{{short description|United States Army general (1899–1958)}} {{About|the United States Army lieutenant general (1899–1958)|his son, the United States Army brigadier general (1924–1996)|Robert M. Montague Jr.}} {{Use dmy dates|date=December 2024}}{{Use American English|date=December 2024}} {{Infobox military person | name = Robert Miller Montague | birth_date = {{birth date text|7 August 1899}} | death_date = {{death-date and age|20 February 1958|7 August 1899}} | image = Robert Miller Montague.jpg | caption = Montague as commander of the Sandia Missile Base | birth_place = [[Portland, Oregon]], US | death_place = [[Balboa, Panama]] | burial_place = [[Arlington National Cemetery]] | allegiance = {{flag|United States}} | branch = [[File:United States Department of the Army Seal.svg|25px]] [[United States Army]] | service_years = 1918–1958 | unit = [[Field Artillery Branch (United States)|Field Artillery Branch]] | service_number = 0-12261 | rank = [[File:US-O9 insignia.svg|30px]] [[Lieutenant general (United States)|Lieutenant general]] | commands = [[83rd Infantry Division (United States)|83rd Infantry Division]] Artillery<br>[[83rd Infantry Division (United States)|83rd Infantry Division]]<br>[[Sandia Base|Sandia Missile Base]]<br>[[I Corps (United States)|I Corps]]<br>[[U.S. Caribbean Command]] | battles = [[World War I]]<br>[[World War II]] | awards = [[Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army)|Army Distinguished Service Medal]]<br>[[Legion of Merit]]<br>[[Bronze Star Medal|Bronze Star]] }} '''Robert Miller Montague''' (7 August 1899 – 20 February 1958) was a [[Lieutenant general (United States)|lieutenant general]] in the [[United States Army]]. He achieved prominence as the deputy commander of [[Fort Bliss, Texas]], commander of the [[Sandia Base|Sandia Missile Base]] in [[New Mexico]] and head of the [[U.S. Caribbean Command]].
==Early life== [[File:Robert Miller Montague (1899–1958) in the 1921 West Point yearbook.png|thumb|right|150px|As a West Point cadet]]
Montague was born in [[Portland, Oregon]], on 7 August 1899. He attended the [[University of Oregon]] and then transferred to the [[United States Military Academy]] at West Point, from which he graduated in 1918 with a commission as a [[Second lieutenant#United States|second lieutenant]] of [[artillery]].<ref>U.S. Federal Census, 1900 entry for Charles D. Montague family</ref><ref>Annual Catalogue, published by the University of Oregon, 1917, page 318</ref><ref>''Assembly'', published by the West Point Alumni Association, Volumes 16-17, page 97</ref>
==World War I== Having graduated in November during a wartime expansion of the West Point student body, Montague began his career too late for active combat in [[World War I]]. As many other students from his class did, Montague carried out a [[Europe]]an observation tour for most of 1919, enhancing his professional knowledge by visiting battlefields in [[France]], [[Belgium]], and [[Germany]], compiling after action reports, and interviewing battlefield veterans.<ref name=Cullum>{{Cite book |url=https://books.google.com/books?id=PmVmyDRsgUYC&pg=PA2070 |title=Biographical Register of the Officers and Graduates of the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, N.Y. From Its Establishment, in 1802, to 1890 |first=George Washington |last=Cullum |author-link=George Washington Cullum |editor-first=Wirt |editor-last=Robinson |volume=VI-B: 1910–1920 |publisher=Association of Graduates, [[United States Military Academy]] |page=2070 |year=1920 |access-date=2022-12-19 |via=Google Books}}</ref>
==Post World War I== Montague completed the Field Artillery Basic Course in 1920.<ref>''Official U.S. Army Directory'', published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1922, page 153</ref>
He then carried out numerous assignments throughout the [[United States]], including serving as an instructor at the [[United States Military Academy]] in the 1930s.<ref>U.S. Federal Census Entry, Robert Miller Montague, 1930</ref><ref>Roster of Officers and Troops, published by United States Military Academy, 1932, page 4</ref>
In 1933 Montague graduated from the Field Artillery Advanced Course.<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/officialarmyregi1949unit#page/376/mode/2up ''Official U.S. Army Directory''], published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1949, page 376</ref>
Montague completed the [[Command and General Staff College]] in 1938.<ref>[https://archive.org/stream/officialarmyregi19541unit#page/524/mode/2up ''Official U.S. Army Directory''], published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1954, page 524</ref>
