Guy Vernor Henry, Jr. – Major General, United States Army

Born at Fort Robinson, Nebraska, January 28, 1875, the son of Guy Vernon Henry and Julia McNair Henry, he graduated from West Point in 1898, from the U.S. Cavalry School in 1903 and 1924, from the French Cavalry School, 1907, from the Army War College, 1921, an Honor Graduate of the Army School of the Line, 1922 and a graduate of the General Staff School in 1923. He married Mary Ingram Rogers, October 29, 1910.

He was commissioned Second Lieutenant, Infantry, April 26, 1898 and promoted through the grades to Colonel.

He was appointed Chief of Cavalry, with the rank of Major General, March 21, 1930 and served in that position until March 20, 1934. He participated in the Spanish-American War and as a Brigadier General in World War I.

He was Commandant of Cadets at West Point, 1916-17 and retired with the rank of Major General in 1939. He was recalled to active duty in September 1941 and saw active duty in World War II in both the Italian and European Theaters of Operations. He served as thehead of Inter-Allied Personnel Board and as Senior Army Member, U.S.-Canadian-Mexican Defense Board from December 1948.

He was cited for gallantry in the Philippine Insurrection, received the U.S. Distinguished Service Medal and was decorated by the French, Swedish, German, British and Mexican Governments.

He resided in Chevy Chase, Maryland, until his death on November 29, 1967. He was buried in Section 2 of Arlington National Cemetery.


Guy Vernor Henry, Jr., appointed at large, was born in Nebraska on 28 January 1875. He, too, joined the Infantry after graduation and earned a Silver Star Citation for his actions during the Philippine Insurrection. Henry branch transferred to the Cavalry and was a member of the American Riding Team in the 1912 Olympics before serving as the USMA Commandant of Cadets from 1916 -18. Henry was assigned to the Cavalry School as Assistant Commandant during 1923-24 and was the Chief of Cavalry during 1930-34.  BG Henry was the Commandant of the Cavalry School during 1935-39, retiring as a major general. Recalled to active duty during World War II, Henry was awarded a Distinguished Service Medal and received his second DSM as Chairman of the Joint Board of Defense. MG Henry died in Wenatchee, WA on 29 November 1967. He was 92 years old.


December 6, 2001

Two noted equestrians were recently inducted into the United States Dressage Federation (USDF) Hall of Fame during the federation's annual convention held November 28-December 1st in Orlando, Florida.

Major General Guy V. Henry, Jr. and Ms. Jessica Newberry Ransehousen joined the ranks of seven other remarkable equestrians and three notable dressage horses as the newest inductees into the Hall of Fame.

Major General Guy V. Henry, Jr. born January 28, 1875 and died November 29, 1967, dedicated his life to promoting and participating in equestrian sport, and was held in high esteem by his peers in equestrian circles around the world. Major General Henry was a graduate of the complete course of equitation at the French Calvary School at Saumur. He was also a commandant of the U.S. Calvary School, and the head of the Department of Equitation of the U.S. Calvary School at Fort Riley, Kansas where he developed the first organized curriculum and doctrine for teaching advanced equitation.

In the 1912 Olympics, equestrian competition made its debut, and Major General Henry organized the first U.S. equestrian team. He also rode as a  member on that initial team — in all three disciplines. He was the Director of Equestrian Activities at the 1932 Olympics and was Chef d'Equipe for the 1948 U.S. Olympic Equestrian team. Major General Henry also judged at two Olympic Games, as well as other international competitions.

Major General Henry became very active in the international governing body for equestrian sports: the International Equestrian Federation (FEI). He served as vice-president and the president position, and to date, an honor no other American has duplicated. As a director for both the American Horse Shows Association and the United States Equestrian Team, Henry helped to define and circulate the first rules for dressage competition in the United States. His contributions in the equestrian world are still being enjoyed today.

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Guy V. Henry, Jr., and his father, Spanish-American War, 1898.

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