from 1904 to 1906. Wotherspooon was the chief of staff of the Army of Cuban Pacification from 1906 to 1907. Wotherspoon served as the acting president of the Army War College and chief of the Third Division, General Staff in 1907. He was promoted to brigadier general in October 1907, advanced over 140 officers with more seniority. He was president of the Army War College, serving from 1907 to 1909 and again from 1910 to 1912. Wotherspoon was largely instrumental in transforming the Army War College from an adjunct of the General Staff to an autonomous educational institution, he became assistant to the chief of staff from 1901 to 1910 and again in 1912 to 1914. He was promoted to major general in May 1912 and served as the commander of the Department of the Gulf until that September. Army Chief of Staff Wotherspoon became the Chief of Staff of the United States Army in 1914; he served from April 21 to November 15. During his term, he highlighted the shortage of experienced officers and noncommissioned as the Army began to prepare for possible involvement in World War I. He also emphasized the need to improve coastal defenses to match battleships that were increasing in size and armament, oversaw establishment of the Army's first aviation section as a branch of the Signal Corps, and completion of the Panama Canal and its opening to ship traffic. Retirement Wotherspoon retired upon reaching the mandatory retirement age of 64 on November 16, 1914 After retiring, he was New York State Superintendent of Public Works from 1915 to 1920. Wotherspoon died in Washington, D.C. on October 21, 1921. He was buried with full military honors at Arlington National Cemetery, Section 3, Site 1949. In 1893 Wotherspoon became a representative member of the Aztec Club of 1847 by right of his father's service in the Mexican War. Family In 1887, while stationed in northern New York, he married Mary C. Adams (1865–1953) of Utica, New York. They were the parents of a son, Alexander Somerville Wotherspoon (1892–1976). Alexander Wotherspoon was a career officer in the United States Navy, and retired as a rear admiral. Military awards Indian Campaign Medal Spanish War Service Medal Philippine Campaign Medal Dates of rank Notes References Further reading External links Arlington National Cemetery 1850 births 1921 deaths American military personnel of the Indian Wars American military personnel of the Spanish–American