Special | 1h 24m 47s | Video has closed captioning.
Learn the stories of the Minnesota’s recipients of America’s highest military honor with historian and storyteller Doug Ohman. First issued during the Civil War, 72 residents of Minnesota have been recipients of this most prestigious medal. Ohman traces the lives of several of these Minnesota heroes through photographs, family memories and stories.
Aired: 02/25/23
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(bright music) (somber music) - Hi, my name is Doug Ohman.
I'm a Minnesota historian, photographer and storyteller.
I am humbled with the opportunity to present to you this program.
With the greatest respect and gratitude my goal is to share the story of the Medal of Honor by highlighting some incredible stories of our state's heroes.
The Medal of Honor is the United States Government's highest and most prestigious military decoration that may be awarded to recognize American soldiers, sailors, marines, airmen, guardians, and coast guardsmen who have distinguished themselves by acts of valor.
The Medal of Honor has achieved prominence in American history like few other awards have.
The medal is normally awarded by the president of the United States, but there are times it is issued in the name of the United States Congress, and is often referred to as the Congressional Medal of Honor.
The Medal of Honor is the oldest issued combat decoration of the United States Armed Forces.
Over the past 160 plus years, there have been over 3,500 Medals of Honor awarded with over 40% of them awarded for actions during the American Civil War.
In 1990, Congress designated March 25th annually as National Medal of Honor Day.
All these Veterans are members of the world's most exclusive fraternity.
The only way into this special group is through valor and bravery.
These Veterans are a true reflection of parents and communities across this nation who have raised them, and especially to the many men and women in uniform who served alongside them and watched their backs.
These stories recall the broad sweep of history that has seen generation after generation of Americans answer the call of duty in times of war.
(gentle music) During the first year of the Civil War a proposal for a battlefield decoration for valor was submitted, and on December 21st, 1861, the bill was passed and signed into law by President Abraham Lincoln.
The Philadelphia Mint designed the new military decoration.
Private Jacob Parrot, a U.S. Army volunteer from Ohio became the first actual Medal of Honor recipient awarded for volunteering in a raid on a Confederate train in Big Shanty, Georgia on April 12th, 1862, during the American Civil War.
The only woman awarded the Medal of Honor is Mary Edwards Walker, who was a civilian army surgeon during the American Civil War.
She received the award in 1865 by President Andrew Johnson.
In 1861 She wanted to join the army as a surgeon, but wasn't allowed because she was a woman.
Because of her credentials, she didn't wanna be a nurse either, so she chose to volunteer for the Union Army.
In 1863, her medical credentials were finally accepted, so she moved to Tennessee where she was appointed as a war department surgeon.
Her position was paid and it was equivalent to a lieutenant or captain.
Sadly, in 1917, her medal was taken away from her because she was technically a civilian during the war.
Walker refused to return the medal, yet continued to wear it until she died two years later.
60 years after that in 1977, President Jimmy Carter restored the honor in her name, thanks to the efforts by her family.
Today there's a memorial to her honor in her hometown of Oswego, New York.
The youngest to receive the Medal of Honor goes to a 13-year-old drummer in the Civil War, Willie Johnston.
When President Abraham Lincoln heard about Willie's bravery during battle, he recommended the boy for the Medal of Honor.
My interest in the Medal of Honor began in the summer of 2013 when I was given the honor to be the official state photographer at the dedication of the Minnesota Battlefield monuments at Gettysburg.
Visiting this hallowed ground 150 years after the actual battle, I was struck with a sense of patriotism and awe.
When I learned the stories of many of our state soldiers at this battle, one in particular stood out for me, and that was Marshall Sherman.
(dramatic music) On July 3rd, while engaging with the 28th Virginia Infantry of Pickett's Charge, Sherman captured the enemy flag.
The flag still remains in Minnesota, and is in the archives of the Minnesota Historical Society.
For his actions at Gettysburg, Marshall Sherman would receive the Medal of Honor.
After I returned from this incredible trip, I decided to visit Oakland Cemetery in Saint Paul to see the final resting place of Private Sherman.
He is buried in the military section of this historic cemetery.
Marshall Sherman was the first Medal of Honor soldier I learned about, but my journey to find others was just beginning.
I give a lot of credit to a book I received called "Minnesota Medal of Honor Recipients: From the Civil War to Vietnam."
The book was compiled by members of Minnesota chapters of the Daughters of the American Revolution.
The book tells the stories of all 72 Medal of Honor recipients from our state.
In Anoka, Minnesota, I had the opportunity to visit with the book's editor, June Gossler-Anderson.
June went on to tell me that 28 women from throughout the state volunteered to become involved in the book.
- Many of us had more than one that we wrote about, but we've researched these men, and we wrote their biographies.
- What has been the public response to the book?
- We're hoping that through statewide efforts, this documentary, for instance, that we'll increase awareness of the book.
I'm hoping the memories of these heroes will live long through the pages of this book.
This book is serving another purpose.
Many present-day Veterans are suffering from the drama of war, both mental and physical, and many of them are homeless.
About the same time as this book was published, the good people of Anoka decided to thank them for their service by providing much needed Veterans housing.
- On the campus of the old Anoka State Hospital extensive remodeling efforts are being made to provide homes for our Veterans.
The project is called Haven for Heroes.
The proceeds from the Medal of Honor book are being donated to this worthwhile project.
June, this has really been great to meet with you, learn about this project, and again, as I hold this book in my hand, I realize that without this book, I would've known very little about the Medal of Honor recipients in Minnesota.
I wanna say thank you, and thank you to all the ladies that wrote in this book.
They all deserve a big thanks.
- And thank you, Doug, for taking it to another level.
- [Doug] Sadly, there are no living Medal of Honor recipients today.
So after reading the book, I set out to visit each grave for all 37 soldiers who are buried in Minnesota, and I am honored to share a few of these heroes with you.
