Thomas Brule
Thomas Mark Brule
Sgt. Thomas M. Brule (1944-2004) was the son of Harold E. and Pheobe Ann (Ballou) Brule, and the husband of Debra-Lee Gates (daughter of Lloyd and Joyce (redden) Gates). Tom served for two years with the military (1966-1968). He took basic training at Parris Island S.C., and advanced training as a field artillery batteryman at Camp Pendleton, CA. In Southeast Asia (SEA) he was assigned to "B Btry-1st BN-12th Mar. 3rd Mar Div. and 2-3 Landing Team 3rd Div." His primary duties were forward observer and artillery battery. Forward observer duties carried a high mortality risk (< 30 days). As a forward observer, Tom's job was to infiltrate the enemy line, find the centers of enemy activity, and then call in his coordinates for artillery strike. Many observers were inadvertently killed by friendly fire. Tom participated in 18 combat operations at 6 different locations. Unknown to Tom, his brother (also a forward observer in Vietnam) was running patrols for much of his tour close to where Tom was stationed. Miraculously, his brother also survived the war. Tom incurred knee and neck injuries during his tour of duty. He was also exposed numerous times to the defoliant Agent Orange (AO), and in subsequent years his health was severely impacted from that exposure. He was honorably discharged from military service on 5 Jan 1968. Tom received a partial disability for his injuries; however, the VA never fully acknowledged the extent of his AO associated health problems until after his death. Tom served as a member and past commander of his local DAV, and was a member of his local VFW Post. He also served as vice-president of the Vietnam Combat Veterans Combined Armed Forces Association and in this role often gave talks to various public groups to further their understanding of the problems affecting Vietnam War veterans and their need for medical and psychiatric care. Tom's war associated difficulties was a stress on his marriage; but through it all, he and his wife Debra-Lee maintained a strong and loving relationship, and they were able to weather the storm together. This fact reflected greatly upon the both of these proud Americans. In recognition of his service to his country, Tom received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with two stars, the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, and the Rifle Sharpshooter's Badge. These decorations don't begin to reflect the physical and mental pain suffered by Tom as a result of his service. Few have sacrificed more than Tom for God and country. He was clearly an American hero of the first order.