ROBERT MOFFATT BRICE

The Citadel Class of:	1942
Cadet Company:	H, E (4), E – Corporal (3), E (2), E (1)
Age:	22
Born:	26-Jun-21
Hometown:	Roanoke, Virginia
Family:	Claude G. Brice (father), Ramona O. Brice (mother), James P. Brice (brother), Virginia Rumph Brice Hairfield (wife)
Rank:	First Lieutenant
Branch of Service:	U.S. Army
Servicenumber:	O-495659
Entered the Service from:	Virginia
Function:	Platoon Leader
Regiment:	–
Division:	–
Battalion:	2nd Ranger Battalion
Company:	B
Unit:	1st Platoon
Date of death:	6-Jun-44
Status:	KIA
Place of death:	Normandy, France
Spot:	Pointe du Hoc
Awards:	Purple Heart
Gravenumber:	Plot J Row 11 Grave 16
Cemetery:	Normandy American Cemetery
Biography:	PDF – The Post and Courier – Robert M. Brice – The Charleston Post and Courier article: Mementos tell story of a D-Day hero – Footlocker items, other artifacts fill out picture of Robert M. Brice for museum, dated October 11, 2005.
Other information:	Activities – Freshman football, Varsity football (39/40 and 40/41) Bull Dog staff, Calliopean Literary Society, Hunting Club, International Relations Club Major – Political Science (Source: Sphinx 1942)A brief history of the 2nd Ranger Battalion in WWII Attended the Citadel First Lieutenant Robert M. Brice was killed in action on the morning of invasion day. He was graduated from the Citadel in 1942. He married Miss Bessie Virginia Rumph, May 12, 1943, in Charleston. Lieutenant Brice was the son of Mr. and Mrs. Claude G. Brice of Roanoke, Va. He began the study of law at the University of Arkansas, winning a graduate fellowship to the Maxwell school of public administration at Syracuse university, but his studies were interrupted by the war. After training at Fort Benning, Ga., he went to England in October, with the American Rangers. – Source: Unknown. Scan of obituary without source or date posted to Findagrave.com “Eighteen LCA’s, carrying the 5th Ranger Battalion and Companies A and B of the 2d Rangers, had been waiting in the assembly area for word of the assault on Pointe du Hoe. One LCA had already been swamped further out, its men transferring to a passing LCT. After delaying 15 minutes beyond the time limit (0700), the Rangers still had no word and were forced to conclude that the assault had not succeeded. According to plan, they started in toward Dog Green to land behind the 1st Battalion of the 116th and go inland through the Vierville exit.”… ”Companies A and B of the 2d Rangers, on the right flank, came in on the edge of Dog Green and experienced what the 1st BLT of the 116th had already been through. One of their 5 craft was sunk by a mine in the outer obstacles, and the 34 men had to swim in under fire. Small-arms and mortar fire caught the other craft as they touched down. The small Ranger companies numbered about 65 officers and men each; some 35 in Company A and 27 in Company B got to the sea wall.” – Source: (OMAHA BEACHHEAD (6 June-13 June 1944) American Forces in Action Series, Historical Division War Department Facsimile Reprint, 1984, 1989, 1994 CMH Pub 100-11 Center of Military History United States Army Washington, D.C. p52-53 “The LCA carrying the 2d Platoon of B Company, 2d Rangers, hit a mine that blew off the bow landing ramp. Lieutenant Fitzsimmons was knocked unconscious by the explosion. The 2d Platoon LCA sank, throwing most of the men into the deep water, most of whom made it to shore but lost their weapons and equipment. The 1st Platoon boat dropped its ramp, and the men started ashore. Lt. Robert Brice of the 1st Platoon of B Company was killed as he signaled his men forward.” – Source: Robert W. Black, “Rangers in World War II”, (Presidio Press, 1992) p201. “He jumped off the landing craft ahead of his platoon. He then motioned to the others and said ‘Let’s Go’.” “That’s when he was cut down by machinegun fire. […] Be assured that Bob died a heroic death. He was in front leading his men. A Ranger all the way. He now rests in Honored Glory.” – Source: (1989 Letter to James F. Brice from Colonel (ret) Edgar L. Arnold, DSC, Commander of B Company, 2d Rangers describing the actions of Lt. Robert Brice on Omaha Beach June 6, 1944.)

Sources: American Battle Monuments Commission, The Citadel Archive & Museum, Mike Stannard ’65, 15th Census of the U.S. 1930, Sphinx 1941 & 1942, Find A Grave.com, AmericanDDay.org

We ask for your help.
It is our objective to have complete and accurate records for each of our Citadel Men.
If you have information to contribute or correct this or any other record, please contact us or see support.

* Previous *                                          * Back to List *                                          * Next *