Stuart L. Brandel; Highly Decorated World War II Hero
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Stuart L. Brandel, 82, a geologist and highly decorated World War II hero who was in the initial landing at Normandy, died Aug. 9 in Seal Beach of kidney and heart failure.
A Navy captain during the war, Brandel waded ashore at Normandy carrying the radio he picked up after enemy fire killed his landing craft’s radioman. For a month, Brandel helped an Allied French cruiser zero in on its targets by spotting enemy gunfire.
French Gen. Charles de Gaulle pinned the Croix de Guerre with Palm Branch on the officer for his service. Blaylock also earned his own nation’s Navy Cross, second only to the Medal of Honor, and two Purple Hearts for his efforts during the invasion.
A native Californian, Brandel was a star football player at Hamilton High School in Los Angeles, Santa Monica City College and Occidental College. He played pro ball briefly with the Los Angeles Bulldogs, forerunner of the Los Angeles Rams.
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