Wilson Bryant Burtt

Wilson Bryant Burtt (January 1, 1875 – March 21 1957) was a career United States Army officer and served as a Brigadier general during World War I.

Early life
Burtt was born in Hinsdale, Illinois.

Military career
He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1899, and was commissioned in the infantry and was shipped off to Cuba immediately.

Following the Spanish–American War, Burtt was stationed in the Philippines to 1904. He returned to the States and was a professor of Military Science and Tactics at Kentucky State University. Burtt returned to the Philippines in 1907 and would remain there until 1910. In 1913 and 1914 Burtt instructed the California National Guard. He observed the German armies in the field from 1915 to 1916. During the Punitive Expeditionary Force in Mexico, Burtt served under General John J. Pershing.

During World War I, Burtt was the Assistant Chief of the Air Service and Chief of Staff, Fifth Army Corps. He served in most of the major battles of the war.

Following the war, he was an instructor at the General Staff College. In 1920, he resigned as a major but was reappointed the same year. He resigned as a brigadier general in 1938, but in 1942 was made a major general on the retired list.

Awards
Burtt was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his performance of duty as Chief of Staff of the 5th Corps. He also received the Legion of Honour and Croix de Guerre from France, Order of St Michael and St George from Britain, and the Order of the Crown of Italy.

Death and legacy
Burtt died in Chelsea, Massachusetts on March 21, 1957.