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Brereton, Lewis Hyde

Date of birth:
June 21st, 1890 (Pittsburgh/Pennsylvania, United States)
Date of death:
August 1st, 1967 (Washington/District of Columbia, United States)
Buried on:
Arlington National Cemetery
Plot: 6. Grave: 5717-G.
Service number:
0-3132
Nationality:
American (1776 - present, Republic)

Biography

General Lewis H. Brereton (born June 21, 1890; Died July 20, 1967) graduated from the U.S.Naval Academy in 1911 and was one of the first graduates of the Signal Corps Aviation School (1913). In WWI, he commanded the 12th Aero Squadron, one of the first American flying units
on the front; at the beginning of World War II he was commander of the Far East Air Force in the Philippines; then Deputy Air Commander-in-Chief, Allied Air Forces, in Java (January-June 1942); Commander, Middle East Air Forces (9th Air Force, June 1942-October 1943); Commanding General of the Ninth Air Force in the European Theater (October 1943-August 1944); and Commander of the First Allied Airborne Army (August 1944-May 1945).
After the War until his retirement in 1948 he was Chairman of the Military Liaison Committee to the Atomic Energy Commission in Washington, D.C.

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Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major
Unit:
Corps Observation Wing, U.S. Army Air Service
Awarded on:
1919
"For extraordinary heroism in action while serving with Corps Observation Wing, U.S. Army Air Service, A.E.F., over Thiaucourt, France, 12 September 1918. Major Brereton, together with an observer, voluntarily and pursuant to a request for special mission, left his airdrome, crossed the enemy lines over Lironville, and proceeded to Thiaucourt. In spite of poor visibility, which forced them to fly at a very low altitude, and in spite of intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire they maintained their flight along their course and obtained valuable information. Over Thiaucourt they were suddenly attacked by four enemy monoplane Fokkers. Maneuvering his machine so that is observer could obtain a good field of fire, he entered into combat. His observer's guns becoming jammed, he withdrew until the jam was cleared, when he returned to the combat. His observer then becoming wounded, he coolly made a landing within friendly lines, although followed down by the enemy to within 25 meters of the ground. By this act he made himself an inspiration and example to all the members of his command."

War Department, General Orders No. 15
Distinguished Service Cross (DSC)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Unit:
Tenth Air Force, U.S. Army Air Forces
Awarded on:
1942

Headquarters, 10th Air Force, General Orders No. 4
Silver Star Medal (SSM)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Major General
Unit:
Commanding-in-Chief, Far East Air Force (FEAF), U.S. Army Air Forces
Awarded on:
February 18th, 1943
"For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished service in a position of great responsibility to the Government of the United States during World War II. As commander of the Far East Air Force his personal example, superb direction, unflagging energy, and spirit of cooperation with our allies were instrumental in delaying and disrupting the advance of the enemy air, land, and sea forces. With only patched remnants of air power, he delayed and harassed enemy landing operations at all points of attack on the Philippines. He accomplished the apparently impossible withdrawal of his air force from the Philippines to Java and at the same time continued to attack the enemy sea-borne invasion through the straits of the Dutch Indies. He again succeeded in withdrawing his air force, already taxed to the limit of human endurance, to a new base in Australia, where it was reconstituted for further service. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Brereton and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces."

War Department, General Orders No. 7
Distinguished Service Medal - Army (DSM)
"For exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States from January 1 to August 7, 1944. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Brereton and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces."

War Department, General Orders No. 88

Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 87
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant General
Unit:
First Allied Airborne Army, Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF), Allied Forces
Awarded on:
January 1945

Awarded with Palm.
Croix de Guerre (1939-1945)
Period:
Second World War (1939-1945)
Rank:
Lieutenant General
Unit:
First Allied Airborne Army, Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force (SHAEF), Allied Forces
Awarded on:
August 23rd, 1946
"For exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commander of the First Allied Airborne Army in the European Theater of Operations from August 1944 to May 1945. The singularly distinctive accomplishments of General Brereton and his dedicated contributions in the service of his country reflect the highest credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces."

[This award supersedes the award of a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster to the Distinguished Flying Cross to Lieutenant General Brereton, as published in General Orders 87, United States Strategic Air Forces in Europe, 2 November 1944.] War Department, General Orders No. 95 (bronze oak leaf cluster)
Distinguished Service Medal - Army (DSM)

Sources

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