Lloyd Milton Brett

Brigadier General Lloyd Milton Brett
Lloyd M. Brett
Born	(1856-02-22)February 22, 1856 near Dead River, Maine
Died	September 23, 1927(1927-09-23) (aged 71) Washington, D.C.
Place of burial	Arlington National Cemetery
Allegiance	United States of America
Service/branch	United States Army
Years of service	1879–1919
Rank	Brigadier General
Commands held	2nd United States Cavalry 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

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 1919.^[1][2]

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.^[3] 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

After graduation he received a commission on June 13, 1879 as a Second Lieutenant, in the 2nd United States Cavalry.^[1][3]

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.^[4]

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^[5] 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.^[6]

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][7] 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., 1 April 1880. Entered service at: Malden, Mass. Born: 22 February 1856, Dead River, Maine. Date of issue: 7 February 1895.

Citation:

Fearless exposure and dashing bravery in cutting off the Indians' pony herd, thereby greatly crippling the hostiles.^[2][6]

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.^[6]

See also

• List of Medal of Honor recipients for the Indian Wars

Yellowstone National Park - History and People Historic events and personalities from Yellowstone National Park Expeditions Cook–Folsom–Peterson Expedition Washburn–Langford–Doane Expedition Hayden Geological Survey of 1871 Explorers Robert Adams, Jr. Jim Bridger John Colter Lt.Gustavus C. Doane Truman C. Everts Warren Angus Ferris Ferdinand Vandeveer Hayden Nathaniel P. Langford Alexander Ross (fur trader) Osborne Russell Cyrus Thomas Henry D. Washburn Photographers, artists and illustrators Heinrich C. Berann Albert Bierstadt Frank Jay Haynes William Henry Jackson Thomas Moran Park management Mission 66 Horace M. Albright Harry W. Child Harry W. Frantz Harlan Kredit Herbert Maier John W. Meldrum Philetus Norris Robert Reamer Harry Yount Military administration Henry Tureman Allen Lloyd Milton Brett Frazier Boutelle Dan Christie Kingman Hiram M. Chittenden Samuel Baldwin Marks Young Wilber Elliott Wilder Fort Yellowstone Events History of the National Park Service History of wolves in Yellowstone Teton–Yellowstone tornado 1959 Hebgen Lake earthquake Yellowstone fires of 1988 List of Yellowstone National Park related articles Media related to Historic Yellowstone Personages at Wikimedia Commons

References

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