Briefing Document: Harry L. Milstead

Date: October 26, 2023 Subject: Biographical Summary of Harry L. Milstead's Life and Military Service

Overview:

This document summarizes the life and military service of Harry L. Milstead based on the provided text. It covers his birth, family, early life, military service during World War II, and his eventual death and burial.

Key Themes and Information:

Early Life and Family:Harry L. Milstead was born on March 16, 1920, in Ranger, Eastland County, Texas.

His parents were Omar Lee Collins (born 1885) and James Sanford Milstead (born 1978). There's a likely typo in the birth year for his father, James. James' birth year is recorded as 1978 when it should be 1878, based on the rest of the source material.

He lived in Eastland County, Texas, in 1930 with his parents and a brother. By 1935, he was residing in Ranger, Texas.

Marriage and Early Adulthood:Milstead married Cecelia Rosemary Wich on December 16, 1939, in Phoenix, Arizona. Cecelia was also born in 1920 in St. Louis, Missouri.

They had a daughter named Rose Mary.

In the 1940 Census, at age 22, Milstead was working as a truck driver for retail citrus growers in Phoenix, Arizona.

Military Service:Milstead was activated into the U.S. Army on September 16, 1940, as a private, joining from the National Guard.

His Army Service Number (ASN) was 20846702.

He was assigned to K Company, 158th Infantry Regiment, 45th Infantry Division.

The text explicitly identifies him as "a married white male born in Texas in 1918 with a grammar school education."

His unit trained at Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and Camp Barkeley, Texas, and conducted maneuvers in Louisiana.

After the U.S. entered World War II, his unit was detached from the 45th Division and sent to Panama in January 1942.

He also served in Australia and the jungles of New Guinea.

The 158th Regiment was redesignated the 158th Regimental Combat Team in December 1943 while in Papua, New Guinea.

Death and Burial:Pvt Milstead died of wounds on June 24, 1944, in Papua, New Guinea.

The wounds were received in action.

He was initially buried in a temporary grave until 1949.

His remains were repatriated to the United States and reinterred in the Bullock Cemetery in Bullock, Eastland County, Texas on February 24, 1949.

Military Awards:He was awarded the Purple Heart with two Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters. This indicates he was wounded in action on three separate occasions.

Key Quotes:

"Harry L. Milstead asn-20846702 a married white male born Texas in 1918 with a grammar school education was activated with the National Guard into the US Army Infantry as a private at Phoenix, Arizona on 16 September 1940."

"Pvt Milstead died of wounds on 24 June 1944 which he received in action on Papua, New Guinea."

"He was buried in a temporary grave until after the war when in 1949 his remains were repatriated to America and reinterred in the Bullock Cemetery at Bullock, Eastland County, Texas on 24 February 1949."

Important Considerations:

The provided source is a biographical summary likely derived from public records (Census, military records, etc.) and potentially family history information.

The source provides a fairly detailed timeline of Milstead's life, particularly his military service.

It highlights the common trajectory of many young American men of that era, going from civilian life, to military service, and then enduring the hardships of World War II.

Conclusion:

Harry L. Milstead was a young man who served in the U.S. Army during World War II. He went from his home in Texas to serve in the Pacific Theater, experiencing the harsh conditions of jungle warfare. His service ended tragically with his death from wounds sustained in action. The details of his service and his eventual return to be laid to rest in his home state showcase the sacrifices of those during World War II.