 Forbes was born February 14 , 1878 in Scotland . As a child , he and his parents emigrated to America and the family lived in New York and Boston . When Forbes was 16 years old he joined the marines as a musician and was eventually stationed in the Washington Navy Yard . Trained as an engineer , Forbes attended Philips Exeter Academy , Cooper Institute in New York , Columbia University , and the Massachusetts Institute of Technology . He enlisted in the army in 1900 ; however , two months later he was charged with desertion . He was found , sent back to the army , and restored to duty without a trial . Forbes went on to serve in the Philippines after completing his enlistment , and was honorably discharged from the army in the rank of sergeant first class in 1908 . 
