Roland L Bragg Biography/Wiki
Roland L Bragg Biography: Roland Leon Bragg (June 11, 1923 – January 12, 1999) was a United States Army paratrooper and mechanic who served in World War II. For his bravery, he was awarded the Silver Star and the Purple Heart. In 2025, Fort Liberty was renamed Fort Bragg in his honor.
Roland L Bragg Early life and family
Roland Leon Bragg was born in Sabattus, Maine, to Calvin Leroy Bragg and Ella Stevenson Bragg. He grew up during the Great Depression and supported his family by selling vegetables from their farm. Bragg graduated from Waldoboro High School in 1943.
Roland L Bragg Military Service
In 1943, Bragg enlisted in the United States Army and served in World War II as a paratrooper with the 17th Airborne Division. During the Battle of the Bulge, he saved the life of a wounded soldier by stealing a German ambulance and transporting him to an Allied hospital in Belgium.
Postwar Life and Career
After returning from the war, Bragg married Barbara Picinich. Barbara’s father, Val Picinich, was a catcher for the Boston Red Sox. They had three children. Bragg owned a body shop and moving business for 25 years. After retiring in 1984, he operated a mobile sawmill.
Roland L Bragg Awards and Honors
Silver Star (1945)
Purple Heart
Death and Legacy
Bragg died of cancer in 1999 at age 75 and is buried in Dunbar Cemetery in Nobleboro, Maine.[1] In 2025, Fort Liberty was renamed Fort Bragg in his honor.
FAQs
Who was Roland L. Bragg?
Roland L. Bragg was a U.S. Army paratrooper who served in World War II and was awarded the Silver Star and Purple Heart for valor.
What heroic act made Bragg famous?
During the Battle of the Bulge, Bragg stole a German ambulance and saved the life of a wounded American soldier.
Why was Fort Bragg renamed after him?
Fort Bragg was originally named after Confederate General Braxton Bragg, but was renamed in honor of Roland L. Bragg’s courage and service.
What businesses did Bragg own after the war?
He owned a body shop, ran Nobleboro Building Movers, and later operated a mobile sawmill.
Where is Roland L. Bragg buried?
He is buried in Dunbar Cemetery in Nobleboro, Maine.
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