Manus MacCloskey

Manus MacCloskey
McCloskey circa 1918
Born	(1874-04-24)April 24, 1874 Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania, U.S.
Died	May 11, 1963(1963-05-11) (aged 89) Washington, DC, U.S.
Buried	Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia, U.S.
Allegiance	United States
Service / branch	United States Army
Years of service	1898-1938
Rank	Brigadier General
Service number	0-260
Unit	2nd Division 77th Division
Commands	11th Field Artillery Regiment 12th Field Artillery Regiment 83rd Field Artillery Regiment 152nd Field Artillery Brigade 8th Field Artillery Brigade 12th Infantry Brigade 13th Field Artillery Brigade
Battles / wars	Philippine-American War China Relief Expedition World War I Battle of Château-Thierry (1918) Battle of Belleau Wood Battle of Soissons (1918) Battle of Saint-Mihiel Meuse-Argonne Offensive
Awards	Army Distinguished Service Medal Silver Star with oak leaf cluster
Alma mater	United States Military Academy (1898)
Spouse(s)	Sara Monro ​ (m. 1901)​
Children	2, including Monro MacCloskey

Manus MacCloskey (April 24, 1874 – May 11, 1963) was a brigadier general in the United States Army. He served in the Philippines, participated in the China Relief Expedition, and commanded the 12th Field Artillery Regiment during World War I. After retiring from the military, he organized the Civilian Conservation Corps in North Carolina and later served as superintendent of Cook County Hospital in Chicago.

Early life

He was born in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania on April 24, 1874. MacCloskey graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1898.[1]

Start of career

MacCloskey (center) with his staff in the Forest of Argonne in October 1918

After his commissioning, he joined the Fifth Field Artillery on April 26, 1898.[1] In 1916, he commanded Fort Myer

He served in the Philippines and participated in the China Relief Expedition.[1]

Continued career

During World War I, he organized and commanded the 12th Field Artillery Regiment. MacCloskey fought in the Battle of Verdun, the Battle of Château-Thierry (1918), the Battle of Belleau Wood, and the Battle of Soissons (1918).

Later career

From January 1921 to June 30, 1924, he served with the General staff at Headquarters, Sixth Corps Area.[1] He later served at Fort Sheridan and Fort Bragg. He retired from military service on April 30, 1938.[1]

Civilian career

In 1933, he organized the Civilian Conservation Corps (CCC) in North Carolina. He served as superintendent of Cook County Hospital in Chicago from 1938 to 1947.[1]

Retirement and death

He died on May 11, 1963, in Washington, DC.[1][2] He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.[3]^[better source needed]

Family

He married Sara Monro on August 14, 1901.[1] They had two children: Monro MacCloskey, who attained the rank of brigadier general in the United States Air Force, and Sara, who was known as Sally.[1]

Awards and honors

Awards he received during his career include the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the citation for which reads:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Colonel (Field Artillery) Manus MacCloskey, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. While in Command of the 12th Field Artillery during all its operations with the 2d Division, until 16 August 1918, Colonel MacCloskey displayed marked ability and efficiency. He especially distinguished himself during the operations of the 2d Division at the Bois-de-Belleau and Bouresches, when he commanded in addition to his own regiment, the 37th Field Artillery, French Army. By this service he contributed in no small measure to the success of the Infantry Brigade in these operations. Later, as Commanding General, 152d field Artillery Brigade, he rendered able support to the attacking Infantry of the 77th Division.[4]

He also received the Silver Star with oak leaf cluster, and the Purple Heart with oak leaf cluster. His Silver Star citation reads:

By direction of the President, under the provisions of the act of Congress approved July 9, 1918 (Bul. No. 43, W.D., 1918), Brigadier General Manus MacClosky, United States Army, is cited by the Commanding General, American Expeditionary Forces, for gallantry in action and a silver star may be placed upon the ribbon of the Victory Medals awarded him. Brigadier General MacClosky distinguished himself by gallantry in action while serving with the American Expeditionary Forces, in action at Vierzy, France, 19 July 1918, in making a personal reconnaissance under intense artillery and machine gun fire, in order to regulate the fire of his artillery.[4]

He also received the Order of the Crown of Italy, rank Officer for his World War I service.

Effective dates of promotion

MacCloskey's effective dates of promotion were:

Second Lieutenant, April 26, 1898[5]

First Lieutenant, August 15, 1900[5]

Captain, September 23, 1901[5]

Major, March 16, 1913[5]

Lieutenant Colonel, July 26, 1916[5]

Colonel, May 15, 1917[5]

Brigadier General (temporary), August 8, 1918[5]

Colonel, July 15, 1919 (reduced from temporary brigadier general)[5]

Brigadier General, September 1, 1930[5]

Brigadier General (retired), April 30, 1938[5]

Legacy

In 1977, MacCloskey's personal papers were donated to the University of Pittsburgh archives by Monro MacCloskey.[6]

References

1. Davis, Henry Blaine Jr. (1998). Generals in Khaki. Pentland Press, Inc. p. 251. ISBN 1571970886. OCLC 40298151.
2. The National cyclopaedia of American biography : being the history of the United States as illustrated in the lives of the founders, builders, and defenders of the republic, and of the men and women who are doing the work and moulding the thought of the present time. University Microfilms. 1970. p. 569.
3. "Manus MacCloskey, Brigadier General, United States Army". ArlingtonCemetery.net. 25 October 2023. an unofficial website.
4. "Valor awards for Manus McCloskey".
5. U.S. Army Adjutant General (1945). Official Army Register. Washington, D.C.: US Government Printing Office. p. 1290 – via Google Books.
6. "Guides to Archives and Manuscript Collections at the University of Pittsburgh Library System".