158th Regimental Combat Team (RCT) "Bushmasters"

dauis2 · Feb 1, 2021

Mary Jo Brill said: ↑

After his death, I found letters my dad had saved that he wrote to his friends back home in Chicago. The friends he wrote to must have saved them for him. Through a timely process, I was able to organize these letters with the help of my cousin. The letters chronicle his four and half journey as a Bushmaster through the Pacific Theater, starting with New Orleans, as he shipped off to Panama, and ending in the Philippines on July 7, 1945. My dad, Joseph Brill, was in the 2nd Battalion, Company G.

As the story unfolded, I began my research on the 158th. Of course, I was in awe of my father and what he endured, but I was mostly in awe of the whole regiment and what they accomplished under horrific conditions. I realized the letters went beyond a sentimental story for my family, I had to tell the whole story, the story of the Bushmasters. I solved this by writing a book that is comprised of his letters and photos, as well a narrative and timeline of the 158th RCT.

The book is titled, As Ever, Joe: Story of a Quiet Hero. It is a self published book that is available on Amazon. I am donating all the money I earn on sales (unfortunately it is a small profit margin) to the Gary Sinise Foundation, so I hope this isn't considered a plug.

Also, the photos are priceless, and they reproduced well for their age. I'm hoping I will find the sons and daughters of his buddies in the photos.

I will post the link to this book, if anyone is interested , or cant find it otherwise.

I am very happy to be a part of this group. I want to learn more about the 158th RCT, as well as share what knowledge I have about them.
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My father was with the 147th field artillery that was part of the 158th RCT. He was armt Sarmi-Toem and Noe.foor before he rotated home. I looking for any pictures, stories, etc. you might have for those two engagements.

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158th Regimental Combat Team (RCT) "Bushmasters"

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