- Thank you for watching "Landmarks Minnesota Medal of Honor" on Pioneer PBS.
I'm Doug Ohman.
Doing the research for this program allowed me to learn and appreciate the amazing story of the Medal of Honor.
I especially enjoyed learning about Mary Walker.
I love the fact that she would not give up her medal.
I was also surprised on the number of medals issued by the United States.
I hope you've enjoyed watching this first segment of "Landmarks Minnesota Medal of Honor" which has been made possible by contributions of viewers of Pioneer P B S and other funding.
If you were wondering how you can support programs like "Landmarks" and what it takes to become a member of Pioneer P B S, watch this.
- [Narrator 1] The "Landmarks Minnesota Medal of Honor" with Doug Ohman D V D can be yours with a contribution of $5 on an ongoing monthly basis or with a single contribution of $60.
We'll say thank you, with this DVD of the program.
With a $10 monthly contribution or a one-time contribution of $120 we will send you the "Landmarks Minnesota Medal of Honor" with Doug Ohman DVD plus your choice of the paperback "Minnesota Medal of Honor from the Civil War to Vietnam" by June Gossler-Anderson, a share of the proceeds from this book will go to Haven for Heroes in Anoka which provides recovery and transitional housing to service members and veterans.
Or "Medal of Honor" the revised and updated third edition "Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty," a hardcover book by Peter Collier with photographs by Nick Del Calzo and a forward written by Bradley Cooper.
When you choose an ongoing monthly contribution of $20 or a one-time contribution of $240, you will receive with our thanks the "Landmarks Minnesota Medal of Honor" with Doug Ohman DVD plus the paperback "Minnesota Medal of Honor from the Civil War to Vietnam" by June Gossler-Anderson.
A share of the proceeds from this book goes to Haven for Heroes in Anoka which provides recovery and transitional housing to service members and veterans.
And "Medal of Honor," revised and updated third edition "Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty," a hardcover book by Peter Collier, with photographs by Nick Del Calzo and a forward by Bradley Cooper.
"Landmarks Minnesota Medal of Honor" with Doug Ohman produced by Pioneer P B S traces the lives of several of the 72 Minnesota heroes through photographs, family memories, and stories.
Public television is such a powerful source of information, education, and entertainment.
Public television can only bring the best of programming like "Landmarks Minnesota Medal of Honor" with Doug Ohman because of viewers like you who give.
Keep programs like this thriving on your local public television station by joining us as a member today.
Join us with your contribution today.
Your gift matters and makes a difference.
Please call the number on your screen with your contribution or make your gift online at pioneer.org/donate.
Thank you for your support.
Please make a decision to give right now, and thank you.
Please take a moment to give to this P B S station.
You can make a one-time donation but please consider becoming a sustainer by making an ongoing monthly contribution.
You will appreciate the ease of monthly giving that allows your support to remain constant and this station can count on having the funds available to broadcast the programs you and your family want and enjoy.
Your gift matters.
Please give what you can and thank you.
- [Narrator 2] Sustaining membership is an easy, convenient and affordable way to support the programs you love.
Sustaining members make an ongoing monthly contribution from either their credit card or checking account.
Just choose the monthly amount you'd like to give.
Then go online or call and we'll get it set up for you.
Your donation will happen automatically each month so your support will always be current.
If you wanna change your sustaining membership just contact us.
Monthly contributions begin as low as $5 per month.
Go online or call to start your sustaining membership right now.
- [Narrator 3] Please make a decision to give right now, and thank you.
Please take a moment to give to this P B S station.
You can make a one-time donation but please consider becoming a sustainer by making an ongoing monthly contribution.
You will appreciate the ease of monthly giving that allows your support to remain constant and this station will be able to count on having the funds available to air the programs you and your family want and appreciate.
Your gift matters.
Please give what you can.
- The history of the Medal of Honor in America's story is fascinating all on its own.
In our next segment we will showcase some amazing Minnesota servicemen and meet some proud family members who are willing to share some personal memories.
As we go into the next segment of "Landmarks, Minnesota Medal of Honor," we wanna remind our viewers that we appreciate your generosity in supporting programs like this on Pioneer P B S. Our volunteers will be here standing by for your call of support.
Please call now with your contribution to Pioneer P B S at 1 800 726 3178 or go online to pioneer.org.
- [Narrator 1] The "Landmarks, Minnesota Medal of Honor" with Doug Ohman D V D can be yours with a contribution of $5 on an ongoing monthly basis, or with a single contribution of $60.
We'll say thank you with this DVD of the program.
With a $10 monthly contribution or a one-time contribution of $120 we will send you the "Landmarks Minnesota Medal of Honor" with Doug Ohman DVD plus your choice of the paperback "Minnesota Medal of Honor from the Civil War to Vietnam" by June Gossler-Anderson.
A share of the proceeds from this book will go to Haven for Heroes in Anoka which provides recovery and transitional housing to service members and veterans.
Or "Medal of Honor" the revised and updated third edition "Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty," a hardcover book by Peter Collier with photographs by Nick Del Calzo, and a forward written by Bradley Cooper.
When you choose an ongoing monthly contribution of $20 or a one-time contribution of $240 you will receive with our thanks the "Landmarks, Minnesota Medal of Honor" with Doug Ohman, D V D plus the paperback "Minnesota Medal of Honor from the Civil War to Vietnam" by June Gossler-Anderson.
A share of the proceeds from this book goes to Haven for Heroes in Anoka, which provides recovery and transitional housing to service members and veterans.
And "Medal of Honor, revised and updated third edition "Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty," a hardcover book by Peter Collier with photographs by Nick Del Calzo and a forward by Bradley Cooper.
- [Narrator 2] Sustaining membership is an easy, convenient and affordable way to support the programs you love.
Sustaining members make an ongoing monthly contribution from either their credit card or checking account.
Just choose the monthly amount you'd like to give then go online or call and we'll get it set up for you.
