Wells, Briant Harris, 1871-1949

Briant Harris Wells (b. Dec. 5, 1871, Salt Lake City, Utah-d. June 10, 1949), Major General in the U.S. Army, graduated from West Point in 1894. He served in the Philippines for two tours, and during World War I he served with the Army General Staff, was staff officer for the Supreme War Council, and was chief of staff for VI and IV U.S. Corps. He later served as commandant of the Infantry School and deputy Army chief of staff. His final assignment was as commanding general, Hawaiian Department, and he retired in 1935.

From the description of Wells, Briant Harris, 1871-1949 (U.S. National Archives and Records Administration). naId: 10599079

West Point graduate, 1896, no. 3610. Served in the Spanish-American War, 2nd Infantry; first Army officer ordered from Cuba to the Philippines; served under General Tasker H. Bliss, was promoted to Brigadier General in Nov. 1923 then named the Commandant of the Infantry School (1923); Deputy Chief of Staff, War Dept.

From the description of The Briant Harris Wells papers, 1898-1955, bulk 1898-1935. (US Army, Mil Hist Institute). WorldCat record id: 20971449

Briant Harris Wells (1871-1949) was an American military officer from Utah.

Briant Harris Wells was born on December 5, 1871 in Salt Lake City, to Daniel Hanmer Wells and Martha Givens Harris. His father was a military man and commanded the guard "Legion" of the Mormon migration in 1848. He continued to serve as the Lieutenant General once they arrived in Utah. Because of his father's career, it was no surprise when Briant Wells entered the United States Military Academy at West Point. It was not easy because his previous schooling was behind many of the other young men, but he worked extremely hard to make his way in West Point, and at the end of four years graduated in 1894. He was stationed in an infantry unit in Fort Omaha after, but returned to Salt Lake City in 1896 to "recruit" someone to join him in his earthly post. He married Mary Jane Jennings on December 30, 1896 in Salt Lake City. They would have three children together.

The year 1898 brought the start of the Spanish-American War. Lieutenant Wells went to Cuba and fought at San Juan Hill where he would later receive the silver star for his gallantry in action. He was promoted right away and also later received the purple heart for taking a bullet that would stay in him for 50 years. That same year he also served in the Philippines. After the Philippines he served in places such as Governors Island, Fort Douglas, Panama, and other places until 1916 when he was stationed at the Mexican border. When the U.S. entered World War I in 1917 he was called to the War Department General Staff. He trained troops in Virginia and then was sent to France in the American Section of the Supreme War Council. He served as the American Liaison Officer to the Supreme Commander, Marshal Foch. In 1918 he was sent to be among the troops to gain promotion as a brigadier general. While out in the field he also received the Distinguished Service Medal and was put on the "Initial General Staff Eligible List." After the war, he was put on the War Plans Division of the General Staff of the War Department, where in 1921 he would become the chief of his entire division. In 1923 he became Commandant of the great Infantry School at Fort Benning, the highest infantry proficiency recognition possible, where he served for three years. Later the new field house at the school would be named after him. He was recalled to the War Department again in 1926 and was promoted to major general in 1928. In 1930 he began his last assignment in Hawaii as the commander of the First Division. He retired there and became the Executive Vice-President and Secretary of the Hawaiian Sugar Planters Association. He became the president of the first Honolulu Community Theatre in 1935 and remained so until his death. He was also a member of the Hawaiian Historical Society, the Social Science Club, the Oahu Country Club and the Pacific Club.

Wells died on June 10, 1949 in Long Beach California on his way to a class reunion at the age of 77. He was buried in Arlington National Cemetery on June 17, 1949.

From the guide to the Briant Harris Wells military certificates and other material, 1991, 1894-1937, (L. Tom Perry Special Collections)