MEDALS, CITATIONS AWARDED TO MEN FROM THIS LOCALITY
Ribbons, crosses and emblems earned for heroism while serving a nation at war will adorn the uniform of many a warrior from Muscatine and community when he returns from battle in World War No. 2.
For this area’s fighting sons have already earned a distinguished collection of awards. News stories from war centers have told of the acts of these men who have won distinction in battles—on the land, on the sea, and in the air.
From the most remote battle areas and from the most active theaters of war have come news stories of citations bestowed for heroism, for acts “beyond the call of duty,” and other commendable performances of young men who have gone forth from this community.
Many will be wearers of the “Purple Heart,” an award made for injuries suffered while on duty.
For some, the actions which merited official recognition, brought physical injuries—injuries so serious they meant the end of the war insofar as the individual hero was concerned.
Others, who suffered wounds of a lesser degree, recovered sufficiently at hospitals abroad to permit their re-entry into actual combat duty. For sulfa drugs, blood plasma and penicillin have spelled the difference between life and death, between slow and rapid recovery to many who were injured.
Some of the wounded from this area have returned to hospitals in this country to undergo further treatment and the possibility of return to war theaters or final discharge from the service.
The list of those who have suffered injuries or incurred ailments while in training in this country has added to the numbers of Muscatine service men who have already received honorable discharges or are scheduled for release from military service.
A partial list of those who suffered injuries while in active service abroad or while on duty in camps of this country, gathered from information supplied to the Journal are listed here:
PFC. Robert Bohm, former Muscatine resident, serving with the expeditionary forces in Africa, suffered wounds three days before the end of the campaign and was hospitalized.
Source: Muscatine Journal and News-Tribune, Annual Edition, December 30, 1943
Robert Cecil “Bob" Bohm was born Oct. 8, 1920 to Lawrence and May Alice Taylor Bohm. He died Dec. 16, 2016 and is buried in Aspen Grove Cemetery, Burlington, IA.
His obituary -
Robert (Bob) Bohm was born October 8, 1920 in Lorain, Ohio to Lawrence and May Taylor Bohm. He had one brother, Larry. He met and married Jeanne Metzger, the love of his life and had a happy and successful sixty-five year marriage. When she died five years ago she was cremated and will be buried with him in his arms as a symbol that he will hold her for eternity.
He had a successful career as an educator, beginning his career as a teacher and basketball coach, going on to become a superintendent of schools, and transitioned into retirement teaching prisoners at the Iowa State Penitentiary. He shared his beautiful tenor voice with church choirs and his beloved Miamians Barbershop Quartet group. With all of the accomplishments and successes that come from a long, fulfilled life, he was most proud of his service to his country.
Bob was a decorated WWII hero, receiving four Bronze Stars, two Presidential Citations, the Purple Heart, and the Legion of Honor Award from France.
He fought for the freedom of all and in the end it was not a coincidence that those he served were serving him - the black Muslim nurse who never left his side during a time of crisis; the first generation immigrant nurses aids who tenderly bathed, dressed and fed him; the Puerto Rican social worker who fought to get him every benefit he was entitled to receive; and his Jewish doctor whose brilliance and compassion insured him of a long and quality life. Bob never believed he was supreme because he was white, superior because he was a male, and his deep faith would never allow him to believe that he was somehow more favorable to God because he was a Christian. He was a man who truly knew what it was to love others. He leave his life debt free - not owing anyone a penny or an apology. While we will mourn the absence of his physical being, we can only celebrate the life that he had, the lives that he touched, and the positive difference he made in this world.
Source: ancestry.com
