In 1918, Major Wigmore was rewarded for his service in the Judge Advocate General’s Corps with not one, but two promotions. The first, in February, was to lieutenant colonel; the second, in July, was to colonel. Manley Hudson, in “Recollections of John Henry Wigmore,” wrote that “No one ever donned a uniform with more gusto or more grace. ‘The Colonel’ worked as if the outcome of the war depended on him alone.” General Crowder, who had first pushed Wigmore to apply for a commission, recommended that he receive a distinguished service medal in recognition of Wigmore’s significant contributions to the war effort.
Wigmore remained in the service until May 7, 1919, when he was honorably discharged. Upon his return to civilian life, he resumed his leadership of the School of Law, where he remained dean for another ten years.
This item is generously on loan from the Northwestern University Archives.