He was an Honor Graduate of the Infantry-Cavalry School in 1891, a graduate from the Army War College in 1916. He was commissioned Second Lieutenant, 6th United States Cavalry in Arizona on June 13, 1879; First Lieutenant, Septmber 28, 1887; Captain, Acting Quartermaster, December 1, 1896; Major, Quartermaster, July 5, 1902; Lieutenant Colonel, Deputy Quartermaster General, February 17, 1910; Colonel, Quartermaster Corps, February 1, 1913; and Brigadier General, January 9, 1917.

He retired from active duty in January 1918.

He was awarded the Medal of Honor "for distinguished gallantry in action with hostile Indians," August 1882. He also was awarded the Indian Campaign Medal and the Philippine Campaign Medal.

He wrote "Apache Days and After."

He resided in Longport, New Jersey, and died on June 8, 1943. He was buried in Section 3 of Arlington National Cemetery. His wife, Beatrice Cottrell Cruse (1862-1936) is buried with him.

Click on the above link to learn more about Midshipman James Thomas Cruse. He was killed in an explosion aboard the USS Georgia in 1907.  He he buried under a large monument, just a few feet from his parents.

CRUSE, THOMAS
BRIG GEN USA
VETERAN SERVICE DATES: Unknown
DATE OF DEATH: 06/09/1943
DATE OF INTERMENT: 06/06/1949
BURIED AT: SECTION 3  SITE 1763 S.H
ARLINGTON NATIONAL CEMETERY

Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, 6th U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At Big Dry Fork, Arizona, 17 July 1882. Entered service at: Owensboro, Kentucky. Birth: Owensboro, Kentucky. Date of issue: 12 July 1892.

Citation:

Gallantly charged hostile Indians, and with his carbine compelled a party of them to keep under cover of their breastworks, thus being enabled to recover a severely wounded soldier.