George GoethalsBorn on June 29, 1858, in Brooklyn, New York, to the parents of two Dutch immigrants, George Washington Goethals would soon become one of the most eminent men in industrial history. He was an Army officer who fought in Europe in World War I. George Goethal would be presented with a great undertaking, the construction of the Panama Canal. George Goethals is the engineer who oversaw the construction of the Panama Canal. American engineer and Army officer in World War I, George Goethals is one of the most underrated men in American history. George Goethals moved to New York at the age of eleven. Goethals studied for three years to become a doctor at the College of New York City. After three years of study at college in New York City, he attended the United States Military Academy at West Point. Goethals graduated second in his class in 1880. He then went on to become an engineer. Goethal worked on projects involving river and harbor improvements. He has gained valuable experience in dealing with these channels and ports. He eventually began teaching engineering at West Point College and served as the Army's assistant chief of engineers. During the Spanish-American War he was promoted to chief engineer of the First Army Corps and was eventually assigned to the United States General Staff. His job on the US Joint Chiefs of Staff sent him to live in Washington DC. He was introduced to many political leaders and government officials including President Theodore Roosevelt. (Goethals, George Washington)In 1904 the Panama Canal was built under the supervision of John Findley Wallace, however, Wallace resigned after only a year due to frustration over the isthmus. Wallace was later replaced with Jo... middle of paper... Canal is one of the greatest industrial successes in history. Works Cited "Biographies". Biography of George Washington Goethal. http://www.essaytask.com/biographies/George-Washington-Goethals-29556.html (accessed May 28, 2014). "Goethals, George Washington." Goethal, George Washington. http://www.asce.org/pplcontent.aspx? ID=2147487331 (accessed May 28, 2014). "Panama Canal Authority". George Washington Goethal. http://www.pancanal.com/eng/history/biographies/goethals.html (accessed 28 May 2014). "The Chief Engineers of the Panama Canal". PBS. http://www.pbs.org/wgbh/americanexperience/features/general-article/panama-engineers/ (accessed May 28, 2014). Zimmerman, Phyllis A. The Neck of the Bottle George W. Goethals and the Reorganization of the U.S. Army Supply System, 1917-1918. University Station: Texas A&M University Press, 1992.