Funston, << FUHN stuhn, >> Frederick (1865-1917), an American soldier, played an important part in the overseas expansion of the United States in the 1890’s and early 1900’s. He was nicknamed “Bantam” because he was only 5 feet 5 inches (165 centimeters) tall.
Funston was born in New Carlisle, Ohio, on Nov. 9, 1865. He joined the rebel forces in Cuba against Spain in 1896. As a volunteer officer, he commanded U.S. troops in the Philippines during the revolt against U.S. rule that began in 1899. He helped capture Emilio Aguinaldo, the Philippine rebel leader, in 1901. Transferred to the Regular Army, Funston took command of relief efforts in San Francisco after an earthquake in 1906. In 1914, he commanded U.S. forces at Veracruz, Mexico, and was promoted to major general. He died on Feb. 19, 1917.