Your donation will happen automatically each month so your support will always be current.
If you want to change your sustaining membership just contact us.
Monthly contributions begin as low as $5 per month.
Go online or call to start your sustaining membership right now.
(gentle music) (gentle music) Of all the dark tragedies in our nation's history, there is little argument that the American Civil War leads them all.
It is estimated that Minnesota sent approximately 25,000 men, or about half of the state's eligible male population to fight in the Civil War.
During the four years of the war 27 Medals of Honor were awarded to soldiers from Minnesota, the most medals from any conflict in our state's history.
One of those 27 Medal of Honor recipients was Axel Hayford Reed, who bravely served in Company K of the 2nd Minnesota Infantry Regiment.
I had the opportunity to sit down with his great-granddaughter, Carmen Ziemer, to hear some family's stories.
- One of the stories is that he grew up in Maine, and he lost his mother when he was at the age of seven.
He then grew up with a stepmother who he really didn't get along with.
When he became of age, he asked his dad if he could leave, and finally at 19 his dad gave him permission.
He arrived in Minnesota in 1855, and there he got various jobs, and one was with a brick maker in the Chaska area, and he got a contract for the Glencoe townsite to make bricks, and that's how he ended up in Glencoe in 1856.
So a few years after arriving in Minnesota, the Civil War broke out and he enlisted immediately in the 2nd Minnesota.
And in his diary it says that he walked from Glencoe through the big woods to Chaska to enlist.
- [Doug] Axel would participate in nearly every siege his regiment engaged including Sherman's March to the Sea.
It was at the Battle of Chickamauga and Missionary Ridge that Axel Reed received the Medal of Honor for heroism.
When the regiment lieutenant was wounded Reed took command, and led his men in the capture of a large battery of enemy cannons.
At Missionary Ridge, Reed was hit with a minié ball that shattered his arm between the shoulder and the elbow.
Despite the loss of his right arm, Axel would stay in the army declining discharge for his disability.
At the end of the Civil War, he will be mustered out at Fort Snelling.
His last diary entry he writes.
It is with sadness that we break up the association of our happy family that have been brothers together through four years of war, and have learned from one another to be true friends in times of need.
Years later, Axel will visit the battlefields of his youth to remember his friends.
After the war, Axel Reed returned to Glencoe, and was married.
He and his wife Nettie would raise a family, and he would become a successful businessman in town.
He would work in the grain business for more than 30 years.
Among many life accomplishments, he would help bring the first railroad to McLeod County in 1873.
The Medal of Honor was given to him by President William McKinley in 1898.
Less than 20 years later on January 21st, 1917, Axel Reed will pass away, and will be buried with full military honors.
High atop a hill in Mount Auburn Cemetery in Glencoe, Minnesota near many family members, including his wife, Nettie, Axel Reed is buried.
After learning about Axel from Carmen, she invites me out to the local cemetery to see his final resting place.
Although the day is cold and raining, it only heightened my appreciation for Axel, and what he endured not only in war, but throughout his entire life.
(gentle music) Outside the small town of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota is the final resting place of an American hero that few have ever heard of.
On a windy fall day after reading his amazing story, I went to the grave to remember a forgotten hero from long ago.
Alonzo Pickle was born in Canada on July 2nd, 1843.
When he was 12 years of age, his family moved to Olmsted County, Minnesota.
Alonzo worked on the family farm until he enlisted in the Union Army.
He joined Company K of the infamous 1st Minnesota.
His first major engagement was at Fredericksburg, and by the next summer he found himself at Gettysburg.
Alonzo was one of the 47 who survived the famous charge at Plum Run that saved the Union line.
He will stay in the army throughout the war, and will be present at Lee's surrender at Appomattox on April 9th, 1865.
It will be at an earlier battle called Deep Bottom that Alonzo will receive the Medal of Honor.
While most of his comrades were in retreat he remained to aid his fallen officer, Major O'Brien, from certain death.
Many years later, Alonzo was awarded the nation's highest award, the Medal of Honor for his act of bravery.
By the war's end he will be promoted to first sergeant, and will participate in the Grand Review in Washington, DC.
After the Civil War, Alonzo returned to Minnesota, and will work a number of different jobs including farming.
He will marry and begin a family, and eventually will have grandchildren.
One of his grandsons will serve in World War I.
In 1892 he will retire in the small town of Sleepy Eye, Minnesota.
In 1895, President Grover Cleveland will award him with the Medal of Honor.
Alonzo was proud of the medal, and was often seen wearing it for special occasions, including those rare family photos.
Alonzo died in Sleepy Eye on May 24th, 1925, at the age of 81, and is buried in a local cemetery outside of town.
After the American Civil War, Minnesota had 12 soldiers who received the Medal of Honor for their actions during the Indian campaigns of the West.
(gentle music) (dramatic music) Remember the Maine was the rallying cry for the Spanish-American War of 1898.
The following year, America found itself engaged in a military conflict in the Philippines.
Although these conflicts were short in length, Minnesota continued its heroic contribution, and had three Medal of Honor soldiers during this time.
(dramatic music) The only Medal of Honor soldier from this period buried in Minnesota was Private Otto Boehler.
Otto was born in Germany in 1873, and immigrated to America with his parents settling on the Red River Valley.
When the Philippine conflict began, Otto volunteered for the U.S. Army, and was handpicked to be a part of an elite group of soldiers known as Young's Scouts.
On May 16th, 1899, Private Boehler and six other Scouts received the Medal of Honor for saving a strategic bridge while under intense enemy fire.
After surviving the war, Otto returned to America, settling in Wilken County, Minnesota.
He died on October 15th, 1910 in Breckenridge, and is buried at Saint Mary's Catholic Cemetery on the outside of town.
The war to end all wars as World War I would be called, lasted over four years with a staggering loss of life of over nine million combatants before the war ended on November 11th, 1918.
