As the United States Army began to expand in anticipation of entry into World War II, Magruder took command of the 7th Provisional Tank Brigade, which experimented with mounted warfare tactics and equipment. In July 1940, he was selected as the first commander of the 1st Armored Division. By now a major general, in March 1942 Magruder was succeeded as division commander by Orlando Ward and assigned to command the Infantry Replacement Training Center (IRTC) at Camp Wolters, Texas. He served at this post until the end of the war, and his service was recognized with award of the Legion of Merit. Magruder retired in 1946 and lived first in Biloxi, Mississippi, and later in Winter Park, Florida. He died at the Orlando Air Force Base Hospital on July 23, 1953, and was buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
Early life
Magruder was born in Washington, D.C., on December 3, 1882, a son of George Washington Corbin Magruder (1855–1936) and Eleanor Ann Helen Marshall (1852–1906).[1] He was educated in the public schools of Washington, and graduated from Central High School in 1903.[2]
Set on a military career from an early age, Magruder served as a first lieutenant and captain in the Washington YMCA's cadet corps, which he commanded during drill and ceremony competitions and similar events, including the March 1901 inauguration of President William McKinley.[3][4][5] In addition, he gained his initial military experience during high school when he enlisted in the District of Columbia National Guard and was commissioned as a first lieutenant in Company D, 6th Battalion.[5][6][7]
In November 1917, Magruder was promoted to temporary major and assigned as executive officer of the Intelligence Section (G-2) on the staff of the American Expeditionary Forces headquarters in France.[1] He was promoted to temporary lieutenant colonel in November 1918.[7] Magruder served on the AEF staff until the end of the war, except for a brief period of temporary duty on the staff of I Corps.[9] He received the Army Distinguished Service Medal after the war in recognition of his superior performance of duty.[1] In addition, Magruder was a recipient of the French Legion of Honor (Chevalier) and Belgian Order of the Crown.[9]
The citation for his Army DSM reads:
The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant Colonel (Infantry) Bruce Magruder, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. As Executive Officer of the Intelligence Section at General Headquarters, by his marked ability and zeal Lieutenant Colonel Magruder performed duties of a most exacting nature, in connection with the administration and development of the section, with conspicuous merit, rendering services of great value to the American Expeditionary Forces.[18]
Post-World War I
Magruder returned from France in 1919 and was assigned to the G-2 section of the Army staff at the War Department.[19] On July 1, 1920, he was reduced from temporary lieutenant colonel to his permanent rank of major.[7] In 1922, Magruder was selected for attendance at the Infantry Officer Advanced Course (now the Maneuver Captains Career Course), and he graduated in 1923.[1] In 1925, he began attendance at the United States Army Command and General Staff College.[1] He completed the course in 1926, and was ranked as a distinguished graduate.[7] After graduating, he remained at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, to serve on the Staff College faculty.[20] In 1927, he was reassigned to the staff of the Army's Chief of Infantry.[9] He was later assigned as an instructor for the Organized Reserve Corps of the Third Corps Area, with offices in Washington, D.C.[21] On May 27, 1930, Magruder was promoted to Lieutenant colonel.[7]
As the first commander of the 1st Armored Division, Magruder organized and equipped it at Fort Knox, Kentucky, using personnel, vehicles, and weapons from the 7th Cavalry Brigade and 6th Infantry Regiment.[27] In addition, Magruder received credit for devising the division's nickname, "Old Ironsides".[1] He was promoted to major general on October 1, 1940.[7] When the Army formed additional Armored divisions in 1941, Magruder's 1st provided experienced and trained soldiers as the cadre around which the new 4th Armored Division was created.[28]
In March 1942, Magruder was succeeded as division commander by Orlando Ward.[29] He was then assigned as commander of the Infantry Replacement Training Center (IRTC) at Camp Wolters, Texas.[1] Responsible for providing trained and ready soldiers to units fighting in Europe and the Pacific, Magruder remained in charge of the IRTC until after the end of the war in 1945, and was succeeded by Brigadier General Maurice L. Miller.[30]
Magruder received the Legion of Merit to commend his service with the 1st Armored Division and IRTC.[1] After leaving the IRTC, Magruder was unassigned pending retirement.[31] His duties included inspection visits to the ROTC program at North Carolina A&T[32] and participation in events organized by the Reserve Officers Association.[33] He retired on May 31, 1946.[34]
In 1912, Magruder married Clara Ferol Lott (1891–1955).[36] They divorced before 1930,[37] and in 1935 he married Ethel (Marshall) Stevenson.[38] With his first wife, Magruder was the father of sons Bruce Jr., (1922-2017) an officer in the United States Marine Corps, and William (1923-1977), who served as a United States Air Force officer.[35]
Magruder, Marshall (1954). "Memorials: Major General Bruce Magruder"(PDF). Yearbook of the American Clan Gregor Society. Washington, DC: American Clan Gregor Society Incorporated. pp.51–52.
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