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name
BRIGADE, Harold Ray - Date of
birth
22 May 1917 -
Age
27 - Place of
birth
Pottsville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania -
Hometown
Pottsville, Schuylkill County, Pennsylvania
Personal info
Military service
- Service
number
33165789 -
Rank
Sergeant -
Function
unknown -
Unit
86th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized),
6th Armored Division,
B Troop
-
Awards
Silver Star with Oak Leaf Cluster,
Bronze Star,
Purple Heart
Death
-
Status
Killed in Action - Date of
death
8 January 1945 - Place of
death
South of Bastogne, Belgium
Grave
-
Cemetery
American War Cemetery Luxembourg
| Plot | Row | Grave |
|---|---|---|
| E | 13 | 47 |
Immediate family
-
Members
Charles N. Brigade (father)
Charlotte S. (Harris) Brigade (mother)
Viola M. Brigade (sister)
Isabelle M. Brigade (sister)
John C. Brigade (brother)
Marion A. (Poticher) Brigade (wife)
Harold R. Brigade (son)
More information
Sgt Harold R. Brigade graduated from Pottsville High School in 1935 and was a driver before he enlisted in New Cumberland, Pennsylvania on 24 March 1942. He was sent overseas in February 1944.Without any tank support, B Troop was ordered to attack a dug-in German position in the woods east and just south of Bastogne. The attack failed an it suffered ten men killed and seventeen wounded. Eventually it took a much stronger force to drive the enemy from the woods.
For his action on that day, he was awarded posthumously the Silver Star Medal for a second time. The citation cited: For gallantry in action in the vicinity of Bastogne, Belgium on 8 January 1945. Disregarding his own safety, he crossed two hundred yards of open terrain to rescue wounded man. He then returned through the enemy fire to aid his platoon leader and other men, covering them with his rifle. His gallant action enabled me to escape and cost him his own life.
Source of information: Peter Schouteten, www.abmc.gov, www.wwiimemorial.com, www.archives.gov – WWII Enlistment Record, www.ancestry.com - Headstone and Interment Record / Jacoby Rickert Family Tree, www.super6th.org
Photo source: www.findagrave.com – Luxembourg American Cemetery / Jeff Hall, www.ancestry.com – U.S. School Yearbooks Pottsville Pennsylvania