==World War II== From 1944 to 1945 Montague was commander of the [[83rd Infantry Division (United States)|83rd Infantry Division]] Artillery in the [[European Theater of Operations]]. He also served as acting division commander on several occasions.<ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20080424235532/http://www.history.army.mil/documents/ETO-OB/83ID-ETO.htm Order of Battle, 83rd Infantry Division in World War II], U.S. Center of Military History</ref><ref>''The Thunderbolt Across Europe: a History of the 83rd Infantry Division, 1942–1945'', published by the 83rd Infantry Division, 1945, Page 18</ref>
==Post World War II== From 1945 to 1947 Montague served as deputy commander of the Army's [[Air Defense Artillery Branch (United States Army)|Air Defense Artillery Center]] at [[Fort Bliss, Texas]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114914794/dept-working-on-secret-weapon/ |title=Dept. Working On Secret Weapon |newspaper=[[The Palm Beach Post]] |location=Washington |agency=AP |page=1 |date=July 16, 1947 |access-date=2022-12-20 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
From 1947 to 1951 Montague was the commander of the [[Sandia Base|Sandia Missile Base]] near [[Albuquerque, New Mexico]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vn4hAAAAIBAJ&sjid=RYsFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5803,4714695&dq=robert-montague&hl=en |title=Atomic Cave Tale Spreads |newspaper=[[Milwaukee Journal]] |page=1 |date=August 25, 1947 |archive-url=https://archive.today/20120713-053117/http://news.google.com/newspapers?id=vn4hAAAAIBAJ&sjid=RYsFAAAAIBAJ&pg=5803,4714695&dq=robert-montague&hl=en |archive-date=2012-07-13 |url-status=dead |access-date=2022-12-20 |via=Google News Archive}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114915399/14-killed-as-flames-sweep-new-mexico/ |title=14 Killed as Flames Sweep New Mexico A-Bomb Plant |newspaper=[[Pittsburgh Post-Gazette]] |location=Albuquerque, New Mexico |agency=AP |pages=1, [https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114915476/14-killed-as-flames-sweep-new-mexico/ 2] |date=March 9, 1950 |access-date=2022-12-20 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=3g8pAAAAIBAJ&sjid=3tYEAAAAIBAJ&pg=3164,4894869&dq=robert-montague&hl=en "News in Review"], ''The Southeast Missourian'', p. 16, February 13, 1951</ref>
Montague served as the head of plans, operations and training, G-3, for the [[United States European Command]] from 1951 to 1952.<ref name="America 1963, page 609">''Who Was Who in America'', 1963, Volume 3, page 609</ref><ref name="Assembly 1951, page 24">''Assembly'', published by the West Point Alumni Association, 1951, Volumes 10-11, page 24</ref>
From 1952 to 1955 Montague was assigned as deputy commander of [[Army Ground Forces|Army Field Forces]], based at [[Fort Monroe, Virginia]].<ref name="Assembly 1951, page 24"/><ref>''The New International Year Book'', 1953, page 336</ref><ref>''Official Register of the United States'', published by U.S. Government Printing Office, 1954, page 146</ref>
Montague commanded the U.S. [[I Corps (United States)|I Corps]] in [[South Korea]] from 1955 to 1957.<ref name="America 1963, page 609"/><ref>[https://archive.org/stream/officialarmyregi19561unit#page/596/mode/2up ''Official U.S. Army Directory''], published by U.S. Army Adjutant General, 1956, page 596</ref><ref>[https://news.google.com/newspapers?id=0I8pAAAAIBAJ&sjid=QucDAAAAIBAJ&pg=860,592557&dq=robert-montague&hl=en "Lowe is Named for Guam Post"], ''The Spokesman-Review'', p. 2, October 3, 1956</ref>
==UFOlogy== Montague's name appears in some [[UFO conspiracy theories]] such as [[Majestic 12]].<ref>''Out There: the Government's Secret Quest for Extraterrestrials'', by Howard Blum, 1990, page 247</ref>
==Commander, U.S. Caribbean Command== In 1957 Montague was appointed to command the U.S. [[Caribbean Defense Command]], the post he was still serving in when he died.<ref>[http://www.southcom.mil/PA/Facts/PrevCDRs.htm Previous Commanders page] {{webarchive|url=https://web.archive.org/web/20021104150115/http://www.southcom.mil/pa/Facts/PrevCDRs.htm |date=November 4, 2002}}, U.S. Southern Command web site</ref><ref>[https://www.nytimes.com/1956/10/09/archives/gen-montague-shifted-commander-of-corps-in-far-east-will-go-to.html "Gen. Montague Shifted; Commander of Corps in Far East Will Go to Canal Zone"], ''The New York Times'', p. 7, October 9, 1956 {{Subscription required}}</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114915863/president-of-panama-sees-us-war-games/ |title=President of Panama Sees US War Games |first=Jules |last=Dubois |newspaper=[[Chicago Tribune]] |location=Gatun, Canal Zone |page=28 |date=April 25, 1957 |access-date=2022-12-20 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref>
