Harry Montague Trippe was born in Whitewater, Wisconsin, on September 14, 1872, the son of Cornelia Montague Trippe and William James Trippe. He attended local schools and graduated from the University of Wisconsin in 1896 with a degree in civil engineering.
Between 1896 and 1917 Trippe was employed as an engineer by the U.S. Geological Survey; the Chicago and Northwestern Railway; the Missouri, Kansas and Texas Railway; the Badger Railway; the Interstate Commerce Commission (where he ultimately reached the rank of engineer, senior grade); and the city of Whitewater.
In March, 1917 Trippe was commissioned as captain in the Engineer Officers Reserve Corps. In August, following completion of training at Fort Leavenworth, Kansas, Trippe was promoted to major and assigned to the 308th Engineer Regiment just being formed at Camp Sherman, Ohio. In June, 1918 the 308th went overseas as part of the American Expeditionary Force. Shortly thereafter Trippe, newly promoted to lieutenant colonel, assumed command of the regiment.
During Trippe's tenure as commanding officer the regiment participated in two major offenses: the Oise-Aisne and the Meuse-Argonne. During the latter offensive the regiment distinguished itself with the rapidity of its bridge construction over the Meuse. In 1920 Trippe was awarded a distinguished service medal for this accomplishment. Following the armistice, the 308th served as part of the Occupation forces in Germany, before being mustered out in June of 1919.
In 1920 Trippe reentered the army as a major. His duty stations during the 1920's included the Canal Zone and Columbus, Ohio. In 1930 Trippe was appointed district engineer of the port of Milwaukee. He continued in this post until his retirement due to ill health in 1936.
Trippe married Culla Anderson of Whitewater on June 29, 1905. They had three daughters. Trippe died in Whitewater on August 1, 1939.
