Robert Nelson Getty
Robert Nelson Getty was a United States Army officer in the late 19th and early 20th centuries. He served in several conflicts, including the Sioux Wars, Spanish–American War, and World War I. He was the son of Major General George W. Getty.Biography
Getty was born in Fort Hamilton on January 17, 1855. He graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1878.
Getty was commissioned into the 22nd Infantry Regiment, and he did frontier duty from 1878 to 1896. During this time, he participated in the Ute War on 1884 and the Sioux War on 1890 and 1891. Getty also participated in the Spanish–American War, taking part in the Battle of El Caney, the Battle of San Juan Hill, and the Siege of Santiago. He served in the Sanitary Corps and received a Silver Star for his efforts there. After serving in the Philippines from 1900 to 1911, Getty commanded the Recruit Depot at Fort Logan from 1914 to 1917.
Getty was promoted to the rank of brigadier general on August 5, 1917, and he commanded the 175th Infantry Brigade at Camp Dodge. From November 27, 1917, to February 19, 1918, and again from March 15 to May 24, 1918, Getty commanded the 88th Infantry Division, which did not go into combat. Getty retired from the Army in 1919 at his permanent rank of colonel.
Getty lived in Warrenton, Virginia, during his retirement. Congress restored his brigadier general rank in June 1930. He died in California on April 15, 1941.Personal life
Getty married Cornelia T. Colegate on October 14, 1885.
