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Tuesday, July 31, 2007

Meet John Amm


John Amm, from Pontiac IL, served with the U.S. Army Infantry, 65th Division in France, Germany and Austria during World War II as a Tech Sergeant. His unit made contact with the Russian Army in Austria and liberated the Nazi prison camp at Ohrdruf, Germany. According to John "our 65th Division liberated Nazi concentration camps as we fought our way across Europe. The conditions that we found were impossible to imagine."

His decorations include the Combat Infantry Badge, Bronze Star medal with "V" for Valor, the American Campaign medal, the European-African-Middle East medal with three battle stars, the Army Good Conduct medal, the World War II Victory medal and the Occupation medal along with a Meritorious Unit Citation.

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Meet Neil Bach


Sgt. Neil Bach, U.S. Army Air Corps, World War II. Neil particpated in the China-Burma-India campaign. He flew 112 missions (752 hours) of all types in C-46's (large cargo planes) to support American and Chinese troops fighting the Japanese. These air routes took them directly over the highest and most dangerous mountain range in the world - the Himalaya Mountains. This became known as "The Hump". Between 1944 and 1945, 81% of all supplies came into China via these air crews. His medals include: The Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with cluster, 3 Bronze battle stars and the Good Conduct medal. Neil is from Pontiac and is a member of the Museum Board.

Saturday, July 7, 2007

Meet John Rodino


John Rodino, T-4, 1st Battalion, 15th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division, World War II. John was in the Anzio invasion and served as a radioman for Audie Murphy, the most decorated soldier in U.S. military history. John was an Infantry soldier for 27 months and was with Murphy when he earned the Medal of Honor. John's unit landed in Southern France and the campaign took him across Northern Africa, Sicily, Mt. Cassino, Rome, Germany and Austria. John says "They gave me all the medals except the Congressional Medal of Honor, including the French Croix de Guerre and the Presidential Unit Citation with Palm." John Rodino is a life board member of the War Museum and lives in Pontiac.

Thursday, July 5, 2007

Meet Willis Harms


Willis Harms, T-4, United States Army, World War II. Willis is a Life Member of the museum board. He served as an Infantryman, then a replacement medic when so many medics were being killed with the 36th Infantry Division in Europe. The Lone Star Division was in 400 days of combat and was one of the most feared divisions according to captured Nazi officders. Willis and his brother John were both wounded in combat in the Battle for Monte Casino Italy. Willis now lives in Pontiac but grew up in the Saunemin IL area. His medals include: Medical Combat Badge, Purple Heart, Bronze Star with "V" for Valor, Good Conduct medal, American Theater medal, Europe-Africa-Middle East Theater medal with four battle stars, World War II Victory medal, Presidential Unit Citation, and Meritorious Unit Citation medal.