Milo C. Huempfner Green Bay VA Health Care Center hosts rededication ceremony for its namesake

Her parents, however, enjoyed entertaining guests, especially during Thanksgiving. On those occasions, she listened behind a damask curtain as her father, Milo C. Huempfner, would tell stories of his service as a paratrooper with the 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion.

“As a child, I imagined my daddy in a white parachute, floating like a dandelion seed against a beautiful blue sky,” she said. “I know now, this bears little resemblance to his four wartime jumps.”

Huempfner was a private first class when he single-handedly waged war against elements of the German 2nd SS Panzer Division in Leignon, Belgium, during the Battle of the Bulge.

“He destroyed tanks and trucks,” Huempfner-Gatz said. “He warned Allied troops. He captured an artillery position. Eighteen soldiers surrendered to him. Along with others, my father’s heroic efforts helped to turn the tide for the Allies during those pivotal days.”

Huempfner even guarded a church so the local townspeople in Leignon could celebrate mass secretly on Christmas Eve.

For his actions Dec. 23-24, 1944, Milo was awarded the Distinguished Service Cross – one of our nation’s highest military honors for valor.

His story is so extraordinary, that when the Zablocki VA Health Care System opened a health care center in Green Bay in 2013, it was only fitting for it to bear the Green Bay native’s name.

“When I think about the spirit of what this place is about, it really is about what Milo and our Veterans have accomplished,” said Dr. Daniel Zomchek, the VA’s network director for the VISN 12 region, representing all Veterans Health Administration facilities in Wisconsin, Illinois, and upper Michigan. “It’s not about fortune. It’s not about fame. It’s about doing the right thing because it’s the right thing to do, and that’s what I hear Milo’s story exemplify.”

On Dec. 13, in recognition of the 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge and Milo’s heroic actions, the Milo C. Huempfner Green Bay VA Health Care Center hosted a rededication ceremony honoring Milo’s legacy and celebrating the clinic’s ongoing commitment to serve Veterans with the same dedication Milo showed for his country.

“It’s important for us to recognize and rededicate achievements such as this, and rededicate ourselves, our community, all of us as public servants to continue that mission, to continue to support our Veterans and provide them with the essential health care that they need through the VA and other venues,” said Eric Genrich, mayor of Green Bay.

During the ceremony, a draped parachute was removed to unveil a new permanent display featuring some of Milo’s artifacts, including his Distinguished Service Cross, other service medals and family photos, as well as authentic replicas of Milo’s service uniform and combat helmet, among other memorabilia. A restored plaque from the clinic’s original dedication ceremony was also unveiled and will remain in a prominent location.

The project was spearheaded by Kyle Newkirk, a volunteer services specialist at the VA’s Northeastern Wisconsin Ambulatory Clinics. Newkirk’s research connected him with various organizations and individuals, including present-day residents of Leignon, Belgium, to assemble a display fitting of Huempfner’s story. He even received comic book clips the Belgian local press had made of Milo, celebrating his actions, which are now featured in the new display case.

“It was only fitting that it took the efforts of individuals, community organizations, as well as help from the other side of the world to commemorate a local hero whose actions affected other individuals, communities, and had worldwide implications,” Newkirk said.

Just as the history of World War II and the Battle of the Bulge are taught in history classes today, Huempfner’s story and actions also continue to live on and be retold.

“Eighty years ago he went above and beyond his call of duty in service to his country,” said Congressman Tony Wied. “It’s important that we continue to honor him and tell his story so that future generations know the sacrifices that were made to allow us to live in the greatest and the freest country in the world. It’s stories like Milo’s that make me proud to be an American and to call Green Bay home.”

Visitors to the Milo C. Huempfner Green Bay VA Health Care Center can see the new display in the specialty clinic waiting area to the right after entering the facility.

Read the citation from June 1945 for the Distinguished Service Cross awarded to Private First Class Milo C. Huempfner:

"The President of the United States of America, authorized by Act of Congress, July 9, 1918, takes pleasure in presenting the Distinguished Service Cross to Private First Class Milo C. Huempfner (ASN: 16091778), United States Army, for extraordinary heroism in connection with military operations against an armed enemy while serving with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion, attached to the 82d Airborne Division, in action against enemy forces on 23 and 24 December 1944, in Belgium. Private First Class Huempfner, on 23 December 1944 elected to remain in Leignon, Belgium after its capture by German armored elements despite the fact that he had not been ordered to do so. His harassing actions within the city during the entire time it was occupied by the German forces, at great risk to his life, resulted in the loss to the Germans of two half-tracks, a machine gun position and a German officer and two enlisted men. His prompt action in warning allied forces of the presence of this German force prevented the loss of many allied vehicles and the loss of lives of American soldiers. Private First Class Huempfner’s extraordinary heroism, personal bravery and zealous devotion to duty exemplify the highest traditions of the military forces of the United States and reflect great credit upon himself, the 82d Airborne Division, and the United States Army."