Thomas Q. Ashburn (general)

Thomas Q. Ashburn (1874-1950) was a Major General in the United States Army who served as the Chief of the Inland Waterways Corporation (IWC) and a prominent figure in the development and promotion of inland waterway transportation in the United States.

Ashburn graduated from the United States Military Academy at West Point in 1897. He served in various engineering and administrative roles within the Army, including assignments related to river and harbor improvements. His experience in these areas led to his appointment as the head of the IWC, a government-owned corporation responsible for operating barge lines on the Mississippi River and its tributaries.

As Chief of the IWC, Ashburn was instrumental in modernizing the fleet, expanding services, and advocating for the construction of locks and dams to improve navigability. He championed the economic benefits of inland water transportation, arguing it provided a cheaper alternative to rail transport for bulk commodities. He also worked to standardize shipping practices and improve coordination between different modes of transportation.

Ashburn's tenure at the IWC spanned from 1924 until his retirement from the Army in 1940. His leadership helped establish the IWC as a vital component of the nation's transportation infrastructure and played a key role in the development of the modern inland waterway system. After his retirement, he continued to advocate for water resources development.