William F. Brand, Jr.
Colonel William F. Brand, Jr. (U.S. Army-Retired.) is understandably proud of having dedicated his life to his country. In 1935, this Salem native graduated from Andrew Lewis High School where he was a member of the Latin Club, HI-Y and played football. Bill knew since childhood that he wanted to follow in his father’s footsteps commission as a 2nd Lieutenant. This was followed by earning a master’s degree in organic chemistry at Pennsylvania State University.
In 1941, he entered the Army as a reserve 2nd Lt. And reported to the 16th Field Artillery Battalion (later renamed the 16th Armored Field Artillery Battalion) of the 9th Armored Division. Extensive training followed during which Bill received a regular Army commission. By the time his unit was deployed to the European Theater in 1944, as a part of General Courtney Hodge’s First U.S. Army, he had been promoted to the rank of Major. Actions in which he participated included the Battle of the Bulge and capture of the strategic bridge over the Rhine River at Remagen, Germany. Following the war he remained with the Army of Occupation in Europe until 1948. While there he met and married his wife, Yvonne Moebel who had worked with the French Underground in the early part of World War II and spent several years in an internment camp. At the time of their meeting, Yvonne was working as an interpreter for the American Military Government and serving as a Red Cross Volunteer. Bill and Yvonne were married for 54 years.
Returning to the U.S., he served at various Posts and received further schooling that included the Officers Advance Course, Fort Sill, OK; Command and General Staff College, Fort Leavenworth, KS; Armed Forces College, Norfolk, VA; and the Army War College, Carlisle Barracks, PA. The Army returned Bill to Europe where he was assigned to the French Artillery School. Later he served two tours in Southeast Asia (Laos and Viet Nam), and twice in the Pentagon (initially on the Army Staff in Operations and later on the Defense Department Staff in International Security Affairs). One major assignment in Viet Nam was a one year tour of duty as Commander of the First Air Cavalry Division Artillery.
Military decorations received during his 30-year Army career include the Bronze Star Medal; Distinguished Unit Citation Award for the capture of the bridge at Remagen; Air Medal with 12 clusters; and the Legion of Merit With 3 Clusters.
Bill retired from the Army in February 1972, after serving as Professor of Military Science at the University of California at Santa Barbara. Community activities during that period included serving as volunteer director for the youth program of the local National Alliance of Businessmen (NAB). Under his direction within a matter of a few months over 1700 young people in Santa Barbara County had found summer work. Under a related GOLD program, area youths were assisted in finding year-round employment related to their remaining educational opportunities. He also volunteered to serve as secretary for the non-profit “Center of Santa Barbara” which was designed and operated as a community service center.
Returning to the Roanoke Valley in 1978, he became associated with Stuart McGuire Co., Home Shopping Network, and Joan Cook mail order company before finally retiring in 1994. Bill and Yvonne have three children and eight grandchildren. Their son, William F. III., is a V.M.I graduate who also did a tour in Viet Nam; daughter Elizabeth M is deceased, and son, Robert C., graduated from West Point and retired as an Army Colonel. Robert’s daughter, Jennifer, is a recent graduate from West Point and now serving in Germany, keeping the family’s military tradition alive. His Son, Robby is attending college in New Mexico.
In recognition of his outstanding career achievements, William F. Brand, Jr., was inducted, in the year 2000, into the Salem Alumni Hall of Fame established by the Salem Educational Foundation and Alumni Association.
