Tasker H. Bliss : biography
Tasker Howard Bliss, GCMG, (December 31, 1853 – November 9, 1930) was Chief of Staff of the United States Army from September 22, 1917 until May 18, 1918.
World War I and Paris Peace Conference
On 13 February 1915, BG Bliss was detailed to the General Staff as Assistant Chief of Staff, Army until his promotion to Chief of Staff on 22 September 1917. He was promoted to Major General (MG), U. S. Army on 20 November 1915 and to full General on 6 October 1917. On 17 November 1917 he was assigned as the American Permanent Military Representative, Supreme War Council, concurrent with the U.S. Army Chief of Staff position.
General Bliss was forced to retire due to age limitations, 31 December 1917 but by order of U.S. President Woodrow Wilson, was recalled to active duty on 1 January 1918 and sent to Versailles, France, 23 January, to better carry out his duties on the Supreme War Council. He was relieved as U.S. Army Chief of Staff, 19 May 1918 and returned to the grade of Brevet General on 20 May 1918. After the signing of the Armistice ending World War I, on 11 November 1918, General Bliss held two titles, the American Permanent Military Representative, Supreme War Council, and also, Plenipotentiary at the Paris Peace Conference. This assignment was concluded on 10 December 1919.
Dates of Rank
Rank | Date | Component |
---|---|---|
Bliss was never commissioned as a colonel. He was promoted to brigadier general from lieutenant colonel by an act of Congress at the President’s request.
Bliss was also never commissioned as a lieutenant general. He was appointed a general by the U.S. President under U.S. Code, Title 10, Subtitle A, Part I, Chapter 6, § 164.
Philippine Islands
On 7 June 1905 BG Bliss was ordered the Philippine Islands to Command the Department of Luzon. On 9 January 1906 he was assigned as Commander of the Department of Mindanao and appointed Governor of the Moro Province. While still Governor of the Moro Province, BG Bliss was ordered to command the Philippine Division on 14 December 1908. He relinquished all Philippine Islands commands on 6 April 1909, and returned to the U.S. after touring China and Manchuria.
Awards and decorations
number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Distinguished Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}} | Army Distinguished Service Medal |
number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Spanish Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}} | Spanish Campaign Medal |
number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Philippine Campaign Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}} | Philippine Campaign Medal |
number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Army of Cuban Occupation ribbon.svg|width=60}} | Army of Cuban Occupation Medal |
number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Mexican Border Service Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}} | Mexican Border Service Medal |
number=0|type=oak|ribbon=World War I Victory Medal ribbon.svg|width=60}} | World War I Victory Medal |
number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Ord.St.Michele-Giorgio.png|width=60}} | Grand Cross of the Order of St Michael and St George (UK) |
number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Legion Honneur GC ribbon.svg|width=60}} | Grand Croix Légion d’Honneur (France) |
number=0|type=oak|ribbon=BEL Kroonorde Grootkruis BAR.svg|width=60}} | Grand Cross Order of the Crown (Belgium) |
number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Cavaliere SSML BAR.svg|width=60}} | Grand Cross Order of Saints Maurice and Lazarus (Italy) |
number=0|type=oak|ribbon=Croce di guerra al merito BAR.svg|width=60}} | War Merit Cross (Italy) |
number=0|type=oak|ribbon=JPN Kyokujitsu-sho 1Class BAR.svg|width=60}} | Grand Cordon Order of the Rising Sun (Japan) |
number=0|type=oak|ribbon=POL Polonia Restituta Wielki BAR.svg|width=60}} | Polonia Restituta (Poland) |
number=0|type=oak|ribbon=noribbon.svg|width=60}} | Medal of Solidarity, 1918 (Panama) |