Gast Honored With Silver Star 71 Years Later
October 8, 2016 at 6:08 a.m.
By Dan [email protected]
Despite efforts by World War II veteran Bob Gast to downplay the event, the Rotary Club hosted two members of Congress plus two generals who arrived with six other military personnel in a Blackhawk helicopter. The chopper landed at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds just yards from the Shrine Building where rotarians meet regularly on Fridays.
The 94-year-old retired businessman, former city councilman and longtime Rotary Club member was presented with five medals, including the Silver Star, considered the third most prestigious medal of honor for a serviceman.
Always a man of few words in public and humble as ever, Gast playfully shrugged several times during the ceremony, but beamed with pride for a moment as Major General Courtney P. Carr attached the Silver Star to Gast’s shirt.
He also was presented with the Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, World War II Victory Medal and European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.
The Silver Star is awarded for gallantry in action against an enemy.
Gast led his Army platoon into battle in Germany’s famed Herken Forest, an area on the western front and the scene of a series of fierce battles in 1944 between American and German troops.
He was a Second Lieutenant when he earned the Silver Star on Nov. 12, 1944, after being shot in the arm. He later returned to duty in 1945 and led an Army platoon in a small German town, according to a narrative read during the ceremony.
Carr, the Adjutant General of Indiana, said Gast epitomizes great leadership, duty and selfless service, among other military traits.
“To take charge of a platoon when all those soldiers are looking up to you for leadership and to be engaged in the kind of battle Bob was in in very dangerous, tough conditions … You got my respect and admiration,” Carr said.
Gast spoke briefly after the ceremony and said the award was a reflection of what many call the “Greatest Generation.”
“I honestly feel that this is not about me, down deep,” Gast said. “It’s more about my generation. More about the millions and millions of soldiers who served in the war and about the few who survived like me and are, really, fading away.”
“That’s what I kind of think what this is all about – a generation that’s coming to an end and I appreciate very, very much, the recognition,” Gast said.
Efforts toward arranging the ceremony started in March when Todd Townsend, a retired Colonel in the Army and a new member of the Rotary Club, met Gast, who quickly asked about the Distinguished Service Medal that Townsend was wearing that day.
In turn, Gast said he was awarded a Silver Star, but through a prolonged conversation, Townsend said he realized Gast had not received his medals.
“It was all documented, but it was never presented,” Townsend said.
Gast was commended for his service by two area U.S. lawmakers who attended the ceremony.
U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman of the Third District thanked Gast for his service and presented him with a U.S. Flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol.
U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski, of the Second District, was also appreciative.
“What he and his fellow soldiers achieved was extraordinary as Americans and we’re deeply grateful for their service. We’ll never forget the sacrifice of those who paid the ultimate price and never returned home,” Walorski said.
“We are so grateful for the battles you fought to keep this nation free so folks like us can stand and represent and fight for our fellow Hoosiers in these different levels of government,” she said.
Townsend credited Walorski’s office for making the event happen.
“All I did was recognize that something wasn’t right and I worked it through Congresswoman Walorski’s office,” Townsend said.
“They were very helpful,” he said. “I really appreciate her and Congressman Stutzman coming here today. It just shows the level of what this is – very important.”
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Despite efforts by World War II veteran Bob Gast to downplay the event, the Rotary Club hosted two members of Congress plus two generals who arrived with six other military personnel in a Blackhawk helicopter. The chopper landed at the Kosciusko County Fairgrounds just yards from the Shrine Building where rotarians meet regularly on Fridays.
The 94-year-old retired businessman, former city councilman and longtime Rotary Club member was presented with five medals, including the Silver Star, considered the third most prestigious medal of honor for a serviceman.
Always a man of few words in public and humble as ever, Gast playfully shrugged several times during the ceremony, but beamed with pride for a moment as Major General Courtney P. Carr attached the Silver Star to Gast’s shirt.
He also was presented with the Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge, World War II Victory Medal and European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal.
The Silver Star is awarded for gallantry in action against an enemy.
Gast led his Army platoon into battle in Germany’s famed Herken Forest, an area on the western front and the scene of a series of fierce battles in 1944 between American and German troops.
He was a Second Lieutenant when he earned the Silver Star on Nov. 12, 1944, after being shot in the arm. He later returned to duty in 1945 and led an Army platoon in a small German town, according to a narrative read during the ceremony.
Carr, the Adjutant General of Indiana, said Gast epitomizes great leadership, duty and selfless service, among other military traits.
“To take charge of a platoon when all those soldiers are looking up to you for leadership and to be engaged in the kind of battle Bob was in in very dangerous, tough conditions … You got my respect and admiration,” Carr said.
Gast spoke briefly after the ceremony and said the award was a reflection of what many call the “Greatest Generation.”
“I honestly feel that this is not about me, down deep,” Gast said. “It’s more about my generation. More about the millions and millions of soldiers who served in the war and about the few who survived like me and are, really, fading away.”
“That’s what I kind of think what this is all about – a generation that’s coming to an end and I appreciate very, very much, the recognition,” Gast said.
Efforts toward arranging the ceremony started in March when Todd Townsend, a retired Colonel in the Army and a new member of the Rotary Club, met Gast, who quickly asked about the Distinguished Service Medal that Townsend was wearing that day.
In turn, Gast said he was awarded a Silver Star, but through a prolonged conversation, Townsend said he realized Gast had not received his medals.
“It was all documented, but it was never presented,” Townsend said.
Gast was commended for his service by two area U.S. lawmakers who attended the ceremony.
U.S. Rep. Marlin Stutzman of the Third District thanked Gast for his service and presented him with a U.S. Flag that had flown over the U.S. Capitol.
U.S. Rep. Jackie Walorski, of the Second District, was also appreciative.
“What he and his fellow soldiers achieved was extraordinary as Americans and we’re deeply grateful for their service. We’ll never forget the sacrifice of those who paid the ultimate price and never returned home,” Walorski said.
“We are so grateful for the battles you fought to keep this nation free so folks like us can stand and represent and fight for our fellow Hoosiers in these different levels of government,” she said.
Townsend credited Walorski’s office for making the event happen.
“All I did was recognize that something wasn’t right and I worked it through Congresswoman Walorski’s office,” Townsend said.
“They were very helpful,” he said. “I really appreciate her and Congressman Stutzman coming here today. It just shows the level of what this is – very important.”
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