PVT Boyd Bragg (WWII)

Remembering PVT Boyd Bragg (Baxter)

July 29, 1925 - August 8, 1944

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PVT Boyd Bragg (Service #35762660) was born July 29, 1925 in Wyatt, WV, the son of Russell and Carrie (Singleton) Bragg. Wyatt, WV is in Harrison County, about 8 miles from Enterprise.

In 1930, their family was living in Otter, Braxton County, while Russell worked as a farmer. Sometime after 1935, their family moved to Baxter and Russell worked as a timberman in the coal mine (1940 Census). Boyd attended one year of high school (Enlistment Record)

Military Service:

On Boyd's 18th birthday, July 29, 1943, he entered the draft. Boyd's address was listed as Rivesville, where he worked on his father's farm. Boyd was 5'6" and 134 lbs with brown eyes, red or brown hair, and freckled skin.

He enlisted on October 25, 1943 in Clarksburg, WV. PVT Boyd Bragg was serving with the 120th Infantry Regiment, 30th Infantry Division, 2nd Battalion, Company F during the Operation Lüttich counter-offensive, the Battle of Mortain. PVT Boyd Bragg was killed in action on August 8, 1944, possibly on Hill 314.

Operation Lüttich

Ordered by Adolf Hitler himself in response to Operation Cobra, Unternehmen Lüttich (Operation Liège) took place August 7-13, 1944.

Historical model builder Mike from Mike's Research notes:

"During the predawn hours on August 8, the Germans made three attempts to take Hill 314 believing that the US artillery would be less accurate in the dark. However, the US forward observers had preregistered several avenues of approach, and the German attacks were crushed. Over the next several days, Germans made many attempts to take the hill supported by Pz.Kpfw. IVs but due to US mines, anti-tank and artillery fire they failed each time.

On August 8, the 2/120th Infantry on Hill 314 became seriously low on ammunition, especially for crew served weapons such as machine guns and mortars. A request for a re-supply was radioed to Division HQ but confusion led to long delays in setting up an airdrop. Meanwhile, the 30th Division Artillery attempted to drop supplies from their light spotter planes. Two light planes made low altitude passes over the hill in the morning but took damage from German small arms fire and 20mm Flak guns which ended that method of re-supply. " 

Full text here: https://mikesresearch.com/2021/08/01/mortain-1944/

Survivors and Legacy:

Boyd was survived by his parents and six siblings: two brothers and four sisters, some of whom (as of January 2024) are still living. 

He is honored on the "Marion County Veterans Killed in Action" Memorial at Veterans Square in Fairmont, WV, and at the West Virginia State Veterans Memorial in Charleston, WV. There is also a general monument to the 30th Infantry Division on Hill 314 in France.


Sources and More Information:



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