Edgar Erskine Hume
Major General, U.S. Army

Edgar Erskine Hume was born on 26 December 1889 in Frankfort, KY.

Hume received Bachelor's (1908) and Master's (1913) Degrees from Centre College and a Medical Degree from Johns Hopkins University in 1913. In 1915 he was in charge of U.S. medical relief efforts in Italy following an earthquake.

In 1916, Hume entered the U.S. Army Medical Corps, serving as head of all U.S. military hospitals in Italy before serving in France. In 1919-20, he directed American Red Cross relief efforts during a typhus outbreak in Serbia. From 1921-23, Hume directed medical aid efforts in Russia during a prolonged famine.

During World War II, he served on the staff of Fifth Army, accepted the surrender of Naples, and served as Commander of the Allied Military Government in the Naples area. Following World War II, Hume continued his Army service, including assignment as Chief Surgeon of the Far East Command.

He was a member of the Society of Colonial Wars, Society of the Cincinnati, Sons of the American Revolution, Aztec Club, Sons of Confederate Veterans and Masons. In addition, he authored numerous articles for medical journals.

He retired from the Army in January 1952.

Medals and Awards

Distinguished Service Medal (3 Awards)
Silver Star Medal (5 Awards)
Legion of Merit
Soldiers Medal
Bronze Star Medal with Combat "Valor" Device (4 Awards)
Navy Bronze Star Medal
Air Medal (3 Awards)
Typhus Commission Medal
Purple Heart (4 Awards)
Commendation Ribbon (4 Awards)

Death and Burial

Major General Edgar Erskine Hume died unexpectedly of a severe heart attack at Walter Reed Hospital on 24 January 1952; only three weeks after his retirement from the Army. He is buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, VA.