Freeper Canteen ~ Hall of Heroes: Leonard C Brostrom ~ April 30, 2012

Serving The Best Troops and Veterans In The World !! | StarCMC

[Kathy in Alaska]

For the freedom you enjoyed yesterday... Thank the Veterans who served in The United States Armed Forces.

Looking forward to tomorrow's freedom? Support The United States Armed Forces Today!

~ Hall of Heroes ~

Leonard C. Brostrom

Info from here.

           

Leonard Carl Brostrom was born on November 23, 1919 in Preston, Franklin County, Idaho. He was the first child of Carl John Brostrum (Feb. 17, 1894–Mar. 13, 1975) and Louise Adolfina Hillstead (Aug. 17, 1893–Sep. 25, 1961) who were married on August 21, 1918. Leonard was Killed in action on October 28, 1944 near Dagami, Leyte, Philippine Islands, now the Republic of the Philippines. Leonard is buried in the Preston Cemetery, Block 1, lot 18.

Leonard Brostrum grew up in the farming community of Preston, Idaho and attended the then primary and secondary school called the Oneida Stake Academy built by the Oneida Stake of The Church of Jesus Christ of Latter-day Saints. Ezra Taft Benson and Harold B. Lee both of whom later served as presidents of the LDS Church and Medal of Honor recipient Mervyn S. Bennion also attended this school. In 1922, this school was renamed Preston High School even though it was referred to as the Academy for some time there after. Nathan K. Van Noy, another Medal of Honor recipient, attended the newer Preston High School.

Brostrum grew up attending Church at the Oneida Ward in Preston. He grew up during the depression years farming, hunting and fishing while doing odd jobs for both pocket money and LDS Church service. His younger brothers Dean (1921–1999) and Dale (1925–2003) often tagged along until Leonard served a three year LDS mission to California. Leonard was on his Church mission when Japan bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. After successfully completing his Church Mission he returned home and soon joined the U.S. Army in March 1942.

Brostrum completed basic training at Fort Ord, California and was assigned to the 7th Motorized Division. Shortly after arriving at Camp San Luis Obispo, the Division began training in the Mojave Desert in preparation for its planned deployment to the African theater.

On January 1, 1943 his Motorized Division was renamed the 7th Infantry Division (light).  Brostrum and the other soldiers began rigorous amphibious assault training under US Marines from the Fleet Marine Force, before being deployed to fight in the Pacific theater instead of Africa.  General Holland Smith oversaw the unit's training.

Private Brostrum was assigned to Company F, 2nd Battalion of the 17th Infantry Regiment of the 7th Infantry Division and participated in the retaking of the Aleutian Islands, Eastern Mandates and Leyte; all of which started with amphibious assaults. Brostrum's campaign ribbons for these contain an arrowhead representing being in the amphibious assault landings.

Pvt. Brostrum first saw combat in the amphibious assault on Attu Island's "red beach", which was the western-most Japanese entrenchment in the Aleutian islands chain. He landed with his Company on May 1, 1943 spearheaded by the 17th Infantry Regiment, and fought an intense battle over the tundra against strong Japanese resistance.

Brostrum and the rest of the soldiers from the 17th Regiment were not trained or equipped for artic combat on Attu. Soaked boots, cold weather and was neither properly equipped nor clothed for a northern campaign, for in those days the U.S. Army knew practically nothing about waging extensive winter warfare. Nevertheless, Brostrum and his fellow soldiers from the 17th carried on, and for this action they won a Distinguished Unit Citation. During the battle Brostrum with "Company F's attack in the pass between the valleys was magnificent. The GI's used rifles, bayonets, and hand grenades to drive the enemy out of a series of trenches near the vital Cold Mountain." The fight for the island culminated in a battle at Chichagof Harbor, when the division destroyed all Japanese resistance on the island on 29 May, after a suicidal Japanese bayonet charge. The 17th regiment then invaded Kiska expecting another serious fight, but Brostrum and the others found out that the Japenese had evacuated the island prior to the American landing.

The Eastern Mandates are part of the Marshall Islands where Brostrum and the rest of his unit invaded Kwajalein atoll after four months of training in Hawaii. Under their new leader Major General C. H. Corlett the amphibious assaults on the 42 islands of the atoll went "most nearly perfect." It is not certain which specific island(s) Company F and Brostrum captured. The Division returned to Hawaii for rest and recuperation. Then they trained for the next assault.

