Father Albert Braun O.F.M.
Born September 5, 1889 Died March 6, 1983
Father Albert was a young missionary and teacher to the Mescalero Apaches in New Mexico and other tribes in Arizona.
Father Braun was an Army chaplain in World War I and World War II receiving the Purple Heart and two Silver Stars for his heroic service. He was a prisoner of war for 40 months in the Phillipines.
He came to Arizona in 1949 and assisted the poor in McNary, Parker on the Colorado River and St. John's Indian Mission. He was also a teacher at St. Mary's
High School in Phoenix.
Discouraged Hispanics in Central Phoenix needed a church and Father Braun told them, "Bring me a brick and together we will build a church." The bricks
came and the church was built.
His legacy lives in in the thousands of lives he touched. So revered was he that upon his death, the Mescalero Apaches claimed his body for burial among them.
"He lifted the spirits of people and gave them dignity"
Awards:
Two Silver Stars • Purple Heart • Legion of Merit •
Arizona Medal of Honor • Arizona Veterans Hall of Fame
Architect: Robert Gomez
Sculptor: Carlos Ayala
Landscape Architect: Ruben L. Valenzuela
Marker can be reached from West Adams Street.
Courtesy hmdb.org
