Lt. Gen. Andrew Davis Bruce
Killeen, Bell County, Texas
Marker Inscription
Lt. Gen. Andrew Davis Bruce (September 14, 1894-July 27, 1969) Originator of tank destroyer corps; "Father of Fort Hood." Brilliant battlefield leader and educator. Born in St. Louis, Mo.; graduated 1916 from Texas A. and M.; in 1917, began 37 years of active military duty. In France with 2nd Infantry Division, World War I, attained (at 24) temporary rank of Lieutenant Colonel. Served in German occupation, 1919. In 1920s-30s, taught and wrote texts in military science and tactics; and served with 33rd Infantry Division, Panama Canal Zone. When assigned to start tank destroyer center, he situated it at Killeen, Feb. 1942, because of terrain and climate, naming the camp (now a fort) for Gen. John Bell Hood (1831-79), "Whose enemies never saw his back." Made a Major General, Sept. 9, 1942, Bruce commanded 77th Infantry Division in World War II battles of Guam, Leyte, Kerama Rotto, Ie Shima, and Okinawa. As in World War I, he won many decorations, including two awards of the Distinguished Service Cross. He was Governor of Hokkaido, Japan, 1945-46; Deputy Commander, 4th Army, 1947-51; commandant of Armed Forces Staff College from 1951 until his retirement in 1954. (1972) In distinguished civilian career, served University of Houston as president, 1954-56; chancellor, 1956-61. He and wife Roberta (Kennedy) had three children.
Erected by Texas Historical Commission
The Story
Born in St. Louis in 1894 and a 1916 graduate of Texas A&M, Andrew Davis Bruce began 37 years of military service in 1917, rising to lieutenant colonel at age 24 in France during World War I. Asked to create the Army's tank destroyer center, he chose Killeen in 1942 for its terrain and climate and named the camp for Confederate general John Bell Hood, giving rise to Fort Hood. In World War II he led the 77th Infantry Division through Guam, Leyte, Ie Shima, and Okinawa, earning two Distinguished Service Crosses, before a later career as president and chancellor of the University of Houston.
Why it matters
As originator of the tank destroyer corps and "Father of Fort Hood," Bruce shaped both American armored doctrine and one of the largest military posts in the nation.
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Related people
- · Andrew Davis Bruce
- · John Bell Hood
Themes & tags
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