Samson L. Faison

Samson Lane Faison (November 29, 1860 – October 17, 1940) was a brigadier general in the United States Army who commanded the 30th Infantry Division at various times during World War I. He received the Distinguished Service Medal for his significant role in the breaking of the German's Hindenburg Line.

Samson Lane Faison
Born(1860-11-29)November 29, 1860
Faison, North Carolina
DiedOctober 17, 1940(1940-10-17) (aged 79)
Baltimore, Maryland
AllegianceUnited States of America
Service/branch United States Army
Years of service1883-1922
Rank Brigadier General
Commands held30th Infantry Division
Battles/warsApache Wars
Philippine–American War
World War I
AwardsDistinguished Service Medal
RelationsLCDR S. Lane Faison (son)

Personal life

Samson L. Faison was born in Faison, North Carolina (Duplin County) to Elias James Faison and Elizabeth Maria Lane.[1] He had four brothers and two sisters. A North Carolina state historical marker stands today in the town bearing his name, birthplace, and accomplishments.[2] Faison married Eleanor Sowers in 1906 and had two children, S. Lane Faison Jr. and Eleanor. His son Lane had a distinguished career as an art historian, member of the OSS's Art Looting Investigation Unit in World War II, and long-time faculty member at Williams College.

Career highlights
Faison's 1883 West Point Graduation photo

Apache Wars and Geronimo Campaign

Faison graduated from West Point in 1883 and served in the Arizona Territory with the 1st Infantry from 1883-1886 during the final years of the Apache Wars. In 1885, Lt. Faison was selected by General George Crook to lead Apache Scout Companies into Mexico to help track down the Apache war leader, Geronimo. Faison was in the field for 11 months during 1885–1886 and was one of the few officers present at the council between Crook and Geronimo in March 1886, famously documented by photographer C. S. Fly. General Crook later recognized Faison and six other officers "for bearing uncomplainingly the almost incredible fatigues and privations as well as the dangers incident to their operations" while they "commanded expeditions or Indian Scouts in Mexico."[3] In 1898 Faison wrote a memoir of his experience in the 1885-1886 Geronimo Campaign, which was published posthumously in 2012 in the Journal of the Southwest.[4]

Council Between Gen. Crook and Geronimo in Mexico, March 1886. Lt. Faison is seated far left in foreground.

West Point and the Philippines

From 1896-1899, Lt. Faison was senior instructor of infantry tactics at the United States Military Academy.[5] In 1899, Captain Faison left West Point to participate in the Philippine-American War where he served in several combat operations against the Philippine insurrection with the 13th Infantry. He also served as adjutant general and later as judge advocate of military commissions and as judge of the provost court in the Philippines until 1902.[6] That fall he returned to the US and assumed command of Fort Mason in San Francisco.

Army War College

Major Faison attended the United States Army War College from 1910 to 1911. Upon graduation, he served briefly as an instructor and administrator.

World War I

After the United States entered the war, Colonel Faison accepted a wartime promotion of brigadier general in August 1917 and command of the 60th Brigade of the 30th Infantry Division. General Faison commanded the Division for several periods during both its training phase in South Carolina and while in France. During the 2nd Somme offensive in September–October 1918, Faison's 60th brigade is said by at least one source to have been the first Americans to break through the German Hindenburg Line at Bellicourt, France.[7] Faison's Distinguished Service Medal citation reads as follows:

General Faison commanded with great credit the 60th Infantry Brigade, 30th Division, in the breaking of the enemy's Hindenburg line at Bellicourt, France, and in subsequent operations in which important captures were made, all marking him as a military commander of great energy and determination.[8]

Brigadier General Faison in Belgium 1918

Later career and life

After the world war, Faison returned to his permanent rank of colonel, but was officially promoted to brigadier general in 1922. He retired from active duty later that same year because of physical disabilities. Faison died in Baltimore, Maryland on October 17, 1940 at the age of 79 and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.

Awards and honors

Here is the ribbon bar of Brigadier General Faison:
1st Row Army Distinguished Service Medal Indian Campaign Medal Philippine Campaign Medal
2nd Row World War I Victory Medal with three battle Clasps Officer of the Legion of Honour (France) Croix de guerre 1914–1918 with Palm (France)

Bibliography
  • Strategy and Tactics[9]
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References
  1. Davis Jr., Henry Blaine (1998). Generals in Khaki. Pentland Press, Inc. p. 123. ISBN 1571970886. OCLC 40298151.
  2. "Marker: F-29". Ncmarkers.com. Retrieved 2015-02-27.
  3. General Orders and Circulars, Adjutant General's Office, 1891. Washington, Government Printing Office
  4. Edward K. Faison. "Lieutenant Faison's Account of the Geronimo Campaign" (PDF). Highstead.net. Retrieved 2015-02-27.
  5. Davis Jr., Henry Blaine (1998). Generals in Khaki. Pentland Press, Inc. p. 123. ISBN 1571970886. OCLC 40298151.
  6. Davis Jr., Henry Blaine (1998). Generals in Khaki. Pentland Press, Inc. p. 123. ISBN 1571970886. OCLC 40298151.
  7. Ingram, Charles M. "Faison, Samson Lane". NCpedia. Retrieved 2015-02-27.
  8. (PDF) https://web.archive.org/web/20130318004007/http://digital-library.usma.edu/libmedia/archives/aogreports/V1941.PDF. Archived from the original (PDF) on March 18, 2013. Retrieved March 23, 2014. Missing or empty |title= (help)
  9. Ingram, Charles M. "Faison, Samson Lane". NCpedia. Retrieved 2015-02-27.
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