Wayne Doel Brooks was born on 24 May 1918 at Shady Valley, Tennessee, the son of Arthur James Brooks and Lillie C. Cress.
He had seen action in Italy, Belgium, Holland and Germany. He had taken part in the invasion of Holland, September 17, 1944. His brother Hillary Saul Brooks served in the South Pacific. Private First Class Wayne Brooks served with the 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division, Company A. He died at Hitdorf am Rhein, Germany, and was initially buried at Margraten American Cemetery in the Netherlands.
He is buried at Knoxville National Cemetery.
Wayne wrote a letter to the Johnson County News which was published on 15 March 1945. It reads:
Dear Editor; I just want to say a few words as to the regards of your paper. I’m one of your old subscribers here and when I was at home I received your paper regularly, and I find some interesting things in it, also my home news. I enjoy it very much and hope you will keep it coming. I like to read the home news and how every-one is doing at home. I have noticed in it the names of some of my old buddies; killed and wounded in action while serving their duties. I’ll say give all my regards and keep the good works coming. And the best regards to the people back home and the good works they are doing for us boys in the service.
I’m the son of Mr. and Mrs. Arthur Brooks of Shady Valley. Please give them my regards. I have a brother also in service, Hillary, who is serving in the South Pacific. I’m in Belgium myself and have seen action in Italy, Belgium, Holland, and Germany. I also took part in the Invasion of Holland, Sept. 17, 1944. I have had twelve months overseas, and forty-five months in service. And have been in the paratroopers seventeen months. Things are going fine over here and I’m hoping we all can come marching home again soon.
Sincerely yours,
Pfc. Wayne Brooks
- Rank: Private First Class
- Date of birth: 24 May 1918
- Date of death: 7 April 1945
- County: Johnson
- Hometown: Shady Valley
- Service Branch: Army/Army Air Forces
- Division/Assignment: 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division
- Theater: Europe
- Conflict: World War II
- Battles: Market Garden
- Awards: Purple Heart
- Burial/Memorial Location: Knoxville National Cemetery, Knoxville, TN
- Location In Memorial: Pillar VIII, Top Panel
- Contact us to sponsor Wayne D. Brooks
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