Buried on page 160 of a presidential directive signed in 1944 is one paragraph describing an executive order. Veterans who had fought in World War II and earned combat infantry badges - which meant they were engaged in active-fire battle - were eligible for the prestigious Bronze Star.
Tres Pinos resident John Hockenberry was among the soldiers who had earned a combat infantry badge. He served during World War II for a little over three years starting in 1943. While with the 66th Infantry Division of the Army in 1944 and 1945, and qualifying him for the badge, Hockenberry participated in the group's mission in France to contain enemy combatants. It involved daily reconnaissance patrols and attacks for the rifleman and Jeep driver.
Hockenberry, however, never thought about his Bronze Star eligibility. That's because the federal government hardly publicized it, other than printing that small notation in the presidential directive.
"It wasn't the case of the government trying to find people to give these to," he said. "It's a case of a person finding this little paragraph and applying for it."
As Hockenberry put it: "I went on with my life."
The Pennsylvania native earned undergraduate and doctorate degrees, which he proudly attributed to help from the G.I. Bill. Hockenberry then worked a near 30-year career for Lockheed Martin before moving to Tres Pinos about 10 years ago.
His brother, it so happens, is a retired command sergeant who spent 35 years in the military. Living in Huntsville, Ala., Lee Hockenberry a few years back started noticing stories in the local newspaper about local World War II veterans with infantry badges receiving the Bronze Star. The brother noted that periodic ceremonies had been held, usually on Veterans Day or Memorial Day, and how the honorees' families had been invited to attend, with generals often awarding them.
Lee Hockenberry had recalled seeing his brother wearing a combat infantry badge when he left the military. So he decided to help him pursue the Bronze Star - which John Hockenberry finally accepted Wednesday, nearly 64 years after his service, at Hollister's annual Veterans Day ceremony.
For the full story see the Free Lance on Tuesday.
Below is video of John Hockenberry receiving the Bronze Star on Veterans Day:
Kollin Kosmicki Kollin Kosmicki is editor of the Free Lance and Pinnacle. Reach him at 831-637-5566 ext. 337 or editor@freelancenews.com.
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