| *
*
*
|
George Branch 1stSgt,
US Army is one of the charter members of the Red Rose Veterans Honor Guard
and is one of only two WW II battle veteran members and is the only World
War II Bronze Star Medal winner in the RRVHG. The medal was presented
to George by Dennis L. Benchoff, LtGen, US Army, Retired General
Benchoff is the highest ranking member of the RRVHG.
The citation that accompanied
the
award reads as follows:
“Mr. Branch earned his medal
by displaying superlative and heroic conduct in the face of tenacious
and deadly enemy action.
He led his infantry unit through several enemy skirmishes in France and
Germany during World War II; his exemplary service, bravery, skillful conduct
and inspired devotion to his troops and the Army mission in the European
Theater of World War II is a credit to himself and his combat unit, and
is in keeping with the highest traditions of the US Army.”
A few photos from the Award
Ceremony
Each of these thumbnails will open to
a full size photo on a separate page!
|
|
|
|
|
|
George’s grandson
Bill Voorhees came from Lackland AFB to assist with the presentation.
|
PA Senator, Mike
Brubaker, (R) District 36, reading the citation that accompanies the medal.
|
George and General
Benchoff while the general was making his introductory remarks.
|
General Benchoff
pins the Bronze Star Medal to George's uniform jacket.
|
General Benchoff
presents the citation to George
|
|
Personal notes on
George Branch
Hometown is Pen Argyl,
Pennsylvania; 18 miles north of Easton, PA
Enlisted in Army June
1940 at Easton, PA;
Sent to Fort Monroe,
VA for basic training, and assigned to an antiaircraft unit
Married Ruth 1943
Stayed at Fort Monroe
until Battle of the Bulge December, 1944; was sent overseas to replace
battle losses
Was sent to I Company,
271 Infantry Regiment.
Took over as squad leader
until September 1945 Arrived home November 1945 and was discharged
Went into the National
Guard in 1947, until 1949 when unit was put on active duty.
Was discharged 1950
Worked 30 years for State
of Pennsylvania on toll bridge as a sergeant until retired in 1983.
Moved to Lancaster in
1989
Joined the Red Rose Veterans
Honor Guard in 1998
Present at 1,074 services |
A few words about
the Bronze Star Medal.
The Bronze Star Medal is a United States
Armed Forces individual military decoration that may be awarded for bravery,
acts of merit, or meritorious service. When awarded for bravery, it is
the fourth-highest combat award of the U.S. Armed Forces and the ninth
highest military award (including both combat and non-combat awards) in
the order of precedence of U.S. military decorations.
|
The Bronze Star Medal awarded
to George will be added to the following badges and medals.
The Combat Infantry Badge, the Good Conduct Medal with two knots, American
Defense Service Medal 1939-41, National Defense Service Medal, Europe-African-Middle
East Medal WW II with two campaign bronze stars, American Campaign
Medal WW II, and World War II Victory Medal.
A wall placque containing the Badges,
Ribbons and Medals
awarded to George as well as his photo
from "back in the day"
|
*
Copyright @ 2008, Red
Rose Veterans Honor Guard, all rights reserved!
Site
designed, maintained and hosted by:
|
