Department of Wisconsin

Posted at 04:30 PM on Tuesday, April 29, 2008 by Wisconsin VFW News

     Garret B. Yunto, 81, a life member of Bentley-Hull VFW Post 6709 in Waupun, was presented the long overdue Bronze Star Medal for his actions while serving with the United States Army's 38th Division in the Pacific Theater of Operations in WWII, more than 60 years ago.
 
     A farm boy growing up in rural Waupun, Mr. Yunto received his draft notice, and he entered service in Milwaukee, WI on 30 September 1944. He was sent to Camp Wolters, TX for 13 weeks of basic training.
Training was supposed to be 18 weeks, but because of the Battle of the Bulge, his training was cut short.

      After a short 9 day leave back home, he was deployed from Oakland, CA to the Philippines on 26 March 1945. He arrived 25 April 1945 in Manilla, Philippines. He received his rifle and equipment,
and the next day was sent to the front lines. He served with the Company D, 152nd Infantry Regiment, 38th Division.
 
     Company D was in combat protecting the water source for Manila. The 152nd Infantry was given a battle commendation by Major General William C. Chase, commander of the 38th Infantry Division
for superior performance of duty in battle from 29 January to 18 June 1945 during the Luzon Campaign. During that time the 152nd Infantry destroyed the greater part of the Japanese 39th and 31st Infantry Regiments.

     Approx. 5,900 Japanese soldiers were killed during this fighting. Ten U.S. divisions, including Yunto's 152nd Infantry Regiment of the 38th Division, along with five independent regiments, saw intense action on Luzon, making it the second largest campaign of the Pacific war, surpassed only by Okinawa.
 
     His unit was then scheduled to begin training for the invasion of Japan, but the dropping of the atomic bombs on the Japanese cities of Hiroshima and Nagasaki ended the war. Although many of Yunto's fellow comrades headed for home, he remained behind, patrolling the Philippines and overseeing Filipino laborers.
 
     Mr. Yunto departed the Philippines on 6 September 1946 and arrived in Oakland, CA on 2 October 1946. Mr. Yunto was transferred to Ft. Sheridan, IL to out-process. He was then allowed to return to WI and they mailed him his discharge. He was discharged on 24 November 1946.
 
     The youngest of four children, Yunto said his deployment was especially hard on his mother, who wrote letters to him every day the entire two years he was gone. On his third week home, Yunto had plans to go fishing with his father after an early supper. After giving the blessing, his mother got up to get the coffee pot and said she felt dizzy. He grabbed her in his arms and she was gone. Yunto was devasted.

      Shortly after, Yunto married his sweetheart, Helen Heideman.
 
     At the conclusion of World War II, General George C. Marshall, upon reviewing the numbers of awards received by infantrymen, was disturbed to learn that comparatively few had received recognition
and that infantrymen accounted for more casualties than any other branch or element of the U.S. Armed Forces. It was determined that many Commanders were unaware of the criteria for awarding the
Bronze Star Medal (BSM).
 
     This reason, combined with the late announcement of award criteria,  caused the inequity. In order to rectify this disparity and oversight, criteria was established to award the Bronze Star Medal to solders who received either the Combat Infantryman Badge or Combat Medical badge during the period 7 December 1941 to 2 September 1945, to receive the BSM.
 
     The Bronze Star Medal (BSM) was established in February 1944, by Executive Order signed by President Franklin D. Roosevelt.  Announcement of the criteria for the award was made several months later. However, most vets had separated from their units and were back home when this decision was made and were therefore never told. In addition, many commanders were unaware of the criteria for awarding the medal.
 
     Garret Yunto never knew he was eligible for the Bronze Star Medal until he contacted Fond du Lac County Veterans Service Officer John Wertschnig seeking an unrelated benefit. Unfortunately, many of the WWII veterans are alaready deceased when someone finally finds out about it, usually when they
inquire about a death benefit. However, these medals can be granted to the family posthumously.
 
     At a special ceremony held at the Waupun Public Library, Fond du Lac County Executive Officer Allen Buechel awarded Yunto the Bronze Star Medal. He was also presented the Combat Infantryman Badge, by  John J. Wertschnig (Fond du Lac Co. Veteran Service Officer).

Additional medals were presented by Yunto's four children:
Garret Yunto Jr. presented: The Good Conduct Medal .
Steven Yunto presented:      The World War II Victory Medal.
David Yunto presented:      The Philippine Liberation Ribbon & Bronze Star Attachment (single), and  The Sharpshooter Badge & Rifle Bar, and The Honorable Service Lapel Button WWII.
Pamela Trawicki presented:     The Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal & Bronze Star Attachment (single).

John J Wertschnig (Fond du Lac County Veteran Service Officer), Garret B Yunto, James L Romnek (VFW 6th District Commander) and Allen Buechel (Fond du Lac County Executive Officer)