Bronze Star, Other Medals Presented To WWII Infantryman
July 28, 2016 at 4:25 p.m.
MILFORD - Paul Showalter was presented the Bronze Star and other medals he earned 60 years ago during a surprise ceremony at Lakeland Rehabilitation and Health Care facility Wednesday.
After World War II, the young soldier wasn't interested in honors. He'd spent two years as an infantryman for the 45th, "following Patton" across France and into Germany. He wanted to return to his farm near Leesburg and to his job at Dalton Foundries.
"I wanted these for my family," Showalter said yesterday. "When I got out, I didn't care about medals."
The Bronze Star, given to soldiers who have distinguished themselves by heroic or meritorious advancement or service, is the third received by Showalter family members. Paul's son Ken received the medal during the Vietnam War and Ken's son-in-law, Maj. John Hinkel, received one for his service in Iraq. Hinkel is now stationed in Germany, Ken said Wednesday.
The awards were presented by Paul's great nephew, Col. Ross Waltemath of the National Guard. Waltemath is the 81st Troop Command's executive officer and the Commander of the 190th Quartermaster Battalion in South Bend.
Waltemath said 80 percent of the Army's personnel records were damaged or destroyed by a 1973 fire in the National Personnel Records Center, St. Lewis, Mo.
Paul decided to secure his medals a couple of years ago. He was informed by the records center his records were gone.
Ken wasn't so sure the records had been destroyed. He kept asking for the honors his father earned.
"After 30 years of working for the federal government, I know you have to persevere," Ken said of his years with the Department of Forestry. "It's nice to know Dad's tales weren't just stories."
Paul's records, like others damaged during the fire, were resurrected. Excepting two additional years in the U.S. Army, serving in Korea, Paul worked a total of 30 years at Dalton Foundries and 15 years at the Warsaw Foundry.
In addition to the Bronze Star Paul was presented the American Campaign Medal; the European-African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars; the World War II Victory Medal; the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany clasp; the Combat Infantry badge; and the Honorable Service Lapel Button, World War II.
Paul had been told the ceremony was to receive a U.S. flag for the nursing home.
Ken said he'd noticed the facilty's empty flagpole on other visits. He arranged for a U.S. flag that flew in an A-10 Thunderbolt mission out of Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait, Iraq, in November 2002. The flight was part of Operation Southern Watch performed by the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron (the "Bulldogs").
Following the flag presentation, Ken announced the other reason for the gathering at the nursing home. In addition to the medals presentation, Ken gave his father a relief carving of an eagle crafted by Paul's grandson. [[In-content Ad]]
MILFORD - Paul Showalter was presented the Bronze Star and other medals he earned 60 years ago during a surprise ceremony at Lakeland Rehabilitation and Health Care facility Wednesday.
After World War II, the young soldier wasn't interested in honors. He'd spent two years as an infantryman for the 45th, "following Patton" across France and into Germany. He wanted to return to his farm near Leesburg and to his job at Dalton Foundries.
"I wanted these for my family," Showalter said yesterday. "When I got out, I didn't care about medals."
The Bronze Star, given to soldiers who have distinguished themselves by heroic or meritorious advancement or service, is the third received by Showalter family members. Paul's son Ken received the medal during the Vietnam War and Ken's son-in-law, Maj. John Hinkel, received one for his service in Iraq. Hinkel is now stationed in Germany, Ken said Wednesday.
The awards were presented by Paul's great nephew, Col. Ross Waltemath of the National Guard. Waltemath is the 81st Troop Command's executive officer and the Commander of the 190th Quartermaster Battalion in South Bend.
Waltemath said 80 percent of the Army's personnel records were damaged or destroyed by a 1973 fire in the National Personnel Records Center, St. Lewis, Mo.
Paul decided to secure his medals a couple of years ago. He was informed by the records center his records were gone.
Ken wasn't so sure the records had been destroyed. He kept asking for the honors his father earned.
"After 30 years of working for the federal government, I know you have to persevere," Ken said of his years with the Department of Forestry. "It's nice to know Dad's tales weren't just stories."
Paul's records, like others damaged during the fire, were resurrected. Excepting two additional years in the U.S. Army, serving in Korea, Paul worked a total of 30 years at Dalton Foundries and 15 years at the Warsaw Foundry.
In addition to the Bronze Star Paul was presented the American Campaign Medal; the European-African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars; the World War II Victory Medal; the Army of Occupation Medal with Germany clasp; the Combat Infantry badge; and the Honorable Service Lapel Button, World War II.
Paul had been told the ceremony was to receive a U.S. flag for the nursing home.
Ken said he'd noticed the facilty's empty flagpole on other visits. He arranged for a U.S. flag that flew in an A-10 Thunderbolt mission out of Al Jaber Air Base, Kuwait, Iraq, in November 2002. The flight was part of Operation Southern Watch performed by the 354th Expeditionary Fighter Squadron (the "Bulldogs").
Following the flag presentation, Ken announced the other reason for the gathering at the nursing home. In addition to the medals presentation, Ken gave his father a relief carving of an eagle crafted by Paul's grandson. [[In-content Ad]]