Robert Miller Montague (7 August 1899 – 20 February 1958) was a lieutenant general in the United States Army. He achieved prominence as the deputy commander of Fort Bliss, Texas, commander of the Sandia Missile Base in New Mexico and head of the U.S. Caribbean Command.

Early life

Montague was born in Portland, Oregon, on 7 August 1899. He attended the University of Oregon and then transferred to the United States Military Academy at West Point, from which he graduated in 1918 with a commission as a second lieutenant of artillery.U.S. Federal Census, 1900 entry for Charles D. Montague familyAnnual Catalogue, published by the University of Oregon, 1917, page 318Assembly, published by the West Point Alumni Association, Volumes 16-17, page 97

World War I Having graduated in November during a wartime expansion of the West Point student body, Montague began his career too late for active combat in World War I. As many other students from his class did, Montague carried out a European observation tour for most of 1919, enhancing his professional knowledge by visiting battlefields in France, Belgium, and Germany, compiling after action reports, and interviewing battlefield veterans.

Post World War I Montague completed the Field Artillery Basic Course in 1920.Official U.S. Army Directory, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1922, page 153

He then carried out numerous assignments throughout the United States, including serving as an instructor at the United States Military Academy in the 1930s.U.S. Federal Census Entry, Robert Miller Montague, 1930Roster of Officers and Troops, published by United States Military Academy, 1932, page 4

In 1933 Montague graduated from the Field Artillery Advanced Course.Official U.S. Army Directory, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1949, page 376

Montague completed the Command and General Staff College in 1938.Official U.S. Army Directory, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1954, page 524

World War II From 1944 to 1945 Montague was commander of the 83rd Infantry Division Artillery in the European Theater of Operations. He also served as acting division commander on several occasions.Order of Battle, 83rd Infantry Division in World War II, U.S. Center of Military HistoryThe Thunderbolt Across Europe: a History of the 83rd Infantry Division, 1942–1945, published by the 83rd Infantry Division, 1945, Page 18

Post World War II From 1945 to 1947 Montague served as deputy commander of the Army's Air Defense Artillery Center at Fort Bliss, Texas.

From 1947 to 1951 Montague was the commander of the Sandia Missile Base near Albuquerque, New Mexico."News in Review", The Southeast Missourian, p. 16, February 13, 1951

Montague served as the head of plans, operations and training, G-3, for the United States European Command from 1951 to 1952.Who Was Who in America, 1963, Volume 3, page 609Assembly, published by the West Point Alumni Association, 1951, Volumes 10-11, page 24

From 1952 to 1955 Montague was assigned as deputy commander of Army Field Forces, based at Fort Monroe, Virginia.The New International Year Book, 1953, page 336Official Register of the United States, published by U.S. Government Printing Office, 1954, page 146

Montague commanded the U.S. I Corps in South Korea from 1955 to 1957.Official U.S. Army Directory, published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1956, page 596"Lowe is Named for Guam Post", The Spokesman-Review, p. 2, October 3, 1956

UFOlogy Montague's name appears in some UFO conspiracy theories such as Majestic 12.Out There: the Government's Secret Quest for Extraterrestrials, by Howard Blum, 1990, page 247

Commander, U.S. Caribbean Command In 1957 Montague was appointed to command the U.S. Caribbean Defense Command, the post he was still serving in when he died.Previous Commanders page , U.S. Southern Command web site"Gen. Montague Shifted; Commander of Corps in Far East Will Go to Canal Zone", The New York Times, p. 7, October 9, 1956

Death General Montague was stricken with an intestinal illness in January 1958 after traveling extensively in South America. He did not recover, and died on February 20 from a cerebral hemorrhage at Gorgas Hospital, Balboa, Panama Canal Zone."Gaither Caribbean Forces C.O.", by United Press International, Pacific Stars and Stripes, March 6, 1958Social Security Death IndexPanama Canal Zone, Gorgas Hospital Mortuary Records, 1906-1991

Robert M. Montague is buried at Arlington National Cemetery, Section 30, Site 533 RH.Nationwide Gravesite Locator, U.S. Department of Veterans AffairsANC Explorer

Awards and decorations General Montague received the Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit and two awards of the Bronze Star.Official U.S. Army Directory, published by U.S. Army Adjutant general, 1957, page 602Names of Fort Sill Streets and Buildings, published by Fort Sill Office of Administrative Services

Memorials Montague Road at Fort Sill is named for him as is Montague Loop at Fort Bliss.Fort Bliss garrison web site, History page

Personal Robert Miller Montague was the father of Brigadier General Robert M. Montague Jr., (22 October 1924 – 15 October 1996), who graduated from West Point in 1947 and was one of the early U.S. strategists of the Vietnam War. After retiring from the Army the younger Montague served as executive director of the Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation and the Special Olympics.Memorial Service for Robert M. Montague, Jr., Delivered by Sargent Shriver, Chairman, Special Olympics International, October 23, 1996

References

External links Generals of World War II