Sailor standing outdoors in a dark U.S. Navy uniform.

September 25, 1926 – Unknown

Herbert Brunton

Personal Information

Birthplace: Cambridge, KS

Service Information

Branch of Service: Navy

Unit: USS Kenneth D. Bailey (DD713)

Theater of Operation: Other

Enlisted / Commissioned: Dec 4, 1944

Discharged: Jul 13, 1946

Honored By: Children of Herb Brunton

Biography

Herbert received a letter from James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy on July 27, 1946. Following are some excerpts from that letter. I want the Navy’s pride in you, which it is my privilege to express, to reach into your civil life and to remain with you always. You have served in the greatest Navy in the world. It crushed two enemy fleets at once, receiving their surrenders only four months apart. It brought our land-based airpower within bombing range of the enemy, and set our ground armies on the beachheads of final victory. No other Navy at any time has done so much. For your part in these achievements you deserve to be proud as long as you live. The Nation which you served at a time of crisis will remember you with gratitude. He served in the Atlantic.

Explore More of Ike’s Soldiers

Get Involved

Learn, visit, and support The Eisenhower Foundation through programs, tours, and philanthropy.

Dwight D. Eisenhower giving a speech at a podium.