Adams, Cato Wesley, 1889-1988

African American educator, school principal, and athletic coach at Armstrong High School, Washington, D.C.

Cato Wesley Adams (1889-1988), born in Washington, DC was an educator, school principal and championship coach of baseball, basketball and track at Armstrong High School in Washington, DC. Mr. Adams was a veteran of World War I. Among his many assignments, he was Station Chief in charge of communications while attached to headquarters of the 184th Brigade. Later he was detailed as Brigade Interpreter charged with translating wireless dispatches picked up from the French and German stations by U.S. Army Signal Corp. Mr. Adams received the Distinguished Service Award for his wartime effort. Mr. Adams was also one of the organizers of the Alpha Omega chapter of Omega Psi Phi Fraternity, the Fairfax county chapter of the NAACP, and was an avid collector of over 2,000 pipes from around the world.

Timeline

1889 - September 30 Born in Southwest Washington, D.C.

1908 - Graduated from Armstrong High School Washington, DC.

1910 - Graduated from Miner Normal School Washington, DC.

1910-1913 - Taught in various elementary schools in Washington, DC.

1913 - Entered Howard University College of Arts And Sciences.

1917 - Received B.S. degree with honors from Howard University, with majors in History, Mathematics and German.

1917 - Enlisted in Signal Corps. Served in the 325th field Signal Battalion, 92nd Division during World War I in France. Later was decorated for “Distinguished Service.” Attached to Headquarters of 184th Brigade.

1919 - Discharged from Military Service.

1919-1931 - Taught Mathematics at Armstrong High School, Washington, DC School.

1931 - Received M.A. degree in Secondary School Administration From the University of Pennsylvania.

1932-1947 - Served as Assistant Principal and Dean of Boys at Armstrong Technical High School. Also served as Principal of Armstrong Night High School.

1947 - Retired from teaching profession.

1988 - October Died in Washington, DC.

Source: Cato W. Adams Papers Box 155-1, “Biographical Sketches”, MSRC, Howard University