A Soldier's Story: Brigadier General Sereno Elmer Brett



General Sereno Elmer Brett was born on October 31, 1891, in Portland, Oregon.  He attended Oregon State University, graduating in 1916.   He then enlisted in the U.S. Army.

His first deployment was with the 3rd Infantry Regiment during the Pancho Villa Expedition.

After that deployment, General Brett focused on armored vehicle warfare,  leading a tank battalion during World War I with the Western Front Tank Corp, and led the attack at the Battle of Saint Mihiel in September 1918.

Between the wars, General Brett worked with General Patton and General Eisenhower to evaluate and optimize tank warfare.  He was also the Chief of Staff of the Armored Division in Fort Knox.

During World War II, he was on staff in the 5th Armored Division as it prepared for the European Theater.  General Brett retired from the U.S. Army in October 1943. He died on September 9, 1952, in Santa Barbara, California, and rests in Arlington Cemetery.

General Brett's reports, diaries, and memorandums were donated to the University of North Dakota and are a rich resource in both armored tactics as well as the careers of General Patton and General Eisenhower.


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a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Salem, Virginia. 

In addition to her travel writings at www.takethebackroads.com, you can also read her book reviews at www.riteoffancy.com and US military biographies at www.everydaypatriot.com

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Location: Portland, OR, USA

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