William Payne Jackson (January 9, 1868 – January 13, 1945) was a career officer in the United States Army. A veteran of the American Indian Wars, Spanish–American War, Philippine–American War, Moro Rebellion, Pancho Villa Expedition, and World War I he attained the rank of brigadier general during his career and major general on the army's retired list.
Jackson was best known for his command of the 368th Infantry Regiment, 74th Infantry Brigade, 1st Coast Artillery District, 2nd Infantry Brigade, 1st Infantry Division, and 98th Infantry Division. He was a recipient of the Army Distinguished Service Medal, and Silver Star, as well as several foreign awards and decorations.
Early life
William P. Jackson was born in Palmyra, Missouri on January 9, 1868, the son of William James Jackson and Russelle (Claggett) Jackson. He attended the schools of Palmyra, and in 1887 received an appointment to the United States Military Academy (West Point) from U.S. Representative William H. Hatch. He graduated in 1891 ranked 44th of 65 and received his commission as a second lieutenant of Infantry.
Start of career
Initially assigned to the 24th Infantry Regiment, Jackson served in Arizona Territory during the American Indian Wars. including postings at Fort Bowie (1891–1892) and Fort Huachuca (1892–1894). From August 1892 to October 1893 he performed detached duty with the United States and Mexican Boundary Commission. From November 1894 to October 1895, Jackson attended an electrical and underwater mining course at Willets Point, Queens. From October 1895 to October 1896 he served with the 24th Infantry at Fort Bayard Historic District, New Mexico Territory. From October 1896 to April 1898, Jackson served at Fort Douglas, Utah, and in March 1898 he was promoted to first lieutenant in the 2nd Infantry Regiment.
During the Spanish–American War, Jackson served with the 2nd Infantry during organization and training at Chickamauga, Georgia and Tampa, Florida during April and May, 1898. Beginning in May, he served at Headquarters, 1st Division, Fifth Army Corps as aide-de-camp to the division commander, Major General Jacob Ford Kent. Jackson served in Cuba at Siboney, Sevillia, and Fort San Juan. He was on sick leave in September and October, and in November joined the 24th Infantry at Fort D. A. Russell, Wyoming.
Jackson served in Wyoming until June 1899, including temporary duty at Wardner, Idaho during the 1899 Coeur d'Alene labor confrontation. He then sailed for the Philippines, where he served as adjutant of a 24th Infantry battalion and acted as regimental adjutant. He was recommended for promotion to captain by brevet for heroism during fighting in Pangasinan province. He was promoted to captain in the 3rd Infantry Regiment in November 1900, joined his regiment as quartermaster in May 1901, and returned to the United States in March 1902.
From March 1902 to June 1904, Jackson served with the 3rd Infantry at Fort Thomas, Kentucky. From June 1904 to July 1906, he served in Alaska, first at Skagway, then at Fort William H. Seward. From July to August 1906, he was posted to Fort Lawton, Washington, and from August 1906 to March 1907 he was assigned to Fort George Wright, Washington. He served again at Fort Lawton from March to August 1909.
Continued career
From September 1909 to April 1912, Jackson served again in the Philippines, this time during the Moro Rebellion, and he was assigned first to Zamboanga, then to Sulu. He was promoted to major in April 1912, and served at Madison Barracks, New York from June 1912 to August 1913. Jackson was assigned to inspector general duty in August 1913, and served until January 1917. He performed Pancho Villa Expedition duty in El Paso, Texas from January to May 1917, when he was promoted to lieutenant colonel in the 20th Infantry Regiment.
Jackson served with the 20th Infantry at Fort Douglas from May to August 1917, when he received promotion to temporary colonel as commander of the 64th Infantry Regiment, which he led during its World War I organization and training in El Paso. In October 1917, Jackson was assigned to command the 368th Infantry Regiment at Fort Meade, Maryland. He oversaw the regiment's organization and training and led it to France in June 1918.
Upon arrival in France, Jackson was promoted to temporary brigadier general and assigned to command the 74th Infantry Brigade, a unit of the 37th Division. Jackson led his brigade during several battles, including Meuse–Argonne and Ypres–Lys. After the Armistice of November 11, 1918 ended the war, Jackson served on post-war occupation duty as commander of the Forwarding Camp for demobilizing soldiers in Le Mans.