- Irving Hale
Irving Hale (
August 28 ,1861 -July 26 ,1930 ) was abrigadier general of the United States of America who served in thePhilippines during theSpanish-American War and the early stages of thePhilippine-American War .Born in
New York , Hale's family moved toColorado in 1865. He graduated at head of the first class from Denver East High School in 1877. He enrolled at theWest Point in 1880, and graduated at the head of his class four years later. His final score was 2070.4 points out of a possible 2075, which was the highest ever from the United States Military Academy.Hale pursued studies in electrical engineering following his commission as a
second lieutenant , but eventually resigned from the regular army to take a position withGeneral Electric . Still living in Denver, Hale joined the statemilitia in 1897 as theirlieutenant-colonel .The First Colorado, like many other state militias, was sworn into service at the beginning of the
Spanish-American War in April, 1898, with Irving Hale in command. The Colorados were sent to the Philippines, along with other militias from western states. The First Colorado secured the American left flank during the Battle of Manila, capturing Fort San Agustin, and raising the first American flag over the city'sfortifications ; his excellent leadership secured Hale a promotion to the rank ofbrigadier general of volunteers in command of the second brigade, second division, VIII Corps.During the
Philippine-American War , Hale led led troops into battle on several occasions, and was wounded while scouting an enemy position during the battle ofMeycauyan on March 26, 1899. He later received a silver star for his leadership nearCalumpit on April 25, 1899.Though offered a position in the new volunteer army, Hale decided to return home with the state militias in the fall, and was honorably mustered out on October 1, 1899, returning to his civilian career as an electrical engineer. Following the war, he was active as one of the founders of the
Veterans of Foreign Wars .On September 29, 1911, Hale suffered a paralytic
stroke from which he never fully recovered. He died on July 26, 1930, and is buried in Denver's Fairmount Cemetery.ee also
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Camp Hale External links
*findagrave|14121323 Retrieved on
2008-02-10
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