| Sources |
- [S78] Atchley Funeral Home Records, Volume I, 1930-1954, Larry D. Fox, (Smoky Mountain Historical Society), 27 Jan 1953.
Lou Nettie Branam obituary
- [S74] Atchley Funeral Home Records, Volume IV, 1987-1999, Larry D. Fox, (Smoky Mountain Historical Society), 18 Apr 1991.
Polly Hurst Branam obituary
- [S23] Atchley Funeral Home, (http://www.atchleyfuneralhome.com/), 25 Sep 2001.
Nora Williams Thomas obituary
- [S106] The Mountain Press, 6 Nov 2011.
WWII vet Branam tries to forget war
by RACHEL OSBORN, Staff Writer
Luther Branam reluctantly shares some of his horrific memories of World War II at the American Legion on Thursday. Curt Habraken/The Mountain Press
SEVIERVILLE — For World War II veteran Luther Branam, Veterans Day holds no special significance. Actually, it brings up memories the 86-year-old would rather forget.
A combat engineer in the U.S. Army drafted in 1943, Branam spent time in England and France.
Born on March 24, 1925, Branam grew up in Sevier County. He attended grammar school in Cosby, only finishing fourth or fifth grade.
“I’ve been around a long time,” he said.
He planned on joining the Army, volunteering to join his older brother. His father, a World War I veteran, quickly talked him out of that.
“(My dad) was still the boss,” Branam said. “I wasn’t 18 years old yet.”
Though Branam didn’t volunteer, he still entered the military. He was drafted, registering on his 18th birthday.
“I didn’t join,” he explained. “I was drafted. I was made to go.”
Once drafted, Branam did basic and combat training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo. Following graduation from mechanic school in Ga., Branam was sent overseas.
He was stationed in several areas on the coast of England prior to the invasion. There, Branam and others received amphibious training.
During one of their training sessions, the men went too far out into the channel.
“We were torpedoed by German U-boats,” Branam said. “They sunk three. There were 32 casualties on the boat I was on.”
Branam’s next stop was Normandy, France, where he participated in the D-Day invasion.
Recalling this time in his life isn’t something Branam does very often.
“Sometimes, when I close my eyes, I can still see the beach when we hit it,” he said. “There were a lot of dead people laying there. Some were missing their heads. Others were missing arms and legs. Intestines were spilling and blood was running out. There wasn’t much of them (in) too good (conditions). I like to forget that.”
Visibly shaken, that’s where Branam’s recollections end. He quickly moves on to other subjects — his discharge from the military and return home.
“At least I made it out alive,” he said. “That’s one good thing.”
Though Branam can’t remember exactly when he was discharged, he’s sure it was in December of 1946. Upon returning to the U.S. and eventually Sevier County, Branam attended school for two years using the G.I. Bill.
He married in 1968 and raised one son — Robert Branam.
While he doesn’t like reflecting on the war, Branam admits that his time in the service was necessary.
“I get a lot of people coming up and telling me they appreciate it and everything,” he said. “If we hadn’t done our job completely, we’d probably be speaking German or Japanese today. (But for me, Veterans Day) is just another day.”
n rosborn@themountainpress.com
- [S112] Census, 1930.
Name: Luthur Branam
Event: Census
Event Date: 1930
Event Place: District 01, Sevier, Tennessee
Gender: Male
Age: 5
Marital Status: Single
Race: White
Birthplace: Tennessee
Estimated Birth Year: 1925
Immigration Year:
Relationship to Head of Household: Son
Father's Birthplace: Tennessee
Mother's Birthplace: Tennessee
Enumeration District Number: 0001
Family Number: 256
Sheet Number and Letter: 13B
Line Number: 84
NARA Publication: T626, roll 2271
Film Number: 2342005
Digital Folder Number: 4547919
Image Number: 00590
Household Gender Age
Parent John Branam M 40
Parent Lou Branam F 26
Lenard Branam M 6
Luthur Branam M 5
Junior Branam M 3
Delcia Branam F 0
- [S23] Atchley Funeral Home, (http://www.atchleyfuneralhome.com/), 12 Jan 2013.
March 24, 1925 - January 12, 2013
Resided in Sevierville, TN
Luther C. Branam, age 87 of Sevierville passed away peacefully at his home with his family by his side on Saturday January 12, 2013. He was a member and deacon of Bethany Baptist Church. Luther was a World War II veteran who participated in the Normandy Invasion, a past commander of the American Legion Post 104, and a retired chaplain of the Sevier County Rescue Squad.
He was preceded in death by his father, Johnny Branam, mother, Lou Branam, wife, Pollie Branam, sister, Patsy Branam and brothers, Lonard and Junior Branam.
He was survived by sisters, Delcia Rolen and Pauline Rolen, his son Robert Branam, and his former wife Laurie Greenwald and their son, Luther "Alex" Branam, granddaughter Aaron Scott and husband Joey, great grandchildren, Payton and Jackson and several nieces and nephews
Funeral service 11AM Wednesday in the East Chapel of Atchley Funeral Home. Interment will follow in Black Oak Cemetery. Military honors will be provided by American Legion Post 104. The family will receive friends from 6-8PM Tuesday at Atchley Funeral Home, Sevierville. (www.atchleyfuneralhome.com)
- [S58] Marriage Certificate.
Name: Luther Branam
Event: Marriage
Event Date: 28 Jun 1946
Event Place: Cocke, Tennessee
Age:
Estimated Birth Year:
Father:
Father's Titles & Terms:
Mother:
Mother's Titles & Terms:
Spouse: Pollie Hurst
Spouse's Titles & Terms:
Spouse's Age:
Spouse's Estimated Birth Year:
Spouse's Father:
Spouse's Father's Titles & Terms:
Spouse's Mother:
Spouse's Mother's Titles & Terms:
Reference Number:
Film Number: 1669902
Digital Folder Number: 4485977
Image Number: 01384
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