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name
BREY, Elwood James - Date of
birth
28 May 1914 -
Age
30 - Place of
birth
Macungie, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Columbia County, Pennsylvania
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
O-1312374 -
Rank
First Lieutenant -
Function
unknown -
Unit
A Company,
1st Battalion,
325th Glider Infantry Regiment,
82nd Airborne Division
-
Awards
Silver Star,
Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster
Death
-
Status
Died of Wounds - Date of
death
4 January 1945 - Place of
death
Belgium
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Henri-Chapelle
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| A | 2 | 18 |
Immediate family
-
Members
John Brey (father)
Sarah (Rohrback) Brey (mother)
Paul Brey (brother)
Anna Brey (sister)
David Brey (brother)
Dorothy Brey (sister)
John Brey (brother)
Margaret (Bennett) Brey (wife)
More information
1st Lt Elwood J. Brey was employed at the Berwich Golf Club before he enlisted in Wilkes Barre, Pennsylvania on 27 February 1941.The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress 9 July 1918, takes pride in presenting the Silver Star (Posthumously) to First Lieutenant (Infantry) Elwood J. Brey (ASN: 0-1312374), United States Army, for gallantry in action while serving with Company A, 1st Battalion, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, 82d Airborne Division, in action on 4 January 1945, near ****, Belgium. During an attack on strongly defended enemy positions, First Lieutenant Brey fought valiantly at the head of his company, leading them through numerous enemy strong points and with a Tommy-Gun, destroyed many of the enemy himself. Always forward, he aggressively directed devastating mortar and machine gun fire on the enemy, heedless of any personal danger. When tanks were used in the attack, First Lieutenant Brey rode upon the leading tank, fighting and directing his men, quitting only after he was mortally wounded while manning a machine gun. The action of this gallant officer has always been an inspiration to those he led and his spirit has been instilled in those men in a manner which will endure. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov - WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - U.S. WWII Draft Cards Young Men, www.ww2-airborne.us, Silver Star Citation, Kathy McDermott
Photo source: Peter Schouteten, Kathy McDermondt - Sheila Brey (niece)