Laurens World War II veteran William Brindle Receives Long-Delayed Bronze Star Sunday

LAURENS, N.Y. (06/11/2015)(readMedia)-- New York Army National Guard Col. Carlton Cleveland will present a Bronze Star earned in World War II to Lauren's resident William Brindle on Sunday, June 14 at 11 a.m. at the Laurens American Legion.

The medal recognizes then Sgt. Brindle's heroism in combat on March 28, 1945 in Geisbach, Germany.

Brindle's unit, Company G of the 1st Battalion 16th Infantry Regiment, a part of the 1st Infantry Division, was engaging German troops from the German 9th, 11th and 130th Panzer Division's as the 1st Infantry Division sought to break out of the Remagen bridgehead over the Rhine River.

The German's had been mounting a counter attack but Brindle's unit and other American units attacked first. Almost 60 percent of the company's Soldiers were killed or wounded in the battle.

Brindle did not receive the award while he was in the Army. In 2014 he became aware that he might be eligible for the Bronze Star after he read an account of the battle by another World War II veteran.

Brindle reached out to the 1st Infantry Division Association which initiated a search of his records. This led to the Army Board of Corrections of Military Records updating Brindle's record to reflect the award of the Bronze Star, as well as the European-African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal which he is entitled to but did not receive at the time.

Brindle, who left high school to enlist in the Army during World War II, asked Cleveland, the Chief of Staff of the New York National Guard's 53rd Troop Command, to present him with the medals at the formal ceremony on Sunday.

"I'm absolutely honored that this World War II veteran has asked me to present him with these well-deserved medals," Cleveland said.

The Laurens American Legion Post is located at 11 Main Street, Laurens, New York, 13796.