Robert Moffatt Brice was born on June 26, 1921, in Roanoke, Roanoke City, Virginia. He was the son of Claude Graham Brice and Ramona Christina Pearce Brice. He was the husband of Bessie Virginia Rumph Hairfield.

Robert was a graduate of the Citadel in 1942. He began the study of law at the University of Arkansas, winning a graduate fellowship to the Maxwell School of Public Administration at Syracuse University, but his studies were interrupted by the war. After training at Fort Benning, Ga., he went to England with the American Rangers.

At the time of his death, Robert was serving in Company B, 2nd Ranger Battalion, as a First Sergeant. He was Killed in Action on June 6, 1944, at the age of 22, in Vierville-sur-Mer, France, during the American assault on Omaha beach in France. 1Sgt Brice is now buried in the Normandy American Cemetery, Colleville-Sur-Mer, France.