Global InformationWilliam Lassiter information
William Lassiter | |
|---|---|
 William Lassiter, wearing the two stars of a major general, pictured here in October 1918 towards the end of World War I. | |
| Born | September 29, 1867 Petersburg, Virginia, United States |
| Died | March 29, 1959 (aged 91) Santa Barbara, California, United States |
| Buried | Santa Barbara Cemetery, Santa Barbara, California, United States |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1889–1931 |
| Rank | Major General |
| Service number | 0-70 |
| Unit | Field Artillery Branch |
| Commands held | 7th Field Artillery Battery Base Section Number 3, England U.S. Army Forces in England 51st Field Artillery Brigade I Corps Artillery IV Corps Artillery Second Army Artillery 32nd Division Third Army Artillery Fort Knox Panama Canal Division Panama Canal Department Sixth Corps Area Philippine Department Eighth Corps Area Hawaiian Department |
| Battles/wars | Spanish–American War Occupation of Veracruz World War I Occupation of the Rhineland |
| Awards | Army Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star |
| Spouse(s) | Jeannette Fallon Johnson (m. 1935-1959, his death) |
| Relations | Francis R. Lassiter (brother) |
William Lassiter (September 29, 1867 – March 29, 1959) was a career officer in the United States Army. He was a veteran of the Spanish–American War, occupation of Veracruz, World War I, and the occupation of the Rhineland and attained the rank of major general.
A native of Petersburg, Virginia, Lassiter graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1889 and began a career in the Army's Field Artillery Branch. His initial assignments included coastal forts in New York and California. During the Spanish–American War, he served in Cuba and took part in the Siege of Santiago, for which he was awarded the Silver Star. He subsequently served on the West Point faculty and carried out several years of temporary duty with the Inspector General, including postings to Cuba and the Philippines.
During World War I, Lassiter was promoted to brigadier general and major general, and served in several important command assignments. In the war's final days he was assigned to lead the 32nd Division, which he continued to lead during the post-war occupation of the Rhineland. For his wartime service, Lassiter received the Army Distinguished Service Medal and several foreign decorations. After the war, Lassiter received several high profile command and staff assignments, including commander of the Panama Canal Division and Panama Canal Department, the Philippine Department and the Hawaiian Department.
Lassiter retired in 1931 as a permanent major general and became a resident of Santa Barbara, California. He died at the age of 91 in Santa Barbara on March 29, 1959, and was buried at Santa Barbara Cemetery.