Brigido Gonzales, Elko County, Nevada

Brigido Gonzalez

October 8, 1918 – June 11, 1944

Brigido Gonzalez was born in Imlay, Nevada on October 8, 1918, the first son of Adela and Felipe Gonzalez. Imlay, Nevada, during this period, was a very busy railroad terminal. Felipe, Brigido’s father, was a Section Foreman for the Southern Pacific Railroad and in subsequent years Felipe was transferred to Beowawe, Nevada where Brigido completed elementary school. Brigido then moved to nearby Carlin, Nevada where he lived with his grandmother, Gregoria Flores, while attending Carlin High School. Brigido graduated from Carlin High School in 1935 and was valedictorian of his class. Upon completing high school, Brigido went to work for the Pacific Fruit Express Company, in Carlin. In a short time frame he was promoted to shift supervisor responsible for insuring that refrigeration of railroad cars, carrying perishable goods, was properly performed.

When President Roosevelt declared war on Japan and Germany, after the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7^th 1941, Brigido immediately decided to enlist in the U.S. Army, which he did on January 16, 1942. Brigido took basic training in Fort Knox, Kentucky where he scored high on the Army’s IQ tests and as a result was admitted to Officers Candidate School (OCS). He attended OCS from May 1942 until August 1942 and upon graduation received his commission as 2^ndLieutenant, U.S. Army. Lt. Gonzalez was then given further training and was subsequently assigned to an Armoured unit in North Africa on June of 1943. In November of 1943, Brigido was transferred to the 67^th Armoured Regiment in England where he was involved in the preparations for the invasion of France, “Operation Overlord”.

On June 11, 1944, Brigido’s unit, aboard LST 496, loaded with tanks and troops, left Portsmouth, England en route to Normandy beach. 1^st Lt. Brigido Gonzalez was killed when at 2112 on 11 June; LST-496 struck a mine while proceeding in convoy through a channel to the assault area. The USS Amesbury hastened to assist LST-496 while 3 smaller craft were picking up survivors. The USS Amesbury maneuvered alongside the LST and moored her to remove the remainder of the LST’s crew. With the help of a tug, ATA-125, they tried to secure the crippled LST, however, within a short time it began to capsize to port and the doomed LST sank.

Brigido’s family, as of January 29, 2004, consist of his deceased parents Felipe and Adela Gonzalez who are buried in the Carlin, Nevada cemetery, his deceased brother 1^st Lt. Benito Gonzalez, a bombardier during World War II, who flew 32 missions over Europe in a B-17 and was highly decorated, his brother Joe ( jj2rddncrs@aol.com ) who lives in Sparks, NV., another brother Lavar, his sister Evangeline ( vangie@frontiernet.net ) who lives in Elko, NV., a sister Mary

( mdick29@aol.com ) who lives in Fernley, NV., and a brother Alex ( agonzo100@msn.com ) who lives in Chicago, IL.

On Veteran's Day, 2001, I began this project to learn more about those soldiers whose names are listed on the war monuments in front of the Elko County courthouse in Elko, Nevada. This project began as a great deal of frustrating work. I learned first that for the World War I soldiers there is a priceless book (Nevada's Golden Stars, 1920) that provides a biography of all Nevada's soldiers who died in World War I. There is no such treasure for the later wars and conflicts. As time has permitted, with the help of the Northeastern Nevada Museum, the Elko Post of the VFW, Judy Swett, Chuck Sanders, Jan Petersen, Peggy Urriola and others we have searched down articles in old newspapers, census records, grave site locations, etc. to learn what we can. Then at times a priceless thing happens. Someone contacts you and you learn a bit more. That is the case for Brigido Gonzalez. The article at the top of the page is written by Brigido's family and sent to me by his brother Alex on January 29, 2004. What follows is how we got to this point from 2001 when we knew only Brigido's name (misspelled at that), to when a wonderful Frenchman named Francis Bayle first wrote me in July, 2002, to December, 2002, when we first learned who Brigido was, to now when his family sent the following e-mail.

