Lloyd Milton Brett facts for kids
Quick facts for kids
Brigadier General
Lloyd Milton Brett
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Lloyd M. Brett
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| Born | February 22, 1856 near Dead River, Maine |
| Died | September 23, 1927 (aged 71) Washington, D.C. |
| Place of burial | |
| Allegiance | United States of America |
| Service/ |
United States Army |
| Years of service | 1879–1920 |
| Rank | Brigadier General |
| Unit | 2nd Cavalry Regiment |
| Commands held | 3rd Cavalry Regiment 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 (born February 22, 1856 – died September 23, 1927) was an important officer in the United States Army. He became a Brigadier General. He is famous for receiving the Medal of Honor, which is the highest award for bravery in the U.S. military. He earned it for his courage in a battle in Montana in 1880. He also served in World War I.
Contents
Early Life and Education
Lloyd Milton Brett was born in Maine on February 22, 1856. When he was 19, he was accepted into the United States Military Academy at West Point. This is a very famous school for training Army officers. He graduated from West Point in 1879. Later, in 1887, he married Emma Wallace. They had a daughter named Helen.
Military Career and Bravery
After finishing West Point, Lloyd Brett became a Second Lieutenant in the 2nd United States Cavalry. This was during a time known as the American Indian Wars.
In 1880, his group was chasing some Sioux Indians who had taken a herd of ponies. On April 1, 1880, they found the group camping with the ponies at O'Fallon Creek in Montana. Lloyd Brett was ordered to take ten soldiers to try and get the ponies back.
His small group managed to get the ponies and stop the Indians from reaching their horses. During the fight, one Indian was killed and five were captured. The rest escaped into some nearby trees. When Brett and his soldiers tried to get closer to the trees, the Indians, who were hiding, started shooting. One soldier was shot, and a horse was hurt.
It was getting dark and cold, and the soldiers were tired. The Indians had moved to a strong defensive spot. Because of the conditions, the soldiers decided it was too risky to attack again. At some point, the Indians managed to escape without being seen.
Even though the Indians got away, Lloyd Brett was recognized for his great bravery during this battle. He received the Medal of Honor for his actions. This special award was given to him on February 7, 1895.
After this, Brett continued his military service. From 1910 to 1916, he was the acting superintendent of Yellowstone National Park. This meant he helped manage the park.
When World War I began, he was promoted to Brigadier General on August 5, 1917. He served overseas with the 80th Infantry Division from May 1918 to June 1919. During the war, he was awarded the Army Distinguished Service Medal. This was for his excellent leadership of the 80th Infantry Division, especially for their actions in November 1918, when they helped break the enemy's defenses. He retired from the Army in 1920.
Later Life and Burial
Lloyd Milton Brett passed away on September 23, 1927. He was buried at Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia. This is a very important cemetery where many American heroes are laid to rest. His wife, Emma, and their daughter, Helen, were later buried with him in the same grave.
Awards and Honors
General Brett received several important awards for his service and bravery:
- Medal of Honor
- Distinguished Service Medal
- Officer of the Legion of Honor (from France)
- Croix de Guerre (from France)
