Another medal for service to country

Jason E. Silvers/Tribune photo Local veteran George Hudiburg is pictured in his home with his collection of awards and medals he received for his military service during World War II. He is shown holding his most recent award, the Knight of the Legion of Honor medal, which he received for his service in France and Western Europe.

It may have taken 70 years, but local veteran George Hudiburg can now add another medal to his collection.

Last month, the 91-year-old World War II veteran and retired teacher was bestowed with the Knight of the Legion of Honor medal, a laurel the French government awards to soldiers for their military service in France. He said he received the recognition after going through what he called "a lot of paperwork."

"To me, it's a big deal," Hudiburg said. "To anyone else, it may be a small deal. It's nice they give us something. It's pretty and I like it."

According to a letter Hudiburg received from the Consulat General De France a Chicago, the honor "pays tribute to the soldiers who did so much for France and Western Europe."

"Seventy years ago, you gave your youth to France and the French people," the letter states. "Many of his fellow soldiers did not return, but they remain in our hearts. Thanks to your courage, and to our American friends and allies, France has been living in peace for the past seven decades. You saved us and we will never forget. For us, the French people, you are heroes. Gratitude and remembrance are forever in our souls."

The award, created by famed French military leader Napolean Bonaparte, "is the highest honor that France can bestow upon those who have achieved remarkable deeds for France," the letter states.

Hudiburg said the award is "credit for battles in France" he was involved in, including the battle of northern France and Germany and the Battle of the Ardennes, more commonly known as the Battle of the Bulge, a German offensive campaign launched through the Ardennes region of Wallonia in Belgium, France and Luxembourg on the Western Front toward the end of WWII in Europe.

"And if you received the medal, your salary doubled," he said.

Hudiburg said his military career began in 1943. He first served in an Army ROTC unit, then the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers, followed by a cadet program and then the Air Force.

"I ended up in the infantry," he said. "That's where we all ended up."

Hudiburg said he trained for nearly two years beginning in February of 1943 but did not enter combat until December of 1944. He was in the Third Army, 80th Division Blue Ridge as a replacement and spent time in Belgium, Luxembourg and part of France.

"We landed in Liverpool, England," he said. "They shipped us to Southampton, then to France. Then I was assigned to the 80th Division as a replacement."

While in Germany, Hudiburg said he would "clean guns in below freezing temperatures" and also went on several patrols. He said several days and nights were spent dug into the freezing ground.

"My first night in combat I was all by myself," he said. "I didn't know which direction the front was."

During a 12-hour pass into the city of Luxembourg, where candles and bread were being sold to noisy crowds, Hudiburg said he met a French man "who spoke better English than I did." Through the man's assistance, Hudiburg said he went back to his unit "with all the candles and bread I could handle."

Hudiburg said he was eventually promoted to assistant squad leader. Not only did he bring back memories of the war, he also brought back battle scars. During one battle, a rifle bullet grazed Hudiburg's leg and actually got caught in his boot between his leg and boot. Hudiburg said he sustained a concussion but was "not badly hurt."

"They tell you to get your equipment off and get as light as you can," he said.

Hudiburg also suffered another injury when an artillery shell exploded, sending bits of shrapnel into his shoulder and nicking an artery. The shrapnel "took out 20 percent of one lung" and broke a few of Hudiburg's ribs.

"A soldier fixed me up and gave me a shot of morphine," he said.

That injury "expanded to an aneurysm" and posed some serious potential consequences as he was told by medics.

"I could have bled to death," Hudiburg said. "I was supposed to die, but I didn't. I'm now 91."

Hudiburg said he came back to the U.S. in 1945 after spending about six months overseas. After the war, Hudiburg attended college and met the woman who would become his wife. He has lived in Fort Scott since 1980.

"I went back to Independence (Kan.), where I grew up," he said. "I met my wife, we both got degrees at Kansas State Teachers College (now Pittsburg State University.)"

Hudiburg received a doctorate from the University of Arkansas and taught at PSU for 25 years.

"I've been retired about that many years," he said.

Hudiburg has also received other military decorations, including the Bronze Star and the Purple Heart. He was modest when talking about his latest recognition.

"A lot of people could have it if they just do the paperwork," she said. "I just did my job, I don't think I was a hero."