george l. willard was born in new york city on august 15, 1827. in 1847 he enlisted in the 15th u.s. infantry and served in the mexican-american war. by the war's end, willard had reached the rank of sergeant. for his part in the war he was made a second lieutenant in the 8th u.s. infantry. willard served in the regular service until the outbreak of the civil war, rising to the rank of captain. at the outbreak of the war willard was unwilling to give up his regular commission and so he missed any chance to command a regiment of volunteers. he served with his regiment during the peninsula campaign.