Charles Gould Treat (December 30, 1859 – October 11, 1941) was a major general in the United States Army.
Biography Charles Gould Treat was born in Dexter, Maine, on December 30, 1859, and was a direct descendant of Governor Robert Treat.James Terry White, The National Cyclopaedia of American Biography, Volume 42, 1967, page 173 He was raised in Monroe, Wisconsin, and graduated from Monroe High School in 1878. His father, Joseph B. Treat, was a member of the Wisconsin State Senate and Chairman of the Republican State Central Committee and his grandfather, Nathaniel Treat, was a member of the Maine House of Representatives. Treat graduated, 13th in a class of 37, from the United States Military Academy in 1882, and was commissioned a second lieutenant of Artillery.The Story of Monroe, Chapter 15, Carrying the Flag, 1888-1972, 1972, page 8
He attended Columbia Law School in 1884 and 1885, while stationed at Fort Schuyler.Columbia University, Annual Register, 1885, page 65
Early military career Treat served in Artillery assignments in the United States, including postings to the western states during the American Indian Wars and duty as aide-de-camp to Oliver O. Howard.George Washington Cullum, Edward Singleton Holden, Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy, Supplement to Volume IV, 1901, pages 357–358 During the Spanish–American War he served in Cuba as Assistant Adjutant of an Artillery brigade.United States War Department, Annual Report, 1899, page 405 From 1901 to 1905 he served as Commandant of Cadets at West Point.United States War Department, Annual Report, 1905, page 400 Treat was inspector general for US forces in Cuba from 1906 to 1908.United States War Department, Annual Report, 1907, page 617 In 1910 he graduated from the United States Army War College.George Washington Cullum, Edward Singleton Holden, Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy, Supplement, Volume VI-A 1920, page 335
Later military career Treat served on the Army's General Staff for several years, and commanded the Hawaiian Department in 1917.West Point Association of Graduates, memorial, Charles G. Treat, 1882 , accessed May 28, 2013
World War I
During World War I Treat commanded the 37th Infantry Division at Camp Sheridan, near Montgomery, Alabama, receiving temporary promotion to major general.Aaron Barlow, For My Foot Being Off, 2005, page 17 In 1918 he was assigned to command the Western Department, stationed at Fort Mason, California.New York Times, Order Gen. Wood to Home Duty on Eve of Sailing, May 28, 1918
He was chief of the U.S. Military Mission to the Italian Army from 1918 to 1919, and took part in the Battle of Vittorio Veneto.Thomas Nelson Page, Italy and the World War, 1920, page 357New York Times, Italians Capture Vittorio, October 30, 1918
Post–World War I After the war Treat returned to his permanent rank of brigadier general and served as commander of Fort Stotsenburg, Philippines, remaining on active duty until retiring in 1922.New York Times, Army is Recast with Nine Corps, August 21, 1920
In 1930 he was promoted to major general on the retired list.New York Times, Retired Officers Get Army War Rank, August 20, 1930
Awards Treat received the Army Distinguished Service Medal for his World War I service. He was also a recipient of the Order of the White Eagle (Serbia) with swords and the Italian Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus.West Point Association of Graduates, memorial, Charles G. Treat, 1882 , accessed May 28, 2013
His Distinguished Service Medal citation reads: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Charles G. Treat, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. As Chief of the American Military Mission to Italy and Commanding Base Section No. 8, by his untiring devotion to duty, loyalty, and zeal, General Treat performed his intricate duties with marked ability and sound judgment. By his cheerfulness and sound diplomatic ability he furthered those cordial relations which existed between the American and Italian troops, and was an important factor in maintaining the morale at a high state of efficiency during the trying days prior to the armistice.Military Times, Hall of Valor, , accessed May 28, 2013
Death and burial
Treat resided in Washington, D.C., and died at Walter Reed Army Medical Center on October 11, 1941.New York Times, Major Gen. Treat, Cited in War, Dies, October 12, 1941 He is buried at West Point Cemetery, Section 1, Site B-25.U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs, Nationwide Gravesite Locator , entry for Charles G. Treat, accessed May 29, 2013
Family In 1889 Treat married Margaret Louise Cornell, the daughter of John Black Cornell, a wealthy New York City businessman.New York Times, The Marriage of Miss Cornell and Lieut. Treat, December 31, 1889 She died in 1921, and he later married Edith Pennington, the widow of Lieutenant Colonel Godfrey MacDonald (1858–1918) and daughter of Alexander Cummings McWhorter Pennington Jr.Norwalk Hour, Obituary, Edith Pennington Treat, February 11, 1947
Treat's son Joseph Bradford Treat, son-in-law Archibald Vincent Arnold, grandson Archibald Vincent Arnold Jr., and great-grandson Archibald Vincent Arnold III all graduated from West Point.West Point Association of Graduates, Genealogical Succession , 2002, page 6
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