Colonel Bertram Tracy Clayton, U.S. Congress

"There were sixty Distinguished Service Crosses – the second-highest American military award – awarded to West Point graduates over the course of World War I with one posthumous Medal of Honor winner – Lieutenant Colonel Emory Pike (1901). Thirty-three graduates over fifteen classes died in action with the class of August 1917 losing the most – ten. The highest-ranking graduates killed were Colonels Bertram Clayton – 1886, William Davis – 1892 and Hamilton Smith – 1893. Brigadier General James McIndoe – 1891 – died in France and is buried in Aisne-Marne ABMC Cemetery. He did not die in action, however, but was one of the many to die from Spanish flu.

Cullum's Register No. 3141

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Bertram_Tracy_Clayton

Bertram Tracy Clayton (October 19, 1862 – May 30, 1918) was an American soldier and politician.

Biography

Born in Clayton, Alabama, he went on to attend the United States Military Academy, graduating in 1886 with John J. Pershing. He resigned in 1888, intending to work as a civil engineer, but went on to serve with Troop C, New York Volunteer Cavalry (Brooklyn's Own) during the Spanish-American War in Puerto Rico, winning distinction.

After the war, Clayton served in the House of Representatives from 1899 until 1901, representing New York's fourth district. After an unsuccessful reelection bid, he was appointed as a captain in the Regular Army. He stayed on active duty and was promoted several times up to the rank of colonel and served in a variety of posts until World War I.

While serving in France with the 1st Infantry Division, Clayton was killed during a German air raid on American trenches. He was the highest ranking West Point graduate killed in action during the war. Clayton is buried at Arlington National Cemetery with his wife, Mary Elizabeth D'Aubert Clayton.

His brother, Henry De Lamar Clayton, Jr., also served as a Member of Congress from their home state, Alabama. Their father, Henry DeLamar Clayton, Sr., was a prominent judge and Major General in the Confederate army during the American Civil War and President of the University of Alabama.

• Military service: 1898 - United States
• Residence: 1870 - Alabama, United States
• Residence: 1880 - Clayton, Barbour, Alabama, United States
• Residence: 1892 - Brooklyn, Ward 22, E.D. 15, Kings, New York
• Residence: 1910 - Precinct 10, Washington, District of Columbia, United States
  • Reference: FamilySearch Family Tree - SmartCopy: Jul 8 2021, 6:10:38 UTC

US Congressman, United States Army Officer. He attended the University of Alabama, then entered and graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1886, being commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the 11th Regiment, US Army Infantry. He resigned in April 1888, to go into business as a civil engineer in Brooklyn, New York and served during the Spanish-American War as a Captain of Troop C, New York Volunteers, US Army. After the war, he was placed in command of Troops A, B and C of the New York Cavalry and served throughout the Puerto Rican Campaign. In 1899, he was elected as a Democrat to the Fifty-sixth Congress, serving until 1901. An unsuccessful candidate for reelection, President Teddy Roosevelt appointed him Captain in the US Regular Army in April 1901. He then was quartermaster in the US Army forces in the Philippine Islands, (1901-04) and quartermaster and disbursing officer of the US Military Academy, West Point, (1911-14). During World War I, he served as Colonel in the Quartermaster Corps of the American Army of the First Division in France, until he was killed in action at age 55.

• Reference: Find A Grave Memorial - SmartCopy: Jul 8 2021, 6:38:48 UTC