Hero for the Day decades later

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Monica L .Dalberg
  • 514th Air Mobility Wing
MCGUIRE AIR FORCE BASE. N.J. --  "I came up the (New Jersey) Turnpike and my goodness! About 30 motorcycles met me and escorted me all the way up," said Tech. Sgt. Charles Wentzell of his drive to Fort Dix, N.J., on Sunday. "I never expected anything like that!"

A motorcycle escort was not the only unexpected thing that happened to Sergeant Wentzell that day at Timmerman Center on the post; he received military honors for his valiant service in the Army, Army Air Corps and Air Force that went formally unacknowledged for nearly 60 years.

The 86 year-old, Hero for the Day, made his way down an aisle at Timmerman Center lined with veteran and civilian supporters holding American flags in his honor. Following behind him were 514th Air Mobility Wing Vice Wing Commander Colonel Giordano McMullen from McGuire Air Force Base here and Mobilization Readiness Battalion Commander at Ft. Dix, Lt. Col. Michael Worth.

Retired Chaplain (Maj.) Edward Rohan addressed the audience of some 100 military members, veterans, civilians and family members.

"We sleep well at night, yet forget to thank the deserving military heros both past and present," Major Rohan stated. "That's why we are here. Tech. Sgt. Wentzell is one of those heroes we almost forgot to thank and today is his day to be recognized."

Chaplain Rohan campaigned to obtain Sergeant Wentzell's medals and credit due to him after speaking with the veteran and hearing his story two years ago.

Sergeant Wentzell began his military career at Fort Dix when he attended basic training there in 1943. Soon after, he served in the Army Air Corp as a B-17 gunner. Unprotected as a gunner, his very survival depended on his ability to stave off or destroy the enemy while enduring temperatures of minus 60 degrees below zero in 30 bombing missions over Germany. Sergeant Wentzell received the Distinguished Flying Cross, World War II Campaign Service Victory Medal and Air Medal for his achievements.

After WWII Sergeant Wentzell enlisted in the Air Force in 1950 and was sent to Korea as a radio operator. Later that year an Army infantry regiment was defeated and scattered at Cho-San. He gathered a small force of stragglers from the defeated regiment, holding off enemy forces while remaining members made their way to friendly lines. Sergeant Wentzell was injured and three men with him were killed in their efforts. He was held as a prisoner of war for three months in a Chinese prison camp before he made his escape one winter night. Using his shirt to protect his bare feet in the snow, he walked for 13 days without food before he came upon friendly forces. After two years in and out of hospitals, Sergeant Wentzell was discharged from the military.

Over 56 years later, Sergeant Wentzell was finally given ceremonial recognition for his feats. In addition to the aforementioned medals, Sergeant Wentzell received the Wharang Distinguished Military Service Medal with Silver Star, Prisoner of War Medal, Purple Heart Medal and U.S. Korean Service Medal.

"I can't imagine what you went through," Colonel McMullen said quietly to the war veteran, with shaking hands as he pinned the Prisoner of War Medal to his chest. "You're a true American hero and I thank you."

"I never thought I would have the honor to present the type of medals I did today," Colonel McMullen said later. "That was touching to me and beyond the scope of anything I thought I would ever be able to do for anyone."

Warriors' Watch Riders provided Sergeant Wentzell's motorcycle escort. According to their website, WWR is a troop support group and does not accept donations or hold fundraisers. WWR relies solely on volunteers to provide support and motorcycle escorts for deploying and returning military personnel and their families.

Len Nikoden, a WWR member, and mechanic from Fairless Hills, Pa., brought his 5-year old grandson to the ceremony to honor the ex-POW.

"I have been trying to instill in him respect for the flag, respect for people and the military and what they do for us. If he learns it now it will stay with him forever," the former Marine said.

"I'm not sure he understands it all," Nikoden stated of his grandson. "Even though (Wentzell is) 86 and it took a long time, we didn't forget. We're doing something for this man while he's still living, which is important,"

At the close of the ceremony Sergeant Wentzell received a rousing standing ovation. And then another.

"I want to thank all of you who helped make this the greatest day in my life," Sergeant Wentzell said as he choked back tears. "I'll never forget it as long as I live. This is my day today and Iove it."

Army Staff Sgt. Luke Koladish of the 114th Public Affairs Detachment, Fort Dix, N.J., contributed to this story.