10th Cavalry Lieutenant Henry C Whitehead – Wounded at San Juan Hill – SOLD

Description

10th Cavalry Lieutenant Henry C Whitehead – Wounded at San Juan Hill.  Graduated from the USMA Class of 1896, Initially assigned to the 7th Cavalry, then transferred to the 10th Cavalry on 3 Feb, 1897 to 2 Feb, 1901.  He was wounded in the 2nd assault at San Juan Hill while serving with Troop F, and cited for conspicuous gallantry.   He returned to the 7th Cavalry in Feb, 1901, and again transferred back to the 10th Cavalry on 17 July, 1901 as a 1st Lt.; promoted to captain, 24 Jan., 1903; transferred back to the 10th Cavalry 24 March, 1903, and then serving in the Philippines with Troop I.  The regiment returned to the states and Whitehead served with the regiment at Fort Ethan Allen, Vt. from 1909 -1910.

After graduating from the Army School of the Line at Fort Leavenworth, Ks. in 1911, and the Army Staff College, 1911 -1912, Whitehead was assigned as Acting Military Attache, at Berlin, Germany, and spent some time with the Prussian Cavalry from 1912-1914.  Returning to the states in 1914, he was assigned to the 12th Cavalry on Strike duty in Colorado, then Fort Robinson, Nebraska, and service on the Mexican Border in 1916, Fort Huachuca, Arizona in May of 1917;  The Presidio (San Fran, Cal.), Promoted to Temporary LtCol. of Cavalry, August 1917; Temporary Colonel of Signal Corps, same date.

During his service in France in the World War, Colonel Whitehead assigned as Chief of Air Service, and Chief of Staff, Air Service, Nov. 1917, to June of 1919.  He returned to the cavalry as a colonel in 1920, and later transferred to the Quartermaster Department and retired as the Asst. Quartermaster General in 1934; retired as a brigadier general.

During his career, he was award the Distinguished Service Medal (for exceptional meritorious and distinguished services -as Air Service Chief of Staff), Silver Star Medal for gallantry in action at Santiago, Cuba, and the Purple Heart (San Juan Hill, July 1, 1898).

This cabinet photo shows a young 1st Lt. Whitehead at his company desk while serving in the Philippines. there is no information on the back, but with the wearing of the summer white uniform, I am taking a leap placing him here in the P.I.  10th Cavalry insignia can been seen clearly on the collar.  Photo taken prior to 1909.

Image size 7.5 x 9.5 inches, overall 10 x 12 inches.

The mount has a small chip on the lower right corner.

Overall in fine condition.