Army history in July

Beyond its role in defense of the nation, the Army and its Soldiers have contributed to medicine, technology, exploration, engineering and science. The milestones listed in this monthly chronology offer only a small glimpse of that proud story of selfless service. It is also your story.

1700s

1775--At the main patriot camp near Cambridge, Mass., George Washington assumes command as general and commander in chief of the Continental Army, on July 3. He issues General Order 1, announcing the authority of Congress over the assembled forces.

1775--Birthday of the Army Medical Department and Medical Corps. On July 27 the Continental Congress establishes an Army hospital with a director and chief physician.

1777--On July 31 Congress commissions France's Marquis de Lafayette. At 19 he is the youngest general officer ever commissioned into the American Army.

1838--Congress establishes the Corps of Topographical Engineers to lead Army exploration and mapping expeditions throughout the nation.

1846--At the start of the War with Mexico. COL Steven Kearny's Army of the West had marched from Fort Leavenworth, Kan., arriving at Bent's Fort, Colo., by July 29. From there they will march to seize Santa Fe, N.M.

1861--On July 21 Union forces attempt to capture the rail town of Manassas, Va., but are routed by Confederate forces.

1862--on July 12 President Abraham Lincoln approves the act of Congress creating the Army Medal of Honor. In March 1863 six recently released survivors of the Andrew's Raid behind Confederate lines are the first Army recipients.

1863--Battle of Gettysburg. In a battle raging from July 1 through July 3 the Army of the Potomac defeats the invading Confederate forces. The battle is a turning point of the Civil War.

1866-President Andrew Johnson signs a Congressional act on July 28 establishing four black infantry regiments (38th, 39th, 40th and 41st Infantry) and two cavalry regiments (9th and 10th Cavalry).

1898--Army commander in chief LTG Nelson A. Miles on July 25 lands an Army expeditionary force at Guanica, Puerto Rico. It is the last time the Army's senior general commands troops on a campaign.

1900s

1900--COL Emerson H. Liscum, commander of the 9th Inf. Regiment, is fatally wounded on July 13 during a battle at Tientsin, China. His last words, "Keep up the fire," become the regimental motto.

1917--"Lafayette, we are here." These words, spoken by COL C.E. Stanton of the American Expeditionary Forces staff at a July 4 ceremony at the Marquis' tomb, honor France's contribution to the American Revolution and America's commitment to its allies following U.S. entry into World War I.

1918--Aisne-Marne Campaign. The U.S. 1st and 2nd divisions spearhead a successful Allied attack, forcing the Germans back to the Vesle River and ending the threat to Paris.

1932--Unemployed World War I veterans gather in Washington, D.C., demanding early payment of their bonuses, which would help ease the hardship caused by the Great Depression. Regular Army troops are called out to disperse the petitioners on July 28.

1940--The armored force is formed under BG Adna R. Chaffe. On July 15 the 1st Armored Div. at Fort Knox, Ky., and 2nd Armd. Div. at Fort Benning, Ga., are constituted as part of the force.

1942--The Army takes transportation responsibilities from the Quartermaster Corps and establishes a new Transportation Corps.

1943--Operation Husky. Units of the 82nd Airborne Div. conduct the first major Army parachute combat assault on the island of Sicily. It is followed by amphibious landings by U.S. Seventh Army and British forces.

1944--The U.S. 77th Inf. Div. lands on July 23 to assist in heavy fighting to capture the island of Guam. The island is finally secured in August.

1947--On July 26 President Harry S. Truman issues Executive Order 9981, desegregating the U.S. armed forces.

1950--Task Force Smith. LTC Brad Smith's task force from the 24th Inf. Div. is rushed from Japan to stop the invasion of South Korea by troops from the North. Without adequate weapons, the task force is out-flanked and driven back.

1958--Operation Bluebat. Army Task Force 201, composed mainly of 187th Battle Group, joins Marines on July 19 to stop civil war in Lebanon. One soldier is killed and one wounded before all U.S. forces are withdrawn.

1962--Birthday of the Military Intelligence Corps. Army General Order 38, dated July 1, establishes an Intelligence and Security Branch, which is renamed in 1967.

1965--On July 1 the Army inactivates the 11th Air Assault Div. at Fort Benning. In its place stands the Army's first airmobile unit, the 1st Cav. Div., whose colors have been brought from South Korea.

1978--On July 7 the U.S. Military Academy enrolls its first female cadets. Of the 119 women who enter, 62 finish and are commissioned in 1980.

2000s

2002--Soldiers of the 1st Inf. Div. at Fort Riley, Kan., begin training as firefighters before deploying to flight forest fires in Oregon.

2003--Command of the U.S. Central Command passes from GEN Tommy Franks to GEN John P. Abizaid on July 7.

The Army adopts the M1 Abrams as its main battle tank.

For more about Army history, go to www.ArmyHistoryFnd.org and www.Army.mil/cmh.

By COL Raymond K. Bluhm Jr. (Ret.) An officer of the Army History Foundation and co-author of "The Soldier's Guide" and "The Army."

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