Lieutenant General Andrew Davis Bruce (September 14, 1894 – July 28, 1969) was an American academic and soldier who served as the third president of the University of Houston.

The citation read, The Distinguished Service Cross is presented to Andrew D. Bruce, Major, U.S. Army, for extraordinary heroism in action near Vierzy, France, July 17–18, 1918, and near Blanc Mont October 3–4, 1918.

On the night of July 17–18, Major Bruce made a personal reconnaissance ahead of his troops through heavy flanking machine-gun fire.

[2] Following the American entry into World War II, due to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941, and the German declaration of war on the United States four days later, Bruce, promoted to the one-star general officer rank of brigadier general was assigned to organize a new tank destroyer center.

He was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal for his role in organizing the tank destroyer center, with the medal's citation reading as follows: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Andrew Davis Bruce (ASN: 0-5857), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility in planning, organizing, establishing, and operating initially the Tank Destroyer Center, Camp Hood, Texas during World War II.

He contributed materially to the development of tank destroyer tactics employed by our armed forces in all the theaters of operation.

The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Bruce and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army.

[7] It was also during the fighting on Guam that saw Bruce receive the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, the citation for which reads: The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Navy Distinguished Service Medal to Major General Andrew Davis Bruce (ASN: 0-5857), United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States as Commanding General of the 77th Infantry Division during the attack and occupation of the Island of Guam from 21 July 1944 to 10 August 1944.

General Bruce displayed exceptional ability and keen tactical judgment in directing the operations of his Division.

His courage, determination, and outstanding leadership throughout contributed materially to the success of the entire operations and were in keeping with the highest traditions of the Armed Forces of the United States.

Despite the fact that the Japanese had tried to destroy the airfields, army engineers were able to have all taxiways and runways fully operational by mid-May.

[11] Shortly after arriving, Bruce noted that the university was missing something which he considered fundamental—a chapel for student use located on campus.

He remarked to the Director of Religious Activities that if you "[e]xclude religion entirely from education...you have no foundation upon which to build moral character.

"[11] A year after he took office, Bruce began investigating whether there would be interest in building a religious center and chapel complex at the school.

In November 1959 this governing board sought state support for the university, which had grown rapidly under Bruce's leadership.