, and Command Sergeant Major of the Military District of Washington hold the same positions at the JFHQ-NCR, which supervises military planning for the defense of the National Capital Region.

History

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The MDW can trace its origin back to the American Civil War when it was formed on March 12, 1862, as the Military District of Washington, and it included the areas of the District of Columbia, Alexandria, Virginia, and Fort Washington, Maryland. It was first under the command of Bvt. Major General James S. Wadsworth.[1] It became part of the Department of Washington under the 22nd Army Corps on February 2, 1863 and it was disbanded in 1869.

The MDW was reformed in 1921 when the War Department created the District of Washington. Today MDW is one of the Army's major commands. Its installations include Fort McNair, the nation's third-oldest military post still in use, and Fort Myer, Gen. Philip Sheridan's cavalry showplace and site of the first military aircraft flight.

The District of Washington initially included Fort Washington, Md., Fort Hunt, Va., the District of Columbia and Fort Myer. With the dissolution of the District of Washington in 1927, the commanding general of the 16th Infantry Brigade at Fort Hunt became responsible for conducting military ceremonies and administering discipline to service members in the nation's capital.

In 1942, about five months after the U.S. entered World War II, the War Department created the U.S. Army Military District of Washington to plan for a ground defense of the nation's capital.

MDW was headquartered during those years in "temporary" buildings at Gravelly Point, Virginia., near Washington National Airport. It moved to Second Street, S.W., in Washington, D.C., in the early 1960s, and to its present headquarters at Fort Lesley J. McNair in 1966.

During the World War II era, MDW was gradually reorganized as a service-and-support command. One of MDW's main responsibilities was servicing the newly built Pentagon through the Army Headquarters commandant. The United States Army Band, "Pershing's Own," also became an integral part of the command's ceremonial mission during this period.

At the end of World War II, the 3rd U.S. Infantry Regiment (The Old Guard) was deactivated in Germany. This regiment, the oldest U.S. infantry unit, was reactivated in 1948 and assigned to MDW to meet the command's tactical commitments and for military ceremonies.

Although MDW's mission has remained the same, it has gained, lost and regained various installations and support responsibilities over the years. Vint Hill Farms and Arlington Hall Station, both in Virginia, and Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., were once part of MDW. Cameron Station and Davison Army Airfield, near Fort Belvoir, joined MDW in the 1950s.

In 1980 MDW gained responsibility for the administration and daily operation of Arlington National Cemetery, in addition to the ceremonial support the command has always provided.

In 1987 MDW's support responsibilities for the Pentagon were transferred elsewhere. Fort Belvoir became a major subordinate command in 1988.

In 1992 Davison Aviation Command was reorganized as the Operational Support Airlift Command, with responsibilities for fixed-wing Army aircraft support throughout the United States. Additionally, they provide rotary-wing (helicopter) support to Army leadership and distinguished officials in the National Capital Region.

In April 1993, MDW reorganized its MACOM staff and the Fort Myer Military Community formed a garrison staff to support Forts Myer and McNair, and Cameron Station.

On 1 October 1993, Fort Meade, and Fort Ritchie in Maryland, and A.P. Hill in Virginia joined the MDW family of installations. The command more than doubled in size as MDW went from four posts totaling 9,802 acres (39.67 km2) to eight posts totaling 91,889 acres (371.86 km2). The number of service members and civilians on MDW installations also increased from 16,166 to 61,531.

Cameron Station officially closed on 30 September 1995. Most of the organizations were relocated to either Fort Belvoir or Fort Myer.

Fort Hamilton, New York, became the newest member of MDW's family of installations when it was transferred to MDW from U.S. Army Forces Command 6 October 1997. The post is 172 years old.

On 10 June 2010, Secretary of the Army John M. McHugh rescinded MDW's responsibility for the administration and daily operation of Arlington National Cemetery. However, MDW still maintains ceremonial support for funerals and guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier.

Ceremonial duties

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The Military District of Washington is responsible for organizing state funerals, including those of former presidents.[2]

Organization

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Current units commanded by the district include;[3]

Insignia

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Shoulder sleeve insignia

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  • Description: On a blue oval 2 7/8 inches in height fimbriated white within a 3/16-inch red border, issuing from a green mount in base fimbriated argent, the Washington Monument of the last superimposed by a red double-handed sword bendwise, fimbriated white, hilt and pommel yellow; all fimbriations 1/32-inch.
  • Symbolism:
The functions of the organization are indicated by the double-handed sword, symbolic of protection, over the Washington Monument, representing the area concerned.
The blue represents the Navy and the Infantry; the scarlet the Field Artillery, Coast Artillery and Engineers, and the green and gold the Military Police.
  • Background:
  1. The shoulder sleeve insignia was originally approved for Military District of Washington on 1942-09-26
  2. Redesignated for US Army Military District of Washington on 1971-07-21.

