This Military Service Page was created/owned by
LTC Bob Thompson
to remember
Connor, William Durward, MG.
If you knew or served with this Soldier and have additional information or photos to support this Page, please leave a message for the Page Administrator(s) HERE.
Contact Info
Home Town Beloit, Wisconsin
Last Address West Point, New York
Date of Passing Jun 16, 1960
Location of Interment U.S. Military Academy West Point Post Cemetery (VLM) - West Point, New York
William Durward Connor (February 22, 1874 - June 16, 1960) was career United States Army officer who became superintendent of the United States Military Academy.
Connor was born in Wisconsin on February 22, 1874. He received an appointment to West Point from Iowa, graduating first in his class in 1897. He received his commission as an engineer.
He began his military career commissioned an officer in the Corps of Engineers upon graduating from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1897. During the Spanish-American War he served in the Philippines as an engineer and was awarded a Silver Star for heroism in combat.
From 1909 to 1916, he was with the War Department General Staff and was promoted to Colonel Deputy Chief of Staff of the American Expeditionary Forces in 1917. In July 1918, World War I, he was promoted Brigadier General of the 32nd Infantry Division and given command of the 63rd Brigade. Later he served as Commanding General of American forces in France from 1918 to 1920. At the Battle of Château-Thierry he was awarded a second Silver Star. For his World War I service he was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal.
After the war, he was the Chief of Transportation Service in 1921, Deputy Chief of Staff US Army, in 1922 and Commanding General of US Army forces in China, 1923 to 1926. He was promoted to Major General in 1926, he was Commanding General of the 2nd Infantry Division and was Commandant of the Army War College from 1927 until 1932. He served as the Superintendent at West Point from 1932 - 1938 and then retired on 28 February 1938.
He was recalled for service during World War II from 1941-1942. He is buried at the West Point Cemetery, section 18, row G, grave 75.
The War Department existed from 1789 until September 18, 1947, when it split into Department of the Army and Department of the Air Force and joined the Department of the Navy as part of the new joint National Military Establishment (NME), renamed the United States Department of Defense in 1949.
