Lloyd Milton Brett (February 22, 1856 – September 23, 1927) was a

United States Army The United States Army (USA) is the land warfare, land military branch, service branch of the United States Armed Forces. It is one of the eight Uniformed services of the United States, U.S. uniformed services, and is designated as the Army o ...

brigadier general Brigadier general or Brigade general is a military rank used in many countries. It is the lowest ranking general officer in some countries. The rank is usually above a colonel, and below a major general or divisional general. When appointed ...

who was a recipient of the

Medal of Honor The Medal of Honor (MOH) is the United States Armed Forces' highest military decoration and is awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valo ...

for valor in action on April 1, 1880, at O'Fallon's Creek,

Montana Montana () is a state in the Mountain West division of the Western United States. It is bordered by Idaho to the west, North Dakota and South Dakota to the east, Wyoming to the south, and the Canadian provinces of Alberta, British Columb ...

. He graduated from

West Point The United States Military Academy (USMA), also known Metonymy, metonymically as West Point or simply as Army, is a United States service academies, United States service academy in West Point, New York. It was originally established as a f ...

and served in numerous campaigns on the Western Frontier and later in

World War I World War I (28 July 1914 11 November 1918), often abbreviated as WWI, was one of the deadliest global conflicts in history. Belligerents included much of Europe, the Russian Empire, the United States, and the Ottoman Empire, with fightin ...

. He retired as a brigadier general in 1920.

Early life and family

Brett was born near Dead River,

Maine Maine () is a state in the New England and Northeastern regions of the United States. It borders New Hampshire to the west, the Gulf of Maine to the southeast, and the Canadian provinces of New Brunswick and Quebec to the northeast and ...

on February 22, 1856. On July 1, 1875, he accepted an appointment to the

United States Military Academy The United States Military Academy (USMA), also known metonymically as West Point or simply as Army, is a United States service academy in West Point, New York. It was originally established as a fort, since it sits on strategic high groun ...

at West Point and graduated in 1879. He married Emma Wallace (1865–1948) on February 7, 1887, and together on October 13, 1889, they had a daughter, Helen Brett.

Military career

After graduation, he received a commission on June 13, 1879, as a Second Lieutenant, in the 2nd United States Cavalry. While a member of the 2d U.S. Cavalry during the

American Indian Wars The American Indian Wars, also known as the American Frontier Wars, and the Indian Wars, were fought by European governments and colonists in North America, and later by the United States and Canadian governments and American and Canadian settle ...

, 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. 111-SC-17395 - NARA - 55194878 (cropped) (cropped)

111-SC-17395 - NARA - 55194878 (cropped) (cropped)

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 Yellowstone National Park is an American national park located in the western United States, largely in the northwest corner of Wyoming and extending into Montana and Idaho. It was established by the 42nd U.S. Congress with the Yellowst ...

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

. 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.

Death and legacy

He died on September 23, 1927, and was buried in

Arlington National Cemetery Arlington National Cemetery is one of two national cemeteries run by the United States Army. Nearly 400,000 people are buried in its 639 acres (259 ha) in Arlington, Virginia. There are about 30 funerals conducted on weekdays and 7 held on Sa ...

Arlington, Virginia Arlington County is a county in the Commonwealth of Virginia. The county is situated in Northern Virginia on the southwestern bank of the Potomac River directly across from the District of Columbia, of which it was once a part. The county ...

. His grave can be found in section 6, Grave 8367. 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.

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.

Medal of Honor citation

Rank and organization: Second Lieutenant, 2d U.S. Cavalry. Place and date: At O'Fallons Creek, Mont., April 1, 1880. Entered service at: Malden, Mass. Born: February 22, 1856, Dead River, Maine. Date of issue: February 7, 1895. Citation:

Fearless exposure and dashing bravery in cutting off the Indians' pony herd, thereby greatly crippling the hostiles.

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.

References

Bibliography

{{DEFAULTSORT:Brett, Lloyd Milton 1856 births 1927 deaths American Indian Wars recipients of the Medal of Honor Burials at Arlington National Cemetery United States Army generals of World War I United States Army generals Military administration of Yellowstone National Park Officiers of the Légion d'honneur People from Somerset County, Maine Recipients of the Croix de Guerre 1914–1918 (France) Recipients of the Distinguished Service Medal (US Army) United States Army Medal of Honor recipients United States Military Academy alumni