Bruce Magruder

Bruce Magruder (December 3, 1882 – July 23, 1953) was a career officer in the United States Army. A veteran of the Moro Rebellion, Pancho Villa Expedition, World War I, and World War II, he attained the rank of major general. Magruder was most notable as the first commander of the 1st Armored Division and commander of the Infantry Replacement Center at Camp Wolters, Texas, during World War II.

A native of Washington, D.C., Magruder was an officer in Washington's YMCA cadet corps during his high school years, and gained his initial experience as a first lieutenant in the District of Columbia National Guard. After high school, Magruder attended the Maryland Agricultural College and Columbian University (now George Washington University). He enlisted in the United States Army as a private in 1904, served for three years, and attained the rank of sergeant. In 1907, he passed the competitive examination for a commission and was appointed a second lieutenant of Infantry. Early officer assignments included the Philippines during the Moro Rebellion, stateside service at Fort Mackenzie, Wyoming, and assignment to the Texas–Mexico border during the Pancho Villa Expedition.

During World War I, Magruder was a temporary major in the Intelligence Section (G-2) of the American Expeditionary Forces headquarters in France. He was promoted to temporary lieutenant colonel in November 1918, and his wartime service was recognized with award of Army Distinguished Service Medal, French Legion of Honor (Chevalier), and Belgian Order of the Crown. After the war, Magruder's assignments included the G-2 section of the Army staff at the War Department, instructor for the Organized Reserve Corps of the Third Corps Area, and professor of military science and commander of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps program at North Carolina College of Agricultural and Mechanic Arts (A&M).

As the United States Army began to expand in anticipation of entry into World War II, Magruder took command of the 7th Provisional Tank Brigade, which experimented with mounted warfare tactics and equipment. In July 1940, he was selected as the first commander of the 1st Armored Division. By now a major general, in March 1942 Magruder was succeeded as division commander by Orlando Ward and assigned to command the Infantry Replacement Training Center (IRTC) at Camp Wolters, Texas. He served at this post until the end of the war, and his service was recognized with award of the Legion of Merit. Magruder retired in 1946 and lived first in Biloxi, Mississippi, and later in Winter Park, Florida. He died at the Orlando Air Force Base Hospital on July 23, 1953, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.