Charles Carroll Harper Pennington

Description

Portrait painting of "Charles Carroll Harper Pennington" (1884-1945), at three years of age, by his uncle, Robert Goodloe Harper Pennington (1854-1920). Pennington was born on August 23, 1884 in Paris, France, to William Clapham Pennington (1858-1932) and Margaret Lavens Gregg Pennington (1860-1953) (2021.1.1), and named after his famous ancestor Charles Carroll of Carrollton (1737-1832). After his parent's marriage in 1883, they went on their honeymoon in Austria, remaining for around three years. Per his parent's express wishes, Pennington was raised in Austria, and placed in a military preparatory school as at the age of twelve. After graduation, he continued with his education at the National Military Academy, graduating with honors. During this early education, he was looked after by a cousin Agnes Carroll von Heussenstamm (Countess von Heussenstamm), whose husband Count von Heussenstamm, was an Austrian army officer. After he completed his military training, he was commissioned a lieutenant of cavalry in the Austrian Army and went about establishing himself in Austria's highest social circles. A July 1914 "Baltimore Sun" article described him: "Lieutenant Pennington is a handsome man of graceful soldierly bearing, and he is never seen to better advantage than when in the saddle, for he has been a remarkable horseman since boyhood. Although most of his life has been spent in the country which he is now serving, he has visited the land of his ancestors four or five times and has always spent the greater part of his visits in this city, where he has many friends." As an established military officer in the Austro-Hungarian army, he was involved in some of the earliest fighting when World War I (WWI) broke out in 1914. He was decorated for conspicuous bravery during a cavalry engagement on the Russian front in December 1914, and by 1916 was considered a Rittmeister (Cavalry Master). At the time the U.S. entered WWI in 1917, Pennington became an enemy of the United States, and was likely one of only a few American citizens serving as an officer with the Central Powers. Pennington survived the war and in July 1919, he married Caroline Pfeiffer von Weissenegg (1892-1945) of Vienna, who was previously married to Wilhelm von Dessovic II (1885-1945). Along with the marriage, he gained a step-son in Wilhelm von Dessovic III (1912-2000). Later records refer to the army officer simply as "Karl" Pennington. He continued his life in high society and the army. During World War II (WWII), he served as a major in the 7th Ulan (light cavalry), and died in Italy while in the service in 1945 (some records indicate 1943). The exact circumstances of his death are unknown.