Brookfield/Elm Grove Monthly

By John Holman Special to The Freeman BROOKFIELD — The soldiers of the U.S. Ar my's 2nd Infantry Division had their orders: Defend Elsenborn Ridge from the German offensive. Near the end of World War II, Hitler sent his deadliest unit, the 1st SS Panzer Divi- sion, to break through the Allied defenses at the Ardennes forest and Elsenborn Ridge. Brookfield resident Henry Hunt didn't know it at the time, but his actions in France during WWII would earn him the Knight of the Legion of Honor medal, France's highest award for service to its country, almost 70 years later. Hunt received his award June 16. "Thanks to your courage, and to our Amer- ican friends and Allies, France has been liv- ing in peace for the past six decades," read the letter that accompanied the award from Paul Graham, the French consulate in Chica- go. "You saved us and we will never forget." Hunt served as an Army machine gunner for almost two years, in 1944 and '45, even earning a Bronze Star for his heroism during the Northern France Campaign. Battle of the Bulge After the surprise attack began at the Bat- tle of the Bulge in December 1944, Hunt's machine gun squad took its position. Hunt said they had only a couple of boxes of ammunition and ran out within minutes. The German tanks and countless soldiers were coming straight at Hunt and his part- ner; they had no choice but to withdraw. With the tanks ahead and the village of Krinkelt behind them, they chose the latter and backtracked to safety. They made it to the village about a half-mile away from their former position and found refuge in a farm- house cellar. "We stayed there for about nine hours," Hunt said. "We heard tanks rumbling around outside. We didn't know if they were Ger- man or American, so we took a chance and snuck out of there to avoid being captured or killed." Hunt and his assistant gunner hiked their way back to safety, regrouping with the 2nd back at Elsenborn Ridge. The group Hunt joined left the ridge and went south to Luxembourg, where they stayed for about five days in a family's home en route to their next position. They met with another battalion, along the bulge in the Allied defense caused by the German offensive, near the end of the battle on Jan. 18, 1945. The sergeant in charge of the platoon ordered troops to take defensive positions in the foxholes near the edge of a nearby forest. Shrapnel, shrapnel and more shrapnel Hunt recalled that he and another soldier, whom Hunt referred to as Schroeder, were in a foxhole together, ready to confront any Ger- mans trying to break through the Allied ranks. Then it happened. "I didn't even see the tank," said Hunt. "But I heard the sound of an 88 — that's a tank round — hit a tree above me. I didn't feel anything, but I was laying on the ground. I was in shock, but I knew I was hit because of the smoke coming out of my pants." He had shrapnel in his right ankle, right wrist and four pieces lodged in his buttocks. Another soldier, whom Hunt had never met, rushed to his aid. "He told me, 'We have to go,'" Hunt said. "I told him, 'no, get Schroeder.' But he was dead." The soldier picked up Hunt and threw him over his shoulder. Hunt said the man got him out of the hole, and he was transported to a hospital in Liege, Belgium, for surgery. Besides the Bronze Star and Legion of Honor, Hunt also received a Purple Heart on Feb. 2, 1945. "Gratitude and remembrance are forever in our souls," the letter from Graham read. Hunt's response was a tad more prosaic, but no less powerful: "We were just trying to stay alive." Page 2A • Freeman Brookfield & Elm Grove 262-542-2500 Hours: M-F 8 a.m.- 5 p.m. 801 N. Barstow St., P.O. 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Call 542-2501 PAGE REPRINTS Go to www.gmtoday.com/freemanreprints The Freeman is printed on recycled newsprint. Freeman subscription rates • By in-county mail 13 weeks..............$36 26 weeks..............$66 52 weeks............$120 • Out-of-county mail 13 weeks.............$51 26 weeks............$99 52 weeks..........$192 Easy buy .....$10 a month with credit card Electronic edition ......