Veteran gets Bronze Star after 65 years

Published April 22, 2009
By Steve Berry
375th Airlift Wing Public Affairs

SCOTT AIR FORCE BASE, Ill. -- On Dec. 30, 1943, Army Pfc. Clarence Wallaert was shot in the hip by a German sniper while fighting against the German Winter Line in Italy. Private Wallaert bandaged his wound and provided 12 hours of automatic rifle support for his Army comrades advancing into the Liri Valley, the "gateway to Rome."

Now, 65 years later, Mr. Wallaert, 86, was awarded the Bronze Star Medal at Scott AFB April 14 for his meritorious actions during World War II.

Mr. Wallaert's son-in-law, retired Air Force Col. Jim Harper, attended the ceremony, which was held at the Army's Military Surface Deployment and Distribution Command Headquarters, where he works. He attended along with other members of Mr. Wallaert's family.

Mr. Harper said the award was delayed for decades because Mr. Wallaert and his family did not realize he was authorized to receive the award until recently.

"It was unknown that Army regulations authorized the Bronze Star medal for World War II recipients if they had been awarded the Purple Heart and the Combat Infantryman's Badge," Mr. Harper said.

Mr. Wallaert previously received both decorations and his Bronze Star request was filed March 16.

"It's one of those gems uncovered over time that showed he was authorized to receive it (the Bronze Star)," added Mr. Harper.

Maj. Gen. James Hodge, SDDC commanding general, presented Mr. Wallaert with his Bronze Star during the ceremony last week.

"I was as happy as I could possibly be to be involved in the recognition of one of our World War II veterans," said General Hodge, whose father is also a decorated World War II veteran.

"It was close to me personally," he said. "You could certainly see his (Mr. Wallaert's) pride during the ceremony."

Friday, from Michigan, Mr. Wallaert said via phone that he was surprised by the large crowd at the ceremony.

"I was really overwhelmed," he said. "I expected maybe one person to be there, but they had the whole room (filled). I was just doing my duty and I didn't expect all the praise."

"It was such an awesome and humbling experience to have General Hodge meet with the family and then award his medal," Mr. Harper said. "My father-in-law said that he was 'awed' by the ceremony."

Mr. Wallaert served as a Browning Automatic Rifleman with the Army's K Company, 3rd Battalion, 180th Infantry Regiment, 45th Division, from February 1943 until January 1944.

On Dec. 30, 1943, Mr. Wallaert and Company K received strong combat resistance from the hills of Mount Raimo in Italy. The company had just cleared the town of Venafro and was fighting to move forward and drive German soldiers out of Southern Italy when he was wounded, but continued to provide automatic rifle support for his Army Company.

Before his actions in Italy, Mr. Wallaert served in North Africa and Sicily. After being wounded in Italy he was transferred to a military hospital in Tunisia to recover and was then transferred back to the United States. Back in the United States, Mr. Wallaert was assigned to Fort Sheridan on the north side of Chicago (now closed). He was discharged from active service on Dec. 7, 1945.

After being discharged, he worked as a mixer for the Sunshine Biscuit Company in Saginaw, Mich., and then worked on the General Motors assembly line. Mr. Wallaert married his wife, Geraldine, on May 1, 1948. The couple has six children.

In 1995, Mr. Wallaert's son-in-law, Mr. Harper, travelled to Venafro, Italy, and took pictures of the war site. He shared the photos with his father-in-law who recalled the World War II battleground.

"He remembered well the terrain and which mountain he was wounded on," Mr. Harper said.

Of the Bronze Star Award ceremony, Mr. Harper said it, too, would become another memory for his father-in-law.

"[The ceremony] became a significant life event for my father-in-law," he said, "and I am sure it is one that will provide him many fond memories throughout his life."