AMERICAN SOLDIER.

New Zealand Herald, Volume LXV, Issue 20114, 27 November 1928, Page 10

AMERICAN SOLDIER.

GENERAL LASSITER'S VISIT.

COMMAND IN PHILIPPINES.

DOMINION'S PROGRESS PRAISED.

A distinguished visitor from America at present in New Zealand is Major-Gen-eral William Lassitcr, who hail just completed his third term as commander-in-chief of the United States forces in the Philippine Islands. General Lassitcr, who has had a long and notable career in the United States /Array, is returning to America to take over another command yet to bo decided. Honoured with many high decorations from foreign nations General Lassitcr was created honorary Knight. Commander of St. Michael and St. George for his services to Britain during the Great War, while France made him a commander of the Legion d'Konneur, and conferred upon him the Croix de Guerre with two palms. In addition he was awarded the United States distinguished service medal. Graduating at the United States Military Academy in 1889 General Lassiter served in the war against Spain m 1898, being present at the capture c<f Santiago, Cuba. Afterwards ho was attached to various military posts in the United States and in 1911 was transferred to the General Staff In September, 1916, ho was sent to London as military attache to the American Embassy, and a year later was appointed commander of an artillery brigade. In 1918 he was made chief of the First Artillery Corps in France, and saw servico during the Aisne-Marne offensive. Subsequently ho was in command of the First and Fourth Corps of Artillery, being present with the latter at the St Mihiel offensive.

In October, 1918, General Lassiter took over tho command of the Second United States Army Corps in the Toul sector. A month later ho was appointed to tho command of the 32nd Division, and in this capacity headed a section of the American troops m the march to the Rhine and in the occupation of the Coblentz bridgehead after the signing of the Armistice.

On returning (o the United States in August, 1919, General Lassiter was assigned to the general staff. He was assistant chief of staff in charge of operations and training from 1921 to 1923, when he was appointed commander of the Panama Division. Three years later he succeeded General Pershing as head of the Tarna-Arica Plebiscite Commission.

General Lassiter, who left for Rotorua yesterday morning, stated in an interview that he was very much impressed with the wonderful signs of prosperity throughout the Dominion. Ho had spent soma time in touring the south, and although he had travelled extensively during the past few yeans he was firmly of opinion that New Zealand's scenic districts were unequalled. He had spent some time in reading New Zealand history, and it was amazing to the stranger that such progress should have marked the country's evolution during the past SO years.

After visiting Rotorua General Lassiter will go to W elliiigtou, where he will join the steamer for San Francisco.