Preston Brown

Preston Brown (1872-1948) was an American army officer, born in Lexington, Kentucky. He graduated from Yale in 1892 and entered the army as a private. He was commissioned 2d lieutenant in 1897 and rose through the various grades; he became a major in 1916 and a lieutenantcolonel in 1917. In 1918 he was appointed colonel of the national army and in August of the same year was promoted to be brigadiergeneral. He served as Chief of Staff in the 2d division at ChteauThierry anf St. Mihiel in 1918, and was Chief of Staff of the 4th army corps. In August, 1918, he was appointed Commanding General of the 3d division, serving in that capacity through the battle of MeuseArgonne. In November, 1918 he became Assistant Chief of Staff at General Headquarters in the occupied German territory. He was appointed instructor in the Army General Staff College in 1919. He was awarded the Distinguished Service Medal for Exceptional Service for his work as Chief of Staff and in other capacities. In 1921 he was acting commander of the Army War College and in the same year was appointed Commanding General of the third infantry brigade.