Horace Appleby gets his Silver Star
On January 6, 1945, Horace Appleby and his unit from Echo Company, 180th Infantry Regiment withdrew under heavy fire from their positions. When they got to cover, Horace noticed that one of his friends was missing, so he plunged back into the heavy fire and guided his friend to relative safety. For his actions that day, 31-year-old PFC Appleby was awarded the Silver Star Medal, but according to the Toledo Blade, Horace, now 101-years-old, said “I didn’t think much about it”. His family, however wondered about what he did in the war, and did the research which unearthed the heroic story;
Thursday, U.S. Rep. Marcy Kaptur (D., Toledo) presented Mr. Appleby with 10 medals for his service during World War II. His medals, many of which he didn’t know he was entitled to until his great-niece, Renee Hahn of Perrysburg, started inquiring about his personnel records, include the Silver Star, Bronze Star, Good Conduct Medal, American Defense Service Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal, Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award, Honorable Service Lapel Button, and the Marksman Badge with rifle bar.
“He’s the family treasure,” Mrs. Hahn said. “You better believe it.”
The 180th Infantry Regiment produced four Medal of Honor recipients during their 511 days in combat in Europe; 2nd Lieutenant Ernest Childers, Private First Class William Johnston, 1st Lieutenant Jack Montgomery and Captain Jack Treadwell. I guess that Mr. Appleby would be the first to admit that he served with a regiment of heroes.
Category: Real Soldiers
Horace, now 101-years-old, said “I didn’t think much about it”.
That’s because he was busy winning a war and not worried about bling.
Posers; take note.
Awesome soldier.
I doubt we will see this guy in our poser of the week parade here.
Well done PFC.
Us PFC’s have got to stick together !!!
No way he’s a poser, he has a CIB first award. No stars= no poser
A quiet man. One definitely worth knowing.
“Didn’t know he was entitled…” Now THAT’s a quiet hero.
“His family wonderedabout what he did in the war,…” That says a lot. The man let his awesomeness speak for itself.
“He’s the family treasure,” Mrs. Hahn said. Ma’am, he’s a national treasure.
Well done, PFC Appleby.
Add to his credit not asking about the coveted NDSM.
There are not enough men like him around. Sierra-Hotel soldier.
Horace Appleby, my Fourth of July hero!
We reconnected with our friends in the 70-80’s just a week ago. I never knew Jerry served in our Military. Quite and awesome friend who has been to the Reno VA 180+ miles from his California home.
Back problems during Nan and his wife said he was treated like shit and still waiting for a MRI ordered seven months ago.
I jumped on the computer and emailed him complaint forms for Veterans being mistreated in a VA hospital, STATE OF CALIFORNIA HEALTHCARE FOR ANYONE and SNAP since his disability benefits are spent on gas.
He’s a mellow guy and won’t ask for charity. I told his wife Mark Ellen, yes a women, HE FUCKING EARNED IT..it has nothing to do with charity. I’ll be rolling up north after BERNATH is DISBARRED to see my old friends who still refer to us as family. Best phone call I made this year and it took one site to find them. Thanks Jerry for your service.
“He’s the family treasure,” Mrs. Hahn said. “You better believe it.”
Quoted for awesomeness…thank you for your service PFC Appleby, and well done Horace!