World War II veteran ‘never expected’ French medal

WINDBER – Clyde W. Gindlesperger’s first assignment after landing at Omaha Beach in Normandy, France, was to protect Allied forces and French citizens against German aircraft. 

As a member of the Army’s 204th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Automatic Weapons Battalion, Pvt. Gindlesperger went on to help operate a defense post south of Paris when the French capital was liberated. The battalion eventually moved north through France to Belgium and on to Germany, providing security for Allied airfields.

On Saturday, the nation of France thanked the 97-year-old Gindlesperger, of Elton, presenting him with the Legion D’Honneur – the Legion of Honor – medal for outstanding service to France.

Honorary French Consul Jean Dominique Marie Le Garrec presented the medal during a ceremony at Windber VFW Post. 

“I never expected this,” Gindlesperger said during a reception dinner following the presentation. The program was scheduled to coincide with Armed Forces Day on Saturday.

Gindlesperger’s grandson, Adam Zolich, said he heard the French government was trying to locate surviving U.S. military veterans who served in the country during World War II. 

“I contacted the French Consulate in Washington,” Zolich said on Saturday. “A few months later, I was contacted by Mr. Le Garrec to tell me the award was approved.”

The French Consulate website explains the recognition: “U.S. veterans who risked their life during World War II to fight on French territory may be awarded this distinction. Those selected are appointed to the rank of Knight of the Legion of Honor.”

Many of Gindlesperger’s family members attended the ceremony. His son-in-law, Army Capt. Donald Solich (retired), served as master of ceremonies.

Gindlesperger has rarely talked about his time in the war, Donald Solich said. 

“What the greatest generation did is why they are called the greatest generation,” Solich said. “They ended the largest and most devastating war in history.”

On Saturday, Gindlesperger said the worst experience was the brutal winter of 1944-45 when the anti-aircraft battalion was in Belgium, about 50 miles from the Ardennes, where the Battle of the Bulge raged. 

“Keeping warm was the hardest thing,” Gindlesperger said. “It was 10 below zero, and 6 feet of snow.”

Gindlesperger’s battalion was among the most successful anti-aircraft units in the war.

It was credited with more than 360 downed enemy aircraft. 

The battalion may have taken out the last German plane shot down during the war. A Junker JU 88 was downed over Germany on May 8, 1945, a few hours before the official surrender, Army records show. 

Gindlesperger was discharged in July 1945 and returned to his native Adams Township. He was soon working at Bethlehem Steel in Johnstown. 

“I was lucky to never get a scratch in the war,” Gindlesperger said. “I come back to Bethlehem Steel, and I got both legs broken.”

He married Susan Vitko Gindlesperger, who died in 2006. He has three daughters, Carol Solich of Middletown, Maryland, Germaine Zemba, of Park Hill, and Dorothy Ola, of Richland. He also has six grandchildren and eight great-grandchildren.