Clifford D. Bryner

American Legion Post 751 was chartered on July 19, 1945, and is dedicated to the memory of Private Clifford D. Bryner who was killed in action during World War II on September 22nd, 1943 in North Africa.

North Africa

The North African campaign of the Second World War took place in North Africa from 10 June 1940 to 13 May 1943.  It included campaigns fought in the Libyan and Egyptian deserts (Western Desert campaign, also known as the Desert War) and in Morocco and Algeria (Operation Torch), as well as Tunisia (Tunisia campaign).

The campaign was fought between the Allies and the Axis Powers.  The Allied war effort was dominated by the British Commonwealth and exiles from German-occupied Europe.  The United States officially entered the war in December 1941 and began direct military assistance in North Africa on 11 May 1942.

After victory by the Allies in the North African campaign, the stage was set for the Italian campaign to begin. The invasion of Sicily followed two months later.  Nearly 400,000 Axis and Allied troops were lost, injured or died of disease by the end of the North African campaign.

World War II Memorial

The World War II Memorial was dedicated on June 19, 1945.  The dedication program included special prayers and services at the original Our Lady of Lourdes Church and the Enola High School Athletic Field.  In the afternoon, there was a parade from Pine Street to the Memorial.  Then, the program continued with the unveiling, presentation and acceptance of the Memorial and then concluded with a salute from the Post 751 firing squad, taps and a march by the community band.

Historical Archives