==Death== General Montague was stricken with an intestinal illness in January 1958 after traveling extensively in [[South America]]. He did not recover, and died on February 20 from a cerebral hemorrhage at [[Gorgas Hospital]], Balboa, [[Panama Canal Zone]].<ref>{{Cite news |url=https://www.newspapers.com/clip/114915945/loses-fight-with-illness/ |title=Loses Fight With Illness |agency=Associated Press |newspaper=[[The Chronicle (Centralia, Washington)|The Daily Chronicle]] |location=Balboa, Canal Zone |page=15 |date=February 20, 1958 |access-date=2022-12-20 |via=Newspapers.com}}</ref><ref>"Gaither Caribbean Forces C.O.", by United Press International, ''Pacific Stars and Stripes'', March 6, 1958</ref><ref name="Social Security Death Index">Social Security Death Index</ref><ref>Panama Canal Zone, Gorgas Hospital Mortuary Records, 1906-1991</ref>
Robert M. Montague is buried at [[Arlington National Cemetery]], Section 30, Site 533 RH.<ref>Nationwide Gravesite Locator, U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs</ref><ref>[https://ancexplorer.army.mil/publicwmv/#/arlington-national/search/results/1/Cghtb250YWd1ZRIGcm9iZXJ0/ ANC Explorer]</ref>
==Awards and decorations== General Montague received the [[Distinguished Service Medal (U.S. Army)|Distinguished Service Medal]], the [[Legion of Merit]] and two awards of the [[Bronze Star]].<ref name="Official U.S. Army Directory">[https://archive.org/stream/officialarmyregi19571unit#page/602/mode/2up Official U.S. Army Directory], published by U.S. Army Adjutant general, 1957, page 602</ref><ref name="google.com">[https://web.archive.org/web/20160304081445/http://www.army.mil/dhr/Admin_Svcs_Div/Memo_Bd/Memorialization_Database.xls Names of Fort Sill Streets and Buildings], published by Fort Sill Office of Administrative Services</ref>
==Memorials== Montague Road at [[Fort Sill]] is named for him as is Montague Loop at [[Fort Bliss]].<ref name="google.com"/><ref>[https://web.archive.org/web/20050326202103/http://www.bliss.army.mil/garrison/sites/about/history.asp Fort Bliss garrison web site, History page]</ref>
==Personal== Robert Miller Montague was the father of [[Brigadier General (United States)|Brigadier General]] [[Robert M. Montague Jr.]], (22 October 1924 – 15 October 1996), who graduated from [[West Point]] in 1947 and was one of the early U.S. strategists of the [[Vietnam War]]. After retiring from the Army the younger Montague served as executive director of the [[Joseph P. Kennedy Jr. Foundation]] and the [[Special Olympics]].<ref name="Social Security Death Index"/><ref name="Official U.S. Army Directory"/><ref>[http://www.sargentshriver.com/medium_file/file/2476/1996_-_MEMORIAL_SERVICE_FOR_ROBERT_M_MONTAGUE_JR_POST_CHAPEL_FORT_MYER_VA.pdf Memorial Service for Robert M. Montague, Jr.], Delivered by Sargent Shriver, Chairman, Special Olympics International, October 23, 1996</ref><ref>{{Cite news |url=https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/21926033.html?dids=21926033:21926033&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Oct+17,+1996&author=&pub=The+Washington+Post+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Gen.+Robert+Montague+Jr.+Dies;+Was+Head+of+Special+Olympics&pqatl=google |title=Gen. Robert Montague Jr. Dies; Was Head of Special Olympics |newspaper=[[The Washington Post]] |page=B.07 |date=October 17, 1996 |archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20110604151501/https://pqasb.pqarchiver.com/washingtonpost/access/21926033.html?dids=21926033:21926033&FMT=ABS&FMTS=ABS:FT&type=current&date=Oct+17,+1996&author=&pub=The+Washington+Post+(pre-1997+Fulltext)&desc=Gen.+Robert+Montague+Jr.+Dies;+Was+Head+of+Special+Olympics&pqatl=google |archive-date=2011-06-04 |url-status=dead |access-date=2022-12-20}}</ref>
==References== {{Reflist|30em}}
==External links== *[https://generals.dk/general/Montague/Robert_Miller/USA.html Generals of World War II]
{{DEFAULTSORT:Montague, Robert Miller}} [[Category:1899 births]] [[Category:United States Army Field Artillery Branch personnel]] [[Category:United States Military Academy alumni]] [[Category:United States Army generals]] [[Category:United States Army personnel of World War I]] [[Category:United States Army Command and General Staff College alumni]] [[Category:Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army)]] [[Category:Recipients of the Legion of Merit]] [[Category:Military personnel from Portland, Oregon]] [[Category:1958 deaths]] [[Category:Burials at Arlington National Cemetery]] [[Category:United States Army generals of World War II]]