The United States entered the war in the last year-and-a-half, and before it was over lost in excess of 50,000 soldiers in combat.
Minnesota contributed nearly 120,000 troops with five of them Medal of Honor recipients.
♪ So prepare, say a prayer ♪ We'll be over, we're coming over ♪ ♪ And we won't come back 'til it's over over there ♪ - [Doug] During the same time period, the United States undertook a punitive expedition to Mexico to help defeat the Mexican revolutionary leader, Pancho Villa.
On a homestead farm near the small town of Winger in northern Minnesota.
Nels Wold was born to Norwegian immigrant parents on December 24th, 1895.
He was the eighth of 10 children in the family.
Sadly, both his mother and father would die before Nels reached the age of 17.
After high school, Nels worked on local farms stretching from northwest Minnesota into central North Dakota.
On June 5th, 1917, he registered for the draft, and was soon inducted into the army at Crookston, Minnesota.
The following year, Nels found himself sailing to England, and was soon on the battlefields of France with the American Expeditionary Force.
When Nels was in France, he wrote a letter to his sister, Inga.
I'm lying in the grass under a big shade tree, and taking a good rest.
It is very pleasant and beautiful around here now.
(dramatic music) That picture would soon change for Nels, and many other American soldiers who were part of the Meuse-Argonne offensive.
Nels was part of the 35th Division that led the attack in the center of the Allied line.
Early on the morning of September 26th, 1918, Nels was killed trying to knock out a German machine gun nest.
He had already disabled four enemy machine guns that day.
One month after Nels died, his sister Inga unaware of his death wrote him a letter asking why he had not written back to her.
- [Narrator] Dear Brother Nels, It is nearly a month since I last wrote to you.
Also, that long since we heard from you.
We have been looking for a letter every day last week.
How are you?
Well, I hope.
Have you been in the trenches?
- [Doug] Later in her letter she writes.
- [Narrator] We are going to send you money as a Christmas present.
It isn't much, but we hate to send more when we don't know if you get it or not.
Write when you have time.
We are always glad to hear from you.
Hope you have a Merry Christmas and a happier New Year.
Love from all of us to you.
- [Doug] Nels was initially buried at Cheppy, France.
Two years later, his remains were returned to Minnesota, and he now rests in Elim Cemetery in his hometown of Winger.
According to the local newspaper, his funeral was the largest ever attended in that part of the state.
It's estimated that four to 5,000 people attended the ceremony.
On July 2nd, 1919, Nels T. Wold was posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor by General Leonard Wood to Nel's sister.
In presenting the medal, General Woods said, "This medal was awarded for the highest gallantry to Nels T. Wold, Company I, 138th Infantry, 35th Division.
Near Cheppy, France, he single-handedly captured 11 German soldiers, and silenced four machine gun nests."
Nels Wold was one of 100 soldiers named by General Pershing as America's bravest during World War I. Nels Wold was not the only soldier from Minnesota to be in General Pershing's top 100.
George Henry Mallon fought in both the Spanish-American War and World War I.
He also received the Medal of Honor while serving in France.
Unlike Nels Wold, thankfully, George survived being severely wounded, and made his way back to Minnesota, and became involved in politics, and even ran for lieutenant governor.
George Mallon died on August 2nd, 1934, and was buried at Saint Mary's Cemetery in Minneapolis.
Interestingly, Minnesota Governor Floyd B. Olson was an honorary pallbearer at the funeral.
Five years later in 1939, Fort Snelling National Cemetery was established, and Captain Mallon's body was reinterred.
He was the first burial in the entire cemetery.
One of the main roadways in the cemetery is named for both Nels Wold and George Mallon, two World War I heroes.
On September 22nd, 2022, Minnesota dedicated our state's Medal of Honor Memorial on the grounds of the Capitol.
This memorial stands as a tribute to all 72 recipients, and to those that will follow in this honored tradition.
Many family members were present to lay a rose at the memorial in memory of those departed heroes.
(gentle music) - Welcome back to the studio.
And thank you for watching Landmarks on Pioneer PBS.
We have begun our walk through American history, from the Civil War through World War I.
Each of the stories we highlighted are a small sample, but all of them are worthy of telling.
As mentioned earlier, Minnesota had 72 Medal of Honor recipients.
I wish we could have included all of their stories.
If you were wondering how you can support programs like Landmarks, and what it takes to become a member of Pioneer PBS, watch this.
- [Announcer] The Landmarks Minnesota Medal of Honor with Doug Ohman DVD, can be yours with a contribution of $5 on an ongoing monthly basis, or with a single contribution of $60.
We'll say thank you with this DVD of the program.
With a $10 monthly contribution or a one-time contribution of $120, we will send you the Landmarks Minnesota Medal of Honor with Doug Ohman DVD, plus your choice of the paperback Minnesota Medal of Honor, from the Civil War to Vietnam, by June Gossler-Anderson.
A share of the proceeds from this book will go to Haven for Heroes in Anoka, which provides recovery and transitional housing to service members and veterans.
Or Medal of Honor, the revised and updated third edition, Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty, a hardcover book by Peter Collier with photographs by Nick Del Calzo, and a forward written by Bradley Cooper.
When you choose an ongoing monthly contribution of $20 or a onetime contribution of $240, you will receive with our thanks, the Landmarks Minnesota Medal of Honor with Doug Ohman DVD, plus the paperback Minnesota Medal of Honor, from the Civil War to Vietnam, by June Gossler-Anderson.
A share of the proceeds from this book goes to Haven for Heroes in Anoka, which provides recovery and transitional housing to service members and veterans.
And Medal of Honor, the revised and updated third edition, Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty, a hardcover book by Peter Collier, with photographs by Nick Del Calzo, and a forward by Bradley Cooper.
Landmarks Minnesota Medal of Honor with Doug Ohman, produced by Pioneer PBS, traces the lives of several of the 72 Minnesota heroes through photographs, family memories, and stories.
