Victor Harvey Briggs, Jr. was born on June 20, 1920 in New York, New York County (Manhattan), New York. He was the son of Victor Harvey Briggs, Sr., and Harriet L. Jenkins. Vic joined the National Guard in New York City, New York,on April 6, 1939 and was assigned to Company L, 71st Infantry Regiment. On September 16, 1940, he was transferred to the regular Army as a Private First Class.

Vic met his wife, a Middlesex girl named Shelia Mills,(B.1924 in Surrey, Middelsex, England - d. 1986) in London in 1942. They married on March 18, 1944, in Feltham at the St. Catherines Church just a few months before he led his men ashore in Normandy on D-Day. They had one son, Victor Harvey Briggs III who was born in Staines, Middlesex in 1945.

Vic was the commander of Charlie Company, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division. Highly respected by his men, Captain Briggs led them through Omaha beach on June 6, 1944 where he was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross for gallantry. His award citation reads as follows:

The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Captain (Infantry) Victor H. Briggs (ASN: 0-1286079), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving as Commanding Officer, Company C, 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, in action against enemy forces on 6 June 1944, in France. In the initial assault against the coast of France, Captain Briggs, with complete disregard for his own safety, exposed himself to heavy rifle, machine gun and artillery fire while leading his men ashore from the landing craft. He further exposed himself to this heavy fire, when, after reaching the beach, he organized an assault team from the groups of troops pinned down by the merciless fire. He then personally led this assault team through a dense enemy mine field and into a strategic position on the slope of a hill. Though attacked by superior numbers, he successfully defended this position until additional troops were moved forward. The tenacity of purpose and courage displayed by Captain Briggs exemplifies the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflects great credit upon himself, the 1st Infantry Division, and the United States Army. General Orders: Headquarters, First U.S. Army, General Orders No. 31 (July 1, 1944)

On November 17, 1944, Vic was killed in action somewhere between Gressenich and Schevenhütte, Germany, during the Battle of the Hurtgen Forest. He was defending a position against a superior German force. Six of his men died with him that day. He is now buried in Henri-Chapelle American Cemetery, Hombourg, Belgium.
Source of information: www.findagrave.com, www.abmc.gov