On Nov 11, 2024 (Veterans Day), S/Sgt Henry F. Gumm Post 486 in Jackson, Wis., recognized two World War II members for 80 years of continuous service.

Wallace “Wally” Ritterbusch, our eldest member at 100, served in the Navy in Europe during the war. Wally was assigned to the operational crew for LCT-547 (Landing Craft, Tanks) that landed at Normandy, France, on June 6, 1944 (D-Day). After he completed his service to our nation, he became one of our post’s charter members! Following his service, Wally continued serving the Legion while working as a tool & die maker with the AO Smith corporation in Milwaukee.

Darold Hoelz, our second 80-year member, enlisted in the Navy at 17 and reported for active duty on D-Day. He served on USS Hancock, CV-19, in the Pacific theater doing flight-deck and general duties. After the Navy service length, he continued serving his country in the Wisconsin Army National Guard with mobilization in the Army during the Berlin Crisis. In the Guard and Army, he was an aircraft maintenance officer and a rated Master Army Aviator. An award is given out annually in his name to an outstanding enlisted person in an aviation unit in the Wisconsin ARNG.

Post 486 is extremely proud to have both Wally and Darold as two outstanding veterans of our post.

(Darold above, Wally below)