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A Loyal son of West Point, an officer and gentleman, in the truest sense of the words, efficient, kind, studious and unassuming, but endowed with a keen sense of humor, was lost to us when <em>James Taggart Kerr</em>, Brigadier General, Retired, passed away on the thirteenth of April 1949 after a long and harrowing illness during which his courage, consideration for everyone near him and his patience under acute suffering marked the fine character which was his.</p>
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Of Scottish ancestry, he was born at Martin’s Ferry, Ohio, on the 22nd of April 1859. On graduation from West Point he was assigned to the 17th Infantry, with which he continued until he was promoted to Major in the Adjutant General’s Department in 1900. He joined the regiment in Dakota Territory and later served at several posts in Wyoming. Being promoted to a first lieutenant, 30th August 1890, he was appointed Regimental Adjutant immediately and served the full, allotted term of four years and took part in the Sioux Campaign of 1890-1. In 1895 he attended the Infantry and Cavalry School at Fort Leavenworth, finished the course two years later as an Honor Graduate, and then rejoined the regiment at Columbus Barracks. At the outbreak of the Spanish War, his regiment was sent to Tampa and became part of the 3rd Brigade (Chaffee) of the 2nd Division (Lawton). Kerr was appointed Brigade Adjutant and continued as such during the campaign in Cuba, including the battles of El Caney and San Juan, as well as the surrender of Santiago.</p>
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Upon the close of the campaign, he rejoined his regiment at Columbus Barracks, by way of the far-famed camp at Montauk Point, but went shortly thereafter with the regiment to the Philippines, via Suez, arriving in March 1899. The regiment was ordered into the field immediately. Shortly before this time, an act of Congress had been passed, increasing the number of majors by two in both the Adjutant General’s Department and the Inspector General’s Department. Kerr was with his regiment in the field and without any books or other material to enable him to prepare for an examination, which the War Department had decided should be held to determine the best men to be selected for the new vacancies. An examining board was established in Manila to provide for any applicants in the Philippines. Kerr had no intention of applying to appear before this board but was persuaded by his commanding officer to make a try for it and was rewarded by being chosen as one of the two selections for the Adjutant General’s Department. This achievement showed what a painstaking officer he had been through his years of service. On his promotion to Major in the Adjutant General’s Department, he was assigned to duty in Manila and served there until August 1902, having been promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in the meanwhile.</p>
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From Manila he went to Washington and was detailed to the General Staff, serving thereon from 1903 to August 1907. He was promoted to Colonel and Assistant Adjutant General in June 1905. He served as Adjutant General in the Philippines from January 1908 until January 1910, returning to the Adjutant General’s Office in Washington and remaining on duty there until August 1914, when he was retired for disability in line of duty. In July 1917 he was recalled to active duty in the Adjutant General’s Office, appointed Brigadier General, National Army in October 1917, and honorably discharged on June 1, 1919. His disability had been overcome, so he was restored to the active list and on July 1, 1920, was appointed Brigadier General and Assistant Adjutant General, serving as such until the 15th of August 1922, when he was retired at his own request after 40 years of service.</p>
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Twice he earned the Silver Star: First for “Gallantry In action against Spanish Forces at the Battle of El Caney, Cuba, July 1, 1898”; Second for “Gallantry in action against Insurgent Forces at Magalang, Luzon, P. I., November 5, 1899”. He received the Distinguished Service Medal for “especially meritorious and conspicuous service in the Adjutant General’s Department during World War I”.</p>
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In 1892, at Portland, Oregon, he was married to Margaret, daughter of Brigadier General Joseph H. Eaton, Retired. She survives, living in Washington. After his retirement, Kerr resided in Washington until the end, which came but a few days before his ninetieth birthday. At the time of his death he was commander of the Order of Indian Wars of the United States and President of the Society of the Army of Santiago de Cuba. He was a charter member of the American Military Institute and a member of the Army and Navy Club of Washington.</p>
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Kind, courteous, generous, efficient, loyal and honorable, he needs no eulogy. His career and life speak for themselves and are worthy of emulation by any one. May his soul live in perfect peace.</p>
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<em>—H. C. Hodges, ‘81</em><br />
<em>(The above was prepared in collaboration with Charles D. Roberts, ‘97.)</em></p>
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