Soldiers Amidst the Rubble: The United States Army and the San Francisco Earthquake of 1906

Abstract

This study tells the story of the involvement of the United States Army in the events surrounding the San Francisco earthquake and fire of 1906. During a period of approximately seventy-five days a force of over 5,000 soldiers, aided by sailors, Marines, and National Guardsmen, assisted civil authorities by fighting fires, treating the injured, delivering supplies, feeding the population, guarding the city, and providing shelter and clothing for refugees. The conclusion of the study is that the work of the Army in subduing the fire and in aiding in the relief effort was a noble peacetime accomplishment which well served the citizens of California and which enhanced the Army's reputation and honor. The story of the Army's contribution is one in which American soldiers and civilians alike may quite justly be proud because that contribution was made in the best spirit of the American tradition of subordination of the military to civilian authority.

Open PDF

Document Details

Document Type
Technical Report
Publication Date
Jun 06, 1980
Accession Number
ADA092457

Entities

People

  • Floyd J. Davis

Organizations

  • United States Army Command and General Staff College

Tags

Communities of Interest

  • Biomedical
  • Human Systems

DTIC Thesaurus Topics

  • Birds
  • Congress
  • Employment
  • Geography
  • Health Services
  • Insensitive Explosives
  • Law
  • Medical Personnel
  • Military Science
  • Military Training
  • Organizational Structure
  • Personnel Management
  • Public Policy
  • Students
  • Supply Depots
  • Vegetables
  • Warfare

Fields of Study

  • History

Readers

  • Emergency Management and Homeland Security.
  • Military History of the United States in the 20th Century.