Saturday, August 6, 2016

2LT Melvin Charles Brewer


2LT Melvin Charles Brewer, b. 28 Jun 1919 - d. 6 Aug 1944. Son of Calvin Jesse and Myrtle Olive (Shuemaker) Brewer of New Albany, Indiana. Brewer was widely known in athletic circles as a basketball and track star. He played on the New Albany high school 1936-37, and 1937-38 teams and was regarded as one of the greatest offensive centers to represent the Bulldogs.

Graduating from New Albany high school in 1938, he enrolled a year later at the University of Kentucky, where he became nationally known as one of the greatest hoop centers in collegiate circles. He was 6' 5" tall, quite tall for the time. He left U of K in 1943 to join the armed forces. He received officers training at Fort Benning, GA graduating in Dec 1943. He had been a member of the Indiana National Guard. Assigned to G Company 116th Infantry on 22 Jul 1944 he was killed in action with that company on 6 Aug 1944. 

Melvin was survived by his parents, wife, and two children. He rests in Fairview Cemetery in New Albany.

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