Briefing Document: Herbert "Babe" Simmons

Subject: Life and Military Service of Herbert "Babe" Simmons

Date: October 26, 2023

Sources: Excerpts from provided text.

1. Overview:

This document provides a summary of the life and military service of Herbert "Babe" Simmons, based on the provided text. It outlines his early life, military enlistment, deployment during World War II, and his tragic death in combat.

2. Early Life and Family:

Birth: Herbert "Babe" Simmons was born on November 16, 1918, in Brownwood, Brown County, Texas.

Parents: His parents were Lou Ella Wagner (born 1883 in Memphis, Tennessee, died 1954 in Brownwood, Texas) and John Parks Simmons (born 1870 in Henderson County, Texas, died 1933 in Brownwood, Texas). At the time of Herbert's birth, his mother was 35 and his father was 48 years old.

Siblings: He grew up with six siblings.

Census Data: The text notes Herbert's presence in three censuses:

1920: Age 1, living with his parents and six siblings in JP5, Brown County, Texas.

1930: Age 11, living with his parents and six siblings in Brownwood, Brown County, Texas.

1940: Age 21, living with his mother and six siblings in Brownwood, JP1, Brown County, Texas.

Occupation: In 1940, he was working as a farmhand and had a grammar school education.

Draft Registration: He registered for the draft in Brownwood, Brown County, Texas, on October 16, 1940, while working at Camp Brownwood. He listed his mother, Mrs. Lella Simmons of Brownwood, as his next of kin. He was a single white male, born in Texas, working in Brown County, Texas

3. Military Service:

Enlistment: Herbert Simmons enlisted into the US Army as a private at Abilene, Texas, on November 23, 1942. His Army Serial Number (ASN) was 38232553.

Unit: He served with the 90th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized), 10th Armored Division.

Deployment: He shipped overseas in 1944.

Arrival in France: The 10th Armored Division arrived in France through the port of Cherbourg on September 23, 1944.

Training Period: They underwent a month of training at Teurtheville, France.

Entry into Combat: The Division moved to Mars-la-Tour on October 25, 1944, and entered combat on November 1, 1944, in support of the XX Corps. They were involved in containing enemy troops in the area.

Offensive: The Division went on the offensive in mid-November 1944.

4. Death and Burial:

Killed in Action: Private Herbert Simmons was killed in action on November 17, 1944, in the vicinity of Metz, France.

Initial Burial: He was buried in a temporary grave until after the war.

Repatriation: In 1949, his remains were repatriated to America.

Reinterment: On April 21, 1949, he was reinterred in the Jordan Springs Cemetery in Brownwood, Brown County, Texas.

5. Key Facts and Ideas:

Humble Beginnings: Herbert Simmons grew up in rural Texas, with limited formal education, and worked as a farmhand before enlisting.

Rapid Deployment: He experienced a relatively rapid transition from enlistment to deployment in Europe.

Specific War Details: The text places his service in the context of the 10th Armored Division's movement and combat engagements in France during late 1944, suggesting the fierce fighting of that period of WWII.

Ultimate Sacrifice: His death highlights the personal cost of war and the ultimate sacrifice made by many soldiers.

Post-War Repatriation: The repatriation process illustrates the effort made to bring fallen soldiers home to their families after the war.

6. Notable Quotes:

"Herbert Simmons asn-38232553 a single white male born Texas in 1918 residing in Brown County, Texas working as a farm hand with a grammar school education enlisted into the US Army as a private at Abilene, Texas on 23 November 1942."

"Private Herbert Simmons 38232553 US Army 90th Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron (Mechanized) 10th Armored Division... Pvt Simmons was killed in action on 17 November 1944 in the vicinity of Metz, France."

"he was buried in a temporary grave until after the war when in 1949 his remains were repatriated to America and reinterred in the Jordan Springs Cemetery at Brownwood, Brown County, Texas on 21 April 1949."

7. Conclusion:

The provided text gives a concise picture of Herbert “Babe” Simmons, from his birth and family life in Texas to his military service and death in World War II. It highlights the journey of a man who served in the war and eventually was laid to rest in his hometown.

This document provides a solid base of information for further research or discussion about Herbert Simmons and his place in history.