WWII veteran receives belated Purple Heart

  • Published
  • By Staff Sgt. Raymond Hoy
  • 60th AMW Public Affairs
TRAVIS AIR FORCE BASE, Calif. --  March 21 was a special day for one Airman. It was the day that he received his Purple Heart Medal. It was a proud day, and a long overdue one at that. 

Mr. Leo Bach received his medal after suffering injuries to his right leg and back after bailing out of his B-17 nearly 62 years ago. 

Mr. Bach, then a 24-year-old first lieutenant bombardier in the U.S. Army Air Corps, was one of nine crewmembers on a bombing run destined for Cottbus, Germany, April 11, 1944. The crew was forced to evacuate the disabled aircraft after sustaining damage from an attack by a squadron of German MP-109s and FW-190s. All nine crewmembers bailed out 50 miles southeast of Berlin, never reaching their target. 

After his parachute safely opened up, a strong gust of wind caused Lieutenant Bach to land hard injuring his leg and his back in the process. 

After lying in agony for a short while, he was able to limp away from the area. He evaded capture for three days before being captured by the Germans April 13, 1944, and sent to a prisoner of war camp in Barth, Germany. 

“I was dumped in Stalag Luft One, a mud hole of a POW camp,” said Mr. Bach, now 86 years old and a resident of Walnut Creek, Calif. 

While at the POW camp, Mr. Bach had little time to worry about his injuries. 

“It didn’t seem like a big deal at the time,” he said. “There were other things on my mind.” 

Mr. Bach was of Jewish heritage and under constant threat from the Nazi guards at the camp. 

“When the Germans took 200 of us and put us in a separate building, the so-called Jewish barracks, I had more on my mind than seeking out medical attention," he explained. “I didn’t want any more contact with the Germans than was absolutely necessary.” 

Luckily for Lieutenant Bach, the Russians liberated him from Stalag Luft One May 1, 1945. He was a POW for one year, one month and one day. 

Mr. Bach was honorably discharged from service Dec. 23, 1945. 

Col. Lyn Sherlock, 60th Air Mobility Wing commander, offered condolences for his suffering. 

“Mr. Bach, we wish that you did not have to endure the afflictions of those wounds and your time as a prisoner of war,” said Colonel Sherlock during her speech at the medal ceremony. 

“We are truly grateful for your selfless service to our country and for setting the example for our Soldiers and Airmen to follow. I regret that it has taken so long for you to be formally recognized for what you deserve,” she added. 

After leaving the service, Mr. Bach moved on with his life. He and his wife, Sylvia, had two children, daughter Emily and son Daniel. Both were at the ceremony. He later wrote a book about his war experiences. 

Ten years ago, he decided to pursue the Purple Heart that he deserved. Due to a lack of medical records from his experience in the POW camp, he was turned down on his first attempt. With the help of Congresswoman Ellen Tauscher, he was later approved to receive his medal. 

Colonel Sherlock presented Mr. Bach with his Purple Heart during the ceremony. He was also awarded the WWII Campaign Medal, the American Campaign Medal, the European/ African/Middle East Theater Medal with one bronze star, the Asiatic Pacific Theater Medal with two bronze stars and the Prisoner of War Medal. 

Mr. Bach says he doesn’t blame the Air Force for taking so long to award him his medal.
“The fault lies with the German Luftwaffe and with me personally,” he said. 

For now, Bach is just happy to be home. 

“Long story short, here I am at Travis Air Force Base surrounded by friends and family,” he said during his speech. “The Air Force is also my family. I’m home, I’m home now. Thank you for including me in the Air Force family.”