James Darrell Bromley was born on July 21, 1919 in Utah. His parents Frank and Elizabeth were also both born in Utah. His father worked as a railroad fireman and later as a railroad engineer. He died of cancer in 1942. James had one older brother and one younger sister. By 1940 he had completed four years of high school and was still living at home. He got a job working for the Denver & Rio Grande Western Railroad.

He was drafted into the army on February 18, 1941. His service number was 39675543. He reached the rank of corporal in Company D, 1st Battalion, 13th Armored Regiment. The 13th AR was equipped with M3 tanks to use in its reconnaissance role. It was sent overseas to England in May 1942. It was designated to take part in Operation Torch, the invasion of Vichy controlled North Africa.

With Morocco and Algeria secured, the Allies moved to take Tunisia. The Germans rushed the experienced 10th Panzer Division to repel the Allies. On December 2, 1942, the 13th AR around Tebourba was given the job of stopping the German counterattack. The Americans made a charge that was no match for the German 88mm guns. The battlefield was littered with burning M3 hulks. Cpl. Bromley was likely wounded in this battle and died the next day, December 3, 1942.

His cenotaph grave is at Ogden City Cemetery in Ogden, Utah.

Thank you Corporal Bromley for your sacrifice.

References: Ancestry.com, Wikipedia, An Army at Dawn by Rick Atkinson

James D Bromley