Public television is such a powerful source of information, education, and entertainment.
Public television can only bring the best of programming like Landmarks Minnesota Medal of Honor with Doug Ohman, because of viewers like you who give.
Keep programs like this thriving on your local public television station by joining us as a member today.
Join us with your contribution today.
Your gift matters and makes a difference.
Please call the number on your screen with your contribution or make your gift online at pioneer.org/donate.
Thank you for your support.
Please make a decision to give right now, and thank you.
Please take a moment to give to this PBS station.
You can make a one-time donation but please consider becoming a sustainer by making an ongoing monthly contribution.
You will appreciate the ease of monthly giving, that allows your support to remain constant and this station can count on having the funds available, to broadcast the programs you and your family want and enjoy.
Your gift matters.
Please give what you can and thank you.
- [Advertiser] Sustaining membership is an easy, convenient and affordable way to support the programs you love.
Sustaining members make an ongoing monthly contribution from either their credit card or checking account.
Just choose the monthly amount you'd like to give.
Then go online or call and we'll get it set up for you.
Your donation will happen automatically each month, so your support will always be current.
If you want to change your sustaining membership, just contact us.
Monthly contributions begin as low as $5 per month.
Go online or call, to start your sustaining membership right now.
- [Announcer] Please make a decision to give right now, and thank you.
Please take a moment to give to this PBS station.
You can make a one-time donation, but please consider becoming a sustainer by making an ongoing monthly contribution.
You will appreciate the ease of monthly giving, that allows your support to remain constant and this station will be able to count on having the funds available, to air the programs you and your family want and appreciate.
Your gift matters.
Please give what you can.
- In our next segment, we will honor servicemen from more recent conflicts.
World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.
We will also touch on those who received the Medal of Honor in peacetime.
As we go into the next segment of Landmarks, Minnesota Medal of Honor, we want to remind our viewers that we appreciate your generosity in supporting programs like this, on Pioneer PBS.
Our volunteers will be here standing by for your call of support.
Please call now with your contribution to Pioneer PBS at 1-800-726-3178 or go online to pioneer.org.
- [Announcer] The Landmarks Minnesota Medal of Honor with Doug Ohman DVD can be yours with a contribution of $5 on an ongoing monthly basis, or with a single contribution of $60.
We'll say thank you with this DVD of the program.
With a $10 monthly contribution or a one-time contribution of $120, we will send you the Landmarks Minnesota Medal of Honor with Doug Ohman DVD, plus your choice of the paperback Minnesota Medal of Honor, from the Civil War to Vietnam by June Gossler-Anderson.
A share of the proceeds from this book will go to Haven for Heroes in Anoka, which provides recovery and transitional housing to service members and veterans.
Or Medal of Honor, the revised and updated third edition, Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty, a hardcover book by Peter Collier, with photographs by Nick Del Calzo, and a forward written by Bradley Cooper.
When you choose an ongoing monthly contribution of $20, or a one-time contribution of $240, you will receive, with our thanks, the Landmarks Minnesota Medal of Honor with Doug Ohman DVD, plus the paperback Minnesota Medal of Honor, from the Civil War to Vietnam, by June Gossler-Anderson.
A share of the proceeds from this book goes to Haven for Heroes in Anoka, which provides recovery and transitional housing to service members and veterans.
And Medal of Honor, the revised and updated third edition, Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty, a hardcover book by Peter Collier with photographs by Nick Del Calzo, and a forward by Bradley Cooper.
- [Advertiser] Sustaining membership is an easy, convenient, and affordable way to support the programs you love.
Sustaining members make an ongoing monthly contribution from either their credit card or checking account.
Just choose the monthly amount you'd like to give, then go online or call and we'll get it set up for you.
Your donation will happen automatically each month, so your support will always be current.
If you want to change your sustaining membership, just contact us.
Monthly contributions begin as low as $5 per month.
Go online or call to start your sustaining membership right now.
(calm acoustic music) Unfortunately, World War I, the war to end all wars would prove to be only a dream.
After the devastating attack on Pearl Harbor, the United States became directly involved in what would be the most widespread war in history.
Some military historians have called it the greatest single event in the history of mankind.
For America, World War II would last nearly four years.
This global war would take the lives of approximately 300,000 from the United States.
By the end of the war, 13 soldiers from Minnesota would receive the Medal of Honor.
(bright music) In the scenic Southern Minnesota town of New Ulm, I had the honor to meet the family of a true World War II hero.
Meeting each of the nieces and nephews, and hearing the family stories made for a most memorable afternoon.
Willibald Charles Bianchi was born on March 12th, 1915.
From a young age his family and friends would call him Bill.
Growing up on a 73 acre poultry farm, Bill learned early in life about hard work and responsibility.
These lessons would become life-saving skills later on.
One of his nieces, Carolyn Marti Smith, shares memories of her uncle's early life.
- I think I've been chosen to speak first because of all seven brothers and sisters I'm the only one that was ever actually at any of the Medal of Honor ceremonies when my grandmother was presented with the Medal of Honor after Uncle Bill died in World War II, and mother was pregnant with me, and so I was there on the stage with mother.
One of the jobs I've been tasked, one of the joys I've been tasked with is talking a little bit about Uncle Bill when he was a young man before he went to become a great hero.
He was a great athlete.
He was a Golden Gloves boxer.
After his father died, he actually graduated from high school early his junior year.
- [Doug] After high school, Bill attended college, and enrolled in ROTC.
Upon graduating, he was commissioned a second lieutenant in the United States Army.
In June of 1940, Bill left for the Philippines to serve in the 45th Infantry Division to help train the Philippine Army to resist Japanese aggression.
The Medal of Honor was awarded to Bill Bianchi for his bravery in battle on the infamous Bataan Peninsula.
He was wounded twice when two bullets passed through his left hand.
