Surprise! Oak Forest man finally gets his World War II medals
BY MEGAN PIOTROWSKI Correspondent January 25, 2012 9:36PM
Surrounded by relatives Tina Niekamp (from left), Peggy Forthman and Barbara Steinkuller, World War II veteran Fred Niekamp talks at Papa's Pizza during a meeting of the Oak Forest Veterans Commission. | Matt Marton~Sun-Times Media
Article Extras
Updated: February 27, 2012 9:54AM
Fred Niekamp served in World War II and raised eight kids with his wife Betsy.
But his daughter Peggy Forthman knew the Oak Forest man wouldn’t be acting like a grizzled veteran who had seen it all when family, friends and fellow veterans surprised him Tuesday night with the medals he had earned from the war but never collected.
“He’s going to cry,” Forthman said.
In a surprise ceremony held in his honor at Papa’s Pizza in Oak Forest, Niekamp, 87, was presented with a Good Conduct Medal, a Victory Medal WWII, an American Theatre Ribbon, a European African Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon with 5 Bronze Battle Stars, and a Ruptured Duck WWII Award — awards he earned in battle more than 60 years ago.
So many soldiers were discharged simultaneously after World War II that there was a backlog for medals. Soldiers were told to wait a few months and then contact the government to begin the process of getting their awards.
But Niekamp, like many soldiers, became consumed with family and civilian life again, and the awards were not a priority for him.
“It never bothered me to not get the medals,” he said, “because I know that others gave so much more.”
Still, he never forgot his war experiences, and he wasn’t quiet about them, either.
“The family all knows what their father went through,” said Tom Wallace, a son-in-law of Niekamp.
They also knew how important his time in the service was to him, so they decided to surprise him this year by getting the medals he deserved.
After completing the necessary steps to obtaim them, the family had Wallace contact a friend, Oak Forest Veterans Commission Chariman Craig Miller, to ask him to organize a presentation event.
“I was absolutely honored by the request,” Miller said. “It was an absolute blessing.”
Patsy Wallace said her father had told the kids his war stories. She recalled a particularly moving episode about how Niekamp and two other soldiers escaped being captured by German troops while behind enemy lines.
“He was rescued by a little boy in Belgium named Freddie, who hid him on the third floor of his family’s home,” she said.
The three soldiers were holed up in the home in Hamoir, Belgium, for a week while a battle was being waged practically right outside the front door. They later were able to safely rejoin their company.
Tuesday’s ceremony gives Niekamp another story to tell, and he is to be similarly recognized by the Oak Forest City Council with a proclamation at its Feb. 14 meeting.
“I’m just glad he’s finally able to get what he deserves,” Tom Niekamp said.
“He’s a great dad, and we’re very proud of him,” Forthman said.
Family members set up the surprise by telling Niekamp the event was to honor numerous World War II veterans. Miller then asked all the veterans to come up front, but began speaking about one individual who had not been properly honored. Another veteran then talked about Niekamp’s Belgium experience and how he was welcomed back there and given a key to the city in 1985.
Then came the surprise medals presentation, and Miller called for a long overdue round of applause.
“I didn’t have the slightest idea,” Niekamp said. “They didn’t tell me about tonight.”
He said people forget that soldiers also are mothers, sons, fathers and husbands.
But, he said, “God takes care of fools sometimes, and those who take care of us.”
Comments Click here to view or make a comment