Sponsored by:

Navy Federal Credit Union
Lewis
Hyde
Brereton
June 21, 1890

–

August 1, 1967

Cemetery:

Arlington National Cemetery

Louis Brereton graduated from the U.S. Naval Academy in 1911, then resigned to join the Army’s Coast Artillery Corps. He served in Europe in World War I, earning the DSC as an observation pilot. In World War II, he commanded the Far East Air Forces in the Philippines Islands and later the Tenth Air force in India. Prior to the Normandy Invasion he commanded the MEAF and 9th Air Force as an Army Air Forces Lieutenant General. He retired in 1948 as an Air Force Lieutenant General.

Awards Received

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Service

    Rank:

    Major (Air Service)

    Regiment:

    Corps Observation Wing

    Division:

    American Expeditionary Forces

    Action Date:

    September 12, 1918
    War Department, General Orders No. 15 (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 Major (Air Service) Lewis Hyde Brereton (ASN: 0-3132), United States Army Air Service, 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.

  • Distinguished Service Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General (Air Corps)

    Division:

    1st Allied Airborne Army

    Action Date:

    World War II
    Headquarters, U.S. Strategic Forces in Europe, General Orders No. 87 (1944)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Distinguished Service Cross to Lieutenant General (Air Corps) Lewis Hyde Brereton (ASN: 0-3132), United States Army Air Forces, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as an Army Air Forces Commander, with the 1st Allied Airborne Army, in Europe. The gallant leadership, superb tactical ability and zealous devotion to duty displayed by Lieutenant General Brereton have upheld the highest traditions of the military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major General

    Action Date:

    World War II
    War Department, General Orders No. 7 (February 18, 1943)

    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 Major General Lewis Hyde Brereton (ASN: 0-3132), United States Army Air Forces, 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 Major 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.

  • Legion of Merit

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    January 1 – August 7, 1944
    War Department, General Orders No. 88 (November 23, 1944)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, 20 July 1942, takes pleasure in presenting the Legion of Merit to Lieutenant General Lewis Hyde Brereton (ASN: 0-3132), United States Army Air Forces, 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.

  • Army Distinguished Service Medal

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    August 1944 – May 1945
    War Department, General Orders No. 95 (August 23, 1946)

    The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting a Bronze Oak Leaf Cluster in lieu of a Second Award of the Army Distinguished Service Medal to Lieutenant General Lewis Hyde Brereton (ASN: 0-3132), United States Army Air Forces, 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 Lieutenant 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.]

  • Silver Star

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Major General

    Division:

    10th Air Force

    Action Date:

    April 1942
    Headquarters, 10th Air Force, General Orders No. 4 (March 15, 1942)

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to Major General Lewis Hyde Brereton (ASN: 0-3132), United States Army Air Forces, for gallantry in action against the enemy while serving as Commanding General of the TENTH Air Force, in aerial operations against the enemy in April 1942. General Brereton led a low-altitude bombing raid against Japanese warships at Port Blair, Andaman Islands, in the Indian Ocean. His gallant actions and dedicated devotion to duty, without regard for his own life, were in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit upon himself and the United States Army Air Forces.

  • Distinguished Flying Cross

    Service:

    United States Army Air Forces

    Rank:

    Lieutenant General

    Action Date:

    World War II

    (Citation Needed) – SYNOPSIS: Lieutenant General Lewis Hyde Brereton (ASN: 0-3132), United States Army Air Forces, was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight during World War II. The skillful and zealous manner in which he has sought out the enemy and destroyed him, his devotion to duty and courage under all conditions serve as an inspiration to his fellow flyers. His actions on all these occasions reflect the highest credit upon himself and the Armed Forces of the United States.