Fleming, Philip B. (Philip Bracken), 1887-1955

Philip Bracken Fleming (1887-1955) was born in Burlington, Iowa. He attended the University of Wisconsin from 1905 to 1907. In 1910 he graduated from West Point and commissioned in the Army Crops of Engineers. From 1911 to 1912 and then 1915 to 1917, he served in Panama. From 1926 to 1933, he was a senior instructor at West Point. Between May 1933 and June 1935, he served as executive officer and then deputy administrator in the office of the Administrator of Public Works. In 1939 he became administrator of the wage and hour division of the Department of Labor. In January 1941 he made brigadier general and became Federal Works Administrator, a position he held until 1949. The army promoted him to major general in October 1942. He retired from active duty in February 1947. His military decorations included the Distinguished Service Medal. From 1949 to 1950, he served as chairman of the U.S. Maritime Commission. From 1950 to 1951, he was under secretary of commerce. He held the position of ambassador to Costa Rica from 1951 to 1953.