James Ernest "Ernie" Brechbiel

James Brechbiel was born in Mowersvill, Pennsylvania on August 10, 1890 to parents Moses and Barbara (Byers) (married in 1870). The 1900 census shows that he had three sisters at home (Mary, Nannie and Ruth) and the 1890 census indicated three additional sisters (Flora, Elizabeth, and Sarah) other records show that there were also three brothers (Jacob (died as infant), Benjamin, and William). While his family remained in Pennsylvania, James found his way to Illinois at the time of his registration for WWI (Sterling, Illinois) service on June 5th, 1918.

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His military service information was not readily available. A Pvt. James E. Brechbiel C.A.C. is listed in the 6th Anti-Aircraft Battery, 10th A.A. Sector at A.P.O. 767, but with no other information to go on, we will record him as a Private and had served in WWI.

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After the war, he found his way to South Dakota where he married Gertrude "Gerty" Haden of Toronto, SD on December 21, 1921. They had one daughter, Helen Mae. On November 7, 1979, Ernie passed away being survived by his wife Gerty and daughter Helen.

 

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CAC stands for the United States Army Coast Artillery Corps, which was responsible for the defense of the United States and its possessions during World War I. The CAC operated heavy and railway artillery, and was responsible for coastal, harbor, and anti-aircraft defense. 

The 50th Artillery (Coast Artillery Corps) (CAC) was organized in July 1918 at Camp Eustis, Virginia. Moved to Brest, France via Newport News port of embarkation October 1918 on the Italian liner SS America. Moved from Brest to Montoir-de-Bretagne (Loire-Inférieure) 30 October 1918 until the Armistice.

 

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