$10 a month with credit card Circulation Dept. To reach the Circulation Department call 542-2501 or go to www.gmtoday.com/wfhelp. OCTOBER 2014 262-754-2727 In the Galleria West Shopping Center 18900 W. Bluemound Rd., Ste. 218, Brookfield 236044003 Delta Dental Premier & PPO In-Network Providers In-Network Provider For Most Dental Plans www.BrightSmiles.net • Exams/Restorative Care • Cosmetic Dentistry • Whitening • Implants • Crowns • Bridges • White Fillings • Limited Orthodontics • Root Canal Treatment Dr. Biederwolf Get to know us at our newly remodeled office. NEW PATIENT SPECIAL • Professional Cleaning • Comprehensive Exam • Cavity Detecting X-Rays • Free Second Opinion $ 89 All Services Listed are Included Additional charges may apply if gum disease is present. Valid only with coupon. Fresh Flowers, Bakery, Produce Assorted Meats Fish & Cheese 2000 N. Calhoun Road ~ 7:30 - Noon For more information call 262-784-7804 or info@brookfieldfarmersmarket.com www.brookfieldfarmersmarket.com Our 24th Season 240279004 Crisp Fall Apples Have Arrived! October 4 th - Customer Appreciation Day! Free Give-Aways • Price Bundling • Gift Basket Drawing October 18 th - Arts and Crafts October 25 th - final market of the season! December 6 th - German Holiday Market / Tree Lighting • Foodshare/SNAP EBT & Debit Cards Welcome! • Free Frequent Shopper Rewards Program • Gift Tokens & Market Wear for sale • WIC Approved 18 Full-size Doors On Display, Our Installers Are Licensed & Bonded 16'x7', 25 Gauge...Non Insulated Steel $ 695 Lifetime Door Co. TRUCKLOAD SALE on Garage Doors & Door Openers Installed Tax Included $ 865 • Lifetime Warranty • Other Sizes Available • 2000 Garage Doors in Stock Special! - Take down and haul away old door for FREE! 16x7 SAVE $ 240 NOW Model 3265 Full Year Warranty, parts and service on installed operators. ORDER A LIFTMASTER 1/2 HP GARAGE DOOR OPENER & GET 2 REMOTES & KEYPAD. $ 325 BONUS - DOOR SECURITY MONITOR While Supplies Last! Installed Tax Included • Two-Sided Pre-Finished Galvanized Steel • R-10 Insulated • 5 colors to choose from 12645 W. Townsend (2 blocks N. of Burleigh, enter off 124th St. only) Free Estimate 262-783-4004 Mon. - Fri. 7am-5pm • Sat. 8am-12pm www.lifetimedoor.net 2 4 0 2 5 3 0 0 2 BROOKFIELD — The city con- firmed it had found its first batch of mosquitoes positive for West Nile virus in 2014 with a sample collected at Mitchell Park last month. According to a release from the city, Brookfield officials began adult mosquito control operations in the park Sept. 18 in an effort to minimize mosquito populations and reduce the risk of contracting the virus. "Although we're seeing cooler temperatures, mosquitoes are still active until the first hard freeze, so it is important for people to contin- ue to protect themselves against mosquito bites," Clarke Environ- mental Mosquito Management Entomologist George Balis said. The city conducts a comprehen- sive mosquito control program each year, which includes West Nile surveillance and prevention. It includes inspecting and treating large public places and private tracts of wetlands, which helps to limit the amount of mosquitoes that can carry the virus. Mosquitoes are also regularly cap- tured and tested throughout the city. "Our adult mosquito traps are monitored all summer and this pos- itive pool has triggered the next phase of control," said Bill Kolstad, director of Parks, Recreation and Forestry for the city. Most mosquitoes do not carry West Nile and generally people who become infected do not experience any symptoms or become ill. Some, however, develop symptoms such as high fever, confusion, muscle weak- ness, severe headaches and a stiff neck. Those with such symptoms should consult with a doctor. Severe illness, including menin- gitis and encephalitis, does occa- sionally result from West Nile Virus infection. Most at risk in these cases are people older than 50. Health officials recommend peo- ple apply insect repellent which includes DEET, avoid being out- doors between dusk and dawn, wear shoes and socks outside and eliminate all sources of standing water. For more information, visit www.ci.brookfield.wi.us. — Matt Masterson, Freeman Staff Submitted photo Henry Hunt wears his Knight of the Legion of Honor medal. Brookfield's Knight Brookfield finds first West Nile-positive mosquitoes of 2014 WWII vet receives France's highest military honor

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