Bertrand Schleismann100th Infantry Division

397th RegimentCompany E

October, 1944 – November, 1945France & Germany

Received the:Purple Heart

Soldier’s MedalBronze Star

Major Bill Law was the commanding officer of the 397th infantry. My dad was his runner. They are still great friends today.

My Dad received his Purple Heart Medal while capturing the town of Heilbronn, Germany on April 5, 1945.

He is pointing to the building where he caught schrapnel in his right leg.

The actor, Steve Carrell, was at the banquet. His father was also in the 100th Infantry, 397th, Company I. My husband is speaking with his mother.

The man standing on the left is Don Hildenbrand. While serving with the 397th infantry, he was captured by the Germans and taken as a Prisoner of War (POW). Because he was Jewish, he was put in a concentration work camp. He said he saw many men die of starvation, disease, and just giving up. He was in the camp for about 7 months. The war ended and the camp was liberated by American soldiers.

The Soldier's Medal is awarded to any person of the Armed Forces of the United States who, while serving in any capacity with the Army of the United States, distinguished himself or herself by heroism not involving actual conflict with an enemy. The performance must have involved personal hazard or danger and the voluntary risk of life under conditions not involving conflict with an armed enemy. Awards will not be made solely on the basis of having saved a life. My Daddy’s friends, Dick Drury and Jim Nance along with his CO Bill Law, nominated my Dad for the Soldier’s Medal. My Dad smelled smoke in a barn in which his platoon was sleeping. At great personal risk to himself, he began removing crates of ammunition and live grenades which were being stored in the building before they exploded. He woke everyone up and got them out of the building which burned to the ground.

Daddy, Don Hildebrand, Ken Seabee, & Dick Drury

Jim Nance, Daddy, Don Hildebrand,

Ken Seabee, & Dick Drury

The Bronze Star Medal is awarded to any person who, while serving in any capacity in or with the Army of the United States after 6 December 1941, distinguished himself or herself by heroic or meritorious achievement or servicein connection with military operations against an armed enemy.

Although I have always been proud of my father and his military service, seeing him in this setting with the men who were his buddies made me realize how truly special this generation was. I now understand the term “brothers in arms”. These men have a special bond due to the extraordinary experiences of living and fighting side by side. Their lives depended on each other. As they came home and began their new lives going to school on the GI Bill, marrying, and raising families, they never forgot and still talk about the men they left behind. This trip has given me a new appreciation of my father’s life.

Thanks to my Dad and all of the men who servedand are still serving to protect our country.