Cannon, Robert Milchrist.

Cannon, Robert Milchrist, born on 16-08-1901 in Salt Lake City, Utah, the son of Lewis Mousley Cannon (1866-1924)  and his wife Mary Alice Hoagland Cannon (1867-1909)  Robert had tree sisters and three brothers, Lewmar Q Cannon (1892-1893), Elizabeth Hoagland Cannon Sauls (1894-1962), Douglas Quentin Cannon ( 1896-1973), Alan Munn Cannon ( 1899-2000), Marjorie Cannon Pingree (1903-1998), and Josephine Cannon Grimsdelle ( 1908-1978). He was in 1928 married with Josephine Riter Cannon ( 1902-1991) and the couple had two children Joanne Cannon Schwartz (1931-1982) and Robert Lamar Cannon (1938-1979). Robert was notable for his World War II service in the China Burma India Theater and his command of Sixth United States Army , a member of Utah’s prominent Cannon family. Cannon attended the University of Utah for two years before transferring to the United States Military Academy. He graduated in 1925, received a commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Field Artillery branch, and was initially assigned to Fort D.A. Russell, Wyoming. In 1927 Cannon completed the Army Air Corps Primary Flying School. Cannon attended the Battery Officers Course in 1931. In 1938 Cannon graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College. Prior to World War II Cannon served as an instructor at the Army’s Fort Sill, Oklahoma Field Artillery School. In World War II Cannon served in the China-Burma-India Theater, advancing to Brigadier General and Chief of Staff for the Northern Combat Area Command.  After World War II Cannon served as chairman of an Army board which interviewed and made recommendations on applicants for commissions as officers. He also served as Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics, G-4 for Sixth United States Army. In 1948 Cannon attended Basic Airborne Course in preparation for his assignment to the 82^nd Airborne Division “All Americans” , afterwards taking command of the Division Artillery. Casualties during the European campaign, 1.619 killed in action, 6.560 wounded in action and  332 died of wounds. Cannon served as commander of the U.S. Army Advisory Group in Turkey from 1951 to 1952. From 1952 to 1953 Cannon was head of the Army Audit Agency. Cannon then served as Chief of the Joint U.S. Military Advisory Group which advised the Philippine government during its effort to stop the Hukbalahap insurgency. Following his Philippines assignment, Cannon was appointed Service Special Assistant to the Joint Chiefs of Staff for Mutual Defense Advisory Pact Affairs. Cannon served as Deputy Commander and Chief of Staff for United States Army Pacific, receiving promotion to Lieutenant General. In 1958 Cannon was a participant in the ceremony used by the Army to select World War and Korean War remains for placement in the Tomb of the Unknowns. From 1959 until his 1961 retirement General Cannon served as commander of the Sixth United States Army, nickname “Alamo Force” Cannon’s awards included the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star Medal.

Death and burial ground of Cannon, Robert Milchrist.

General Cannon retired to San Francisco. He died in Norwalk, Connecticut on 03-09-1976, age 75, after being stricken while visiting his daughter Joanne Schwartz in Wilton, Connecticut. He was buried on the San Francisco National Cemetery,

Message(s), tips or interesting graves for the webmaster:    robhopmans@outlook.com