U.S. Army Pfc. Robert Bryant was born on February 20, 1920, in Sedalia, Missouri, and moved to Bloomington, Illinois, in 1930, where he lived until he enlisted in the United States Army on December 7, 1939.
The United States Army Rangers are elite U.S. Army personnel. On June 19, 1942, the 1st Ranger Battalion was sanctioned and nicknamed “Darby’s Rangers.” Army Rangers were among the first American soldiers to see ground combat in the European theater.
“Rangers Lead the Way!” is the iconic motto of the United States Army Rangers, a phrase born during the Normandy invasion in 1944. It signifies their role as elite, highly trained soldiers who lead the way in combat operations.
In September 1943, Pfc. Bryant was assigned to Company B, 4th Ranger Battalion, “Darby’s Rangers,” serving in the Mediterranean Theater in World War II. He participated in Operation AVALANCHE, the amphibious invasion of Italy near Salerno, and engaged in fighting near the Chiunzi Pass on the Sorrento Peninsula. He was one of approximately 70 Rangers in his company who, along with the rest of the Allied invasion force, landed on the beaches near Salerno, Italy, during Operation Avalanche.
On September 23, 1943, Pfc. Bryant was reported missing in action following a four-man patrol searching for wounded Rangers west of Pietre, Italy, deep in enemy territory. His body was not recovered, and German forces never reported him as a prisoner of war. On September 25, 1943, Pfc. Bryant was reported killed in action (KIA). The War Department declared Pfc. Bryant “non-recoverable” on July 19, 1949.
In March 2022, members of the Department of Defense and the American Battle Monuments Commission (ABMC) disinterred battlefield remains and sent them to the DPAA laboratory for identification. Using anthropological and mitochondrial DNA analysis, Pfc. Robert Bryant was identified and accounted for in September 2024.
For his bravery and service, Pfc. Bryant was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with an arrowhead and two bronze stars, World War II Victory Medal, American Defense Service Medal, the Presidential Unit Citation for the 4th Ranger Battalion, Combat Infantry Badge, and the Ranger tab.
Pfc. Bryant’s remains will be buried with full military honors at Park Hill Cemetery, 1105 S. Morris Ave., Bloomington, IL 61701, in the same plot as his younger brother and James’ father, on April 12, 2025.
Date and Time Information
Dignified Transfer
Thursday, April 3, 2025
A Dignified Transfer will be conducted at Midway Airport, 5221 55th St., Chicago, IL 60638, at 12:35 p.m. and escorted by Rolling Thunder to Calvert & Metzler Funeral Home, 1115 E. Washington St., Bloomington, IL 61701. The public and media are invited.
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Procession Staging: 11:30 a.m.
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Flight Arrival: Southwest Airlines #1396 at 12:35 p.m.
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Procession Departure: Approximately 1:15 p.m., following the Dignified Transfer
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Funeral Home Arrival: Approximately 3:45–4:00 p.m.
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Procession Route: Cicero Ave. (North) → I-55 (South) → I-55BL/Veterans Pkwy (Exit 167) → E. Washington St.
Funeral Services
Saturday, April 12, 2025
The procession will stage at Calvert & Metzler Funeral Home, 1115 E. Washington St., Bloomington, IL 61701.
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Procession Staging: 11:15 a.m.
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Procession Departure: 12:15 p.m.
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Funeral Services: 1:00 p.m.
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Procession Route: E. Washington St. → S. Center St. → N. Wood St. → S. Morris Ave.
Pfc. Bryant will be buried with full military honors.
The public and media are invited to line the procession routes and attend the services for Pfc. Robert Bryant’s long-overdue return home.
