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Twin Brothers from Belle Vernon Made the Ultimate Sacrifice During World War II. 

By John Dekhane

Glenn and Jack Lowry, twin brothers from Belle Vernon, died for their country during WWII.

PFC Glenn E. Lowry

PFC Jack N. Lowry

Memorial markers for Glenn and Jack Lowry are located in Rehoboth Cemetery in Rostraver Township

The heartbreaking story of PFC Glenn E. Lowry and PFC Jack N. Lowry, twin brothers from Belle Vernon, Pennsylvania, is one of devotion, sacrifice, and an unbreakable bond. They shared more than just a birthday—they shared a connection so deep that not even war could sever it. Their journey from a small town in Pennsylvania to the fateful waters of the English Channel is a testament to the courage and selflessness of a generation that gave everything in the name of freedom.

Born on April 15, 1924, Glenn and Jack Lowry were raised in a close-knit community, where their inseparable bond and kindhearted nature made them beloved sons, loyal friends, and considerate young men. At Rostraver High School, they were loved by their classmates and respected by their teachers, who admired their warmth, generosity, and the way they always looked out for others. Their easy smiles and unwavering support for those around them left a lasting impression on everyone who knew them.

As war raged across the world, Glenn and Jack felt a deep sense of duty to serve their beloved country. They believed in defending the values they had grown up with—freedom, honor, and the love of their home and family. Driven by that conviction, they enlisted in the U.S. Army and were assigned to the 262nd Regiment, 66th "Black Panther" Infantry Division. As they crossed the Atlantic, they knew they were about to enter the unknown, but they faced this uncertainty side by side, knowing that they would always be there for each other.

On December 24, 1944, the twin brothers found themselves aboard the SS Léopoldville, a troopship set to carry them from Southampton, England, to Cherbourg, France. The Léopoldville had been tasked with transporting American troops to the continent as part of the ongoing efforts to defeat the forces of evil. It was Christmas Eve, a night meant for warmth, family, and the comfort of home. Instead, it became a night of tragedy. 

At exactly 5:54 p.m., just five miles from the French coast, a German U-boat fired a torpedo, striking the ship with devastating force. Chaos erupted as soldiers struggled to escape the vessel, which sank by the stern. The attack was catastrophic. Of the 2,235 American servicemen aboard, approximately 515 were killed instantly, and many others perished in the frigid waters of the English Channel. Among them were PFC Glenn E. Lowry and PFC Jack N. Lowry, who were just 20 years old at the time. Their bodies were never recovered, leaving their parents to endure the unimaginable grief of losing not one but both of their sons—without a grave to visit or the chance to say goodbye.

Their father, John Evans Lowry, passed away on December 9, 1949, never fully recovering from the loss of his sons. Their mother, Dorothy, lived for decades with their memory, passing away on April 13, 1996.

Today, Glenn and Jack's names are inscribed on the Tablets of the Missing at the Normandy American Cemetery in Colleville-sur-Mer, France, serving as a poignant tribute to their sacrifice. At Rehoboth Cemetery in Rostraver Township, two memorial markers stand beside their parents' graves, ensuring that, though their lives were claimed by the sea, their memory is anchored at home. Both Glenn and Jack were posthumously awarded the Purple Heart.

Glenn and Jack never had the chance to fulfill their dreams, never saw the peace they fought for. But their sacrifice was not in vain. They were part of a generation that understood the true cost of freedom—young men who gave everything so that others might live without fear. Their story is not just one of loss but of love—the love of two brothers who stood together until the very end.

Every soldier lost in war is a reminder of the price paid for liberty, but the story of the Lowry twins carries a special weight. They entered the world together, walked through life side by side, and, in the end, left it as one. Their inseparable bond, their bravery, and their sacrifice remain an enduring testament to the unbreakable power of brotherhood. Though their lives were cut short, their memory lives on—forever woven into the fabric of history.

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