Army (Ret) US Brig. Gen. Julius Hoesterey Braun

Brigadier General Julius Hoesterey Braun, US Army (ret), age 91, passed away July 25, 2016, in his home in San Antonio, Texas. He was born September 21, 1924, in Fort Benning, Georgia to Brigadier General Gustav Joseph and Anne Hoesterey Braun.

Being born into a military family provided opportunity for many moves and adventures including living 3 years in 1930's China. Following in the footsteps of his heroic father, (BG Gustav Braun was shot down over Italy during WWII), he enlisted in the Army in 1942 and became a tank driver and gunner. In 1944 he was commissioned a Second Lieutenant Infantry, and fought in Europe during World War II. He was a Battalion Commander when he was 21 years old.

Upon his return to the United States in 1947, he began a career in military research and development. He joined the team that was launching captured German V-2 rockets at the White Sands Proving Ground in New Mexico. He next served at the Naval Ordnance Test Station, China Lake; California, the Army Arctic Test Branch, Big Delta, Alaska; and the Atlantic Missile Range, Cape Canaveral, Florida, where he was the Project Officer for Army missiles including the first three Redstone missiles. He worked closely with Dr. Werner von Braun and the German scientists who were then laying the groundwork for the highly successful Saturn-Apollo moon program.

He left Active duty in 1954 to complete studies in Geophysics at UCLA. Next he worked three years at Rocketdyne on development of large liquid rocket engines and nine years in long-range planning at North American Rockwell corporate offices. This was followed by five years on helicopters at Lockheed. He has had hands-on experience with the Redstone, Jupiter, Thor, Atlas, Navaho, V-2, Lark, Bat, Terrier plus various rockets and range instrumentation. He designed a reconnaissance camera used in the U-2 and other aircraft. He has also taught many courses in rocket and missile technology.

He was promoted to Brigadier General in 1974 and served as the Principal Assistant to the Army Director of Telecommunications and Command and Control, DA HQ. His decorations include the Combat Infantryman Badge, Silver Star, Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal and the Legion of Merit.

In 1976 at the invitation of his in-laws, Charles and Betty Urschel, he moved from Southern California to San Antonio and began a new career in the South Texas oil fields where he designed and built a very small refinery.

His love of airplanes, history, science, music and new information kept him from ever being bored both before and after his retirement. He designed, built, and flew light aircraft. As a military historian and expert in early rocketry he was often asked to give presentations about his experiences. He was a member of many clubs and organizations including AIAA, IAF, EAA, AFIO, AUSA, Rotary International, Conopus Club, The Lunch Bunch, the Argyle, The World Affairs Council, The Torch Club and other technical and service organizations. He will be remembered by all who knew him as a kind, helpful, resourceful, and fascinating man.

He was preceded in death by his parents; brother, Gilbert Braun; wife and mother of his children Margaret Allen Braun; and second wife, Zelime Amen Braun. He is survived by his daughters, Marianne Braun, Elizabeth Braun Foerster and her husband David, siblings; Gustav Braun, Marianne Woodams, and Richard Braun; his wife Zelime's family including Zelime (Amen) and Tim Ward, Barbara (Amen) and Larry Harper, Beth (Amen) and Jim O'Brien, Henry and Kathy (Lewis) Amen, Ruth (Amen) and Jim Berg, Lucy (Amen) and Al Warner, Nelson and Sheila (Bath) Amen, 19 grandchildren, and 11 great-grandchildren, as well as many nieces, nephews and many dear friends including those who were like family to him, Lila Cockrell, Sanda Bailey, and Mark and Darcy Brown.

The family is thankful for the skilled and caring doctors and staff at BAMC since the time his cancer was discovered 6 years ago through the diagnosis and treatment of congestive heart failure 2 years ago, as well as the wonderful nursing care from Vitas Hospice which enabled Julius to live at home until he passed away.

Interment with Full Military Honors will be at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, August 5th at 9:30 with a Memorial Service to follow at 12:00 noon at Wayside Chapel, 1705 NW Loop 410. In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions may be made to an organization or charity of your choice.