Shortly thereafter, he was shot through the chest, and finally if that wasn't enough, he was blown from the top of an American tank by a mortar explosion.
In spite of his wounds, he continued to fight, saving countless comrades lives.
One might think after such a battle Bill's time in the service would be over, but his military journey was about to get worse.
On April 9th, 1942, Bill was captured in the fall of Bataan.
He would be on the infamous Bataan Death March, and would spend over two years in various prison camps.
Bill's niece, Jean Wenk, shared with me a favorite character quality of her uncle.
- My fondest memory of Uncle Bill is knowing how he helped in the Bataan Death March.
Other prisoners make their journey to the prisoner of war camp.
Once he was in the prisoner of war camp, he was tasked with feeding people, and helping with the mess, and he would grow vegetables, and supplement their meager portions of food.
And so we do have a letter from General Spalding that talks about that.
That was sent to my grandma and what my grandmother, and what it says is.
It took a man of great character and determination to first see that all men received a fair share, and, second, to convince him that they were actually being fairly treated.
Your son Bill was such a man.
And I use that a lot when I'm talking to my kids about what it means to sacrifice, and be an honest person and a fair person.
- [Doug] Before Bill was to be transferred from the Philippines to the mainland of Japan as a prisoner, he writes a last letter home.
His niece, Sue Marti, shares his actual words.
- I'd like to tell you about a letter that my Uncle Bill sent to his mother, Carrie, from the prison camp, so on his last days.
It reads, Dear Mother, I'm writing this letter in case the bearer, Captain Hans Hornbostel, has the opportunity to send it to you.
We, the American prisoners here at the prison camp will leave for Japan in a day or so.
If we ever get their remains in God's hands.
I'm going to confession and communion just in case.
He writes a little more detail about their hardships in the Philippines, in the prison camps, and he ends his letter with this.
You can use my back pain insurance to make yourself happy and secure in your old age in case I don't return.
Your son, Willibald Bianchi.
Again, it just shows how our Uncle Bill really cared about everyone else but himself, and was really thinking of his mother in those last days in the prison camp.
- [Doug] Shortly after this letter was sent, Bill was on an unmarked prison ship that was bombed by an American airplane.
Bill was killed instantly.
Bill's nephew, Steve Marti, shares a letter that the family received after the war.
- Through the years, our family has accumulated many treasured items about our Uncle Bill, and one of our most treasured items is a letter that I'd like to read today.
It's dated October of 1945, and it's from General Douglas MacArthur.
Dear Mrs. Bianchi, My deepest sympathy goes to you in the death of your son, Captain Willibald C. Bianchi, who died in action against the enemy.
You may have some consolation in the memory that he, along with his comrades-in-arms who died in Bataan and Corregidor and in prison camps, gave his life for his country.
It was largely their magnificent courage and sacrifices which stopped the enemy in the Philippines and gave us the time to arm ourselves for our return to the Philippines and the final defeat of Japan.
Their names will be enshrined in our country's glory forever.
In your son's death, I have lost a gallant comrade and mourn with you.
Very faithfully, Douglas MacArthur.
- [Doug] Captain Willibald Bianchi was just 29 years old when he was tragically killed on January 9th, 1945.
After Bill's death, his mother wrote her thoughts about her son for a local newspaper.
Bill's eldest niece, Mary Borstad, reads her grandmother's precious words.
- I would like to tell you something about Bill's mother, my grandmother Carrie.
I actually knew her pretty well, and know how she felt about her only son dying in the war, and what a wonderful person she was, and continued to be after she heard this tragic news about her son.
She wrote some words that were published in a paper locally about him and how she felt about America in general, and I'd like to share those words with you if I could.
I am proud to be able to give this generation and our beloved America the most precious gift that life makes possible, my only son.
A son is dear and precious to a mother, and for him to bring such returns to her heart is really wonderful.
I am proud to tell you that mothers will be most proud of all their sons and all their heroes.
I wish mothers could share with me the honors that have been bestowed upon me through the achievements of my son.
I know there isn't a boy in the Armed Forces who wouldn't conduct himself in the same courageous manner should an opportunity present itself.
My boy had his heart and soul in his work, and dearly loved his country the good USA.
I only regret that I don't have four more sons to give to this country.
- Bill never married, so he left no children to honor him for his acts of valor and bravery in war.
However, Bill's family has kept his memory alive.
They have honored him by donating his Medal of Honor to the Brown County Historical Society in New Ulm.
The city honored him in 1955 by naming a street Bianchi Drive.
In the local cemetery in New Ulm there is also a memorial to this great man.
(soft music) After leaving New Ulm, I made my way north to the port city of Duluth.
At the Saint Louis County Historical Society I learned about another World War II hero, Marine Corps Major Henry Courtney.
His family always called him Bob, was truly a special soldier.
Bob grew up in Duluth and was like many boys, played football and enjoyed the great outdoors, canoeing and camping in northern Minnesota.
After high school, Bob went to college and later law school.
He was attending law school in Chicago when he enlisted in the Marine Corps.
It was while in action against enemy Japanese forces on Okinawa in May of 1945 that Major Courtney gallantly gave his life for his country.
He was leading his men forward from the beachhead to a forward slope of a hill known as Sugar Loaf when he was struck by a mortar shell that severed his jugular vein.
I had the privilege to meet his nephew, Court Storey, and learn about this amazing man, and what he did to deserve this honor.
Court, it truly is an honor to sit with you today to talk about your uncle.
- I appreciate that.
It's been an honor for me, believe it or not, to have been in a family and he was my uncle.
Probably my biggest regret about that is I never met him, and I never got to grow up with him.
I think he would've been a fun person and a great role model 'cause I know a little bit about his character, and I'm proud of that and he was a special guy.
- Court, from those letters written about that fateful day on Okinawa, why did your Uncle Bob put himself at risk when he really didn't have to?
