William G. Powell | |
|---|---|
 Powell c. 1922 | |
| Born | September 8, 1871 St. Louis, Missouri |
| Died | May 11, 1955 (aged 83) Vence, France |
| Place of burial | initially France later moved to Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance |  United States of America |
| Service/ |  United States Navy United States Marine Corps |
| Years of service | 1893–1899 (USN) 1899–1942 (USMC) |
| Rank |  Brigadier General |
| Battles/wars | Spanish–American War Philippine–American War World War I |
| Awards | Marine Corps Brevet Medal |
William Glasgow Powell (September 8, 1871 – May 11, 1955) was an American officer born in at St. Louis, Missouri and serving in the United States Marine Corps during the Spanish–American War who was one of 23 Marine Corps officers approved to receive the Marine Corps Brevet Medal for bravery.
In 1893 Powell graduated from the United States Naval Academy in Annapolis, Maryland.
He began his military career by enlisting in the United States Navy during the Spanish–American War, and was commissioned a first lieutenant in the Marine Corps in 1899. He served in the Philippines and in China. During World War I he served as assistant paymaster.
He retired in 1942 after over 40 years of service and was promoted to brigadier general on the retired list.
On May 11, 1955, he died at his home in Vence, France, and was initially buried there; at the time, he was the last living recipient of the Marine Corps Brevet Medal. On May 12, 1983, his remains were brought back to the United States and interred in Arlington National Cemetery.