William Wallace Smith Bliss
Posted by: 
Woobie491
N 31° 48.435 W 106° 26.179
13R E 364042 N 3519968
The Final Resting Place for W.W.S. Bliss
Waymark Code: WMEA2A
Location: Texas, United States
Date Posted: 04/24/2012
Views: 5
The 20-foot Italian marble monument, seen here, stands in Smith Bliss Field along Sheridan Road and recognizes Bliss’s military career.
The New York State native entered the U.S. Military Academy at the age of 14 and graduated as a second lieutenant in 1833. He joined the 4th Infantry Regiment.
In 1845 he took part in the military occupation of Texas. Between April 1846 and November 1847 he took part in the Mexican War, including fighting in the Battle of Palo Alto on May 8, 1846. His conduct warranted promotion to major on May 9, 1846. He fought in the Battle of Buena Vista and was promoted to Lieutenant-Colonel in February 1847 for gallant and meritorious service.
On March 22, 1849 the State of New York presented him with a Gold Medal for his bravery in Mexico, at Palo Alto, Resaca de la Palma, Monterrey and Buena Vista.
According to the Genealogy of the Bliss Family in America, Bliss died of Yellow Fever in 1853 and was buried in New Orleans. A year later the El Paso post was named Fort Bliss in his honor. He had never visited El Paso. His body was later moved to Fort Bliss National Cemetery in 1955.
List if there are any visiting hours:
No posted Hours
Entrance fees (if it applies): No Fees
Type of memorial: Monument
Website pertaining to the memorial: Not listed
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