Pfc. Harold Wilson Brown was born in Chicago, Illinois, on November 27, 1910, to William J. Brown and May E. Reese-Brown and had two sisters. The family 2013 West 13th Street in Chicago. His father died in 1920 and his mother married William F. Blado and the family resided in Proviso Township, Illinois where he attended the Field Stevenson School. He next attended Proviso Township High School as a member of the class of 1930, but he left school after his sophomore year. He worked as an office clerk and married. His wife’s first name was Katherine. The couple resided at 233 Lindon Avenue, Bellwood, Illinois.
He registered when the Selective Service Act took effect on October 16, 1940, and named his wife as his contact person. On July 20, 1943, he entered the US Army, but it is not known if he enlisted or was drafted into the Army. He was given the serial number 36, 680, 370. It is not known where he did his basic training, but he was assigned to the Company G, 345th Infantry Regiment, 87th Infantry Division which in December 1943, was taking part in the Tennessee Maneuvers. The division was at Fort Jackson, South Carolina, on January 20, 1944, for divisional training. It next staged at Camp Kilmer, Stelton, New Jersey (now Edison, New Jersey). The division was ordered overseas on October 10, 1944, and left the US from the New York Port of Embarkation, Brooklyn, New York on October 17, 1944
The 87th Division arrived in England on November 12, 1944, and was assigned to the Third Army on November 25, 1944. It arrived in Le Havre, France, on November 28th. The unit took part in the what became known as the Battle of the Bulge in January 1945. Records indicate that it was at Olzheim, Germany, on February 8, 1945, that William was hit by gun fire in his right chest and died from his wound. On February 12, 1945, he was buried at the US Military Cemetery #1, Foy, Belgium, in Plot E, Row 9, Grave 221.
Katherine Brown learned of his death in a telegram from the War Department.
KATHERINE W BROWN
222 SOUTH 28TH AVENUE BELLWOOD IL
THE SECRETARY OF WAR DESIRES ME TO EXPRESS HIS DEEPEST REGRET THAT YOUR HUSBAND PRIVATE FIRST CLASS HAROLD W BROWN WAS KILLED IN ACTION ON EIGHT FEBRUARY IN GERMANY LETTER FOLLOWS
ULIO THE ADJUTENT GENERAL
It is not known when she received the letter and what the content of the letter was.
In a letter dated July 15, 1946, his Katherine was told where her husband was buried and the location of his grave in the cemetery. She also was informed that the Quartermaster Corps was now able to return the deceased home or bury the dead in a permanent US Military Cemetery, and that she would be receiving more information at a later date.
The next letter dated January 5, 1948, informed Katherine of the options available to her for Harold’s final burial. She was asked to fill-out an enclosed form indicating where she wanted him buried. The form was received by the Office of the Quartermaster General on January 21, 1948, but it indicated that his wife had remarried. When this was learned, his mother became his next of kin and she was sent the same letter, dated November 10, 1948, Harold’s wife had received. His mother returned the form, which was received by the OQMG on January 7, 1949, which indicated she wanted William buried at an American Military Cemetery overseas.
Pfc. Harold W. Brown was buried, with full military honors, on April 22, 1949, in the American Military Cemetery, Henri-Chapelle, Belgium. His mother was sent the flag that covered his casket and a letter telling her where he was buried and the location of his grave in the cemetery.
Pfc Harold W Brown, ASN 36 680 370
Plot G, Row W, Grave 43
Headstone: Cross
Henri-Chapelle (Belgium)
U. S. Military Cemetery
Mrs. William Blado
233 Linden Avenue
Bellwood, Illinios
Dear Mrs. Blado:
This is to inform you that the remains of your beloved ones have been permanently interred, as the recorded above, side by side with comrades who also gave their lives for their country. Customary military funeral services were conducted over the grave at the time of burial.
After the Department of the Army has completed all final interments, the cemetery will be transferred, as authorized by the Congress, to the care and supervision of the American Battle Monuments Commission. The commission will have the responsibility for permanent construction and beautification of the cemetery, including erection of the permanent headstone. The headstone will be inscribe with the name exactly recorded above, the rank or rating where appropriate, organization, State, and date of death. Any inquiries relative to the type of headstone or the spelling of the name to be inscribed thereon, should be addressed to the American Battle Monuments Commission, the central address of which is 1712 "G" Street, N. W. Washington 25, D. C.
While interment and beautification activities are in progress, the cemetery will not be open to visitors. However, upon completion thereof, due notice will be carried by the press.
You may rest assured that this final interment was conducted with fitting dignity and solemnity and that the graves-site will be carefully and conscientiously maintained in perpetuity by the United States Government.
Sincerely yours,
(signed)
H. FELDMAN
Major General
The Quartermaster General
