Robert Milchrist Cannon (August 16, 1901 – September 3, 1976) was a United States Army lieutenant general. He was notable for his World War II service in the China Burma India Theater and his command of the Sixth United States Army.

A member of Utah's prominent Cannon family,^[1] Robert Milchrist Cannon was born on August 16, 1901, in Salt Lake City, Utah.

Cannon attended the University of Utah for two years,^[2][3] before transferring to the United States Military Academy. He graduated in 1925, received a commission as a second lieutenant in the Field Artillery branch, and was initially assigned to Fort D.A. Russell, Wyoming.^[4]

In 1927 Cannon completed the Army Air Corps Primary Flying School.^[5] He attended the Battery Officers Course in 1931,^[6] and graduated from the Army Command and General Staff College in 1938.^[7] Prior to World War II Cannon served as an instructor at the Army's Fort Sill, Oklahoma Field Artillery School.^[8]

In World War II Cannon served in the China-Burma-India Theater, advancing to brigadier general and chief of staff for the Northern Combat Area Command.^{[9][10][11][12][13][14][15][16]}

After World War II Cannon served as chairman of an Army board which interviewed and made recommendations on applicants for commissions as officers.^[17] He also served as Assistant Chief of Staff for Logistics, G-4 for Sixth United States Army.^[18]

In 1948 Cannon attended the Basic Airborne Course in preparation for his assignment to the 82nd Airborne Division, afterwards taking command of the Division Artillery.^[19]

Cannon served as commander of the U.S. Army Advisory Group in Turkey from 1951 to 1952.^[20][21][22]

From 1952 to 1953 Cannon was head of the Army Audit Agency.^[23]

Cannon then served as Chief of the Joint U.S. Military Advisory Group which advised the Philippine government during its effort to stop the Hukbalahap insurgency.^{[24][25][26][27][28][29]}

Following his Philippines assignment, Cannon was appointed Service Special Assistant to the Joint Chiefs of Staff for Mutual Defense Advisory Pact Affairs.^[30]

Cannon served as deputy commander and chief of staff for United States Army Pacific, receiving promotion to lieutenant general.^[31][32][33]

In 1958 Cannon was a participant in the ceremony used by the Army to select World War II and Korean War remains for placement in the Tomb of the Unknowns.^{[34][35][36][37]}

From 1959 until his 1961 retirement General Cannon served as commander of the Sixth United States Army.^{[38][39][40][41][42][43][44]}

Cannon's awards included the Army Distinguished Service Medal, the Legion of Merit and the Bronze Star Medal.^[45][46]

Cannon retired to San Francisco. He died in Norwalk, Connecticut on September 3, 1976, after being stricken while visiting his daughter JoAnne Schwartz in Wilton, Connecticut.^[47][48] He was buried in San Francisco National Cemetery, Plot H-35.^[49][50]

While stationed at Fort Sheridan, Illinois in 1928 Cannon married Josephine Riter (1902–1991), a member of another family prominent in Utah.^[51][52]