Leyte, the third largest of the Philippine Islands was invaded by Brostrum and the rest of the 7th Division on October 20, 1944. Brostrum in Company F, 2nd Battalion of the 17th Regiment attacked from the center, driving down the Dulag–Burauen Road. Within 48 hours they had captured San Pablo, Burauen, and Bayug Airfield.

On October 27, 1944 the 17th took the strong points south of the town of Dagami. At 7:30 AM, 0730 hours in military time, Brostrum, "a lead scout" with Company F struck out on the left flank of the attack. Their job with the rest of the 2nd Battalion was to envelope Dagami from the American left to pin and destroy Japanese Army resistance in the town.

Brostrum with the lead assault platoon of Company F encountered "withering fire from pillboxes, trenches, and enemy spider holes.". The enemy were well entrenched and camouflaged. Enemy fields of fire were well calculated with criss-crossing machine gun bunkers supported by infantry in trenches. PFC Brostrum was hit by enemy weapon fire three times as he fought his way through a bamboo thicket that was part of the enemy line. Brostrum dashed to the rear of a large enemy machine gun bunker/pillbox. During his charge from the bamboo thicket he was visible not only to the rest of his company, but to the Japanese riflemen shooting at him as well. As he threw several grenades into the bunker, six Japanese infantrymen charged with bayonets fixed. Brostrum was able to kill one and wound others causing them to retreat. Brostrum was hit a fourth time and fell to the ground. Again, in view of the Americans and Japanese soldiers he rose to his feet and assaulted the bunker with grenades and rifle fire. The enemy ran out of the bunker as Brostrum fell seriously wounded.

"Staff Sergeant Paul Doty and PFC's Howard J. Evans and Eldridge V. Sorenson, who had caught up with Brostrom by this time," killed many of the fleeing enemy and called for a medic. PFC Brostrum was carried to the aid station but sucumbed to his wounds.

During the same combat action and time period, PFC John F. Thorson, from Company G, attacked an enemy trench with his BAR and was within twenty feet when he was seriously wounded. The rest of his platoon rushed forward sweeping the enemy from the trench line. An enemy grenade landed nearby and Thorson rolled on top of it to protect his buddies. He was killed instantly.

Private First Class Brostrum, Company F, is one of the only two members of the 17th Infantry Regiment to have received the Medal of Honor for their actions in combat. The other was PFC John F. Thorson from Company G.

General Orders: War Department, General Orders No. 104 (November 15, 1945) Action Date: 28-Oct-44 Service: Army Rank: Private First Class Company: Company F Regiment: 17th Infantry Regiment Division: 7th Infantry Division

Citation:

The President of the United States of America, in the name of Congress, takes pride in presenting the Medal of Honor (Posthumously) to Private First Class Leonard C. Brostrom, United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in action as a rifleman with an assault platoon of Company F, 17th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division, which ran into powerful resistance near Dagami, Leyte, Philippine Islands, on 28 October 1944. From pillboxes, trenches, and spider holes, so well camouflaged that they could be detected at no more than 20 yards, the enemy poured machinegun and rifle fire, causing severe casualties in the platoon. Realizing that a key pillbox in the center of the strong point would have to be knocked out if the company were to advance, Private First Class Brostrom, without orders and completely ignoring his own safety, ran forward to attack the pillbox with grenades. He immediately became the prime target for all the riflemen in the area, as he rushed to the rear of the pillbox and tossed grenades through the entrance. Six enemy soldiers left a trench in a bayonet charge against the heroic American, but he killed one and drove the others off with rifle fire. As he threw more grenades from his completely exposed position he was wounded several times in the abdomen and knocked to the ground. Although suffering intense pain and rapidly weakening from loss of blood, he slowly rose to his feet and once more hurled his deadly missiles at the pillbox. As he collapsed, the enemy began fleeing from the fortification and were killed by riflemen of his platoon. Private First Class Brostrom died while being carried from the battlefield, but his intrepidity and unhesitating willingness to sacrifice himself in a one-man attack against overwhelming odds enabled his company to reorganize against attack, and annihilate the entire enemy position.

A United States Army transport ship, USAT Private Leonard C. Brostrom was named in his honor in 1948. The ship was later transferred to the Military Sea Transportation Service of the United States Navy as USNS Private Leonard C. Brostrom (T-AK 255).

