Albert Leopold Mills
Encyclopedia
Albert Leopold Mills was a United States Army
Major General
who was a recipient of the Medal of Honor
for valor in action on July 1, 1898 near Santiago, Cuba
. An 1879 graduate of West Point
, he served in the Army until his death in 1916. Following his service in Cuba
, he was appointed Superintendent of West Point, jumping in rank from First Lieutenant to Colonel
. His final posting was as the Chief, Division of Militia Affairs, a precursor to the National Guard Bureau.
. He was appointed to West Point, graduating with the class of 1879. He joined the 1st United States Cavalry after graduation, serving on the American frontier, alternating between being a cavalry instructor and participating in the conflicts with the Plains Indians. In 1886 he was posted as an instructor at the Citadel
. Mills receive a promotion to First Lieutenant in 1889. After the Spanish American War began in 1898 he was promoted to a Captain of Volunteers, and served as an Assistant Adjutant General. He received the Medal of Honor
for his bravery at the Battle of San Juan Hill
near Santiago, Cuba on July 1, 1898. Though shot through the head, and temporarily blinded, he continued to command his men. He was absent from duty until August 1898 while recovering from the effects of his wounds.
William McKinley
appointed him as the Superintendent at West Point, a posting that advanced him from his Regular Army rank of 1st Lieutenant to the rank of Colonel. He served as superintendent until August 1906. During his long term at West Point he initiated numerous changes including suppression of hazing, and the expansion of the size of the Academy. After the academy, he served in the Philippines
and as Commandant of the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. He later served as Chief, Division of Militia Affairs from 1912–1916, being promoted to Major General in the latter year. General Mills struck ill and died suddenly while serving as Chief of the Militia Bureau, on September 18, 1916. Mills is buried at the West Point Cemetery
at the United States Military Academy.
United States Army
The United States Army is the main branch of the United States Armed Forces responsible for land-based military operations. It is the largest and oldest established branch of the U.S. military, and is one of seven U.S. uniformed services...
Major General
Major general (United States)
In the United States Army, United States Marine Corps, and United States Air Force, major general is a two-star general-officer rank, with the pay grade of O-8. Major general ranks above brigadier general and below lieutenant general...
who was a recipient of the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for valor in action on July 1, 1898 near Santiago, Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
. An 1879 graduate of West Point
United States Military Academy
The United States Military Academy at West Point is a four-year coeducational federal service academy located at West Point, New York. The academy sits on scenic high ground overlooking the Hudson River, north of New York City...
, he served in the Army until his death in 1916. Following his service in Cuba
Cuba
The Republic of Cuba is an island nation in the Caribbean. The nation of Cuba consists of the main island of Cuba, the Isla de la Juventud, and several archipelagos. Havana is the largest city in Cuba and the country's capital. Santiago de Cuba is the second largest city...
, he was appointed Superintendent of West Point, jumping in rank from First Lieutenant to Colonel
Colonel
Colonel , abbreviated Col or COL, is a military rank of a senior commissioned officer. It or a corresponding rank exists in most armies and in many air forces; the naval equivalent rank is generally "Captain". It is also used in some police forces and other paramilitary rank structures...
. His final posting was as the Chief, Division of Militia Affairs, a precursor to the National Guard Bureau.
Early life and Spanish American War
Albert L. Mills was born in New York CityNew York City
New York is the most populous city in the United States and the center of the New York Metropolitan Area, one of the most populous metropolitan areas in the world. New York exerts a significant impact upon global commerce, finance, media, art, fashion, research, technology, education, and...
. He was appointed to West Point, graduating with the class of 1879. He joined the 1st United States Cavalry after graduation, serving on the American frontier, alternating between being a cavalry instructor and participating in the conflicts with the Plains Indians. In 1886 he was posted as an instructor at the Citadel
The Citadel (military college)
The Citadel, The Military College of South Carolina, also known simply as The Citadel, is a state-supported, comprehensive college located in Charleston, South Carolina, USA. It is one of the six senior military colleges in the United States...
. Mills receive a promotion to First Lieutenant in 1889. After the Spanish American War began in 1898 he was promoted to a Captain of Volunteers, and served as an Assistant Adjutant General. He received the Medal of Honor
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor is the highest military decoration awarded by the United States government. It is bestowed by the President, in the name of Congress, upon members of the United States Armed Forces who distinguish themselves through "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his or her...
for his bravery at the Battle of San Juan Hill
Battle of San Juan Hill
The Battle of San Juan Hill , also known as the battle for the San Juan Heights, was a decisive battle of the Spanish-American War. The San Juan heights was a north-south running elevation about two kilometers east of Santiago de Cuba. The names San Juan Hill and Kettle Hill were names given by the...
near Santiago, Cuba on July 1, 1898. Though shot through the head, and temporarily blinded, he continued to command his men. He was absent from duty until August 1898 while recovering from the effects of his wounds.
Medal of Honor citation
"Distinguished gallantry in encouraging those near him by his bravery and coolness after being shot through the head and entirely without sight."Postbellum
After recovering from his wounds and returning to duty, PresidentPresident of the United States
The President of the United States of America is the head of state and head of government of the United States. The president leads the executive branch of the federal government and is the commander-in-chief of the United States Armed Forces....
William McKinley
William McKinley
William McKinley, Jr. was the 25th President of the United States . He is best known for winning fiercely fought elections, while supporting the gold standard and high tariffs; he succeeded in forging a Republican coalition that for the most part dominated national politics until the 1930s...
appointed him as the Superintendent at West Point, a posting that advanced him from his Regular Army rank of 1st Lieutenant to the rank of Colonel. He served as superintendent until August 1906. During his long term at West Point he initiated numerous changes including suppression of hazing, and the expansion of the size of the Academy. After the academy, he served in the Philippines
Philippines
The Philippines , officially known as the Republic of the Philippines , is a country in Southeast Asia in the western Pacific Ocean. To its north across the Luzon Strait lies Taiwan. West across the South China Sea sits Vietnam...
and as Commandant of the Army War College at Carlisle Barracks, Pennsylvania. He later served as Chief, Division of Militia Affairs from 1912–1916, being promoted to Major General in the latter year. General Mills struck ill and died suddenly while serving as Chief of the Militia Bureau, on September 18, 1916. Mills is buried at the West Point Cemetery
West Point Cemetery
West Point Cemetery is a historic cemetery on the grounds of the United States Military Academy in West Point, New York. It overlooks the Hudson River, and served as a burial ground for American Revolutionary War soldiers and early West Point inhabitants long before 1817 when it was officially...
at the United States Military Academy.