Louis Brainerd Ely – Colonel, United States Army

On 7 September 1950, Far East Command organized the Special Activities Group (SAG) and appointed Colonel Louis B. Ely to command the new unit. The 1st Raider Company became one of the group’s units. The other units were: 41st Royal Marine Commando and the “UK and the Royal Navy Volunteer Group.”The Raider Company was disbanded in April 1951 when Department of the Army deactivated all “Ranger and Ranger-type units.”

He is the son of Major General Hanson Edward Ely.


Colonel Louis Brainerd Ely

Born May 23, 1899 in the Philippines
Died May 3, 1986

Cadet United States Military Academy 1917-19
Graduated as No. 6291, Class of 1919

  • Second Lieutenant 1919
  • First Lieutenant 1923
  • Captain 1935
  • Major 1940
  • Lieutenant Colonel (Army of the United States) 1941
  • Colonel (Army of the United States) 1942
  • Lieutenant Colonel, United States Army, 1942
  • Colonel, United States Army, 1948
  • Served with 2nd Field Artillery until 1931
  • Student Officer, Tank School 1931-32
  • Battery Commander, Fort Benning 1932-33
  • Battery Commander, Maxwell Field 1933-35
  • Student Officer, Air Corps Tactical School 1935-36
  • Student, Command & General Staff School 1936-37
  • Instructor, 108th Field Artillery 1937-41
  • Assistant G-3 & G-2 & Instructor Scouts and Raiders, HQ. Section A, Amphibious Force, Atlantic Fleet 1941-43
  • Director of Training Assault Center, Bideford (England) 1943-44
  • Student, Army-Navy Staff College 1944
  • Assistant Chief of Staff G-2 (Intelligence), 10th US.Army & Commander 54th Service Group 1944-46
  • Assistant G-2 (Intelligence), Army Ground Forces & Chief of Intelligence Division, G-2 Section 1946-49
  • Chief, Civilian Components Division, G-1 (Personnel) Division, Army General Staff 1949-50
  • Commander, Special Activities Group (Far East Command) 1950-51
  • Retired 1953
  • Legion of Merit – Army Commendation Ribbon

New York, New York – September 22, 1949

MRS. LOUIS B. ELY

Mrs. Dorothy Chamberlain Ely, wife of Colonel Louis B. Ely, USA, of Fort Monroe, Virginia, and daughter of Colonel Fred V. S. Chamberlain, USA, retired, of this city, died yesterday in the Walter Reed Hospital, Washington, D.C., after a brief illness at the age of 49.  Besides her husband and parents, she leaves a son, Louis B. Ely, Jr. of Millis, Massachusetts; a brother, Fred S. Chamberlain of this city and a granddaughter.  Colonel Ely is a son of Major General Hanson E. Ely, USA, retired of Washington


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