Albert James Myer

Before attending college he had apprenticed with the New York Telegraph Company. He then completed bachelor's and master's degrees, and completed medical school. In 1854, after 3 years' private practice in Florida, he was commissioned Assistant Surgeon in the Army, and served in Texas and the Southwest. He was already skilled as a telegrapher and, inspired by Native American signalling techniques, invented Wig-Wag flag signalling. This was approved doe Army use in 1859. In 1860 the first Signal Officer position was authorized, and Myer was promoted to Major to fill it. In 1861 he was ordered east to Washington DC to "organize and command a signal corps", which he did. He was on the staff of the Army of the Potomac on the Peninsula and Maryland Campaigns of 1862.

He was promoted to Colonel on 3 March 1863 when the Army Signal Corps was officially created, and was its first Chief. In November 1863 he was removed after a conflict with an assistant secretary of war, and assigned to West Mississippi for the rest of the War.

He continued on Regular Army service, becoming again Chief Signal Officer, and in 1867, Chief of the Army Signal Corps. He remained in that job until his death, being promoted to Brigadier General in June 1880. During his tenure and under the direction of the Corps, he created the United States Weather Bureau - he has been credited as its "father".

Fort Myer, Arlington, Virginia, and USNS Albert J. Myer (ship) were named for him. Photo is a Mathew Brady portrait of 1865, from USAMHI. 1 Bio details from SCRA.2

9/20/1829; Newburgh, NY

8/24/1880; Buffalo, NY; burial in Forest Lawn Cemetery, Buffalo, NY