"Laying in an unmarked grave
for over 120 years"

A project of Ms. Margaret Berres - a Middle School teacher and the Curator of the Oak Creek Historical Society, Mr. Tom Ludka of the American Legion, The Naval Historical Center and the CWSMMA. 
Read about Ms. Berres cemetery work in the Milwaukee Journal Sentinel newspaper by Nicole Sweeney.

     PO John Breen: Birth: 1827 Death: Dec. 13, 1885

     A verified Civil War Congressional Medal of Honor Recipient.  He served as a Boatswain's Mate in the Union Navy.  His citation reads "On board the USS Commodore Perry in the attack upon Franklin, VA., 3 October 1862.  With enemy fire raking the deck of his ship and blockades thwarting her progress, Breen remained at his post and performed his duties with skill and courage as the USS Commodore Perry fought a gallant battle to silence many rebel batteries as she steamed down the Blackwater River." (by: Don Morfe)

     Burial: Calvary Cemetery Milwaukee Milwaukee County Wisconsin, USA Plot: Block 5, Grave 1930 (UNMARKED)

     As listed at the Navy Memorial Foundation on the Navy Log and at the US Department of the Navy - Naval Historical Center

     PO John Breen currently has lied in an unmarked grave, alone to the world and relatively unknown for his accomplishments.  The Veterans Affairs Department has graciously agreed to now provide a headstone for him.  A number of PO Breen's Medal of Honor pages inaccurately list his accomplishments or could list more. 

• It is our objective to assist in adding to these many websites

• We would like to host CW Navy and Marine living historians (authentically dressed) at the memorial dedication of his first tombstone in 2004.  Please contact Tom Ludka at tludka@wi.rr.com to attend.

• We are desirous of more information on this hero and any photos of him

• We are trying to find his living descendants so they can attend the ceremony

• Additionally, we have Ellen Breen's pension deposition from 1888. She died in 1892. We are still trying to determine if the Walter Breen listed on John's 1875 application is his brother. If so then we will order a headstone for him. There is  a Walter Breen buried next to John. Walter was born in 1829. We believe that he may have served on the USS Seymour with John at the time of his accident in Jan 1862. Any information you can provide will be appreciated.

     The Calvary Cemetery (left) Milwaukee, Milwaukee County, Wisconsin, USA.  Photo by David M. Habben - click to enlarge and of the photos on this page.

     "As a LIFE member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars and as a member of the American Legion myself - I can share with you assembled here today that these are the types of projects the CWSMMA likes to contribute to"...Martin CJ Mongiello - May 25, 2004 CWSMMA conference, New Jersey

     To comment more on these issues - please visit our logbooks and help us.

     Take a look at these official documents and transcriptions in .jpg.  56k users will find them to load slowly while DSL+ users will download them at a much faster rate.  These documents were provided by Tom Ludka, Department of Wisconsin American Legion Assistant Service Officer.

PO Breen's Certificate of Marriage to Ellen Grant	PO Breen's original, handwritten pension request from the National Archives (NARA)	The FULL transcription of PO Breen's letter request for pension and his own Navy history (page one)	The FULL transcription of PO Breen's letter request for pension and his own Navy history (page two)
The FULL transcription of PO Breen's letter request for pension and his own Navy history (page three)	The FULL transcription of PO Breen's letter request for pension and his own Navy history (page four)	PO Breen's  original Affidavit of Request	PO Breen's transcription of his Affidavit of Request (page one)
PO Breen's transcription of his Affidavit of Request (page two)	PO Breen's Death Certificate	Mr. Tom Ludka	The American Legion Post #27 - Join the American Legion today.

Read the latest update and final story with headstone dedication in the Fall of 2004.
 

Home - Why Us? - The Exchange - Logbook/Voting - Duel
Awards -  Cooking - Writings - Contact Us