The search for a lost engagement ring led local metal detector enthusiast Michel le Berre to a surprising discovery – a US Army Identity Tag from 1944. “As soon as I held it in my hand I felt the need to find out about the person behind this piece of history”.
With our help and of local amateur historians, social media and the internet Michel was eventually able to track down the name of soldier, Sgt Garold Quimby and his family still living in Ohio.
Garold Quimby was a garage worker from Beverly Ohio. Aged 28 he enlisted in the US Army in March 1941, before America entered the war. Garold joined the famous 9th Infantry Regiment – “The Manchu’s” – who exist to this day.
Garold landed in Normandy at D Day +1 and was quickly involved in the fighting to breakout from the beachhead. By 7 August Garold was promoted to Sergeant and 13 August he earned a Certificate of Commendation Citation for “ Distinguishing himself under Fire”.
By the end of August his unit was involved in bitter fighting on the outskirts of Brest. Early on 1 September Garold was wounded and taken to the Mobile Military hospital at Ploudaniel. This is where his “Dog Tag” was found over 70 years later. Being wounded early that day may have saved his life as on the same day his unit suffered 45 Killed and 115 wounded, leading to a US Presidential Unit Citation, the highest American award for heroism and collective gallantry, for “Skillful leadership, relentless fighting and the highest personal bravery”.
Garold never saw frontline action again. Despite being only 5’3” he was transferred to the Military Police. He left the US Army in October 1945.
US casualties form the liberation of Brest were reburied In St James Military cemetery near Avranches in Normandy. So, there are few local memorials. But there is one at the scene of the fighting where so many of Garold’s companions lost their lives at the crossroads of Bourg Neuf and Four Neuf near the Brest Airport.
The local French Mayor of Ploudaniel and the French Veterans Association wanted to write to the Quimby family to thank them for Garold’s service “In the cause of Freedom”
In November 2022 Col Stephen Gerber, himself a veteran of the US Army 9th Infantry Regiment, formally handed over the tag and a letter from the Mayor to Garold Quimby’s daughter Lynda.
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