Perry L. Miles

Perry L. Miles
Black and white 1935 photo of Brigadier General Perry Miles in dress uniform, seated, facing to his right, looking straight ahead
Harris & Ewing photo, circa 1935
Born(1873-10-15)October 15, 1873
Westerville, Ohio, U.S.
DiedOctober 17, 1961(1961-10-17) (aged 88)
Washington, District of Columbia, U.S.
Buried
ServiceUnited States Army
Years of service1895–1937
RankBrigadier General
Service numberO478
UnitU.S. Army Infantry Branch
CommandsCompany M, 14th Infantry Regiment
371st Infantry Regiment
2nd Infantry Regiment
16th Infantry Brigade
2nd Infantry Brigade, 1st Infantry Division
2nd Infantry Brigade, 1st Infantry Division
Northern Division, Civilian Conservation Corps
78th Infantry Division
77th Infantry Division
98th Infantry Division
1st Infantry Division
WarsSpanish–American War
Philippine–American War
China Relief Expedition
Pancho Villa Expedition
World War I
AwardsDistinguished Service Cross
Army Distinguished Service Medal
Silver Star
Purple Heart
Legion of Honor (Officer) (France)
Croix de Guerre with Palm (France)
Alma materUnited States Military Academy
University of Pennsylvania Law School (attended)
United States Army Command and General Staff College
United States Army War College
Spouse(s)
Mary Latta Stott
(m. 1921⁠–⁠1949)
Other workChairman, Shenandoah Valley Regional Defense Council
Chairman, Staunton and Augusta County War Finance Committee
Chairman, Staunton Salvage Committee.

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, and his awards and decorations included the Distinguished Service Cross, Army Distinguished Service Medal, Silver Star, and Purple Heart from the United States, as well as the French Legion of Honor (Officer) and Croix de Guerre with Palm.

A native of Westerville, Ohio, Miles was raised and educated in Columbus, and was an 1891 graduate of Columbus High School. He then attended the United States Military Academy (West Point), from which he graduated in 1895 as a second lieutenant of Infantry. Miles served in the Philippines during the Spanish–American War, Philippine–American War, and China Relief Expedition. As his career advanced, he served both in the United States and the Philippines, and was a 1915 graduate of the Army Service Schools and a 1916 graduate of the Army School of the Line at Fort Leavenworth. In the period immediately preceding World War I, he served at Camp Harry J. Jones, Arizona as his regiment patrolled the U.S. border with Mexico during the Pancho Villa Expedition.

During the First World War, Miles commanded the 371st Infantry Regiment, a unit of the African-American 93rd Division, which he led during combat in France. After the war, he graduated from the United States Army Command and General Staff College (1920) and United States Army War College (1921). His later assignments included command of the 16th Infantry Brigade (now the United States Army Military District of Washington), and the 1st Infantry Division. Miles retired in 1937.

In retirement, Miles lived in Staunton, Virginia, where he authored a memoir and participated in numerous civilian activities that supported the U.S. effort in World War II. He died in Washington, D.C., on October 17, 1961, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.