Louis Chapin Covell

Louis Chapin Covell
Covell in 1919. National Archives and Records Administration.
Born	(1875-06-22)22 June 1875 Grand Rapids, Michigan
Died	26 August 1952(1952-08-26) (aged 77) Plymouth, Massachusetts
Buried	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service / branch	United States Army
Years of service	1892–1919
Rank	Brigadier general
Unit	Michigan Army National Guard
Commands	126th Infantry Regiment 63rd Infantry Brigade, 32nd Division
Battles / wars	Spanish–American War World War I
Awards	Croix de Guerre

Louis Chapin Covell (June 22, 1875 – August 26, 1952) was a United States army officer and business. He served in the Spanish–American War and World War I, and later worked for several automotive companies, including General Motors.

Early life

Covell was born on June 22, 1875, in Grand Rapids, Michigan, to Elliot Franklin Covell and Laura (Chapin) Covell. After graduating from Grand Rapids High School in 1893, he worked at the Macey Company as an advertising and sales manager. In 1915 he was the organizer and president of Covell-Hensen Company, an advertising and printing company.

Military career

Covell enlisted in the Michigan National Guard on April 6, 1892. On June 26, 1895, he was commissioned as a second lieutenant. Covell served as a captain in the Spanish–American War, advanced to major in 1900 and was promoted to lieutenant colonel in 1911. Covell became a brigadier general in the National Guard on February 7, 1917, and the National Army on August 5, 1917. He served during WWI in the American Expeditionary Force, commanding the 63rd Infantry Brigade. Covell received the French Croix de Guerre for his service and was discharged on February 17, 1919.

Later life and career

After returning to civilian life, Covell was a manager at the Reynolds Chrysler Company in Flint, Michigan, and later a sales executive at General Motors in Detroit. In retirement, he lived in Maryland, New York and Virginia.

Death and burial

Covell died in Plymouth, Massachusetts, on August 26, 1952. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

He was a member of the American Legion, Sons of the American Revolution and the Military Order of Foreign Wars. Covell was also a Congregationalist, Freemason and Republican.

Family

On 12 June 1906, Covell married Florence Holcomb Davidson (1879-1959). They were the parents of three sons: George Davidson (1907-1980), Louis Chapin (1909-2000), and Robert Leonard (1915-1987).