--- Original Message -----

From: Judy

To: Dan Turner

Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2004 7:35 AM

Subject: Fw: Brigido Gonzalez

----- Original Message -----

From: ALEXANDER Gonzalez

To: Judy, Chuck Snders

Sent: Saturday, January 17, 2004 3:26 AM

Subject: Fw: Brigido Gonzalez

To close the loop on all that were listed on the web page I thought I would forward this message to you. I was unsuccessful in sending the message to Bayle and Turner for some reason or other. ----- Original Message -----

From: ALEXANDER Gonzalez

To: FrancisBayle@wnadoo.fr ; turner@rabitbrush.com ; DeeAppleby@aol.com ; Vdarden@charter.net ; cramirez@PBWT.com ; museum@memv-museum.org

Sent: Friday, January 16, 2004 12:17 AM

Subject: Brigido Gonzalez

Hello All,

My name is Alex Gonzalez (Alejandro Gonzalez) and I am the youngest of the Felipe and Adela Gonzalez family and I live in Chicago, Il. I am a retired Electrical Engineer, graduate of University of Nevada, Reno, class of 1953. While trying to locate information on the 67 Armoured Regiment, I was very surprised to suddenly see the name of my brother as part of the search. Needless to say I read it all with great interest.

It was just yesterday that I was talking to my sister, Mary (Maria), who lives in Fernley, NV, about our brother Brigido. I had sent her the same picture you have in the web page. My sister Evangelina Pate, who lives in Elko, has the same book from which that picture came from. It was given to our Father, Felipe, after Brigido was killed in action. I took a video of it and then put it on my computer. I am sending you a copy of it as well. As you can see it is quite tattered and torn. My sister and I were wondering where we could get another copy of that book "67th Armoured Regiment". We had come to the conclusion that the only way we would find one would be at a garage sale if we were lucky. What it has produced is knowledge of this wonderful web page developed by someone in Elko. Please pay a visit to my sister Evangelina, she goes by the name of Vange. She can also fill you in on information regarding the family.

Brigido was the eldest of the family, 1st Lt. Benito Gonzalez, a bombardier during WW II was also on the invasion of Normady. He flew 32 missions over Europe in a B17 called the Ramprooster. He was highly decorated receiving the Air Medal with 4 oak leaf clusters and the Distinguished Flying Cross. He has since passed away. Joe lives in Sparks, Nevada, Lavar (Lauro) is still living (web page says he passed away). I think they meant Benito. Evangeline, Mary and myself complete the family.

Francis, I visited Normandy in 1953 while I was stationed in Verdun, France. I took many pictures and one of the cross very similar to the one that is in the Web page. I would be very interested to hear from you. I understand there is going to be a 60th anniversary celebration in Normandy and if so I would plan on attending. After I was discharged from the Army I spent 2 years in France. I have traveled extensively with my former employers, Ford Motor and Amoco Corporation and we still travel quite a bit as retired citizens.

What started out to be simple search for information on the 67th and possibly information on where to get another book has resulted in a very pleasant surprise. Thank you all very much. I will try to get a copy of the June issue of the National Geographic.

If you need any specific information on Brigido or anyone else in our family please feel free to contact me.

With great appreciation for all the work that has been done.

Best Regards,

Alex Gonzalez

----- Original Message -----

From: Francis Bayle

To: turner@rabbitbrush.com

Sent: Sunday, July 21, 2002 1:19 AM

Subject: Brigido Gonzalez

Hi,

I'm a French person, I'm godfather (or sponsor) of a soldier dead on June 11th 44 in Normandy during the world war 2. His name was Gonzalez Brigido (1st Lieutenant) matricule 01012253, decorated of purple heart. He has served in the 2nd armored division.

I must go one time a year put on his grave any flowers at the Colleville American Cemetery in Normandy.
This French association is called "Memory Flowers" this Web site is: http://fleursdelamemoire.free.fr

I know he lived somewhere in Nevada but I don't know the name of the city or village.
I shall be very please if you can tell me all information about him . Does he have family yet.
Be kind to search these information for me .
I have many respects for those who are dead in France. American soldiers have saved us against the barbarity.

Thanks you very much.
Sincerely
Francis

Francis.bayle@wanadoo.fr

----- Original Message -----

From: Francis Bayle

To: Dan Turner

Sent: Sunday, July 21, 2002 2:24 PM

Subject: Re: Brigido Gonzalez

Dear Dan,

Thank you very much to help me. It's Ok for your web page , I hope to find any information with that.

