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Appointed to West Point
In 1884 Peyton was sent to West Point at age 20. He graduated in 1888 at age 24. He was then assigned to the 3rd Artillery. -
Top of his Class
During March’s last year of training he was a lieutenant. He graduated in the top quarter of his class at West Point. His class there was small, only a little less than 400. -
Lost his son
In Texas during World War I, March’s son died in a plane crash. His name was Peyton March Jr.
March AFB in Riverside, California was named in young March's honor. -
Philippine Insurrection
The Philippine Insurrection was considered the “consequence of imperialism”. -
1st Battalion
March commanded the 1st Battalion, 6th field artillery. The March served adjutant in Fort Riley, Kansas. He then did the same job but in different places such as the war department. -
Promotion
March was promoted to brigadier general and commanded the 1st artillery brigade. Later that year he was promoted to major general. -
March as Chief
Early in September March was being considered for Chief of Staff. When told this, march made it clear that he wanted to stay in France. He got his wishes. -
Needing Peyton March
Before building the Panama Canal, the architect in charge was sent to the Quartermaster Department and said that he urgently needed March’s help with that. On March 4th, he officially took the role of chief of staff. -
March setting rules
Everyone said that March is such a great leader because he has what it takes to get things done. He’s powerful, solid, and ruthless. One of his workers commented “He took the War Department like a dog takes a cat by the neck, and he shook it.” -
After WWI
He supervised the demobilization of the Army. While he was Chief of staff he always would butt heads with General John Pershing. -
Change
The size of the U.S. Army more than doubled to about 3.7 million. During that time more than 1.8 million went to France. Secretary Baker summed up March’s role “the war was won by days. Your energy and drive supplied the days necessary for our side to win. -
Retirement
March retired from being chief in June, 1921. Perishing replaced him.They reorganized the General Staff. -
March retires as Chief of Staff
During that time her reorganized Army structure. He created new technical branches. He also centralized control over supply. -
Retired?
In 1921 March retired as general. The in 1930 he was named general on the retired list. -
Peyton March dies
Peyton March was a very important person to the war. One of his workers said- March's first sergeant during the Spanish-American War remembered, Everybody was scared of him. A lieutenant who served in his battalion in garrison at Fort Riley, Kansas, wrote, He could cut one down to size more completely and in fewer words than any other commander I ever had. Another young officer in that battalion flatly stated, He was absolutely cold-blooded in performance of his duties.
