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Elwood J. Brey

DATE OF BIRTH: May 28, 1914

PLACE OF BIRTH:

Macungie, Pennsylvania

HOME OF RECORD:

Allentown, Pennsylvania

Silver Star

AWARDED FOR ACTIONS

DURING World War II

Service: Army

Battalion: 1st Battalion

Division: 82d Airborne Division

GENERAL ORDERS:

Headquarters, 82d Airborne Division, General Orders No. 36 (March 19, 1945)

CITATION:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 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.

First Lieutenant Brey served in the:

• United States Army

• 82nd Airborne Division

• 325th Glider Infantry Regiment

• Company A (Weapons Platoon)

His Army enlistment date / location / Serial Number was:

• February 27, 1941

• Wilkes Barre, Luzerne County, Pennsylvania

• O-1312374

His civilian occupation at enlistment was:

• Inspector

He was Wounded In Action in / during: (and later Died of his Wounds on January 4, 1945)

• Belgium

• World War II

He was awarded the:

• Silver Star

• Purple Heart with Oak Leaf Cluster

He was a resident of:

• Lehigh County, Pennsylvania

He was the son of:

• John Benjamin Brey Sr (10/21/1890 - 07/06/1975)

• Sarah Ann Rohrback Brey (04/09/1889 - 04/07/1970

He was the brother of:

• Paul Milton Brey (10/03/1909 - 03/13/1992)

• Anna May Brey Schwartz (02/01/1912 - 12/01/1993)

• David Henry Brey (03/19/1923 - 01/30/2010)

• Dorothy Lillian Brey Powell (08/03/1926 - 12/22/2018)

• John Benjamin Brey Jr (12/24/1928 - 11/10/2011)

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