Maj.-Gen. Roger Baldwin Colton

Major General Roger Baldwin Colton

• https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Roger_B._Colton
• https://www.arlingtoncemetery.net/rbcolton.htm
• https://www.findagrave.com/memorial/8779731/roger-baldwin-colton
• https://generals.dk/general/Colton/Roger_Baldwin/USA.html

Born December 15, 1887
Died January 28, 1978 (aged 90)
Allegiance United States
Service/branch United States Army
Rank Major General
Battles/Wars Battle of the Kasserine Pass
Awards Legion of Merit, Distinguished Service Medal

Major General Colton was an American military officer. He served as the United States Army Air Communications Officer of Technical Services during World War II.

Early Life

Colton was born in Jonesboro, Burke County, North Carolina. He was the last of the eight brothers and sisters born to his parents of Irish descent. His father died when Colton was only six; his mother died when he was 16. His cousins were already raising his brother, Henry Elliott, and they took him in after the death of his mother.

Education

Colton's cousins sent him to the Taft School from which he graduated at age 19. He later attended Yale University. He graduated from Yale at the age of 22 with a Bachelor of Science degree from the Yale Sheffield School of Science, and a membership in the Sigma Xi and Theta Xi honorary societies.

Military Service

General Dwight D. Eisenhower credited Colton for his successful re-organization of the United States Armed Forces and final defeat of the Nazis at Kasserine Pass, and the Invasion of Sicily. This would later earn him a promotion in September 1944 to Major General of the Army. He was awarded the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Service Medal for his technical and executive skills in development and supplying of vital communications equipment despite critical shortages of materials.

Later Career

Following World War II, Colton joined the International Telephone & Telegraph Corporation's Federal Telephone and Radio Corporation division as a vice president. In 1950, he became president of Federal Telecommunications Laboratories, the company's research division.

Death

Colton died January 24, 1978, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
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Major General Roger Baldwin COLTON, son of Rev. James Hooper COLTON and Harriet Eloise Avery, was born on 15 December 1886 in Jonesboro, Burke County, North Carolina, died on 24 January 1978 in Fairfax, Fairfax County, Virginia at age 91, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

General Notes: 1. Qt. Geo. Colton book #1700s.
2. Obit - Washington Post, 28 January 1978. He prepared & graduated from the Taft School at Watertown, Connecticut in 1905 age 19; Yale Sheffield Scientific School 1905-08, grad. Bachelor of Philosophy in 1908 age 22; enlisted in Army Coast Artillery in 1912 age 26.

In 1920 grad M.I.T. with Master of Science at age 34, transferred to Signal Corps. in 1930, in late 1930's worked with Major Edwin Armstrong in developing the first pushbutton crystal-controlled FM tactical radios; served in communications office, served Air Technical Service Command, grad. of Command & General Staff School, attended Army War College.

Served in Pacific Theatre during WW II and after WW II retired with the rank of Major General. Had received the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Service Medals. He immediately became Pres. of International Telephone & Telegraph Laboratories during the 1950's, moving to Arlington, VA in 1953. Lived in Alexandria, Virginia.
3. Listed in "Biographical Dictionary of WW II Generals & Flag Officers".

Noted events in his life were:

• Occupation: SS #578-38-1375 (issued in DC)

Roger married Ora Vaulx Carter on 20 October 1917. Ora was born on 13 October 1891, died on 2 January 1992 at age 100, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery, Arlington, Virginia.

The child from this marriage was:

i. Shirley Carter COLTON was born on 26 Feb 1922. Shirley married Lt. General Walter E. Lotz, Jr. Walter was born in PA and died on 10 Jul 2000 in Annandale, Fairfax County, VA.

THE GROTON AVERY CLAN, Vol. II, by Elroy McKendree Avery and Catherine Hitchcock (Tilden) Avery, Cleveland, 1912. p. 981