George King Hunter


George King Hunter was a Brigadier General during World War I. Hunter participated in the American Indian Wars, the Spanish American War, The Philippine Insurrection, and World War I. He served with the Fourth U.S Cavalry and commanded Jefferson Barracks.

Early life

George King Hunter was born to Henry B. Hunter and Josephine Hunter on April 6, 1855 in Lancaster, Ohio. Hunter entered United States Military Academy and graduated number sixty-seven of seventy-six of the Class of 1877.

Military career

After graduating from USMA, Hunter was commissioned and assigned frontier duty with the Fourth Cavalry. He participated in various conflicts during the American Indian Wars from 1877 to 1984. During the Spanish American War, Hunter was wounded at San Juan Hill. In 1903, Hunter was stationed in the Philippines to suppress the insurrection. He was stationed again in the Philippines from 1911 to 1914 at Fort McKinley. Hunter returned to the United States on June, 1914 and was assigned to serve as Inspector General in Chicago, Illinois until August, 1917.
During World War I, Hunter commanded the 164th Depot Brigade at Camp Funston, Kansas. He was stationed at Fort Riley and San Antonio from August 1917 to November 1917. Hunter served as president of the General Court Martial of mutiny in Houston, Texas. Hunter retired on February 1, 1918, but returned to duty on February 22, 1918. He acted as commander of Jefferson Barracks until being relieved from duty on July 28, 1919.

Later life

George King Hunter retired as Colonel on July 28, 1919. His rank of Brigadier-General was restored by Congress in June 1930. Hunter died at the age of eighty-four at the Fifth Avenue Hotel in New York City. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Personal life

On December 17, 1878, George King Hunter married Mary E. Hinmann. They had four children, Russel H. Hunter, Col. George B. Hunter, Mrs. Robert Sterett and Mrs. Fredrick D. Giffith.
Hunter was an Episcopalian.