The last History Mystery question: What Kenosha native military man has an Army fort named for him?

The answer: Fort McCoy in west-central Wisconsin is named for Maj. Gen. Robert Bruce McCoy, who was born in Kenosha on Sept. 5, 1867, the son of a Civil War captain, Bruce Elisha McCoy.

Soon after his birth, McCoy’s family moved to Lafayette Township in Monroe County, Wis., where his father was a miller.

In 1876, a spring flood swept away the mill property, and the family moved to Sparta to resume the milling business.

In high school, Bob McCoy demonstrated his leadership abilities. He was a star athlete when he graduated from high school in 1887 and again at the University of Wisconsin, where he played on the varsity baseball team.

In 1890, he played semi-professional baseball in Ashland, Wis.

McCoy graduated from the University of Wisconsin Law School in 1891, became a newspaper publisher and soon opened a law office in Sparta.

McCoy’s National Guard military career began in May 1895. During his 31 years of distinguished service, he reached the rank of major general. His service included duty in the Spanish-American War and World War I.

After his service in the Spanish-American conflict, he was elected a Monroe County judge and remained a judge there until 1914. In 1920, he was the Democratic candidate in the Wisconsin governor’s race.

During World War I, Capt. McCoy was advanced to the rank of colonel and was given the command of the 125th Infantry. Later he was sent overseas with the 128th Infantry and was given command of the 127th Infantry while in Germany.

Among his awards for valor were the Distinguished Service Medal and the French Croix de Guerre.

He was promoted to brigadier general in 1920 and major general in 1924.

He was peace-time commander of the 32nd National Guard division.

McCoy was ill for more than two years before his death and had received more than 30 blood transfusions to treat pernicious anemia (a decrease in red blood cells that occurs when the body cannot properly absorb vitamin B12 from the gastrointestinal tract).

McCoy died Jan. 5, 1926, at the age of 58. In November of that year the post was renamed in his honor.

This week’s mystery: On Oct. 18, 1942, thousands of people lined Sixth Avenue downtown to watch ... what?