An Oklahoma soldier's story was almost forgotten—until these Oklahomans told his story
OKLAHOMA CITY (KFOR) — A teacher-student pair at Heritage Hall is illuminating World War II history. Together, they're telling the story of an Oklahoman who died during D-Day, when the Allied forces launched the invasion of Normandy. However, the soldier they chose to spotlight is still, in many ways, a mystery.
"It was like working a big puzzle. And some of the puzzle is still incomplete," said Ashley Adams, an 8th Grade History Teacher at Heritage Hall.
Ashley Adams and her former student, Josephine Toll, have racked up many hours researching an Oklahoman who made the ultimate sacrifice during World War II.
"164 hours total. My guess is that's an underestimate," said Adams.
The pair entered a competitive history program called the Albert H Small Normandy Institute at George Washington University. Only 15 student-teacher teams across the nation are chosen each year.
"The goal of the program is to compile a biography of soldiers whose biographies haven't been told," said Adams.
Their choice was Jack Brewer, a paratrooper from Oklahoma City.
After hours of research online, with historians, in libraries and archives, Brewer is still a mystery.
"This is the only photograph that we have that shows Jack's face," said Adams.
"Or, is confirmed as him," said Toll, now a senior at Heritage Hall.
He lived through the Great Depression and the Dust Bowl. His family moved frequently. His life is largely undocumented in school records or newspapers.
"His life was really sad, at least from what we gather," said Adams. "His yearbook lists him as not pictured."
However, Brewer did know some fame. He made it to the Golden Gloves state championships before enlisting in the draft when he was 18 years old.
He trained with the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment at Camp Toccoa, eventually rising to the rank of Technician Fifth Grade.
"When you're chosen to be a technician, you have special skills and stuff. But we were never able to find out he was chosen to be a technician or what his special skills were," said Toll.
On D-Day, his unit parachuted into Normandy, severing enemy communications and security-critical routes inland.
The 21-year-old survived just six days. His death ended his family line.
"We know Jack did something heroic because he has a Bronze Star, but we don't know a whole lot else about it," said Adams.
The program took Adams and Toll overseas to see where Brewer lost his life. That pilgrimage forged an emotional connection.
"I remember walking the streets and knowing like he died from you would never get to see that again," said Toll.
Back in the US, they visited Brewer at his grave at the Normandy American Cemetery.
"Learning about one person's particular life, I think, is really important for people to understand," said Toll.
The duo created a 30-page biography for Brewer. The story, as limited as it is, is now cherished by these young historians.
"We're never going to forget Jack Brewer," said Adams.
Brewer's biography will be housed with the American Battle Monuments Commission.
Adams said it is not ready, but the pair did provide News 4 with a copy of Brewer's Remembrance summary they read at his gravesite.