Fay W. Brabson

Fay Warrington Brabson (June13, 1880June14, 1970) was a U.S. Army officer, civil governor of a district of the Philippines during the American colonial period, history teacher, and biographer of U.S. president Andrew Johnson.

Biography Born in Andrew Johnson's hometown of Greeneville, Tennessee, Brabson was one of 11 children born to John M. Brabson, founder of the First National Bank of Greeneville, and his wife Maria Harmon. Brabson graduated from the University of Tennessee with a B.A. in 1901. He later earned a master's degree from Vanderbilt in 1913, with a thesis on the later political career of Andrew Johnson. Brabson also served "two tours of duty in the Philippine Islands, sharing in the suppression of the insurrection in Samar and participating in campaigns against the Moros."

From 1921 to 1924 he was "Head of Tactical Section, Infantry School" at Fort Benning. He was "chief of the intelligence staff of the War Department general staff" in Washington, D.C. for four years. He was heavily involved in training logistics during World War II. During his army career he contributed to Tactical Principles and Decisions, General Staff Functioning of Large Units, Combat Orders, Musketry and Rifle Platoon Training, and Staff Officers' Note Book. They had three children together. Brabson died in Staunton, Virginia in 1970 at the age of 90. He served in China, spoke Chinese, was acquainted with Chiang Kai-shek, and "heard the initial shot on the Marco Polo Bridge."

Lt. Col. Joe R. Brabson was a field artillery officer. He was a graduate of the University of Tennessee, was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for his contribution to the American army during World War I, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery. Joe R. and Fay W. Brabson each became "chief" of one of the 29 combat divisions of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) in World War I. Joe R. Brabson's son Col. Kimberly Brabson was a graduate of VMI, was in the U.S. Army for 33 years, and was awarded a Silver Star in 1944.