424/A, 1st BN, 3rd Platoon
106th Infantry Division
- His men nicknamed him "The Old Man" because he was a 22 yr old in charge of 18 and 19 yr olds. He carried that nickname for the rest of his life.
- He took shrapnel in his leg while in his foxhole.
- Blood froze inside his boot, giving him frostbite.
- He was captured and interrogated, then marched for days on his wounded leg.
- He did not loose the leg or foot, but suffered malnutrition that caused his hair to fall out later.
- He was in the boxcars that were strafed by friendly fire.
- After he was liberated, he moved to Lincoln Park, MI and raised a family.
- He received a Purple Heart and Bronze Star.
- He never received a military pension or any other benefits, despite repeated attempts. He retired to a small rural town in Northern Michigan.
- Louis died in Feb. 1997 in Fairview Michigan, Oscoda County.
- His widow Margaret (Maggie) lives with one of their daughters in Wolverine Lake, MI