OBIT: Henry U. BRANDT, 1918, of Altoona, Blair County, PA

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FATHER LEARNS HOW SON DIED IN FRANCE

Bugler Alfred W. Milleisen Tells of Sacrifice Made by Corporal Henry 
U. Brandt [photo] 

  Corporal Henry U. Brandt, son of Rev. C. H. Brandt, superintendent of the 
Altoona district of the Pennsylvania Anti-Saloon league, was among the first 
Altoona boys to make the supreme sacrifices for his country and flag in 
France.  He died fighting with the now famous 110th infantry but until the 
receipt of a letter from Bugler Alfred W. Milleisen, son of Mrs. Jean 
Milleisen, of this city, and a comrade of the fallen soldier boy Rev. Brandt 
never received any particular of the heroic valor of his soldier son.  The 
letter tells how Corporal Brandt received a machine gun bullet through the 
heart in battle on July 20 while Company G was making an attack and driving 
back the Hun.
  The letter written at Ailerey, France, on December 9, records the valor of 
Corporal Brandt.  It follows:
My dear Mr. Brandt,
  It has been my intention to write to you for some time but on account of the 
Censor rule concerning places I could not give you the information I wished.  
I understand the Company clerk sent you an account of Henry's death but I 
don't think that he had all the facts or was able to give you all of them.
  I was with Battalion Headquarters and so was not with the company at the 
time, but right after the fight I inquired for Henry and was told that he had 
been either killed or seriously wounded.  One of the boys said that he had 
seen him fall and that he had not moved after that, to his knowledge.  I went 
up to the field as soon as possible to make sure and found him there.  
Evidently he had been killed instantly by a machine gun bullet through the 
heart.
  This happened at the town of Courmont, about a half a mile to the East of 
the town - on, I think, the thirty-first of July.  Henry was buried on the 
side of the hill upon which the fight took place, Hill 212, I believe, on the 
military maps.
  Believe me, the boys all felt the loss of your son, for he was one of the 
most popular boys in the outfit, as well as a fine NCO and soldier.  For my 
own part, although it hurt to see any of the old crowd go down, Henry's death 
was the hardest of any.  He and I were chums back in the States as you know, 
and were "bunkies" over here whenever possible.
  Some times when I think of the things we have been through I cannot see for 
the life of me how I ever pulled through alive.
  Taps have just blown so I must close before the lights go out.  If you wish 
it I will tell you all about it when I get back, which I hope will be very 
soon.  I am at present working the Convalescent Camp office, having been 
gassed at Fismes and sent back here.  Believe me, Mr. Brandt, you can well 
afford to be and you doubtless are proud of your son, one of the truest and 
most faithful soldiers I have ever known.
    Sincerely,
  Alfred W. Milleisen.

Altoona Tribune, Friday, January 3, 1919, page 11