Edwin Burr Babbitt
Major General, U.S. Army

Edwin Burr Babbitt was born on 26 July 1882 in New York City, NY, the son of Colonel Lawrence Sprague and Fannie McDougall Babbitt.

He graduated from the U.S. Military Academy with the Class of 1884 and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant on 15 June. He then spent five years in the Heavy Artillery School and graduated in 1889.

Approaching World War I, Babbitt was Assistant to the Chief of Ordnance. He was promoted to Brigadier General, National Army, on 2 October 1917 and to Brigadier General, U.S. Army, on 12 February 1918. In the spring of 1918 he landed in France in time to command the Fourth Field Brigade in the Marne, St. Mihiel and Argonne offensives. He served with the Army of Occupation following the war.

Babbitt was promoted to Major General, U.S. Army, on 14 April 1923 and he retired from the Army on 19 September 1924.

Medals and Awards

Distinguished Service Medal
Legion of Merit
Officer, Legion d'Honour (France)
Comendator, Order of El Sol del Peru (Peru)
Abdon Calderon, First Class (Ecuador)

In Retirement

After retirement, he resided in Santa Barbara, CA, until his death.

Personal

His first wife, Emily Fenno Babbitt, died in 1918. He married Maud Ainsworth of Portland, ME, on 23 February 1924.

Death and Burial

Major General Edwin Burr Babbitt died on 9 December 1939 in Santa Barbara, CA, at the age of 77. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA. His first wife, Emily Fenno Babbitt, is buried with him.