Distinctive unit insignia

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  • Description: A gold color metal and enamel device 1 3/16 inches in height overall consisting of an oval its upper half blue and containing a gold star in the center, the lower half divided into seven stripes alternately white and red. Bordering the bottom of the oval, a semicircular gold scroll inscribed with the words HAEC PROTEGIMUS in black, the scroll ends folded twice and forked with the points up below a border of gold oak leaves terminating at either side of a gold acorn with point up at top center, crossed in front two swords their gold hilts emerging from the folds of the scroll and their white blades terminating outside the oak leaf border.
  • Symbolism:
The background of the National colors refers to the seat of the government, which lies within the Military District of Washington, with the dome-shaped upper part suggesting the Capitol building.
The Command's responsibilities of conducting ceremonies for the President of the United States and foreign dignitaries, Medal of Honor presentations, military funerals and guarding the Tomb of the Unknown Soldier are represented by the gold star.
The oak leaves symbolize strength and courage and the crossed swords indicate the command's mission to defend the Nation's Capital.
The motto translates to "This We Guard."
  • Background:
  1. The distinctive unit insignia was originally approved for Headquarters, Military District of Washington on 1968-09-06;
  2. Revised to delete Headquarters from the designation on 1968-10-28;
  3. Redesignated for US Army Military District of Washington on 1971-07-21.

