Lloyd Milton Brett

Lloyd Milton Brett (February 22, 1856 – September 23, 1927) was a United States Army brigadier general who was a recipient of the Medal of Honor for valor in action on April 1, 1880 at O'Fallon's Creek, Montana. He graduated from West Point and served in numerous campaigns on the Western Frontier and later in World War I. He retired as a brigadier general in 1920.[1]

Brigadier General Lloyd Milton Brett
Lloyd M. Brett
Born	February 22, 1856 near Dead River, Maine
Died	September 23, 1927 (aged 71) Washington, D.C.
Place of burial	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1879–1920
Rank	Brigadier General
Unit	2nd Cavalry Regiment
Commands held	3rd Cavalry Regiment 160th Infantry Brigade 80th Infantry Division
Battles/wars	American Indian Wars World War I
Awards	Medal of Honor Distinguished Service Medal Legion of Honor Croix de Guerre

Early life and family

Brett was born near Dead River, Maine on February 22, 1856. On July 1, 1875 he accepted an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point and graduated in 1879.[2] He married Emma Wallace (1865–1948) on February 7, 1887 and together on October 13, 1889 they had a daughter, Helen Brett.[1]

Military career

Lloyd Milton Brett as Brigadier General near Stainville 1918, with his M1917 Helmet

After graduation, he received a commission on June 13, 1879 as a Second Lieutenant, in the 2nd United States Cavalry.[1][2]

While a member of the 2d U.S. Cavalry during the American Indian Wars, he participated in the pursuit of a group of Sioux Indians who had stolen a herd of ponies. On April 1, 1880 the group was located by scouts making camp with the herd at the head of O'Fallon Creek. In what would later be known as the Battle of O'Fallons Creek he was ordered to take ten soldiers and attempt to capture the complete herd. The soldiers were able to retrieve the herd and cut the Indians off from their horses as well. When the Indian group attempted to get to their horses and escape they were driven away, causing them to separate. In the action one of the Indians was killed and five were captured, while the rest escaped into a nearby group of trees. When Brett and his men tried to approach the trees, the Indians, who had lain down on the ground inside the woods, opened fire on the troops. In the battle one soldier was shot in the head and one horse was hurt and the soldiers' attack had been repelled. While the soldiers considered their next move, the Indians moved into a more defensible position, although completely surrounded. By this point it was getting dark and the soldiers were cold and tired from the day's fighting and they determined it unfeasible to attack. At some point the Indian group escaped from their position without a trace and escaped. For his actions during the battle, Brett received the Medal of Honor, which was presented to him February 7, 1895.[3]

He was honorably mustered out of the Volunteers on June 18, 1901 at the rank of lieutenant colonel. In 1903, he was assigned to be the adjutant general of the D.C. Militia and kept that post until 1908. From 1910-1916 he served as acting superintendent of Yellowstone National Park[4] and then in September 1917 he commanded the 160th Infantry Brigade, Camp Lee, Petersburg, Virginia.

He was promoted to brigadier general on August 5, 1917 and served overseas with the 80th Infantry Division from May 1918–June 1919 in World War I.[1] While serving in World War I he received the Army Distinguished Service medal for commanding the 80th Infantry Division and their actions near Imecourt and Buzancy in November when they broke the enemy's resistance.[5]

Death and legacy

He died on September 23, 1927 and was buried in Arlington National Cemetery Arlington, Virginia. His grave can be found in section 6, Grave 8367.[1][6] When his wife Emma died March 31, 1948, she was buried with him, and when their daughter died May 11, 1973, she was buried with them as well.[1]

Honors and awards

In addition to the Medal of Honor he also received the Distinguished Service Medal, Officer of the Legion of Honor, and Croix de Guerre.[1]

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, 2d U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At O'Fallons Creek, Mont., April 1, 1880. Entered service at: Malden, Mass. Born: February 22, 1856, Dead River, Maine. Date of issue: February 7, 1895.

Citation:

Fearless exposure and dashing bravery in cutting off the Indians' pony herd, thereby greatly crippling the hostiles.[5][7]

Army Distinguished Service Medal citation

Citation:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Brigadier General Lloyd M. Brett, United States Army, for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility during World War I. General Brett commanded the 160th Infantry Brigade with particular efficiency in the markedly successful operations resulting in the occupation of the Dannevoux sector in October 1918. In the actions near Imecourt and Buzancy in November his brigade broke the enemy's resistance. Due to his masterful ability and brilliant leadership, these operations proved a crowning success.[5]

See also

• List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Indian Wars

References

 This article incorporates public domain material from websites or documents of the United States Army Center of Military History.

1. "Lloyd Milton Brett". Arlington National Cemetery. Retrieved April 18, 2009.
2. "Biographical Register of Graduates" (PDF). USMA Library Special Collections (Cullum File). Archived from the original (PDF) on January 10, 2009. Retrieved April 17, 2009.
3. Beyer, Walter Frederick; Keydel, Oscar Frederick, eds. (1906). Deeds of Valor Volume II. Detroit, Michigan: Perrien-Keydel Co. pp. 267–268. Retrieved April 18, 2009.
4. "Historic Listing of National Park Service Officials". National Park Service. 2000. Retrieved April 18, 2009.
5. "Lloyd Milton Brett". Hall of Valor. Military Times. Retrieved February 2, 2010.
6. "Lloyd Milton Brett". Claim to Fame: Medal of Honor recipients. Find a Grave. Retrieved May 24, 2009.
7. "Medal of Honor recipients Indian Wars Period". Army Center of Military History. Retrieved April 17, 2009.

Bibliography

Davis, jr., Henry Blaine (1998). Generals in Khaki. Raleigh, North Carolina: Pentland Press, Inc. pp. 49–50. ISBN 1-57197-088-6.