Perry L. Miles

Perry L. Miles (October 15, 1873 – October 17, 1961) was a career officer in the United States Army. A veteran of the Spanish–American War, Philippine–American War, Pancho Villa Expedition, and World War I, he attained the rank of brigadier general. His awards and decorations included the Distinguished Service Cross, Army Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, and Purple Heart, as well as the French Legion of Honor (Officer) and Croix de Guerre with Palm.

Perry Lester Miles was born on October 15, 1873, in Westerville, Ohio, to Judge James Alexander Miles and Mary Esther (Longwell) Miles.^[1] His family soon relocated to Columbus, Ohio, where he was raised and educated.^[1]

Miles graduated from Central High School in 1891 and was appointed to the United States Military Academy by Congressman Joseph H. Outhwaite.^[2] He graduated from West Point in 1895, ranking 23rd in a class of 52, and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Infantry.^[3]

Among his classmates who later attained the rank of general were Casper H. Conrad Jr., Adrian Sebastian Fleming, and Thomas Walter Darrah.^[4]

After receiving his commission, Miles was assigned to the 14th Infantry Regiment at Vancouver Barracks, Washington.^[3] He was promoted to first lieutenant in April 1898 and, in May 1898, was mobilized for the Spanish–American War in the Philippines.^[3] Miles took part in combat in and around Manila as commander of the 14th Infantry's Company M, including the August 1898 Battle of Manila.^[3] He continued serving in the area around Manila and participated in the 1899 Philippine–American War, engaging in combat against Filipino insurgents.^[3]

In October 1899, Miles was promoted to temporary captain in the United States Volunteers.^[3] From 1900 to 1901, he performed quartermaster duties aboard the Army Transport Service troop carriers Warren and Sheridan, making multiple month-long trips between Manila and San Francisco.^[5] Upon arriving in San Francisco in the summer of 1900, he learned that the 14th Infantry had been dispatched to China as part of the China Relief Expedition, the U.S. response to the Boxer Rebellion.^[5] As a member of Warren's crew, he then traveled to China, where he assisted in organizing the 14th Infantry for its departure from China and transport back to the Philippines.^[5]

In February 1901, Miles was promoted to permanent captain.^[6] He continued transport duty until December 1901, after which he rejoined the 14th Infantry at Fort Niagara, New York, where he resumed command of Company M.^[5]

In February 1903, the 14th Infantry began a two-year tour in the Philippines, with Miles’ company stationed on the island of Samar.^[5] In 1905, the regiment returned to the United States and was assigned to Vancouver Barracks.^[5] From 1905 to 1906, Miles commanded his company at the Presidio of San Francisco.^[7]

In 1907, Miles was assigned as an assistant professor of military science and tactics at Girard College in Philadelphia.^[5] While serving at Girard, he attended classes at the University of Pennsylvania Law School.^[5]

Miles resumed command of Company M at Fort William Henry Harrison, Montana, in February 1910.^[7] In September 1910, he was assigned as the regimental adjutant.^[7] From December 1912 to January 1913, he commanded his company at Fort Lawton, Washington.^[7] From January 1913 to August 1915, he was a student at the Army Service Schools at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas.^[7] From 1915 to 1916, Miles attended the Army School of the Line at Fort Leavenworth, graduating as a Distinguished Graduate.^[5]

In May 1916, Miles rejoined his regiment at Camp Harry J. Jones, Arizona, where it patrolled the U.S. border with Mexico during the Pancho Villa Expedition.^[7] He remained in this position until October 1916 and was promoted to major in July 1916.^[6][7]

From October 1916 to January 1917, Miles served with the 14th Infantry at Yuma, Arizona.^[7] From January to May 1917, he performed temporary duty with the Department of the Lakes in Chicago, inspecting National Guard units and armories in several Midwestern states.^[7] From May to August 1917, he was posted to Ancón, Panama, as an intelligence officer (S-2) for the 5th Infantry Regiment.^[7]

As the U.S. Army expanded for World War I, Miles was promoted to temporary colonel in August 1917 and assigned to Camp Jackson, South Carolina, as commander of the 371st Infantry Regiment, a unit of the African-American 93rd Division.^[7] Upon arrival in France, Miles' regiment was assigned to the French 157th Infantry Division, with which he led the regiment through several campaigns and battles.^[7]

