United States Commanders in Chief
[Written on the initial marker, provided for context]
Our Constitution names the President of the United States the Commander in Chief of all the Armed Forces. Presidents who have served in our military are displayed on the following plaques. Each has served either on Active Duty, in the National Guard or in the Reserves. History will judge their performance as President and as Commander in Chief, usually long after they have served. Each President is to be commended for their service and each fill the office of President in a particular time-frame, confronted with unique problems and circumstances. It is fitting that we honor their service here.
James Buchanan, 15th President
President Buchanan served in the Army during the War of 1812 (the defense of Baltimore) as a private. Only President who enlisted without going on to become an officer.
Abraham Lincoln, 16th President
President Lincoln served during the Black Hawk War in the Illinois militia, attaining the rank of Captain. He was reprimanded twice and re-enlisted as a private. First President to be assassinated, (5 days after the end of the Civil War) on Good Friday, April 14, 1865.
Andrew Johnson, 17th President
President Johnson served in the Civil War. In 1862, President Lincoln appointed him as Military Governor
this page online
Ulysses Simpson Grant, 18th President
President Grant graduated from West Point, served in the Mexican War and the Civil War, attaining the rank of Lieutenant General. General Robert E. Lee surrendered to Grant at Appomattox, VA on April 9, 1865. In 1866, he was appointed a Four Star General, the first US citizen to hold this rank, which gave him a rank higher than that of George Washington.
Erected 2012 by the Veterans Council of Northwest Arkansas and Many Concerned Citizens and Organizations.
Topics and series. This memorial is listed in these topic lists: Patriots & Patriotism • War, Mexican-American • War, US Civil • Wars, US Indian. In addition, it is included in the Former U.S. Presidents: #15 James Buchanan, the Former U.S. Presidents: #16 Abraham Lincoln, the Former U.S. Presidents: #17 Andrew Johnson, and the Former U.S. Presidents: #18 Ulysses S. Grant series lists. A significant historical date for this entry is April 14, 1865.
Location. 36° 26.005′ N, 94° 13.796′ W. Marker is in Bella Vista, Arkansas, in Benton County. Marker is at the Veterans Wall of Honor. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 103 Veterans Way, Bella Vista AR 72714, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker
More about this marker. These markers read right to left since the natural visitor flow at the memorial is to view them in a clockwise fashion.
Also see . . .
1. James Buchanan (White House bio). (Submitted on January 28, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
2. Abraham Lincoln (White House bio). (Submitted on January 28, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
3. Andrew Johnson (White House bio). (Submitted on January 28, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
4. Ulysses S. Grant (White House bio). (Submitted on January 28, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.)
Credits. This page was last revised on June 16, 2016. It was originally submitted on January 27, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. This page has been viewed 395 times since then and 13 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on January 27, 2016, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania. 3, 4. submitted on November 20, 2015, by William Fischer, Jr. of Scranton, Pennsylvania.
