In service
October 5, 1942, Camp Bragg
George Brouillette enlisted in the US Army on October 5, 1942, a few days after his 21st birthday. He received his basic training at Camp Bragg where he was trained as an infantryman.
Read the story: military file >
In Panama
March - August 1943
George's first training period probably lasted about four months, until February 1943. Then he was sent to Panama for six months, to assist in the security of the Panama Canal. Here he remained until August 1943.
Read the story: military file >
In Europa
June 1944
June '44 George made the crossing to Europe. On his arrival in September he was placed with G Company, 2nd battallion 117 Infantry Regiment, 30 Infantry Division. After heavy losses the unit required reinforcements.
Read the story: Resources >
Liberation South Limburg
Maastricht, 13 sept. 1944
1944 George June '44 made the crossing to Europe. On his arrival in September he was placed with G Company, 2nd Battalion, 117 Infantry Regiment, 30 Infantry Division. After heavy losses the unit required reinforcements.
Read the story: Combat route (1) >
Rest center Rolduc
2-5 nov. ‘44 Kerkrade
On November 2, 1944 the positions of George's battalion were taken over by Infantry regiment 406, 106 Infantry Division. George and his comrades could rest in Rest Camps near Heerlen and Kerkrade.
Read the story: Combat route (2) >
Killed
Mariadorf, 1944 Nov. 16
On 16 Nov 1944. George's unit launched an attack on Mariadorf and found themselves in an area filled with anti-personnel mines. On that day many solders were killed or injured by mines. George stepped on a mine and was seriously injured. He died a day later.
Read the story: Combat route (3) >
July 1943 (?)
Registration ARC
September 1943
to the UK
July 16, 1944
Landing on Utah Beach
March 15, 1945
Siegfriedlinie
May 1, 1945
Died on pleasure flight
June 19, 1945
Buried in Margraten, Block RR, Row 12 Grave 290
February 18, 1943
Air Evac. Nurse diploma
Jan. 15, 1944
Married
July 26, 1943
Body washed up
March - Augus 1943
Panama
June 1944
To Europa
November 23, 1943
Departure for Europa
January 20, 1944
Arriving in England
June 1944
Landing Omaha Beach
US enters the war
December 11, 1941
Nazi Germany declares war on the US
Turnaround WWII
Februari 2, 1943
Battle of Stalingrad: Red Army defeats Germans
George Brouillette
Liberator of South Limburg
| commencement date: | October 5, 1942 |
| Date to Europe: | June 1944 |
| Participation in the war: | From September / October 1942 Army |
| Unit | G-Compagnie, 2e Bataljon, 117 Infantry Regiment, 30 Infantry Division 'Old Hickory' |
| Rank: | Private first class (Pfc): Soldier 1ste class |
| Honors: | Bronze Star Medal, Purple Heart,World War II Victory Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Theather Campaign Medal |
George Brouillette joined the U.S. army just after his 21st birthday.
He received his basic training at Camp
Braggin North Carolina,
where he trained to be infanterist.
George's first training period probably lasted about four months, until February 1943. Then George was sent to the Panama Canal for six months. He remained there until August 1943. During a short leave in June of that year, there was an article about George in the local newspaper. He stands there smiling broadly.
Message
to the home front
After Panama, George was stationed at Camp Carson
in Colorado and Camp Roberts in California. There is a letter from this time. 22 Dec. 1943 He writes from Camp Carson to (his half brother) Raymond:
Hi Raymond, I’m dropping a few lines to let you know that I’m feeling fine
and I hope you are too and the rest of the family. I went out on a night
patrol and stayed out all night, it’s sure cold at night over here. I slept in a
sleeping bag, it’s about 6 feet long. I was pretty warm even though it was
pretty cold. Next morning when we got up the sleeping bag was covered
with frost.
Remember the first night I went up with you to Estelle Provost to see her,
well she’s my girl. She told me that she sees you everyday when she goes
to work but you don’t see her.
How’s everything over there? Anything change since I left? Today I’m
going on guard duty. They sure gave us a lot of clothes and different
other things. They gave us big boots, a new field jacket, a new mountain
tent, a jungle parka, gloves and winter pants. But we’re just going to keep
them for the winter time, after that we’ll turn them in. I am hoping
I won’t gat K.P.* for Christmas. Well I think that’s all for now, till I hear from
you soon.
Your cousin, George
PS: I made Private First Class. I was surprised when I saw my name on the board.
* K. P. is short for "Kitchen police" or "Kitchen patrol`'. George hopes that he is not on duty in the canteen during the Christmas. The end of the letter shows that George and Raymond thought they were cousins.