Walter Melville Robertson | |
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Born | June 15, 1888 Nelson County, Virginia, United States |
Died | November 22, 1954 (aged 66) San Francisco, California, United States |
Allegiance |
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Service/ |
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Years of service | 1912–1950 |
Rank |
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Unit |
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Commands held |
2nd Infantry Division XV Corps |
Battles/wars |
World War I World War II Cold War |
Awards |
Distinguished Service Cross Army Distinguished Service Medal (2) Silver Star |
Major General Walter Melville Robertson (June 15, 1888 – November 22, 1954) was a senior United States Army officer. During World War II he received the second highest American military award, Distinguished Service Cross, for his leadership of the 2nd Infantry Division during the Battle of the Bulge in December 1944.
Walter Melville Robertson was born on June 15, 1888 as the son of William Walter Robertson and his wife Mary Fannie (néé Pettit). He attended the Central State Normal School and subsequently the University of Oklahoma, where he took a special work in engineering. Robertson attended the United States Military Academy at West Point, New York and graduated from this institution on June 12, 1912. He was also commissioned a Second lieutenant in the Infantry at that date.
Many of his West Point classmates later became a general officers during World War II. For example: Wade H. Haislip, John Shirley Wood, Walton Walker, Raymond O. Barton, Harry J. Malony, Gilbert R. Cook, Stephen J. Chamberlin, Archibald V. Arnold, Albert E. Brown, Roscoe C. Crawford, William H. Wilbur, Bradford G. Chynoweth, Robert M. Littlejohn, Sidney P. Spalding, Franklin C. Sibert, Thomas J. Hayes, William G. Weaver, William H. Hobson, John E. Lewis, Davenport Johnson, William J. Morrissey or Millard Harmon.