- First of all, he was up with the troops and he was executive officer, so he was second-in-command, but he was up with the troops and assessing the situation, and they were at the bottom of Sugar Loaf Hill.
They were wearing their clothing at night and their boots on so they could get up and defend themselves and so on.
And here he's on the edge of this hill, vulnerable to an attack as were the troops back further behind him.
So I think he saw this as the right strategic move to make to try and go up the hill take the crest a better position.
I can tell you this, though, he told those men, when we go up this hill some of us are not gonna come down.
And he says, but I'm going up that hill.
Who's gonna follow me?
- [Doug] Major General Shepherd sent a letter back to the family in Duluth.
It may be a comfort to you in your hours of sorrow to know that your boy died a hero.
His gallant accomplishments on the night he voluntarily led his men forward to seize Sugar Loaf Hill are among the most inspiring in the annals of the Marine Corps.
They were such as to warrant my recommending him for the Congressional Medal of Honor.
How did his parents feel about the Medal of Honor?
- [Court] Well, first of all, he got it after he was killed in action, and they were devastated by that.
They really were struggling with seeing how that could happen and did it really make sense?
Was he wastefully expended?
- [Doug] Do you think the Medal of Honor helped that grief a little bit?
- I really do, and later I have a bunch of newspaper articles, and one was a picture of my grandmother with the medal saying, this is just a great remembrance of my son.
I think they were very proud.
And don't forget there was a ship named after him, the USS Courtney in the mid '50s, and the family all went out there, all three surviving siblings and his grandparents.
So my grandmother broke the champagne bottle on the ship as it went into the water, and they were all proud to be there and proud of that.
So time has a way to kind of salve the wounds of a loss like that, but there's no question in the beginning, it left a big hole in their hearts.
- [Doug] After hearing about Henry Courtney, and seeing his actual medal in the museum, I asked Court if he would take me up to the cemetery where Henry is resting.
The day was cold and windy, but it was an honor to stand next to the memorial stone to remember another World War II hero.
In a memorial park in my hometown of Anoka, I met Bob Sorenson, the eldest son of Medal of Honor hero, Richard Sorenson from World War II.
Richard was born in Anoka in 1924, but his life would, like many others, dramatically change in December of 1941.
- My father lived in Anoka at the time when Pearl Harbor was attacked.
My father went down to the recruiting office in Minneapolis the next day to sign up.
At that time my father was a junior in high school, and when he came back with the papers, his father and mother would not sign those papers.
- [Doug] After graduating the next year, Richard joined the Marine Corps, and after basic training was sent to the Pacific Theater.
In February of 1944, while on an assault mission at great risk to himself, he threw himself on a live enemy grenade.
- My father was one of the rare few who put themselves on a grenade and lived to talk about it.
He was blown up pretty bad, and it took him a lot of surgeries and a long time to heal.
- [Doug] As a result of his gallant action of self-sacrifice and bravery, Richard would receive the Medal of Honor.
- My father was told that due to his war injuries, he would not live to be 30.
My father was a lucky man even though he suffered from the shrapnel that was inside him to the age of 80.
He passed away on October 9th, 2004, and he's interned at the National Cemetery at Fort Snelling.
Some of the ways my father inspired me was that you must spend part of your life dedicated to your community volunteering in some way, or being a participant in your community.
He also taught me that honesty is extremely important, extremely important to be honest and a good citizen.
- [Doug] The city of Anoka not only has a wonderful statue memorial of Richard Sorenson, but has named a local park in his honor.
The Korean War began in 1950 and was a conflict between the Democratic People's Republic of North Korea and the Republic of South Korea, in which at least 2.5 million people lost their lives.
The United States entered the conflict on the side of South Korea.
By the war's end in 1953, America had lost approximately 30,000 troops.
Minnesota had one soldier, Lieutenant Colonel John Page received the Medal of Honor.
He was killed in action on December 10th, 1950, and is buried at Arlington National Cemetery.
(dramatic music) The final conflict to see Minnesota soldiers receive the Medal of Honor was the Vietnam War.
The war for the United States lasted throughout the decade of the 1960s, and ended when President Richard Nixon signed a ceasefire in January of 1973.
Sadly, by the time the war was over 58,000 servicemen and women lost their lives.
It is estimated that around 68,000 Minnesotans served in Vietnam with six of these heroes receiving the Medal of Honor.
(dramatic music) Dale Eugene Wayrynen from the small central Minnesota town of McGregor was one of those soldiers to receive the Medal of Honor for acts of bravery in Vietnam.
I had the privilege to spend an afternoon with Dale's younger cousin, Mike, to learn about this American hero.
We started our tribute in the McGregor High School.
- Well, we're now in the McGregor High School where Dale went to school and I went to school, and I just wanted to show you this beautiful memorial that they made and presented in his honor.
(dramatic music) - Mike, what is your relationship to Dale?
- Well, Dale's father and my father were brothers, grew up on a small farm south of McGregor.
Uncle Gene was a waist gunner on a B17 during World War II.
He was shot down over Germany in May of 1944.
He was in a prisoner-of-war camp for a year until Europe was liberated.
He came home.
There's a picture of my Aunt Laverne.
He found her right away, and they got married and started a family.
- [Doug] Dale was born in 1947, and will be the oldest of four boys in the family.
- [Mike] We grew up about a mile apart, and they were my brothers.
I mean, I spent a ton of time with them.
- [Doug] Mike, do you remember the last time you saw Dale?
- Oh, absolutely.
He was home on leave just before he went to Vietnam.
It was winter.
My dad and Uncle Gene worked together out in the woods.
It must have been a Saturday 'cause I was out helping my dad.
So I'm standing there, and all of a sudden the back of my head, something hit it and there was a snowball.
So I turned around and there's Dale grinning at me.
I'm sure that's when he came home on leave.
That will stick in my mind forever.