It's very important for me to know Brigido fully. His life, country..... Best will be to find photos (this must be very hard!!!!)

I've looked at Ancestry.com , there is several results for Brigido in military section ,unfortunately I haven't login and it's expensive for me to sign in.Have you an access to this site?

Best wishes from Limoges (France)

Messages

----- Original Message -----

From: Judy

To: Dan Turner

Sent: Saturday, August 03, 2002 1:14 AM

Subject: 67th

67th Armored Regiment was part of the Omaha Beach landing.

some history:

The battalion was activated on 5 June 1940 in preparation for World War II at Fort Benning, Georgia. Just one month later (15 July 1940), the unit found itself serving with the 2d Armored Division as they fought fierce battles against the famed Afrika Corps across Morocco and Tunisia. The battalion then helped the 2d Armored Division during their liberation of Sicily. On 9 June 1944, the battalion landed on Omaha Beach as part of Operation "Overlord". From there they fought across France and Belgium in route to Germany. The battalion distinguished itself during the war, receiving two presidential citations and two battle Streamers.

I wonder if Brigido was part of the earlier campaign

2d ARMORED DIVISION "Hell on Wheels" History, chronology, casualty #s

http://www.army.mil/cmh-pg/documents/eto-ob/2AD-ETO.htm

Armor Assns: http://www.normandyallies.org/dbase-armor.htm

67th Armored Regiment
Mr. James Burt
1621 Sherwood Road
Colony Park
Wyomissing, PA 19610
(610)670-0909

2nd Armored Division Association
Mr. Lewis E. Bogart
623 Shuttle Hill Road
Muncy, Pennsylvania 17756
(Hell on Wheels)
(717) 546-9415

Dan -- have you tried requesting his military records?? Under the Freedom of Information Act his information may become available to you... Let me know if this is an avenue you have crossed or not... I will continue searching for more information...

Carol..

-----Original Message-----
From: Dan Turner [mailto:turner@rabbitbrush.com]
Sent: Saturday, November 09, 2002 11:24 PM
To: cramirez@pbwt.com
Cc: DeeAppleby@aol.com
Subject: Brigido Gonzalez, Elko County, Nevada

Carol Ramirez,

The name Brigido Gonzales is listed on the World War II monument on the court house lawn in Elko Nevada http://www.elkorose.com/warmonuments.html. Through time we have attempted to learn something about these soldiers, but have not been able to learn much about Brigido Gonzalez. My mom found your message on ancestry.com and suggested I contact you to see if this might be the Brigido who died during the invasion of Normandy in 1944. Thank you. Dan Turner

http://www.elkorose.com/warmonuments/gonzales_brigido.html

----- Original Message -----

From: DeeAppleby@aol.com

To: turner@rabbitbrush.com

Sent: Saturday, November 09, 2002 7:37 PM

Subject: Bridido

Boards > Surnames > Padilla
URL: http://boards.ancestry.com/mbexec?htx=message&r=an&p=surnames.padilla&m=271

Victor A Darden

4713 Marsalis St

Fort Worth, TX 76117-6317

817-675-1560

vdarden@charter.net

Dear Carol Ramirez,

I have done some research on the 1st Lt. Brigido Gonzalez of the 1st Army/2nd Armored Div./67th Armored Regmt./3rd Bat./Co. "C". Regretfully, with the limited research, no information on his home town or his family was uncovered. I have utilized the materials left my Uncle Joyce Smith (Tech-5,67th AR,1st Bat./ Co. "D") who died 11/21/2000 from Dementia. I have taken excerts from THE AUTHORITATIVE HISTORY of the 67th AR, "History 67th Armored Regiment" printed by George Westermann, Brunswick/Germany 1945. This was written by the U.S. Army History Section at the end of the World War II and was issued to the troops after separation.

