William F. Marquat

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William Frederic Marquat (March 17, 1894 – May 29, 1960) was a major general in the U.S. Army. Before his military career, he worked as a reporter for The Seattle Times and later as the chief engineering advisor for the Office of the Military Advisor to the Commonwealth Government of the Philippines before World War II.

Born in St. Louis, Missouri, Marquat moved to Washington and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in the Washington National Guard Coast Artillery in October 1916. He served in World War I, becoming a temporary captain from October 1918 to July 1919. After the war, he returned to journalism, then joined the Regular Army as a captain in September 1920.

Marquat and his wife Eula lived in Washington, D.C. after his retirement. He suffered a stroke in 1959 and died on May 29, 1960, at Walter Reed Hospital. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. The Marquat Library was established in 1969 at the U.S. Army Civil Affairs School, Fort Gordon, Georgia, and moved in 1973 to Fort Bragg, North Carolina.

In Korea, General Marquat risked his safety by touring front-line areas to gather first-hand information for anti-aircraft planning. His leadership and wearying forward presence inspired his troops and helped the United Nations effort in Korea.

Awards he received include the Distinguished Service Cross, the Distinguished Service Medal (three times), the Silver Star (two times), and the Air Medal.