Hanson Edward Ely (November 23, 1867 – April 28, 1958) was a United States Army officer in the late 19th and early 20th centuries.

After attending various local schools he entered the United States Military Academy (USMA) at West Point, New York in 1887, from where he graduated from there over four years later.

In addition to commanding General Frederick Funston's mounted scouts, Ely served as a regimental and district adjutant in Luzon.

[5] From July 20 to August 24, 1917, Ely served as the Provost-marshal of the American Expeditionary Forces (AEF) of World War I.

[1] After his permanent promotion to major general in 1923, Ely became the commandant of the Army War College, a position he served in until 1927.

In 1925, he published a report that was highly critical of black soldiers in World War I and recommended the army continue to keep them in segregated units.