Sibert
WILLIAM LUTHER, an American soldier, born at Gadsden, Ala., in 1860. He graduated from the
United States Military Academy in 1884 and was appointed 2nd lieutenant of engineers in the same year. In 1887 he graduated from the Engineering School of of Application. He was appointed captain in 1896, major in 1904, and lieutenant-colonel in 1909. From 1887 to 1892 he was engaged in engineering river work in Kentucky, and from 1892 to 1894 he was engaged in the construction of a ship channel connecting with the Great Lakes. He was later engaged in engineering work in Arkansas and in the Philippines. From 1900 to 1907 he was in charge of the engineering of the river and harbor districts, with headquarters at Louisville and Pittsburgh. In March of the latter year, he was appointed a member of the Isthmian Canal Commission, and as engineer of the commission he built the Gatun Locks and Dam, the west breakwater, and excavated the channel from Gatun to the Atlantic Ocean. After completion of the Panama Canal, he served in China under the auspices of the American National Red Cross and the Chinese Government, on the board of engineers for flood prevention. He was made brigadier-general in 1915, and was extended the thanks of Congress for his work on the Panama Canal. In 1917 he was promoted to be major-general and was appointed commander of the 1st Division of the American troops in France, under General Pershing. He organized and was the director of the Chemical Warfare Service of the United States Army. He received a Distinguished Service Medal and was made a commander of the Legion of Honor by the French Government.