He returned to the United States in February 1919 and served as executive officer of the 156th Depot Brigade, overseeing the post-war demobilization of army units at Camp Jackson.^[7] From March to July 1919, he served in the War Plans Division on the staff of the War Department. In July 1919, he was reduced in rank to temporary lieutenant colonel, a rank that was made permanent in August.^[7]

In August 1919, Miles became a student at the United States Army Command and General Staff College, from which he graduated in June 1920.^[7][8]

In July 1920, Miles was promoted to permanent colonel, and in August, he began attending the United States Army War College.^[8] He graduated in July 1921, after which he joined the faculty at the Fort Leavenworth General Service Schools.^[8]

In 1921, he married Mary Latta Stott, the daughter of Colonel William Wells Stott.^[5] They had no children and remained married until her death in 1949.^[5]

From July 1923 to July 1925, Miles served on the staff of the Militia Bureau.^[8] He was then assigned to Fort Sheridan, Illinois, where he assumed command of the 2nd Infantry Regiment.^[8]

In August 1928, Miles was assigned to the University of California, Los Angeles as a professor of military science and tactics.^[9]

In 1932, he was promoted to brigadier general and assigned to command the 16th Infantry Brigade (now the United States Army Military District of Washington).^[9] While in this post, Miles commanded the troops ordered to disperse the Bonus Army by force in July 1932.^[5]

In April 1936, he was assigned to Fort Ontario, New York, as commander of the 2nd Infantry Brigade, a unit of the 1st Division, as well as the Northern Division of the Civilian Conservation Corps.^[9][10]

Miles assumed command of the 1st Division in October 1936, and from January to October 1937, he concurrently commanded the division's 1st Infantry Brigade.^[9] While commanding the 1st Infantry Brigade, Miles was also assigned as commander of the 77th Division, 78th Division, and 98th Division—all of which were part of the Organized Reserve and primarily composed of officer cadre.^[9]

In October 1937, Miles retired from the Army upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 64.^[9]

In retirement, Miles first resided in Staunton, Virginia, and later in Johnstown, Ohio.^[5][11]

During World War II, he contributed to home front support efforts, serving as chairman of the Shenandoah Valley Regional Defense Council, the Staunton and Augusta County War Finance Committee, and the Staunton Salvage Committee.^[5]

Miles also authored a memoir, Fallen Leaves, published in 1961.^[5]

His civic and professional memberships included the American Legion, the Military Order of the World Wars, the United Spanish War Veterans, and the Military Order of the Carabao.^[5]

Miles died at Walter Reed Army Medical Center in Washington, D.C., on October 17, 1961.^[5] He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.^[5]

Miles was a recipient of the Silver Star and Purple Heart, as well as the Spanish Campaign Medal, Philippine Campaign Medal, and World War I Victory Medal.^[5] In addition, he was awarded the French Legion of Honor (Officer) and the Croix de Guerre with Palm.^[5]

In 1919, Miles received the Army Distinguished Service Medal in recognition of his accomplishments during World War I.^[12] In 1924, he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for heroism in February 1899 while serving in the Philippines.^[12]

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Perry Lester Miles, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism while serving with 14th Infantry, in action near Manila, Philippine Islands, 5 February 1899. During the attack by two companies of the 14th Infantry on blockhouse No. 14 and adjacent trenches strongly held by insurgent forces, when the commanding officer was mortally wounded, the advance was checked and the troops were partially demoralized in the face of a heavy concentrated fire from the front and both flanks, Lieutenant Miles assumed command, ordered the advance to continue, and went along the line with utter disregard of the hostile fire and urged his men forward. Then, with exceptional gallantry and the highest qualities of leadership, he dashed forward, many yards ahead of his men, calling on them to follow, and drove the enemy from their position. His splendid example of personal heroism, courage, and coolness furnished the needed inspiration to the wavering command and resulted in the successful accomplishment of a seemingly impossible attack.

Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 10 (1924)^[12]

For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services. As commander of the 371st Infantry, which, during its active operations, was attached to French forces, he conducted his regiment with conspicuous success. By his admirable tact and sound judgment he maintained at all times harmonious relationship with the allied forces to which his unit was assigned, rendering valuable services to the American Expeditionary Forces.

Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 89 (1919)^[12]

• "Perry L. Miles at Arlington National Cemetery". Arlington National Cemetery Explorer. Arlington, VA: Office of Army Cemeteries. Retrieved February 4, 2024.
• Miles, Perry L. (1961). Fallen Leaves: Memories Of An Old Soldier. Berkeley, CA: Wuerth Publishing – via HathiTrust.