[2] The New York Times of 1930s noted that many contemporary generals (Nolan, Leon Kromer, Malin Craig, Paul Bunker) were connected by past football experience at West Point.

[1] Starting in August 1920, Nolan, then a brigadier general, served for a year as the War Department Chief of Military Intelligence Division.

During the lean post-war and Great Depression years of military spending, he as well other corps commanders were expected to maintain good relations with the public and civilian officials.

Nolan accepted his final posting as commanding general of Second Corps Area, in charge of army units and facilities in New York, New Jersey, Delaware and Puerto Rico on December 1, 1931.

On October 1, 1933, First United States Army was reestablished, co-located and co-staffed with Second Corps Area at Fort Jay, Governors Island, New York.