Lorena in McLennan County, Texas — The American South (West South Central)
McBrayer City Park
Brigadier General James D. McBrayer, Jr., USMC, Nature Trail
Photographed By Larry D. Moore, June 30, 2020
1. McBrayer City Park Marker
Inscription.
McBrayer City Park. Brigadier General James D. McBrayer, Jr., USMC, Nature Trail. The McBrayer family donated lands for McBrayer City Park in 1983. The Nature Trail is dedicated to honor the service of a native son of Lorena, Brigadier General James D. McBrayer Jr., USMC (1916-2006). McBrayer is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy (1939) and commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant USMC. He was assigned to the American Embassy in Peking, China. During world war two McBrayer was taken as POW, by the Japanese, in China on December 8, 1941 (the day after Pearl Harbor). He escaped from POW captivity in May, 1945. McBrayer walked over 700 miles across China to U.S. Forces arriving back in the U.S. in July, 1945. After world war two he also served in Panama, the UK, the Middle East, Korea and assignments in the U.S. His many decorations include two Legions of Merit, one with Combat “V” and two Purple Hearts. He became Professor Emeritus of the University System of Georgia after his retirement from the USMC in 1965.
The McBrayer family donated lands for McBrayer City Park in 1983.
The Nature Trail is dedicated to honor the service of a native son of
Lorena, Brigadier General James D. McBrayer Jr., USMC (1916-2006).
McBrayer is a graduate of the U.S. Naval Academy (1939) and
commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant USMC. He was assigned to the American
Embassy in Peking, China. During WWII McBrayer was taken as POW,
by the Japanese, in China on December 8, 1941 (the day after Pearl
Harbor). He escaped from POW captivity in May, 1945. McBrayer
walked over 700 miles across China to U.S. Forces arriving back in the
U.S. in July, 1945. After WWII he also served in Panama, the UK, the
Middle East, Korea and assignments in the U.S. His many decorations
include two Legions of Merit, one with Combat “V” and two Purple
Hearts. He became Professor Emeritus of the University System of
Georgia after his retirement from the USMC in 1965.
Erected by Lorena Economic Development Corporation.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Parks & Recreational Areas • War, World II. A significant historical month for this entry is May 1945.
Location. 31° 23.213′ N, 97° 13.066′ W. Marker is in Lorena, Texas, in McLennan County. Marker can be reached from
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Center Street north of South Front Street, on the right when traveling west. Touch for map. Marker is in this post office area: Lorena TX 76655, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Credits. This page was last revised on July 4, 2020. It was originally submitted on July 4, 2020, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas. This page has been viewed 173 times since then and 30 times this year. Photos:1, 2. submitted on July 4, 2020, by Larry D. Moore of Del Valle, Texas.
