Mark Leslie Hersey – Major General, United States Army

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Mark Leslie Hersey of Maine
Appointed from Maine, Cadet, United States Military Academy, 1 July 1883 (59)
Commissioned Additional Second Lieutenant, 19th United States Infantry, 12 June 1887
Second Lieutenant, 9th United States Infantry, 30 August 1887
First Lieutenant, 12th United States Infantry, 16 December 1894
Captain, 9th United States Infantry, 2 March 1899

Mark Leslie Hersey, born in Stetson, Maine, 1 December 1863, graduated from the U.S. Military Academy in 1887 and served with the 9th Infantry in Arizona until 1891.

He was Professor of Military Science and Tactics at the University of Maine during the next 4 years.

He fought in Cuba during the Spanish-American War and again served with the 9th Infantry in the Philippines during the hostilities in China during the Boxer Rebellion. After participating in the Samar Campaign in the Philippines, he returned to the United States in 1902.

During World War I, as commander of the 4th Division, A.E.F., he participated in the St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne Offensives and was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal, the French Legion of Honor and the Croix de Guerre with Palm. Promoted to Major General 20 September 1924, he retired from active duty 2 November. Major General Hersey died at Tampa, Florida, 22 January 1934.

General Hesey was buried with full military honors in Arlington National Cemetery.  His wife, Elizabeth Noyes Hersey (1863-1932) is buried with him.

His son, Mark Leslie Hersey, Jr., Commodore, United States Navy (8 July 1888-3 December 1974, the Commodore’s wife, Caroline Sutherland Hersey (4 August 1897-3 March 1980) and his grandson, Mark Leslie Hersey III (28 July 1920-3 November 1922), are buried nearby.

GENERAL M. L. HERSEY DIES IN FLORIDA, 70
Commanded 155th Brigade of Infantry In France in the World Conflict
Fought Also At Santiago
Had Served as President of Military Order of the World War in 1926

TAMPA, Florida, January 22, 1934 – Major General Mark L. Hersey of Washington, D. C., retired Army officer, died tonight at the age of 70 in Tampa Hospital.  He was a Winter visitor with Mrs. Hersey.  Burial will take place in Washington.

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General Hersey served in the Spanish-American and World Wars and was a former chief of the Philippine Constabulary.  He was in command of the Fourth Division in France and in charge of the commissary at Tampa during the Spanish-American War.

General Hersey was born at Stetson, Maine, in 1863 and attended Maine Central Institute and Bates College before entering the United States Military Academy at West Point.  While in the Army he held every rank from Lieutenant to that of Major General, to which he was promoted in 1924 shortly before he retired.

He saw service at Santiago, Cuba, during the Spanish-American War; in the Philippines, in China and in Mexico.  In Mexico and the Texas border he served under General John J. Pershing.  In the World War he commanded the 155th Infantry Brigade.

During his military career he had two period of detached service.  In 1891 he returned to Marine to teach at the University of Maine and then served as Colonel of Constabulary in the Philippines for ten years.

General Hersey was president of the Military Order of the World War in 1926.  At that time it was his belief that American schoolgirls should have semi-military training.  He was once acting commander-in-chief of the First Corps Area.  In 1919 Bates College conferred upon him the honorary degree of LL.D.

HERSEY, MARK L
MAJOR GEN USARMY RET
DATE OF DEATH: 01/22/1934
BURIED AT: SECTION SOUTH  SITE 1618
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

HERSEY, ELIZABETH NOYES W/O MARK L
DATE OF DEATH: 04/05/1932
BURIED AT: SECTION SOUTH  SITE 1618
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

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