Glenn Branning


Glenn is the son of Walter and Helen Branning. He graduated from Manning High School in 1953. The Branning family has a military history: Glenn's cousin, Fred Branning, Jr., joined the Air Force in 1957. Their uncle, Arthur, served from September 1942 to September 1945 and fought in many battles on the German front during WWII.

Glenn was inducted on the 5th of March 1958 at Omaha, Nebraska. From Omaha he went to Fort Carson, Colorado, where he stayed for one week. The group he was with was then flown from Fort Carson to Fort Hood, Texas, to complete basic training.
Elvis Presley served with the same group Glenn was in, and they got their GI haircuts at the same time. Elvis was very congenial and a talented entertainer and performed for the men in the barracks but he was not allowed to perform out in public due to contract obligations. Glenn noted how Elvis showed friendship and kindness to everyone. Glenn had some pictures of Elvis but they somehow disappeared over the years.

They finished basic training and left Fort Hood around the 10th of October 1958 for Friedberg, Germany. Glenn was assigned to Company B, 3rd Armored Division, 52nd Infantry, and stationed at an old German WWII base. The 52nd Infantry and 32nd Tank Battalion of the 3rd Armored Division were connected to this base. They trained in the Black Forest during December and January for six weeks. Glenn's duty was driving an armored personnel carrier in the mortar platoon.

From May 11, 1959 to May 22, 1959, they were in combat situations with Russia over the Iron Curtain. Five of Glenn's comrades gave their lives during this conflict. There was no official name given to this event which occurred along different sections of the disputed East/West border. The Russians used tanks and foot soldiers, and the Americans used tanks and armored personnel carriers. The Russians were pushed back which ended this skirmish.

In June 1959 Glenn's wife, Hazel, came to Germany and taught in the America Dependents School. They lived off base in German housing until February 26, 1960. On occasion Glenn could get a two or three-day pass and travel with Hazel - one trip was on a river boat down the Rhine, and on weekends they would go visit castles.

Finally, as Glenn wrote: "we rotated back to the Good Ole USA." They arrived on a ship in New York and were transported by bus to Newark, New Jersey. From there they flew by plane to Sheridan, Illinois, where they were processed out and received their discharges.
Glenn and Hazel returned home and moved on his parents' farm near Halbur where they farmed until 1986. They retired in Arizona. Glenn has been a lifetime member of the VFW since 1977.