(soft music) - After bootcamp, Dale joined the 82nd Airborne, and in March of 1967 he volunteered to go to Vietnam.
One of the last pictures of Dale is a touching photo of him and his little brother John taken just before shipping out to Southeast Asia.
When he arrived in Vietnam, he was assigned to the 101st Airborne Division, known as the Screaming Eagles.
Within just weeks of arriving in Vietnam, Dale was out on patrol to help wounded soldiers when his platoon was attacked.
The enemy threw a hand grenade into a group of American soldiers that included Dale.
Without a second thought Dale shouted a warning, and pushed one soldier out of the way, and threw himself on the grenade at the moment it exploded.
That act saved fellow soldiers, but sadly took his life.
Dale's body was brought back to his boyhood home, and he now is resting in the Rice River Cemetery.
Driving by the cemetery sign I couldn't help notice the inscription.
We dedicate this cemetery to our Finnish ancestors who homesteaded this area.
Their SISU helped them persevere.
May they rest in peace.
Later I looked up what SISU meant.
In Finnish it means strength, perseverance in a task that for some may seem crazy to undertake.
Dale's story could not fit any better into this definition.
Two years later in 1969, Dale's family would be welcomed to Washington, DC by President Nixon to receive the Medal of Honor on Dale's behalf.
Today, the medal can be seen in the Minnesota Military Museum at Camp Ripley.
In 1997, the state of Minnesota dedicated 42 miles of State Highway 210, running through Central Aiken County, the Dale Wayrynen Memorial Highway.
Before World War II, 193 men nationwide, received the Medal of Honor during peacetime.
In that number five of them were from Minnesota, including the world famous aviator Charles Lindbergh.
The United States changed the requirements after 1939 requiring all Medal of Honor recipients to have been involved in direct combat with the enemy.
It has been an honor for me to bring you the stories of these incredible servicemen.
My only regret is that I wasn't able to highlight more of them in this program.
My hope is that you have gained an appreciation for the sacrifices each of them have made, not only for their buddies and their comrades, but most importantly for their country.
Let us never forget.
Since the Vietnam War, Minnesota has not had a Medal of Honor recipient.
That said, we should recognize all past and present servicemen and women in uniform for doing their part to protect our nation, and the freedoms we all enjoy.
(bright music) - Welcome back to the studio and thanks for watching "Landmarks, Minnesota Medal of Honor" on Pioneer PBS.
We have traveled together through American history for over a hundred years to learn the story of the Medal of Honor.
My hope is that we will always remember those in uniform who have served and who are currently serving our country.
We should especially remember those who sacrifice so much for the freedoms we all enjoy.
I wanna thank you for watching landmarks and I wanna remind all of you that are watching and enjoying the program that our volunteers will be answering the phones, and I encourage you to let us know your thoughts about this program and send us your financial support.
Thanks for watching.
- [Announcer] The Landmark's Minnesota Medal of Honor with Doug Oman DVD can be yours with a contribution of $5 on an ongoing monthly basis, or with a single contribution of $60.
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With a $10 monthly contribution or a one-time contribution of $120, we will send you the Landmark's Minnesota Medal of Honor with Doug Oman DVD plus your choice of the paperback "Minnesota Medal Of Honor: From the Civil War to Vietnam" by June Gossler-Anderson, a share of the proceeds from this book will go to Haven for Heroes in Anoka which provides recovery and transitional housing to service members and veterans or Medal of Honor the revised and updated third edition Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty, a hardcover book by Peter Collier with photographs by Nick de Calzo, and a forward written by Bradley Cooper.
When you choose an ongoing monthly contribution of $20 or a one-time contribution of $240 you will receive with our thanks the Landmark's Minnesota Medal of Honor with Doug Oman DVD plus the paperback Minnesota Medal of Honor from the Civil War to Vietnam by June Gossler Anderson.
A share of the proceeds from this book goes to Haven for Heroes in Anoka, which provides recovery and transitional housing to service members and veterans And Medal of Honor, revise and updated third edition Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty, a hardcover book by Peter Collier, with photographs by Nick del Cazo and a forward by Bradley Cooper.
Landmarks Minnesota Medal of Honor with Doug Oman, produced by Pioneer PBS traces the lives of several of the 72 Minnesota heroes through photographs, family memories, and stories.
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- Although Minnesota has not had a Medal of Honor recipient since the Vietnam War I am confident that whatever the future holds for America, Minnesota servicemen and women will continue to bravely and heroically serve and follow in this time honored tradition.
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Please call now with your contribution to Pioneer PBS at 1-800-726-3178 or go online to pioneer.org - The Landmarks, Minnesota Medal of Honor with Doug Oman DVD can be yours with a contribution of $5 on an ongoing monthly basis, or with a single contribution of $60.
We'll say thank you with this DVD of the program with a $10 monthly contribution or a one-time contribution of $120, we will send you the Landmark's Minnesota Medal of Honor with Doug Oman DVD plus your choice of the paperback Minnesota Medal of Honor from the Civil War to Vietnam by June Gossler Anderson, a share of the proceeds from this book will go to Haven for Heroes in Anoka which provides recovery and transitional housing to service members and veterans Or Medal of Honor, the revised and updated third edition Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty, a hardcover book by Peter Collier with photographs by Nick de Calzo and a forward written by Bradley Cooper when you choose an ongoing monthly contribution of $20 or a one-time contribution of $240 you will receive with our thanks the Landmark's Minnesota Medal of Honor with Doug Oman DVD, plus the paperback Minnesota Medal of Honor from the Civil War to Vietnam by June Gossler Anderson.
A share of the proceeds from this book goes to Haven for Heroes in Anoka which provides recovery and transitional housing to service members and veterans.
And, Medal Of Honor, revised and updated third edition Portraits of Valor Beyond the Call of Duty a hardcover book by Peter Collier, with photographs by Nick del Cazo and a forward by Bradley Cooper.
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