Please remember the Canteen is here to honor, support and entertain our troops and their families.  This is a politics-free zone!  Thanks for helping us in our mission! 

 

[ConorMacNessa]

REQUEST PERMISSION TO COME ABOARD!

GOD BLESS AND PROTECT OUR TROOPS!!!





BOSTON, (Oct. 21, 2009) Boatswains Mate 2nd Class Philip Gagnon pipes as USS Constitution performs an underway demonstration in honor of the three-masted wooden frigate's 212th birthday. (U.S. Navy photo by Airman Mark Alexander/Released).
(Click for Bosun’s Whistle)



USS Constitution's 1812 Marine Guard fire vintage Springfield flintlock muskets during the ship's underway. "Old Ironsides" was underway for the "Constitution Day Cruise," which is conducted to thank the family and supporters of Constitution. U.S. Navy photo by Airman Nick Lyman (RELEASED)

OUR TROOPS ROCK!!!!!!!

Nos genuflectitur ad non princeps sed Princeps Pacem!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[HopeandGlory]

Good morning Troops, Veterans and Canteeners.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Our Flag Flying Proudly One Nation Under God

* * * * * * * * * * * *

Lord, Please Bless Our Troops, They're fighting for our Freedom.

* * * * * * * * * * * *

God Bless Our Republic

I pledge allegiance to the Flag
of the United States of America,
and to the Republic, for which it stands;
one nation UNDER GOD,
indivisible,
with liberty and justice for all.

Prayers going up

[BIGLOOK]

Aloha Night Owl!

[Kathy in Alaska]

Please note: The author of the Hall of Heroes is StarCMC.

Please thank StarCMC for today’s thread.

~ Hall of Heroes: Leonard C Brostrom ~

FR CANTEEN MISSION STATEMENT

Showing support and boosting the morale of
our military and our allies’ military
and the family members of the above.
Honoring those who have served before.

CLICK HERE TO FIND LATEST THREADS

CLICK FOR Current local times around the world

CLICK FOR local times in Seoul, Baghdad, Kabul,
New York, Chicago, Denver, Los Angeles, Anchorage

To every service man or woman reading this thread.
Thank You for your service to our country.
No matter where you are stationed,
No matter what your job description
Know that we are are proud of each and everyone of you.
To our military readers, we remain steadfast
in keeping the Canteen doors open.

The FR Canteen is Free Republic's longest running daily thread
specifically designed to provide entertainment and moral support for the military.
The doors have been open since Oct 7 2001,
the day of the start of the war in Afghanistan.

We are indebted to you for your sacrifices for our Freedom.

NOTE: CANTEEN MUSIC
Posted daily and on the Music Thread
for the enjoyment of our troops and visitors.

[Kathy in Alaska]

Permission Granted!

[ConorMacNessa]

"Brostrum was hit a fourth time and fell to the ground. Again, in view of the Americans and Japanese soldiers he rose to his feet and assaulted the bunker with grenades and rifle fire. The enemy ran out of the bunker as Brostrum fell seriously wounded."

Gallant, Gallant, Warrior! Rest easy, Brother - we have taken up the watch!





Nos genuflectitur ad non princeps sed Princeps Pacem!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Good evening, Mac...*HUGS*...hope your neck is feeling better today.

Did you direct tilling and planting today? What did you get planted?

[ConorMacNessa]

Good evening, Kathy! Thanks to you and Star for tonight's Hall of Heroes thread!

*HUGS*

An outstanding entry into our Pantheon!

His service in the Aleutians hits a responsive note with me. My uncle, Sgt. Joe Gavin, USA, served in France in 1944 in the Lorraine Campaign and leading up to the Bulge. He was wounded twice, was awarded two Bronze Stars with Combat V, and was in Hospital before the Bulge broke. But serving in the cold and wet French Autumn of 1944, he ended up with trench foot - a problem that would dog him through the rest of his long life. He went to his reward in September 2006 at the age of 88, sixty-two years after his service in combat. He was the nicest guy you ever hope to meet - but a lion in battle! I miss him very much.



Nos genuflectitur ad non princeps sed Princeps Pacem!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Thanks, Nana Hope, for today's Pledge…((HUGS)). Thanks, AfghanMan and Penguin Girl, for your service to America.

How are your grapes doing this spring?

