John A. Bragg

Army

• Served in the Army during World War II.

In January of 1944, John A. Bragg was sent to New Caledonia, in the South Pacific, to become a member of the 147th Regimental Infantry Group, which was attached for much of the war to the Marine Corps, its mission was to follow the Marines as they invaded islands in the Pacific Theater, and to secure each island, bringing it to garrison status. During his time in the Pacific War, Mr. Bragg was engaged in three major battle campaigns: the Admiralty Islands, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. For this service he was awarded three battle stars, the Combat Infantryman's Badge and the Bronze Star. In 2001, for his service in World War II, Mr. Bragg became the 11th recipient of the Dr. Joe Nunley Memorial Award, presented at Middle Tennessee State University to a distinguished Veteran of World War II, who is known also for his service to others.

Mr. Bragg would spend his adult career at Battle Ground Academy, a span of 40 years, serving as teacher, Department Chairman and Assistant Headmaster, and was elected in 1969 as the Academy's ninth Headmaster and held that position until he retired in 1990. In 1988 the Tennessee Association of Independent Schools recognized Mr. Bragg for his Outstanding Contribution to Education. In 1990 the Franklin Lions Club named John Bragg its Educator of the Year. Also in 1990, Tennessee Governor Ned Ray McWherter awarded him with a citation for his "40 years of faithful service to, and in the best interests of, the highest traditions of the State of Tennessee." In 1998 the BGA Board of Trustees dedicated the English and History building on the new campus as Bragg Hall, honoring both John and Jane Bragg.