Full Name:

Dean Brown & Charles Eugene Miller (twins)

Date of Birth:

May 29, 1922

Entered:

March 3, 1943

Drafted:

Yes (Dean)

Volunteer:

Yes (Charles)

Where:

Fort Hayes, Ohio

Unit:

274th, H Co

Medals

American Campaign, Bronze Star, European African Middle East Campaign, Army of Occupation, WWII, 4 Battle Stars, Efficiency Honor, Combat Infantry Badge, Rifle Badge, Driver-W-Badge.

Bio

Dean & Charles were born May 29, 1922 Plum Run, Harrison Co, Ohio.  They graduated Bowerston High School in 1940.  Then the war.  Dean was drafted and Charles wasn't letting him go alone so he volunteered.  They served together in close proximity throughout the war.  They went through basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo.  On December 1, 1944 they embarked from Camp Miles Standish, Boston on the S.S. Mariposa, landing at Marseilles on December 10, 1944.  As part of Task Force Herron they were in the 70th Division of the 274th Infantry attached to the 7th Army commanded by General Patch and the 45th Division of the 3rd Army commanded by General Patton.  Starting December 18, 1944 they were in combat for 83 straight days in the Campaigns of Ardennes-Alsace, Rhineland, and Central Europe in the Battles of Nordwind. They were assigned as heavy weapons ammo bearers for the Battalion. After the war ended they served in Salsburg and Vienna, Austria to help repatriate displaced persons. They embarked from LeHarve, France to return to the US on the Sea Sturgeon. It was hit by an iceberg and five days later limped into harbor at NJ on March 21, 1946. Dean & Charles were discharged from the Army at Camp Attibury, In on March 26, 1946.

After the war, they were employed by Evans Pipe Co, Us Concrete, and retired from Reymond Machine.  They still live on part of the original family farm.  Dean and wife Roberta have two children and three grandchildren.  Charles and wife Anna have one son and one grandson.