Memorial Day
05/26/2025This is my wife’s Grandfather, Master Sergeant Walt Krueger. He was decorated with a Bronze Star in Korea and got promoted to Master Sergeant in 5 years. Everything else is unknown as he never spoke about it (except once) and many military records were destroyed by fire at the VA’s record center in St. Louis in the 70s.
I only met him a couple of times, very late in his life but had the honor to hear his brother share his exploits at a family reunion. His brother said he only talked about Korea one time after imbibing (it happens). I can’t vouch for the accuracy of the story but I can vouch this is exactly how it was told to me.
Everyone knows the fighting was fierce in Korea and some fellow soldiers got pinned down while on patrol. Apparently, some of the men in the rear made pruno - rot gut booze made from anything that would ferment. The Master Sergeant imbibed again (it happens) and commandeered a tank. Unauthorized, he took it beyond the wire and rescued his fellow soldiers while drawing fire.
Upon return, he had to answer. Supposedly his Commander said he either had to court martial him or give him a medal. This was his bronze star. If true, and I choose to believe it is, it certainly makes Sergeant Krueger a soldier’s soldier. I’m sure that mattered to him as the medal certainly did not.
On this day of all days, its import to remember those that died abroad. This is the ultimate price to pay for freedom It’s also important to remember those that started dying. Many that came back left a piece of themselves in a trench, hilltop, punchbowl, jungle or desert.
I only met him a couple of times, very late in his life but had the honor to hear his brother share his exploits at a family reunion. His brother said he only talked about Korea one time after imbibing (it happens). I can’t vouch for the accuracy of the story but I can vouch this is exactly how it was told to me.
Everyone knows the fighting was fierce in Korea and some fellow soldiers got pinned down while on patrol. Apparently, some of the men in the rear made pruno - rot gut booze made from anything that would ferment. The Master Sergeant imbibed again (it happens) and commandeered a tank. Unauthorized, he took it beyond the wire and rescued his fellow soldiers while drawing fire.
Upon return, he had to answer. Supposedly his Commander said he either had to court martial him or give him a medal. This was his bronze star. If true, and I choose to believe it is, it certainly makes Sergeant Krueger a soldier’s soldier. I’m sure that mattered to him as the medal certainly did not.
On this day of all days, its import to remember those that died abroad. This is the ultimate price to pay for freedom It’s also important to remember those that started dying. Many that came back left a piece of themselves in a trench, hilltop, punchbowl, jungle or desert.
