| David Legge Brainard | |
|---|---|
| Born | December 21, 1856 Norway, New York |
| Died | March 22, 1946 (aged 89) |
| Buried at | Arlington National Cemetery |
| Allegiance | United States |
| Service/branch | United States Army |
| Years of service | 1876-1919 |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Unit | Howgate Expedition Lady Franklin Bay Expedition 2nd Cavalry |
| Battles/wars | Indian Wars Spanish-American War |
| Awards | Charles P. Daly Medal The Explorers Club Medal |
Brigadier-General David Legge Brainard (December 21, 1856−March 22, 1946) was an American arctic explorer and soldier.
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Brainard was born in Norway, New York, the fifth son to Alanson Brainard and Maria C. Legge.
Brainard enlisted in the US Army in 1876, and served in the Sioux, Bannock and Nez Perce campaigns in 1877 and 1878 under General Nelson Appleton Miles, where he was wounded on his face and right hand.[1][2]
In 1880, he volunteered and was selected for the Howgate Expedition, which was canceled. However, the next year he was detailed as first sergeant for the ill-fated Lady Franklin Bay Expedition under Adolphus Greely. Over the three years of this expedition he continuously kept a journal. Among the men to die on this expedition was James Booth Lockwood, second-in-command of the expedition and Brainard's companion on many excursions, including their record breaking push north to 83°23'30". Brainard wrote of his passing on April 9, 1884:
Lieut. Lockwood became unconscious early this morning and at 4:30 p.m. breathed his last. This will be a sad blow to his family who evidently idolized him. To me it is also a sorrowful event. He had been my companion during long and eventful excursions, and my feeling toward him was akin to that of a brother. Biederbick and myself straightened his limps and prepared his remains for burial. This was the saddest duty I have ever yet been called upon to perform.[2]
Shortly before rescue, in the spring of 1884, freezing, starving and suffering from scurvy, he wrote:
Our own condition is so wretched, so palpably miserable, that death would be welcomed rather than feared...[3]
Brainard was one of only six survivors rescued by Rear Admiral Winfield Scott Schley on June 22, 1884. On that day, he was reportedly too weak to hold his pencil to make a note in his log.[2] He was awarded the Back Grant by the Royal Geographical Society in 1885.
Brainard was commissioned second lieutenant in the 2nd Cavalry in 1886 "as recognition of the gallant and meritorious services rendered by him in the Arctic expedition of 1881-1884." He then had the distinction of being the only living (active or retired) officer in the US Army commissioned for specific services.[3] He served as Chief Commissary of the Military Forces in the Philippines during the Spanish-American War in 1898.[1]
After being promoted to brigadier general in 1917,[4] he served as Military Attaché of the US Embassy in Portugal from 1918 until his retirement from the Army in 1919.
Brainard was awarded the Charles P. Daly Medal by the American Geographical Society for his arctic exploration in 1926, and in 1929 was awarded The Explorers Club Medal. He elected an honorary member of the American Polar Society in 1936, on his 80th birthday.[2][5]
Brainard married twice, first to Anna Chase in 1888, then to Sara Hall Guthrie (1880−1953) in 1917, leaving no children and one stepdaughter, Elinor, from his second marriage.[1] Brainard died, aged 89, on March 22, 1946, and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery, joined by his second wife in 1953.[6] He was the last survivor of the Lady Franklin Bay Expedition, the second-last member having died in 1935.[4]