James William McAndrew (June 29, 1862 – April 30, 1922) was a career officer in the United States Army.

[1] He attained the rank of major general, and was most notable for his service as chief of staff of the American Expeditionary Forces during World War I.

A native of Hawley, Pennsylvania, McAndrew graduated from the United States Military Academy in 1888 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant of Infantry.

He served in this position until the end of the war, and received credit for steps to improves the AEF staff's efficiency with respect to its planning process and preparation of operations orders.

[2] Appointed to the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, New York, in 1884, he graduated 12th in his class in June 1888 and was commissioned a second lieutenant of Infantry.

Assigned to the 21st Infantry Regiment, McAndrew served initially in the western United States, and took part in the Ghost Dance War against the Sioux in 1890–1891.

[2] Shortly after the American entry into World War I in April 1917, McAndrew was, in May, promoted to colonel and assigned as commander of the 18th Infantry.

[5] McAndrew was praised for the leadership and management style he brought to the AEF staff, including speeding up the planning process and preparation of operations orders by delegating as much authority as possible, including allowing senior staff officers to issue directives in Pershing's name when circumstances required it.

[7] McAndrew's siblings included: Richard, who was ordained as a priest in 1877 and served for many years in Wilkes-Barre, Pennsylvania;[8] Patrick, a career Army surgeon who attained the rank of colonel;[8] Jane, the wife of Scranton, Pennsylvania, merchant M. J. Healey;[8] Mary, a school teacher; Harriet, an Ursuline nun who lived and worked in Youngstown, Ohio;[8] Eliza, the wife of locomotive construction superintendent Thomas F. Howley of Dunmore, Pennsylvania;[8] and Kathryn, the wife of Erie Railroad agent John Creighton, of Caldwell, New Jersey.