Creed C. Hammond

Creed C. Hammond (October 9, 1874 – April 2, 1940) was a major general in the United States Army. He served as Chief of the National Guard Bureau.

Creed C. Hammond
General Hammond as National Guard Bureau Chief
Born	October 9, 1874 Eugene, Oregon
Died	April 2, 1940 (aged 65) Portland, Oregon
Buried	Lincoln Memorial Park, Portland Oregon
Allegiance	United States
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1892–1929
Rank	Major general
Unit	Oregon Army National Guard National Guard Bureau
Commands held	39th Coast Artillery Regiment 162nd Infantry Regiment Chief of the National Guard Bureau
Battles/wars	Spanish–American War World War I
Other work	Retail merchandiser Deputy sheriff Real estate broker Bank officer Auditor General of the Philippines

Early life

Creed Cheshire Hammond was born in Eugene City, Oregon, on October 9, 1874. In 1892, he enlisted in Company C, 2nd Oregon Infantry of the Oregon Army National Guard. He graduated from the University of Oregon in 1896, and worked as a retail merchandiser.[1][2]

Spanish–American War

Hammond enlisted for the Spanish–American War, joining Company I, 1st Nebraska Volunteer Infantry. He served in the Philippines, and attained the rank of First Sergeant.[3]

Post Spanish–American War

In 1901, Hammond was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Oregon Army National Guard's 4th Infantry Regiment.[4] While continuing his military career Hammond lived in Eugene, and worked as a deputy sheriff, real estate broker, and officer of the Bank of Commerce.[5] Hammond was promoted to colonel in 1911 as a member of the Governor's staff.[6]

World War I

At the start of World War I, Hammond was commander of the 39th Coast Artillery Regiment.[7] He was later appointed commander of the 162nd Infantry Regiment, a unit of the 81st Brigade, 41st Infantry Division. His regiment performed garrison and training site duties in the United States, as well as providing replacement troops for other regiments.[8]

Post World War I

From 1919 to 1920 Hammond was Cashier of the Portland National Bank.[9]

In 1920 he returned to active duty as a member of the General Staff, where he played a key role in the creation of the National Defense Act of 1920.[10][11]

National Guard Bureau

From 1922 to 1925 Hammond served as Assistant to the National Guard Bureau Chief (then called the Militia Bureau) and Chief of the Finance Division.[12] In 1925 Hammond was appointed Chief of the Militia Bureau and promoted to Major General.[13]

Later career

Hammond served as Militia Bureau Chief until 1929. Initial reports indicated that he was likely to be appointed to another term, which was favored by 46 of 48 state governors, who were empowered to make a recommendation to the President under the 1920 National Defense Act.[14][15][16] However, Secretary of War James W. Good announced the adoption of a "rotation policy" for high level assignments, and Hammond left the post when his term expired.[17]

After retiring from the military, Hammond accepted appointment as Auditor General of the territorial government in the Philippines, where he served until 1933.[18]

Retirement and death

In retirement Hammond resided in Portland. He died in Portland on April 2, 1940, and was buried at Portland's Lincoln Memorial Park, Section Vista, Lot 426, Grave # 1.[19][20]

References

1. New York National Guard, New York National Guardsman magazine, May, 1925, page 2
2. University of Oregon, Annual Catalogue, 1892, page 12
3. K. H. Simmons, Spanish American War Veterans from Nebraska, 2000, page 132
4. Oregon Adjutant General, Annual Report, 1917, page 17
5. Joseph Gaston, The Centennial History of Oregon, 1811–1912, Volume 2, 1912, Page 241
6. State of Oregon, Oregon Blue Book, 1913, page 95
7. U.S. Coast Artillery Center, Antiaircraft Journal, Volume 56, 1922, page 48
8. Oregon Military department, Annual Report, 1919, page 52
9. James Terry White, The National Cyclopedia of American Biography, 1943, page 529
10. Oregon Military Department, Annual Report, 1921, page 49
11. Society of American Military Engineers, The Military Engineer, Volume 17, 1925, page 268
12. United States Infantry Association, Infantry Journal, Volume 26, 1925, page 331
13. Boston Globe, "Col Hammond to Head Militia Bureau", March 13, 1925
14. The Oregon Guardsman, "General Hammond Slated for Reappointment", January 15, 1929, page 1
15. Atlanta Constitution, "Hammond Term as Militia Chief Ends; Post Vacant", June 30, 1929
16. Associated Press, Deseret News, "Militia Bureau Chief Choice Near", September 19, 1929
17. New York Times, "Militia Chief Ends Term; General Hammond of Oregon Commended by Good for 4 Years' Work", June 30, 1929
18. Los Angeles Times, "Militia Bureau Ex-Chief Given Philippine Post", July 13, 1929
19. New York Times, "Maj. Gen. Hammond, Ex-Head of Militia", April 2, 1940
20. Creed C. Hammond at Find A Grave, accessed April 23, 2013

External links

Media related to Creed C. Hammond at Wikimedia Commons