Richard M. Blatchford

Richard M. Blatchford (August 17, 1859 – August 31, 1934) was a U.S. Army General, who served in the Spanish American War and World War I.

Early life and career
Richard Milford Blatchford was born on August 17, 1859 at Fort Hamilton, New York, and served on the American frontier in Dakota Territory, Kansas, and Arizona. Following two tours of duty in Puerto Rico he served both in the field and in garrison in the Philippines from 1901-1904.

When the United States entered World War I, General Blatchford was the commander of the School of Arms (today's Infantry School) at Fort Sill, Okla. He then sailed for France in July 1917 to observe trench warfare and Allied training methods. He returned to France where he was commanding general of the Line of Communications, A.E.F. Following his return to the United States, he served in Panama, Ohio, California, and Washington.

Blatchford retired from active service on December 1, 1922. He died on August 31, 1934 in San Francisco, California. USS General R. M. Blatchford (AP-153), a World War II General G. O. Squier class ship, was named in his honor.