Missing information?

Do you have any additional information you would like to share about a soldier?

Submit

Personal info

Full name
BREY, Elwood James
Date of birth
28 May 1914
Age
30
Place of birth
Macungie, Lehigh County, Pennsylvania
Hometown
Columbia County, Pennsylvania

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)