Christner Is Kosciusko Co.’s March Veteran Of The Month
March 2, 2022 at 2:32 a.m.
Christner Is Kosciusko Co.’s March Veteran Of The Month
By David [email protected]
Wayne E. “Bugsy” Christner, a lifetime resident of Kosciusko County, was recognized with the award at the Kosciusko County Commissioners meeting Tuesday.
Veteran Service Officer Darryl McDowell, in presenting the award, said Christner was born July 31, 1947, in Warsaw, to Doris and Raymond M. Christner, who also was a former World War II Navy veteran.
Doris, who will turn 100 in about two weeks, attended Tuesday’s award ceremony and everyone at the commissioners meeting sang “Happy Birthday” to her. Christner’s sister, Sheri Lynne Krichbaum, Warsaw, also was present.
Wayne Christner graduated in 1965 from Warsaw High School. He was drafted into the United States Army on Aug. 24, 1967, in Indianapolis. His basic training was conducted at Fort Campbell, Ky., followed by Combat Infantry Advanced Military Training (AIT) and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga., and later assigned to Company H (Ranger), 75th Infantry (Airborne) in Fort Lewis, Wash., McDowell said.
While on active duty, Staff Sgt. Christner received numerous recognitions and honors, McDowell said, including a Silver Star for gallantry in action while serving as a patrol leader during a long-range patrol while engaged in military operations with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. He was also awarded two Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star and two Army Commendation with “V” device.
“‘V’ device is in addition to that, it represents valor in each case,” McDowell explained.
Christner also received the Air Medal, and Combat Infantry Badge, and Vietnam Campaign and Services Medals while serving in the Republic of Vietnam. Wayne was discharged on Aug. 11, 1969, after serving honorably in the United States Army.
Serving his country proudly during the Vietnam War Era, Christner returned home to Warsaw to his previous job he held before being drafted into the Army at RR Donnelley & Sons as a journeyman. After 48 years “as a hardworking and dependable employee,” he retired in 2013, McDowell said.
Today, at the age of 74, he stills resides in Warsaw and enjoys the simple things in life, like spending time at home fiddling around in his yard, hanging out with his neighbors, and going out to eat with friends.
After McDowell presented the framed certificate to Christner, Christner explained that he got the nickname “Bugsy” because of his ears. Then he said, “The real heroes are over there. I made it back. The real heroes didn’t. I got awards and they didn’t make it.”
He added a little later that he was an idiot for about 25 years. “I drank, swore, carried on. I was a loser. And then, I started reading the Bible and I turned my life around.”
Latest News
E-Editions
Wayne E. “Bugsy” Christner, a lifetime resident of Kosciusko County, was recognized with the award at the Kosciusko County Commissioners meeting Tuesday.
Veteran Service Officer Darryl McDowell, in presenting the award, said Christner was born July 31, 1947, in Warsaw, to Doris and Raymond M. Christner, who also was a former World War II Navy veteran.
Doris, who will turn 100 in about two weeks, attended Tuesday’s award ceremony and everyone at the commissioners meeting sang “Happy Birthday” to her. Christner’s sister, Sheri Lynne Krichbaum, Warsaw, also was present.
Wayne Christner graduated in 1965 from Warsaw High School. He was drafted into the United States Army on Aug. 24, 1967, in Indianapolis. His basic training was conducted at Fort Campbell, Ky., followed by Combat Infantry Advanced Military Training (AIT) and Airborne School at Fort Benning, Ga., and later assigned to Company H (Ranger), 75th Infantry (Airborne) in Fort Lewis, Wash., McDowell said.
While on active duty, Staff Sgt. Christner received numerous recognitions and honors, McDowell said, including a Silver Star for gallantry in action while serving as a patrol leader during a long-range patrol while engaged in military operations with an armed hostile force in the Republic of Vietnam. He was also awarded two Purple Hearts, a Bronze Star and two Army Commendation with “V” device.
“‘V’ device is in addition to that, it represents valor in each case,” McDowell explained.
Christner also received the Air Medal, and Combat Infantry Badge, and Vietnam Campaign and Services Medals while serving in the Republic of Vietnam. Wayne was discharged on Aug. 11, 1969, after serving honorably in the United States Army.
Serving his country proudly during the Vietnam War Era, Christner returned home to Warsaw to his previous job he held before being drafted into the Army at RR Donnelley & Sons as a journeyman. After 48 years “as a hardworking and dependable employee,” he retired in 2013, McDowell said.
Today, at the age of 74, he stills resides in Warsaw and enjoys the simple things in life, like spending time at home fiddling around in his yard, hanging out with his neighbors, and going out to eat with friends.
After McDowell presented the framed certificate to Christner, Christner explained that he got the nickname “Bugsy” because of his ears. Then he said, “The real heroes are over there. I made it back. The real heroes didn’t. I got awards and they didn’t make it.”
He added a little later that he was an idiot for about 25 years. “I drank, swore, carried on. I was a loser. And then, I started reading the Bible and I turned my life around.”
Have a news tip? Email [email protected] or Call/Text 360-922-3092