Reprinted with permission

By Austin Kaus – The Mitchell Daily Republic

 

 

WESSINGTON SPRINGS — Pete Bult still recalls the day he and fellow soldiers heard the sound of a groaning man coming from a church in France.

They discovered a dying German SS soldier desperately grasping a dagger, a dagger that Bult took home with him after being honorably discharged in 1945.

But the memento has remained in the back of a cupboard since Bult’s return, a reminder of a bloody war, lost comrades and emotional scars.

Pete Bult, right, of Wessington Springs, received a medal for his World War II service Tuesday in the Wessington Springs gymnasium from American Legion State Commander Jim Huls.

“I haven’t seen it for 40 years,” Bult said. “It’s hard.”

Bult said the emotions and memories of his service with the Army’s 95th Infantry Division during World War II came flooding back almost two months ago, when he received a letter from the French government informing him that he would receive the Knight of the Legion of Honor medal, an award originally started by Napoleon Bonaparte in 1802 to recognize excellent civil or military conduct.

Previous American recipients of the award include Gen. Dwight Eisenhower and Gen. Douglas MacArthur, as well as more unusual recipients such as actor/director Clint Eastwood and unorthodox film and television director David Lynch.

Bult’s emotional reaction to the letter was so strong that he said he was glad he was home alone.

The mood in the Wessington Springs gymnasium, however, was anything but somber Tuesday afternoon, Veterans Day, as Bult was presented the award by American Legion State Commander Jim Huls.

See Bult – continued on page four

 

 

Bult given French Knight award for WWII duty

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Huls also presented Bult with an American Legion State Commander Pin. Bult had previously been awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart and the Good Conduct Medal.

The gymnasium was nearly full with students, residents and veterans there to recognize Bult and pay tribute to veterans living and deceased.

Bult’s son, Marvin, made the trip from Missouri to South Dakota to help present the medal to his 87-year-old father.

“Before I left Missouri, I told people where I was going,” Marvin said. “There wasn’t one person who didn’t want to come right out and say thank you to not only you, Dad, but to all the veterans of the United States…”

Pete’s son Vernon, granddaughter Ranelle Bult and great grandchildren Craroline and Kaleb Bult were also at the program to see his dad get the long-overdue award.

The program also featured patriotic vocal and instrumental performances by students of all ages, many of whom were sporting some combination of red, white and blue.

The fifth grade class gave the history of the American flag, and Superintendent Lance Witte addressed the crowd with a message of gratitude.

“Today, as our community remembers and honors the millions of men and women who have worn the uniform of the United States of America, let’s remember those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, those that didn’t live to be thanked as veterans,” Witte said.

Witte told the crowd that “freedom isn’t free” and gave special mention to the nearly 20 veterans in attendance.

“You represent what must be continually fought for, defended and hallowed as a precious gift,” Witte said.

EDITOR’S NOTE:

Pete and his wife, Ruth, live on their family farm west of Wessington Springs. Both are avid golfers and active in community affairs.

To have your say on this important issue visit http://truedakotan.com (or Google truedakotan.com) and let your voice be heard.”