A Wilson Family Tree
Notes for William Behan Dreux
Notes from Bob Reeves:
He [was a] graduate of Notre Dame and later served several years on its Board of Regents. In WWI [should be WWII] he parachuted behind lines in France and much later wrote "No Bridges Blown". After law school he became a successful attorney in New Orleans.
After graduating from Notre Dame, William B. Dreux earned a law degree from Tulane University and practiced law in the New Orleans firm Hurley & Dreux. A captain in the Office of Strategic Services during World War II, he authored the book No Bridges Blown, which was published by Notre Dame Press in 1972 [actually 1971]. He was a member of Notre Dame's Advisory Council for the College of Arts and Letters from 1959 until his death in 1983.
In May 1937, A.J.Waechter and William Behan Dreux, a Tulane [c]lassmate, joined Joseph M. Jones as associates in the practice of law. The name of the firm later became Jones, Flanders & Waechter...World War II brought great change to the law firm. Early in 1942, William Dreux entered the Army and distinguished himself as a member of the Office of Strategic Services.
E-mail from Lynda Moreau, dated 23 Sep 2013:
[William Behan Dreux] graduated from Notre Dame and Tulane University, where he took a law degree. He was in WWII, special forces – quite a character. When the Army learned he spoke fluent French (he was born there but moved back to the US after WWI) they asked if he wanted to volunteer to parachute behind enemy lines in France. He did so, several times. He wrote a book about his adventures entitled “No Bridges Blown”, published by the Notre Dame Press – you can get a used copy of it on Amazon.
After the service, he had a very successful career as an attorney in New Orleans, and was an early partner in the famed Jones, Walker firm – one of the largest firms in the South – they still have their main office here.
Mr. Dreux’s parents were Andre Dreux, born in France and a professor at Tulane University, and Katherine Behan. Katherine was the daughter of William J. Behan and Catherine “Katie” Walker, the subjects of the portrait we are having restored [to hang in Confederate Memorial Hall in New Orleans]. W.J. Behan was Mayor of New Orleans during the 1880’s – his other daughter, Elizabeth (or “Bessie” as she was known) was Queen of Carnival in 1891 – a great honor. They lived at 1207 Jackson Avenue – unfortunately, a condo building now occupies the site. Sadly, today there are no living descendents.
Bill and Nancy’s papers are at Tulane University.
Email from Roxanne Merritt, Director of the JFK Special Warfare Museum, dated 21 Mar 2020:
The artifacts associated with [William Behan Dreux's] WWII career as a Jedburgh with the OSS Jedburgh team Gavin in Brittany was donated by his wife to the JFK Special Warfare Museum, Fort Bragg, NC in 1986, the regimental museum for the US Army Special Forces.
Note: Some of the information in these pages is uncertain. Please let me know of errors or omissions using the email link above. ...Mike Wilson
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