Preston Brown (United States Army officer) facts for kids

Quick facts for kids Preston Brown
Brigadier General Preston Brown
Born	(1872-01-02)January 2, 1872 Lexington, Kentucky, U.S.
Died	June 30, 1948(1948-06-30) (aged 76) Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts, U.S.
Allegiance	United States of America
Branch	United States Army
Rank	Major General
Unit	2nd Infantry Division IV Corps
Commands	3rd Infantry Division Sixth Corps Area
Wars	World War I Battle of Château-Thierry Battle of Saint-Mihiel Battle of Meuse-Argonne
Awards	Distinguished Service Medal

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Preston Brown was an American army officer. He was born on January 2, 1872, and passed away on June 30, 1948. He fought in World War I with the American Expeditionary Forces. Brown became a major general before he retired from the army in 1936.

Preston Brown's Early Life

Preston Brown was born in Lexington, Kentucky. His family had a strong military background. His grandfather, William C. Preston, was a general. His father, John Mason Brown, was a colonel. Preston went to Yale University. After graduating in 1892, he also studied at the University of Virginia.

His Army Career

Major General Omar Bundy (center), commander of the U.S. 2nd Division, Colonel Preston Brown, the division's chief of staff, and other members of the division staff, pictured here at Chaumont-en-Vexin, France, May 28, 1918.

Preston Brown joined the army as a private soldier in 1894. He served in the Fifth Field Artillery. He quickly moved up the ranks. In 1897, he became a second lieutenant. By 1916, he was a major.

World War I Service

When the United States entered World War I in 1917, Brown's career advanced quickly. He became a lieutenant colonel in 1917. In 1918, he was promoted to colonel. Later that year, he became a brigadier general.

Brown played an important role in several major battles. He was the chief of staff for the 2nd Division. He helped plan and manage battles at Château-Thierry and Saint-Mihiel. After that, he became the chief of staff for IV Corps.

On October 18, 1918, Brown took command of the 3rd Division. He led this division through the tough Battle of Meuse-Argonne. For his excellent service during the war, he received the Army Distinguished Service Medal.

After the War

After World War I ended in November 1918, Brown continued to serve. He became an assistant chief of staff for the U.S. Army of Occupation. In 1919, he became an instructor at the United States Army Command and General Staff College.

He was also the acting commander of the U.S. Army War College in 1921. In the same year, he commanded the 3rd Infantry Brigade. From 1928 to 1932, Preston Brown was in charge of the Panama Canal Zone. He also commanded the Sixth Corps Area from 1933 to 1934.

Brown retired from the army in 1936. He had reached the high rank of major general. He then moved to Martha's Vineyard.

Personal Life

In 1905, Preston Brown married Susan Ford Dorrance. They had one child, a son named Dorrance Brown. Sadly, Dorrance passed away in 1936.

Death and Burial

Preston Brown died on June 30, 1948, in Vineyard Haven, Massachusetts. He was buried in Cave Hill Cemetery in Louisville, Kentucky.

Awards and Honors

• Distinguished Service Medal
• Spanish War Service Medal
• Philippine Campaign Medal
• Mexican Border Service Medal
• World War I Victory Medal
• Commander, Legion of Honor (France)