MERRILL'S MARAUDERS Broadbooks, Lewis Fredrick

[John Robertson]

• SURNAME

Broadbooks ​

• FORENAME

Lewis Fredrick​

• UNIT

2 Bn (Green Combat Team)​

• RANK

First Lieutenant ​

• NUMBER

1299677 ​

• DATE OF DEATH

22nd July 1944 ​

• AGE

27​

• GRAVESITE

Manila American Cemetery, Philippines Tablets of the Missing ​

• ADDITIONAL INFORMATION

from Wayne County, Michigan​

born 13.06.1917 Michigan​

mother Mrs. Edith Broadbooks​

4 years high school​

graduated Redford High School​

unskilled worker in furnishing utilities in civilian life​

employed by Detroit Edison Co., 2000 2nd Avenue, Detroit, Michigan​

single without dependents upon enlistment​

resided 17774 Northrop Avenue, Detroit, Michigan (draft card)​

10.10.1940 draft card Detroit, Michigan​

enlisted 27.3.1941 Detroit, Michigan (Private 36107917)​

award Bronze Star​

KIA Myitkyina, Burma ​

On May 17, 1944, the 5307th Composite Unit, also known as Merrill's Marauders, began an assault on a Japanese-held airfield in Myitkyina, Burma. Along with the about 1,300 marauders were elements of the 42nd and 150th Chinese Infantry Regiments of the X Force. While the airfield was quickly captured, the town of Myitkyina had been reinforced with enemy troops and could not be immediately taken. Over the next three months, Merrill's Marauders engaged in a series of back-and-forth battles with the Japanese troops in Myitkyina, while also enduring monsoons, disease, and waning supplies. The town was finally captured on August 3, 1944, after reinforcements from a Chinese army division arrived.

First Lieutenant Lewis F. Broadbrooks, who joined the U.S. Army from Michigan, served with Company G, 2nd Battalion, 5307th Composite Unit (Provisional). He was killed in action near Sitapur, Burma, on July 22, 1944, during the battle for control of the village of Myitkyina. Several of his men saw 1LT Broadbrooks bayoneted to death in the midst of battle, but were unable to recover his body. After the war, U.S. military personnel were unable to locate his remains. Today, First Lieutenant Broadbrooks is memorialized on the Walls of the Missing at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines.

Source : https://dpaa-mil.sites.crmforce.mil/dpaaProfile?id=a0Jt0000000ceJZEAY