Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Brehon
Burke
Somervell
May 9, 1892

–

February 13, 1955

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

Brehon Somervell graduated from the U.S. Military Academy at West Point, Class of 1914. He retired as a U.S. Army Major General in 1946.

Awards Received

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    1943 – 1945

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General Brehon Burke Somervell (ASN: 0-3665), United States Army, was awarded the Legion of Merit for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding General Army Services Forces from 1943 to 1945.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Corps of Engineers)

    Division:

    89th Division, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    November 5 – 6, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 37 (1919)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant Colonel (Corps of Engineers) Brehon Burke Somervell (ASN: 0-3665), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action while serving with 89th Division, American Expeditionary Forces, near Pouilly, France, November 5 – 6, 1918. Voluntarily serving on the staff of the 89th Division, Lieutenant Colonel Somervell conducted the first engineering reconnaissance of the damaged bridges at Pouilly, advancing more than 500 meters beyond the American outposts, crossing three branches of the Meuse River, and successfully reconnoitering the enemy.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    1942 – 1943
    War Department, General Orders No. 8 (1942)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General Brehon Burke Somervell (ASN: 0-3665), United States Army, was awarded a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding General Services of Supply from 1942 – 1943.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant Colonel (Corps of Engineers)

    Division:

    3d Army Corps, American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    World War I
    War Department, General Orders No. 14 (1923)

    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 Lieutenant Colonel (Corps of Engineers) Brehon Burke Somervell (ASN: 0-3665), 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. As Adjutant, 15th Engineers, during the period of organization and training, in charge of construction of the Mehun Ammunition Depot, in charge of the construction at Is-sur-Tille Depot, including the Gas Depot at Poinson and the Etain Engine Terminal; Assistant Chief of Staff, G-3, and Assistant Chief of Staff, G-1, 89th Division from October 1918 until the division returned to the United States, when he was assigned as Assistant Chief of Staff, G-4, 3d Army. In all these positions Lieutenant Colonel Somervell displayed unusual vision, initiative, sound judgment, and high professional skill, contributing in a conspicuous way to the successful operation of the American forces in France.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    1943 – 1945

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General Brehon Burke Somervell (ASN: 0-3665), United States Army, was awarded a Gold Star in lieu of a Second Award of the Legion of Merit (Navy Award) for exceptionally meritorious conduct in the performance of outstanding services to the Government of the United States as Commanding General Army Services Forces from 1943 to 1945.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    1943 – 1945
    War Department, General Orders No. 97 (1945)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General Brehon Burke Somervell (ASN: 0-3665), United States Army, was awarded a Second Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Third Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal for exceptionally meritorious and distinguished services to the Government of the United States, in a duty of great responsibility as Commanding General Army Services Forces from 1943 to 1945.