Fort Tuthill Military Museum's Namesake

General Tuthill

A member of Arizona's Constitutional Convention, General Tuthill was a unique individual with two separate and distinct careers. In civilian life, he was a distinguished and innovative surgeon credited with pioneering the use of foreign material in bone surgery. In the early 1900s, while chief surgeon for the Detroit Mining Company Hospital in Morenci, Arizona, Dr. Tuthill used silver plates and screws crafted by an Indian silversmith to secure the bones of a badly fractured leg.

He later used a similar silver plate to close a large opening in a patient's skull. It is believed to be the first recorded use of metal plates in a surgical procedure. On his return from WW I service, he established a private medical practice in Phoenix. He retired from that practice in 1952 at the age of 81. Dr.Tuthill served as State Superintendent of Public Health from 1921 to 1923, president of the Greenlee and Maricopa County Medical Societies, and the Arizona Medical Society president. General Tuthill's military career began when he enlisted in a California National Guard cavalry troop. He served with the unit while attending medical school at the University of Southern California. He was honorably discharged before accepting a position as a surgeon at the Detroit Mining Company Hospital. His Arizona military career began in 1903 when he organized and commanded the 2nd Cavalry Troop as a Captain.

On August 5, 1910, he was promoted to Colonel, commanding the 1st Arizona Infantry. Called into federal service on May 9, 1916, the regiment joined other U.S. Troops under the command of General John J. Pershing, protecting Arizona Border towns against raids by the Mexican Revolutionary Pancho Villa.

On August 2, 1917, the 1st Arizona Infantry was designated the 158th Infantry regiment. On August 5, 1917, Colonel Tuthill was promoted to Brigadier General, commanding the 79th Infantry Brigade 40th Division. He commanded the 79th while training at Camp Kearney, California, and in France as part of the American Expeditionary Forces. Before the Division departed for the United States, he also served as acting Division Commander of the 40th Division. General Tuthill was one of the youngest Brigade commanders in WW I and one of the few National Guard officers selected for promotion to Brigadier General. It is important to note that although a physician in civil life, he was never a military doctor. General Tuthill and General Leonard Wood were the only two general officers commanding troops in WW I who were also physicians.

In 1928, after a nine-year absence from military affairs, he received a War Department appointment as Brigadier General commanding the 89th Infantry Brigade 45th Division. Selected in 1933 for promotion to Major General, he commanded the 45th Infantry Division, retiring from that command on September 23, 1935, at the mandatory retirement age of 64. The General's military career, however, did not end. In 1936, he was named Adjutant General of the Arizona National Guard, serving until 1952. He also served as State Director of Selective Service from 1946 to 1952 and State Director of Civil Defense 1942-45 and 1950-51. On August 16, 1951, a retirement parade and ceremony was held at Fort Huachuca, Arizona, honoring the General and his many contributions to the state and nation. He was promoted to Lt General National Guard of Arizona Retired List during this ceremony. The General, often called "The Father of the Arizona National Guard," passed away on May 25, 1958.

With decisive leadership and high military standards, he laid the foundation for the policies under which troops of the National Guard of Arizona trained in peacetime and rendered distinguished service in WW 1, WW 11, and the Korean Conflict. His unswerving adherence to sound principles and high standards, devotion to duty and untiring efforts won him the love and admiration of his associates and an enviable reputation in the military profession.

General Order #1 of the State Military Department, issued in connection with his death, reads in part, "With decisive leadership and high military standards, he laid the foundation for the policies under which troops of the National Guard of Arizona trained in peacetime and rendered distinguished service in WW 1, WW 11, and the Korean Conflict. His unswerving adherence to sound principles and high standards, devotion to duty and untiring efforts won him the love and admiration of his associates and an enviable reputation in the military profession."

The General's decorations and awards included the 1st Arizona Medal of Honor ever awarded and the United States Medal for Merit President Harry S. Truman awarded.

CONTACT

ADDRESS:
2446 Fort Tuthill Loop Rd.
Flagstaff, AZ 86004
EMAIL:
help@forttuthill.org
PHONE:
+1 (928) 226-0965

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