Edwin B. Winans (general)


Edwin Baruch Winans was an American army officer with the rank of Major General.

Early life

Winans was born in Hamburg, Michigan as the son of Edwin B. Winans, Governor of Michigan. He attended the United States Military Academy and graduated in 1891, after which he was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant in the 5th Cavalry on June 12, 1891.

Military service

He served in the Indian Territory and Texas during 1891–97; was a professor of military science and tactics, Michigan Military Academy, 1897–98; and served with a regiment in the Philippines, 1899–1900. He was with the Punitive Expedition in Mexico in 1916. During World War I, Winans commanded the 64th Brigade Infantry, 32d Division, 1st Army Corps, American Expeditionary Force.
On August 23, 1920, he took command of the Tenth Cavalry at Fort Huachuca and distinguished himself as a leader able to vastly improve a unit while commanding respect, loyalty, and results. The following year, former Third Army commander Major General Joseph T. Dickman, VIII Corps Area Commanding General, commended him for the condition of the Tenth Cavalry, and for the excellent morale and esprit of the regiment.
On the whole, I consider the Tenth Cavalry to be as good, and in some respects better, than the Thirteenth Cavalry, which up to this time, was in the best condition of any regiment I had ever inspected.

Colonel Winans was quick to relate the commendation to his troops, saying that the "officers and men are entitled to equal share in the credit, for without their cooperation, such a showing would have been impossible."
In 1927 he was assigned as Superintendent of the U.S. Military Academy. Then he was assigned as commander of the Hawaiian Division. Later, he commanded the 8th Corps Area, Fort Sam Houston, Texas, until he was assigned the task of reactivation of the Third Army. Winans assumed command of the Third Army September 15, 1932, at Fort Sam Houston, Texas. He retired October 31, 1933. After retirement, he served on a League of Nations commission.
Major General Winans' awards include the Distinguished Service Medal "for exceptionally distinguished and meritorious service" during three major offensives; Légion d'honneur and Croix de Guerre with two palms by the French Government.
He made his home in Vienna, Virginia. He died on December 31, 1947, and was buried in the cemetery at the U.S. Military Academy.