The following has emerged from this research about 1st Lt. B. Gonzales:

He was a replacement officer for Co. "C"/1st Bat./67thAR in North Africa on 21 June 1943. (p73)
Shipped from Oran on 14 Nov 1943 to Greennock, Scotland on 27 Nov 1943.
Arrived via train to Tidworth, Wilshire, England on 28 Nov. 1943.
Co. "C" and 1st Lt. Gonzales transferred from 1st Bat/67thAR to 3rd Bat./ 67thAR. (p78)
LST w/ Co "C" hit by mine off shore of Omaha Beach (p80) and 1st Lt. Gonzales was killed (p244) NOTE: Listed by mistake as Lt. Phillip Gonzales, Co."C"
NOTE: (p244) shows the L.S.T. 1030 as the ship involved. This is incorrect. LST-1030 was built after this incident and was used in the South Pacific. LST-496 was the ship involved in the death of 1st Lt. Gonzales.
NOTE: (p2 Roster) The only Officer named Gonzales in the 67thAR during WWII was 1st Lt. Brigido Gozales.

Picture of 1st Lt. B. Gonzales and other supporting documents mentioned above can be found on individual .pdfs. at: http://ci.sansom-park.tx.us/GONZALES . I hope you have broudband, these are 0.2-2.0 MB each. The combined .pdf documents are on LT_B_Gonzales.pdf at 14.2 MB.

WEB Site info to support above information:

Battle discription on LST-496: http://www.exercisetiger.org/

Listing of LST losses: http://www.landingship.com/282/navy%20losses.htm

Other soliders lost on LST-496 -http://www.geocities.com/l0lst_glider_riders/louie_wofford_1.html

More action reports on LST-496's loss: http://www.hazegray.org/danfs/escorts/de66.htm

If you need any assistance in this matter don't hesitate to email.

Vic Darden

----- Original Message -----

From: <DeeAppleby@aol.com>

To: <turner@rabbitbrush.com>; <smoswet@citlink.net>

Cc: <CRAMIREZ@PBWT.COM>; <museum@nenv-museum.org>; <cwsanders@citlink.net>; <francis.bayle@wanadoo.fr>

Sent: Sunday, December 08, 2002 1:59 PM

Subject: Re: Brigido

> Judy,
>
> I am at my mom's house. But couldn't wait to tell you.
>
> Just got back from visiting Joe Bell. This is "our Brigido" Joe knew him and his family and was there when they got word of Brigido's death in France. Joe was good friends with Jose the younger brother who now lives in Sparks. Lauro the other younger brother has also passed away for health reasons. Evangeline was a waitress at the Commercial hotel the last he knew. They lived in Beowawe by the SP tracks under the big cottonwood trees. The residence has been torn down but he believes the foundation remains.
>
> Got to go ... Dan Turner

----- Original Message -----

From: Dan Turner

To: Judy

Cc: Ramirez, Carol (x2481) ; DeeAppleby@aol.com ; museum@nenv-museum.org ; Chuck & Carol Sanders ; Francis Bayle

Sent: Sunday, December 08, 2002 9:04 AM

Subject: Re: Brigido

Judy,

I have this feeling you have found "our" Brigido. The age is right, he would have been about 25 years of age at the time he died - about the age of the person in the photo, his father was a section gang worker for the railroad who had come up from Mexico. Brigido could have come over to Elko to enlist so he is on the Elko County List. For Francis, Beowawe is a very small town - nearly a ghost town now - west of Elko about 60 miles in Eureka County, Nevada. I am drawn to the area for some reason. Here is a page about it http://www.elkorose.com/beowawe.html

I know Joe Bell whose family had a ranch in the Beowawe area - near Harney http://www.elkorose.com/harney_city.html at about that time (now shown on the maps as the Rose Ranch). I know he lived there at the time of the "City of San Francisco trail wreck in 1939 http://www.elkorose.com/harney.html. I will drop by and see if he knew Brigido or his family. I will also drop by the museum as I can and try to see if any of the other members of the family are listed in the papers.

I am very excited about the new lead. Thank you Judy. Best wishes as always. Dan

----- Original Message -----

From: Judy

To: Dan Turner

Sent: Sunday, December 08, 2002 12:03 AM

Subject: Brigido

Dan,

There are several Brigidos but this one looks most promising. Sorry about the large file size.

Attached is the page showing a Brigido Gonzalez age 11 with his family living in Beowawe.

Could this be "our" Brigido?

He is certainly the right age. I'll see what more I can learn about this family.

Best wishes.. Judy
~ Click to enlarge ~

Brigido Gonzalez

First Lieutenant, U.S. Army

O1012253

67th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Armored Division