[ConorMacNessa]

We got to the nursery and bought the plants - that was the extent of it today. We bought tomatoes - Rutgers, Brandywine and Parks' Whopper. We got some peppers - Big Bertha, Better Bell, and Habanero. Also bought a few packs of Ageratum Blue Danube and Vinca Pacifica Deep Red. Will get them in the ground over the next few evenings.



Nos genuflectitur ad non princeps sed Princeps Pacem!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Aloha, Hawaii...((HUGS))...how are things on the mainland?

Did you get to visit with your son and the young wahines? Any sun?

[HopeandGlory]

Grapes that survived are doing great . . . my cuttings didn’t survive . . . but . . . will try again. HOPE springs eternal!!! . . . . SMILE.

[BIGLOOK]

Aloha again Night Owl! ((HUGS))

No sun, no visitors today and I still have calls to the mainland to make. Some of them really like staying up late on Sunday nights. They tell me it makes the most of the weekend.

[The Mayor]

Freep mail me to be on or off the Daily Bread ping list

My Way?
April 30, 2012

Think about the worst intellectual matchups possible. For instance, what if we put Albert Einstein in a room with a first-grader to debate the theory of relativity? Or how about George Washington Carver versus a middle-schooler discussing biochemical engineering?

It’s silly to think of putting these pairs together for discussions. One is the ultimate expert; the other would know little if anything about the topic.

Here’s another one: God versus anyone arguing about His plan for mankind. Now we’re talking mismatch! Yet we often hear of people trying to explain away God’s matchless wisdom and how their way is better than His.

I received a letter from a man in prison who said: “I came to the point in my life where I finally accepted the fact that God is real and the Creator of everything. I grew tired of trying to do things my way. When I started humbling myself and accepting God’s Word, I found the answer.”

How ridiculous to reject God’s plan of salvation because we think we know better! Only by placing our trust in Christ for the forgiveness of our sins can we be reconciled to God (John 14:6; Rom 3:23; 6:23). Are you still trying to do things your own way, thinking you know best? (Prov. 16:25). Agree with God and go His way.

There aren’t many ways into heaven;
The Bible says there’s only one:
Confessing Christ Jesus as Savior,
Believing in God’s only Son. —Sper

Jesus is not one of many ways to approach God, nor is He the best of several ways; He is the only way. —Tozer

Read: Proverbs 16:20-25

There is a way that seems right to a man, but its end is the way of death. —Proverbs 16:25

Bible in a Year:
2 Chronicles 23-25

[mountainlion]

The Big Picture 7th Division

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=l-yOquPvqSI

[ConorMacNessa]

REST IN PEACE, FALLEN BROTHER!

SSgt. Joseph H. Fankhauser, USMC, 7th Engineer Support Battalion, 1st Marine Logistics Group, I Marine Expeditionary Force, KIA Afghanistan 22Apr2012




I have fought a good fight,
I have finished my course,
I have kept the faith.
2 Timothy 4:7 (KJV)

Eternal Father, Strong to Save

Rest in Peace, fallen brother, rest in peace!
We who remain hold you in high honor.
Rest, fallen brother, in this sacred precinct;
We who remain keep this place sacred.
Rest, fallen brother, among these, your comrades;
We who remain keep the watch.
Rest, fallen brother, amid these who heeded the Nation’s call;
We who remain press the fight forward in your name.
Rest, fallen brother, lay down thy burden;
We who remain have taken up the torch.
Rest in Peace, fallen brother, rest in eternal peace!



Taps

Nos genuflectitur ad non princeps sed Princeps Pacem!

Listen, O isles, unto me; and hearken, ye people, from far; The LORD hath called me from the womb; from the bowels of my mother hath he made mention of my name. (Isaiah 49:1 KJV)

[Kathy in Alaska]

Brostrum and the rest of the soldiers from the 17th Regiment were not trained or equipped for artic combat on Attu. Soaked boots, cold weather and was neither properly equipped nor clothed for a northern campaign, for in those days the U.S. Army knew practically nothing about waging extensive winter warfare. Nevertheless, Brostrum and his fellow soldiers from the 17th carried on, and for this action they won a Distinguished Unit Citation.

The cold is so debilitating, but they persevered! God Bless them all.

[luvie]

God rest the soul of the fallen heroes! They haunt me....

[luvie]

Thanks, Galz, for another wonderful story about one of our brave and true. They always make my heart glad to know we have men and women who loved this country that much!