List of commanders

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No. Commander Term
Portrait Name Took office Left office Term length
-Brigadier General
James S. Wadsworth
(1807–1864)		17 March 18627 September 1862174 days
-Brigadier General
Harry Hill Bandholtz		1 September 19214 November 1923~2 years, 64 days
-Brigadier General
Hamilton S. Hawkins III
(1872–1951)		5 November 192312 February 192499 days
-Brigadier General
Samuel Rockenbach
(1869–1952)		12 February 192412 July 19273 years, 150 days
-Brigadier General
George C. Barnhardt
(1868–1930)		31 July 192723 September 192773 days
-Colonel
Guy V. Henry
(1875–1967)
Acting		23 September 192730 September 19277 days
-Brigadier General
Thomas Q. Donaldson
(1864–1934)		1 October 192721 December 192781 days
-Brigadier General
Herbert O. Williams		21 December 19276 May 19302 years, 136 days
-Colonel
Alfred T. Smith
(1874–1939)
Acting		6 May 19307 October 1930154 days
-Brigadier General
Edgar T. Collins
(1873–1933)		7 October 19301 February 1932~1 year, 117 days
-Colonel
James M. Petty
Acting		1 February 19321 April 193260 days
-Brigadier General
Perry L. Miles
(1873–1961)		1 April 19321 April 1936~4 years, 0 days
-Brigadier General
Charles D. Roberts
(1873–1966)		1 April 193612 September 1936~164 days
-Brigadier General
Lorenzo D. Gasser
(1876–1955)		26 October 193631 August 1937~309 days
-Lewis, John TaylorMajor General
John T. Lewis
(1894–1983)		14 May 19426 September 19442 years, 115 days
-Thompson, Charles FullingtonMajor General
Charles F. Thompson
(1882–1954)		6 September 194414 July 1945311 days
-Young, Robert NicholasBrigadier General
Robert N. Young
(1900–1964)		14 July 194515 June 1946336 days
-Ferenbaugh, Claude BirkettBrigadier General
Claude B. Ferenbaugh
(1899–1975)		15 June 19466 November 19471 year, 144 days
-Gay, Hobart RaymondMajor General
Hobart R. Gay
(1894–1983)		6 November 19476 August 19491 year, 273 days
-Cole, John TupperColonel
John T. Cole
(1895–1975)
Acting		6 August 194928 February 1950173 days
-Herren, Thomas WadeMajor General
Thomas W. Herren
(1895–1985)		1 March 19508 March 19522 years, 7 days
-Wright, Edwin KennedyMajor General
Edwin K. Wright
(1898–1983)		8 March 195226 February 19541 year, 355 days
-Stokes, John H. Jr.Major General
John H. Stokes Jr.
(1895–1968)		15 April 19545 February 19561 year, 296 days
-Van Houten, John GibsonMajor General
John G. Van Houten
(1904–1974)		6 February 1956May 1959~3 years, 84 days
-Gailey, Charles Kenon Jr.Major General
Charles K. Gailey Jr.
(1901–1966)		May 1959May 1961~2 years, 0 days
-Gavan, Paul A.Major General
Paul A. Gavan
(1903–1979)		May 1961July 1963~2 years, 61 days
-Wehke, Philip CampbellMajor General
Philip C. Wehle
(1906–1978)		August 1963August 1965~2 years, 0 days
-Herrick, Curtis JamesMajor General
Curtis J. Herrick
(1909–1971)		2 October 196531 May 19671 year, 241 days
-O'Malley, Charles S.Major General
Charles S. O'Malley Jr.
(1913–1993)		1 June 19671 September 19692 years, 92 days
-Gleszer, Ronald M.Major General
Roland M. Gleszer
(1915–2000)		1 September 1969April 1972~2 years, 213 days
-Adamson, James BradshawMajor General
James B. Adamson
(1921–2003)		1 May 197212 November 19731 year, 195 days
-Davison, Frederic EllisMajor General
Frederic E. Davison
(1917–1999)		12 November 197322 September 1974314 days
-Fairfield, Ronald James Jr.Major General
Ronald J. Fairfield Jr.
(1919–2014)		22 September 19741 August 1975313 days
-Yerks, Robert GeorgeMajor General
Robert G. Yerks
(1928–2021)		1 August 197515 July 19771 year, 348 days
-Dohleman, Kenneth E.Major General
Kenneth E. Dohleman
(1926–2018)		1 August 19771979~2 years, 0 days
-Arter, RobertMajor General
Robert Arter
(born 1929)		19791981~2 years, 0 days
-Curry, Jerry RalphMajor General
Jerry R. Curry
(1932–2020)		19811983~2 years, 0 days
-Ballantyne, John Lawson IIIMajor General
John L. Ballantyne III
(born 1931)		19831986~3 years, 0 days
-Hilbert, Donald C.Major General
Donald C. Hilbert
(1933–2020)		19861990~4 years, 0 days
-Streeter, William FrederickMajor General
William F. Streeter
(born 1937)		199020 May 1993~3 years, 0 days
-Gorden, Fred AugustusMajor General
Fred A. Gorden
(born 1940)		20 May 199329 August 19952 years, 101 days
-Foley, Robert FranklinMajor General
Robert F. Foley
(born 1941)		29 August 199513 August 19982 years, 349 days
-Ivany, Robert RudolphMajor General
Robert R. Ivany
(born 1947)		13 August 199828 July 20001 year, 350 days
-Jackson, James T.Major General
James T. Jackson		28 July 20002003~3 years, 0 days
-Jackman, Galen BruceMajor General
Galen B. Jackman
(born 1951)		200321 July 2005~2 years, 0 days
-Swan, Guy Carleston IIIMajor General
Guy C. Swan III
(born 1954)		21 July 20055 June 20071 year, 319 days
-Rowe, Richard J.Major General
Richard J. Rowe Jr.		5 June 200723 June 20092 years, 18 days
-Horst, Karl R.Major General
Karl R. Horst		23 June 20093 June 20111 year, 345 days
-Linnington, Michael S.Major General
Michael Linnington
(born 1958)		3 June 201124 June 20132 years, 21 days
-Buchanan, Jeffrey S.Major General
Jeffrey S. Buchanan		24 June 20139 June 20151 year, 350 days
-Becker, BradleyMajor General
Bradley Becker		9 June 201528 April 20171 year, 323 days
-Howard, Michael L.Major General
Michael L. Howard		28 April 20174 June 20192 years, 37 days
-Jones, Omar J. IVMajor General
Omar Jones		4 June 20198 June 20212 years, 4 days
-Pepin, Allan M.Major General
Allan Pepin		8 June 20211 June 20231 year, 358 days
-Bredenkamp, Trevor J.Major General
Trevor J. Bredenkamp		1 June 2023Incumbent1 year, 164 days

See also

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References

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  • Eicher, John H., and David J. Eicher. Civil War High Commands. Stanford, CA: Stanford University Press, 2001. ISBN 0-8047-3641-3.
  1. ^ Eicher, p. 547
  2. ^ Presidential Funerals and Burials: Selected Resources, Congressional Research Service (December 20, 2019).
  3. ^ "The U.S. Army Military District of Washington". Retrieved 22 November 2019.
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