thedrifter
12-21-03, 10:12 AM
Navy veteran receives medals 57 years late
Surprise honor warms hearts
By Maureen Wallenfang
Post-Crescent staff writer
CHILTON — One of the final scenes in Bing Crosby’s movie “White Christmas” was a heartwarming surprise tribute for a retired World War II general.
Walter Leary’s surprise 80th birthday party Saturday was a lot like that, just without the big Irving Berlin production numbers.
Leary’s family secretly arranged for a representative of the U.S. Navy and a color guard to come to the event and finally present him with seven medals he earned for his military service, but never received.
It was 57 years after the seaman first class’ honorable discharge.
“This is the surprise of my life,” the Stockbridge resident told the assembled crowd of 150 friends and family members, including his children, grandchildren and one great-grandson. “This did my heart good. Kind of shook it up there in the beginning.”
“He never mentioned that he didn’t get the medals until a few years ago,” said daughter Peggy Hoerth. “He never talked about the war at all.”
Leary’s wife of 44 years, Pat, secretly wrote to the Navy to get the overdue honors. “I’ve been sneaking around, getting papers out of the house and making arrangements whenever he was out,” she said. “It made me a nervous wreck.”
There may be many veterans who didn’t receive their medals at the end of the WWII, said Lt. Commander Jeff Knuth of the U.S. Naval Reserve in Green Bay, who presided over Leary’s medal ceremony at the Eagles Hall.
Now, he said, “It feels good to recognize them.”
The oversight is somewhat understandable if conditions as the end of WWII are considered, he said.
“During the end of the war, there was a mass exodus as we were drawing down. Everyone was eager to go home.”
Leary’s overdue honors included the World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and several others.
His service years in victory ships carrying ammunition included some dangerous moments, notably having his ship under submarine attack, and being in London during the bombing on Christmas day in 1943.
“It was all memorable,” he said. “From the time we set sail, even when things got rough.”
Most of those assembled knew Leary from after his time in the service, including some from Chilton Health Care, a nursing home where Leary works part-time. He is retired from Mirro.
A large contingent of well wishers calling themselves the Megger’s Alumni remembered Leary from his days running a bar called Megger’s outside Kiel in the 1950s.
“I’ve know Walter since I was 18,” said one-time Megger’s bartender Art Smoot who is now 64 and a resident of Kiel. “He’s a hell of a good guy.”
Staff writer Myrna Collins contributed to this story. Maureen Wallenfang can be reached at 920-993-1000, ext. 287, or by e-mail at mwallenfang@postcrescent.com
http://www.wisinfo.com/postcrescent/news/archive/local_13808587.shtml
Sempers,
Roger
:marine:
Surprise honor warms hearts
By Maureen Wallenfang
Post-Crescent staff writer
CHILTON — One of the final scenes in Bing Crosby’s movie “White Christmas” was a heartwarming surprise tribute for a retired World War II general.
Walter Leary’s surprise 80th birthday party Saturday was a lot like that, just without the big Irving Berlin production numbers.
Leary’s family secretly arranged for a representative of the U.S. Navy and a color guard to come to the event and finally present him with seven medals he earned for his military service, but never received.
It was 57 years after the seaman first class’ honorable discharge.
“This is the surprise of my life,” the Stockbridge resident told the assembled crowd of 150 friends and family members, including his children, grandchildren and one great-grandson. “This did my heart good. Kind of shook it up there in the beginning.”
“He never mentioned that he didn’t get the medals until a few years ago,” said daughter Peggy Hoerth. “He never talked about the war at all.”
Leary’s wife of 44 years, Pat, secretly wrote to the Navy to get the overdue honors. “I’ve been sneaking around, getting papers out of the house and making arrangements whenever he was out,” she said. “It made me a nervous wreck.”
There may be many veterans who didn’t receive their medals at the end of the WWII, said Lt. Commander Jeff Knuth of the U.S. Naval Reserve in Green Bay, who presided over Leary’s medal ceremony at the Eagles Hall.
Now, he said, “It feels good to recognize them.”
The oversight is somewhat understandable if conditions as the end of WWII are considered, he said.
“During the end of the war, there was a mass exodus as we were drawing down. Everyone was eager to go home.”
Leary’s overdue honors included the World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and several others.
His service years in victory ships carrying ammunition included some dangerous moments, notably having his ship under submarine attack, and being in London during the bombing on Christmas day in 1943.
“It was all memorable,” he said. “From the time we set sail, even when things got rough.”
Most of those assembled knew Leary from after his time in the service, including some from Chilton Health Care, a nursing home where Leary works part-time. He is retired from Mirro.
A large contingent of well wishers calling themselves the Megger’s Alumni remembered Leary from his days running a bar called Megger’s outside Kiel in the 1950s.
“I’ve know Walter since I was 18,” said one-time Megger’s bartender Art Smoot who is now 64 and a resident of Kiel. “He’s a hell of a good guy.”
Staff writer Myrna Collins contributed to this story. Maureen Wallenfang can be reached at 920-993-1000, ext. 287, or by e-mail at mwallenfang@postcrescent.com
http://www.wisinfo.com/postcrescent/news/archive/local_13808587.shtml
Sempers,
Roger
:marine: