Briggs, Raymond W. (Raymond Westcott), 1878-1959

Raymond Westcott Briggs (1878-1959) was born in Beaver, Pennsylvania. In 1900 he commissioned with the infantry and transferred to the artillery a year later. He was made brigadier general on the battlefield during World War I in 1918. He then served as commanding general of 304th Field Artillery, New York 77th Division in 1918. After the war, he reverted to the rank of colonel. He graduated from the Command and General Staff School in 1920 and the Army War College in 1921. Until 1925, he served on the War Department General Staff. From 1936 to 1938, he was chief of staff of the Philippine Department. He retired from active duty in June 1942 and was recalled the following month as a brigadier general. He was commandant of St. Thomas Military Academy from 1943 through his retirement in 1947. His awards included the Distinguished Service Medal.