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The passing of General <em>Thomas Cruse</em> closes the earthly career of one of the distinguished officers of the old Army. Thomas Cruse was born in Owensboro, Kentucky, December 29, 1857. He entered the Military Academy in 1875, graduated 1879, and was promoted in the Army to 2nd Lt., 6th Cav. His early service was on frontier duty in the southwestern section of the United States at which time he was engaged in Indian warfare with the Apaches. In 1890 he was promoted to Brevet 1st Lt. for gallant services in action against Indians at Big Drive Wash. Arizona. He received the medal of honor for distinguished conduct in action against hostile Apache Indians at the Big Drive Wash, July 17, 1882, for gallantly charging the enemy and also with his carbine compelling a party of them to keep under cover over their breast works, thus being enabled to recover a soldier severely wounded; while serving as 2nd Lt., 6th Cav. He attended the Infantry and Cavalry School at which he was an honor graduate in 1891.</p>
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Later service was spent in the Quartermaster Corps serving as Constructing Quartermaster and in 1898 he was ordered to purchase and fit out pack train for service in Cuba, purchasing 17,000 mules and 1,200 horses during the months of April, May, June, and July. The posts at which he served in the United States were many and wide-spread. He served as well in Europe and in the Philippines for which he received the Philippine campaign medal. General Cruse was also a member of the Society of Indian War. In 1916 he graduated from the Army War College and in the same year was appointed Brig. Gen. Quartermaster Corps. He retired in 1918 after over 40 years service.</p>
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His greatest achievement was his true nobility of character, his broad human kindness toward all mankind.</p>