Harold W. Blakeley

Harold W. Blakeley
From 1946's 4th Infantry Division Yearbook
Born	(1893-12-29)December 29, 1893 Malden, Massachusetts, U.S.
Died	May 10, 1966(1966-05-10) (aged 72) Bethesda, Maryland, U.S.
Buried	Arlington National Cemetery
Service	United States Army
Years of service	1917–1946
Rank	Major General
Service number	07237
Unit	U.S. Army Field Artillery Branch
Commands held	Battery A, 4th Field Artillery Regiment 6th Field Artillery Regiment 65th Field Artillery Regiment 5th Armored Division Artillery Combat Command A, 5th Armored Division 4th Infantry Division Artillery 4th Infantry Division
Conflicts	World War I World War II Allied-occupied Germany
Awards	Silver Star Legion of Merit Bronze Star Medal Legion of Honor (Chevalier) (France) Croix de Guerre with palm (France)
Alma mater	Boston University (attended) United States Army Command and General Staff College United States Army War College
Spouse(s)	Jeanne de La Villeneuve Hyman ​ ​ (m. 1920⁠–⁠1940)​ Louise de La Villeneuve Hyman Bultman ​ ​ (m. 1941⁠–⁠1966)​

Harold W. Blakeley (December 29, 1893 – May 10, 1966) was a career officer in the United States Army. A veteran of World War I and World War II, he attained the rank of major general. Blakeley's commands included: the 6th Field Artillery Regiment; 5th Armored Division Artillery; Combat Command A, 5th Armored Division; 4th Infantry Division Artillery; and 4th Infantry Division. His awards included the Silver Star, Legion of Merit, and Bronze Star Medal.

A native of Malden, Massachusetts, Blakeley was raised and educated in Salem, Massachusetts. After graduating from Salem High School in 1911, he worked at a bank and attended Boston University from 1915 to 1917. Blakeley attended Citizens' Military Training Camps during the expansion of the U.S. Army in anticipation of entry into World War I. In October 1917, Blakeley successfully applied for a commission as a second lieutenant of Field Artillery. During the First World War, he served with Artillery units that performed security patrols on the Texas-Mexico border.

After World War I, Blakeley continued his army career, including a posting to the Panama Canal Zone. He was a 1936 graduate of the United States Army Command and General Staff College and a 1939 graduate of the United States Army War College. During World War II, he served as commander of: the 6th Field Artillery Regiment, 65th Field Artillery Regiment; 5th Armored Division Artillery; Combat Command A, 5th Armored Division; 4th Infantry Division Artillery; and 4th Infantry Division. He took part in the Normandy landings in June 1944, and led the 4th Infantry Division during combat in Europe until the end of the war.

Blakeley retired in 1946 and resided in Washington, D.C., where he authored a history of the 32nd Infantry Division. He died in Bethesda, Maryland on May 10, 1966, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.