Honors Are Long Overdue for WWII Veteran

[darrels joy]

Honors Are Long Overdue for WWII Veteran
By PHILIP FEROLITO
YAKIMA HERALD-REPUBLIC

BRIAN FITZGERALD/Yakima Herald-Republic
After receiving seven medals earned during his Army Air Corps service in World War II, 83-year-old Arthur Shilow celebrates with Jack Olney, left, and Jake Mann, right, both members of the Yakama Warriors Association. The association petitioned the government so that Shilow, a enrolled member of the Yakama Nation, could claim his medals, including a Bronze Star, Purple Heart and POW medal.

TOPPENISH ? Arthur Shilow clearly recalls the time his B-17 bomber was shot down over Europe during World War II.

It was on the ball-turret gunner's first mission 60 years ago when his bomber took on fire, plunging toward the Earth.

The crew bailed, but all Shilow remembers that day is waking up on the ground surrounded by French farmers. He couldn't move his legs and was in a lot of pain, he recalls.

"When I bailed out, I must have got caught up in the plane or something because there was a chunk missing out of my chute," says Shilow, an enrolled Yakama Nation tribal member.

None of the farmers spoke English and Shilow couldn't understand French, so he just pointed to his mouth, motioning that he was thirsty.

The farmers then brought him a bottle of wine before taking him to one of their homes, Shilow recalls.

But it wasn't long after that German soldiers discovered him lying injured on a farmer's bed.

He didn't receive any medical attention for his wounds, he recalls, and was taken to a prisoner camp in Krems, Austria, where he stayed until the end of the war.

"When they captured me, both my legs were swollen twice the size they were supposed to be," the 83-year-old remembers. "They just held that gun up to me and said go ? I had to walk like a duck."

Shilow was honorably discharged from the Army on Oct. 6, 1945, as staff sergeant.

It wasn't until Saturday, in front of a packed banquet room at the Branding Iron restaurant in Toppenish, that Shilow received what should be permanent recognition for his wounds and his valor. The Yakama Warriors Association held a breakfast and presented him with seven medals, including the Purple Heart and P.O.W. Medal, during a breakfast ceremony.

A Bronze Star for Shilow also is expected in the mail.

Shilow in fact had been given the Purple Heart upon his discharge some 58 years ago. But months later, he had to give it back because his wounds were not documented, Shilow recalled. He says German soldiers weren't diligent in keeping track of prisoners' injuries.

Shilow spent a career welding in Portland before moving to Cascade Locks, Ore., where he now resides.

Through the years, he battled with chronic pain due to his combat injuries. He has bone splinters and chips in his knees and ankles as well as damaged vertebrae.

He's dealt with countless doctors over the years.

"The doctors would just write it up as bursitis," he says. "They didn't even connect it with my military service."

In 1991, Shilow suffered a heart attack and then was encouraged to apply for veterans disability. He did, but only received 20 percent disability each month.

It took him years to get his military and medical records together to document his injuries, a paper trail that not only led to Shilow receiving full disability benefits, but also the Purple Heart and other medals.

"It's a relief," says Shilow. "It's a relief because everyone I talked to said I'll help you ? and nothing."

Taking part in Saturday's medals ceremony was Robert Harcum, a representative of the Yakima Valley Veterans Coalition.

"There's only a few of you left as far as World War II veterans," Harcum said. "If it weren't for you, youngsters like us wouldn't have been able to serve."

"Us younger veterans really honor our older veterans," he added, while pinning the Purple Heart on Shilow.

Shilow was given a blanket with a pair of soldiers saluting in front of the American flag.

All who attended received gifts as well.

"Boy, I'm glad I made it; I didn't expect this much attention," Shilow said to the crowd, many of them his relatives. "I'm glad to see my family back there; I haven't seen them for quite some time now."

Reflecting back on his military experience, Shilow said only three members of the 10-man crew survived when the bomber went down May 29, 1943.

He spent 23 months in a POW camp with his tail gunner, Harry Boegahloz, who died in 1962. Shilow's not sure what happened to his navigator, Edwin Martin, the other survivor.

"I know I'm darn lucky to have gotten back," he said. "I'm lucky to be alive."

[Dragon Lady]

Thank you for that wonderful posting! I love to see when our truest heroes are given even a small token of appreciation for their efforts. Nothing we can do will ever repay them for their sacrifice.

And THANK YOU, SSGT SHILOW! Your sacrifice has not gone unnoticed!

DL