Col. Albert S. Bigelow was born in Cloud County, Kansas, January 23, 1888. He was raised in Minnesota where he completed his preparatory education in 1909. He graduated from the University of Chicago with an A.B. degree in 1915, completing his senior year by attendance at three successive summer quarters. He was an instructor in academic subjects and Commandant of Cadets at Pillsbury Academy in Minnesota during the years 1912 - 1914. He served in the Second Minnesota Infantry from 1907 to 1914 as private, corporal, sergeant, and battalion sergeant-major. In 1914 he return to Kansas as high school principal at Hiawatha. He was appointed second lieutenant in the First Kansas Infantry in 1916 and served in that capacity on the Mexican border in that year. On August 5, 1917, he entered federal service again with the 137th Infantry of the 35th Division in the A.E.F. He participated in the Vosges Defensive and St. Mihiel and Meuse-Argonne Offensives. Twice wounded in action, he received the Purple Heart Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster. In 1922, he was appointed captain of the 130th Field Artillery Regiment and entered active duty as a lieutenant colonel, with that organization on December 23, 1940. Becoming over-age-in-grade for combat branches in 1941, he was detailed as Base Quartermaster, Merced (California) Army Air Base. Separated for physical disability in 1944, he returned to duty as Special Assistant Adjutant General, a position he had held until 1934. Appointed Assistant Adjutant General in 1947, with State rank of colonel, AGC. At his request, he reverted to Special Assistant in 1952. His additional civilian positions held included Superintendent of the Kansas State Industrial Reformatory, and Deputy Collector of Internal Revenue.