Fort Snelling in Hennepin County, Minnesota — The American Midwest (Upper Plains)
Service
Photographed By McGhiever, June 30, 2023
1. Service Marker
—2nd Lt. Clifford Brunzell, US Army Air Corps, 1943–45
Cliff Brunzell, 1943-45
Courtesy Brunzell family
In 1943, an aspiring musician was proud to pose in uniform by the family garage in Minneapolis. Where am I sent, to an orchestra or special services? No way. To the tank corps. Service meant Cliff—and his violin—travelled far from home.
You had to pay attention or you're going to get washed out. Or even if you did pay attention, you might get killed! It is a very sobering experience being in a world war.
Cliff Brunzell with the 333rd Army Air Forces College Training Detachment Band, 1943
Courtesy Brunzell family
The clamor of the tank corps was hard on Cliff's hearing. He became a pilot instead. When the band needed a drummer, Cliff—who had never played percussion—got the gig.
Troops at Fort Snelling, 1941
Minneapolis Star-Journal photograph
Two hundred years ago, the first soldiers converged on this place. Generations have arrived since then to serve, to train, and to deploy.
During World War II, more than 300,000 members of the military passed through Fort
this page online
Flag Day ceremony at Fort Snelling, 1942
Erected by the Minnesota Historical Society.
Topics. This historical marker is listed in these topic lists: Forts and Castles • War, World II. A significant historical year for this entry is 1943.
Location. 44° 53.587′ N, 93° 11.109′ W. Marker is in Fort Snelling, Minnesota, in Hennepin County. Marker is on Tower Avenue, on the left when traveling east. Marker is at Historic Fort Snelling, on a path between the parking lot and the visitor center. Touch for map. Marker is at or near this postal address: 200 Tower Avenue, Saint Paul MN 55111, United States of America. Touch for directions.
Other nearby markers. At least 8 other markers are within walking distance of this marker. Identity (a few steps from this marker); Hope (within shouting distance of this marker); The Treaty of 1805 (within shouting distance of this marker); Giacomo Constantino Beltrami (about 400 feet away, measured in a direct line); Colonel Josiah Snelling (about 400 feet away); Elizabeth R. Snelling (about 400 feet away); Travel through 10,000 years of human history (about 500 feet away); Sacrifice (about 500 feet away). Touch for a list and map of all markers in Fort Snelling.
Photographed By McGhiever, June 30, 2023
2. Service Marker (background right) on a path west of the Historic Fort Snelling visitor center
Credits. This page was last revised on August 7, 2023. It was originally submitted on July 30, 2023, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. This page has been viewed 56 times since then and 10 times this year. Photos: 1, 2. submitted on July 30, 2023, by McGhiever of Minneapolis, Minnesota. • Andrew Ruppenstein was the editor who published this page.
