Andrew Davis Bruce

Lieutenant General Andrew Davis Bruce (September 14, 1894 – July 28, 1969) was an American academic and soldier who served as the third president of the University of Houston. He retired from the United States Army in 1954 as a lieutenant general after seeing action in both World War I and World War II and founding Fort Hood, Texas. Three countries, France, the Philippines, and the United States, awarded him service medals, including the Distinguished Service Cross, the U.S. Army's second highest military decoration. Bruce is interred in Arlington National Cemetery.

Early years Bruce was born on September 14, 1894, in St. Louis, Missouri, to John Logan Bruce and Martha Washington Smith. His family moved to Texas when he was a child. After finishing high school Bruce attended the Agricultural and Mechanical College of Texas, now known as Texas A&M University, where he was required to be a member of the Corps of Cadets and undergo military training. In 1916, Bruce earned a doctorate of laws from Texas A&M. After completing his training he was sent to combat in France as part of the 2nd Infantry Division's 5th Machine Gun Battalion. He saw action in the trenches of the Western Front in the Troyon Sector near Verdun, in the Aisne Defensive operation near Chateau Thierry, the Aisne-Marne offensive at Soissons, the fighting at St. Mihiel, and the Meuse-Argonne Offensive at Blanc Mont. Following the signing of the Armistice with Germany on November 11, 1918, he moved with his division into Germany to be part of the occupation force. At the relatively young age of 24 Bruce achieved the temporary rank of lieutenant colonel.

Between the wars In 1920, Bruce married Roberta Linnell Kennedy. The couple made their home in Bryan, Texas, near Texas A&M, and Bruce taught military science and tactics at Allen Academy. They had three children.

Major General Andrew Davis Bruce (standing), pictured sometime in 1944.

After training in the United States the division was sent overseas in March 1944. Under Bruce's leadership the 77th Division fought in the Pacific War, participating in campaigns in Guam, Leyte, and Ryukyu. During the fighting on Guam the 77th Division's chief of staff, Colonel Douglas C. McNair, son of Lieutenant General Lesley J. McNair, the commander of Army Ground Forces, was killed in action. It was also during the fighting on Guam that saw Bruce receive the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the citation for which reads:

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Andrew Davis Bruce (ASN: 0-5857), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commanding General of the 77th Infantry Division during the attack and occupation of the Island of Guam from 21 July 1944 to 10 August 1944. General Bruce displayed exceptional ability and keen tactical judgment in directing the operations of his Division. His courage, determination, and outstanding leadership throughout contributed materially to the success of the entire operations and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States. For his service the government of the Philippines later awarded him the Philippine Legion of Honor, the Philippine Liberation Medal, and the Presidential Unit Citation.

Post-World War II After the surrender of Japan, Bruce served as the military governor of Hokkaidō. In 1946, he was transferred to be, briefly, commander of the 7th Infantry Division which was occupying Korea. He returned to the United States in October 1947, becoming deputy army commander of the Fourth Army stationed at Fort Sam Houston in Texas. His primary responsibilities were to assist with the training activities of the Reserve Officers' Training Corps (ROTC), National Guard and Organized Reserve Corps of five states. He succeeded interim president C. F. McElhinney.

In 1956, Bruce was appointed the first chancellor of the university, in addition to his duties as president. In addition, Interstate 35 through Temple was named "General Bruce Drive".