31 Facts About Colden Ruggles

Colden L'Hommedieu Ruggles was a career officer in the United States Army.

Colden L'Hommedieu Ruggles was born in Omaha, Nebraska, on March 18,1869, the son of Brigadier General George D Ruggles and Alma Hammond Ruggles.

Ruggles was educated at various Army posts as the Ruggles family traveled during George Ruggles' career, including Omaha and Saint Paul, Minnesota.

Colden Ruggles graduated in 1890 and was ranked fifth in his class of 54.

Colden Ruggles received his commission as a second lieutenant of Field Artillery, and was assigned to the 1st Artillery Regiment at Fort Columbus, New York.

Colden Ruggles remained with the 1st Artillery until August 1891, when he was assigned to the 3rd Artillery at Fort Monroe, Virginia.

Colden Ruggles remained at Fort Monroe until December 1893, and was on detached duty as an instructor at the Artillery School beginning in September 1892.

Colden Ruggles was promoted to first lieutenant on December 18,1893, and assigned to the Ordnance Corps.

Colden Ruggles served at Frankford Arsenal, Pennsylvania from January to October 1894 and at Sandy Hook Proving Ground, New Jersey from October 1894 to October 1896.

Colden Ruggles was on duty at Frankford Arsenal again from October 1896 to February 1900.

Colden Ruggles was promoted to captain on April 22,1899.

Colden Ruggles served as an Ordnance inspector at the Bethlehem Steel Company in Bethlehem, Pennsylvania, from February 1900 to July 1903.

Colden Ruggles was an inspector at Watertown Arsenal, Massachusetts, from July 1903 to August 1908 and was promoted to major on June 25,1906.

Colden Ruggles served as professor of Ordnance and Gunnery at the United States Military Academy from August 1908 to June 1911, and was promoted to lieutenant colonel on April 13,1911.

In 1910, Colden Ruggles published Stresses in Wire-Wrapped Guns and in Gun Carriages, a technical work which was used by Army Ordnance and Artillery officers.

From June 1911 to July 1913, Colden Ruggles was assigned as Ordnance officer for the Army's Western Department and commander of Benicia Arsenal, California.

Colden Ruggles served in the Philippines from September 1913 to October 1915, assigned as Ordnance officer of the Philippine Department and commander of the Manila Ordnance Depot.

From December 1915 to March 1918, Colden Ruggles commanded Sandy Hook Proving Ground, New Jersey, and he was promoted to colonel on May 15,1917.

From March 1918 to January 1919, Colden Ruggles served at the Ordnance Department's headquarters in Washington, DC, first as Chief of the Supply Division, then as Chief of the Inspection Division.

Colden Ruggles was promoted to temporary brigadier general on August 8,1918.

From October to December 1918, Colden Ruggles served on temporary inspection and observation duty with the American Expeditionary Forces in England and France.

Colden Ruggles served in this position from January 1919 to July 1921.

Colden Ruggles was a student at the United States Army War College from August 1921 to June 1922 and after graduating he returned to his post as Chief of the Technical Staff at the Ordnance Department.

From August 1923 until retiring in August 1930, Colden Ruggles served as Chief of Ordnance Department's Manufacturing Division and Assistant Chief of Ordnance.

On March 28,1927, Colden Ruggles was again promoted to brigadier general.

From April to June 1930, Colden Ruggles served as acting Chief of Ordnance.

In retirement, Colden Ruggles was a resident of Charleston, South Carolina.

Colden Ruggles was a member of the American Society of Automotive Engineers, American Society of Mechanical Engineers and US Army Ordnance Corps Association.

Colden Ruggles was a member of the General Society of Colonial Wars, The Huguenot Society of America, and American Legion.

Colden Ruggles was a hereditary member of the Military Order of the Loyal Legion of the United States.

In November 1894, Ruggles married Mary Appleton Miller, the daughter of Brigadier General Marcus P Miller.