Charles R. Forbes
| Charles Forbes | |
|---|---|
 |
|
| Director of the Veterans Bureau | |
|
In office August 9, 1921 – February 28, 1923 |
|
| President | Warren Harding |
| Preceded by | Position established |
| Succeeded by | Frank Hines |
| Personal details | |
| Born |
February 14, 1878 Scotland, United Kingdom |
| Died | April 10, 1952 (aged 74) Washington, D.C., U.S. |
| Political party | Republican |
| Education |
Cooper Union Columbia University Massachusetts Institute of Technology |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |
 United States
|
| Service/branch |
 United States Marine Corps United States Army
|
| Years of service | 1894–1900 (Marine Corps) 1900–1908, 1917–1918 (Army) |
| Rank |
 Lieutenant Colonel
|
| Unit |
41st Infantry Division 33rd Infantry Division |
| Battles/wars | World War I |
| Awards |
Croix de Guerre Army Distinguished Service Medal |
 Q&A interview with Rosemary Stevens on her book A Time of Scandal: Charles R. Forbes, Warren G. Harding, and the Making of the Veterans Bureau, January 8, 2017, C-SPAN
|
Charles Robert Forbes (February 14, 1878 – April 10, 1952) was appointed the first Director of the Veterans' Bureau by President Warren G. Harding on August 9, 1921 and served until February 28, 1923. Caught for army desertion in 1900, he returned to the military and was a decorated World War I veteran. He first became active in politics in the Pacific Northwest. In 1912, Forbes moved to Hawaii and served as chairman on various federal commissions. While Senator Warren G. Harding was on vacation in Hawaii the two met by chance and became friends. After the 1920 U.S. Presidential election, President Harding appointed Forbes director to the newly created Veterans' Bureau, a powerful position in charge of millions of dollars in government expenditures and supplies.
His tenure as the first Veterans' Bureau director was characterized by corruption and scandal. Forbes was considered the "dashing playboy" of Washington and a favorite of President Harding. Having returned to the United States after fleeing to Europe in 1923, he was convicted of conspiracy to defraud the U.S. Government and sent to federal prison in 1926, where he was a cellmate of Frederick Cook, the person who often claimed to be the first to reach the North Pole. Forbes was released one year and eight months later in 1927. He died in 1952.
Forbes was born February 14, 1878 in Scotland. As a child, he and his parents emigrated to America and the family lived in New York and Boston. When Forbes was 16 years old he joined the marines as a musician and was eventually stationed in the Washington Navy Yard. Trained as an engineer, Forbes attended Philips Exeter Academy, Cooper Institute in New York, Columbia University, and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology. He enlisted in the army in 1900; however, two months later he was charged with desertion. He was found, sent back to the army, and restored to duty without a trial. Forbes went on to serve in the Philippines after completing his enlistment, and was honorably discharged from the army in the rank of sergeant first class in 1908.
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Wikipedia