The American Legion is celebrating its 100th birthday in 2019. In addition to national and statewide activities commemorating this milestone, American Post 328 of St. Joseph is planning a number of festive and patriotic activities for the community.
One of those special events will be profiles of St. Joseph-area veterans published in each Newsleader during 2019. The Newsleader is joining with Post 328 to recognize veterans and Legion members who served during World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Iraq, Afghanistan and other theaters of conflict and Cold War tensions.
by Tom Klecker
St. Joseph American Legion
William Joseph Lorentz, 87
US Army – Korean War Era
William “Bill” Lorentz was born and raised in Staples. His father owned and operated the Conoco Oil Co.-filling station. Bill drove the gasoline delivery truck in high school.
While still in high school, Bill enlisted in the Minnesota National Guard on Feb. 14, 1949. His father, a World War 1 veteran and a casualty of mustard gas, discouraged him from going into the military. But Bill wanted to be with “a bunch of (his) own guys.” Bill reports back then the military “had a much more positive image.”
Basic training was at Fort Ripley; “just about every weekend.” Bill says he was a “grunt” – infantry. His unit was the 194 tank battalion. In June 1950, North Korean troops invaded South Korea. In January 1951, Bill’s unit, along with other units were federalized. Bill and his battalion were sent to Fort Rucker, Alabama, for training in demolition. From there, he was sent to leadership school at Fort Knox, Kentucky.
For two months his training focused on armor reconnaissance. Back at Fort Rucker, Bill was promoted to sergeant.
Out of his battalion of 300 soldiers, Bill and “another guy shipped out for Korea. The rest of the battalion was sent to Texas.”
His troop ship departed Camp Stoman, California, for Japan. From there an LST took him to Pusan, South Korea. He entered the Korean conflict at age 19. Bill was in Korea 11 months. Being assigned to a reconnaissance company attached to a tank battalion, he was often in combat situations.
In one particular firefight he injured his knee. In another situation, he sustained a concussion that ruptured an ear drum. This injury subsequently resulted in a severe infection. A medical team wanted to send Bill home, but he requested to stay with his unit.
His unit usually operated in collaboration with Turkish soldiers. “We ate what the Turks ate . . . lots of cabbage and some jelly bread.”
On one particular scouting recon, Bill’s squad came upon a large deserted building in which was stored an immense pile of rice. No sooner had they entered this storage shed when coming down the trail was a much larger group of North Korean soldiers.
Discretion being the better part of valor, the squad buried themselves under the rice. The North Korean soldiers entered the building, sat down, ate lunch and rested for about three-fourths of an hour. When they left, looking for an enemy they shared (if only briefly) a place to rest. Having accumulated sufficient points for being in a combat theater of war, Bill boarded a troop ship heading home. As the ship pulled into San Diego harbor, there were fireboats spraying water and there were dancing girls on the dock. Once the contingent of Marines disembarked, the ship sailed up the coast to Camp Stoman. Bill recalls an opera singer leading all others in “God Bless America.” A few donuts were passed out.
Bill flew to Camp McCoy, Wisconsin, and was subsequently released from active duty. Shortly after coming home, he re-enlisted in the National Guard in Brainerd. Reflecting upon his military career of eight years, six months and 15 days, Bill said he seriously thought of staying in and making a career of it. He was honorably discharged as first sergeant.
From his military experience, Bill fondly recalls with appreciation the discipline instilled in him and others as well as the camaraderie.
Upon being discharged from active duty, Bill presented himself as somewhat of an enigma – a complex and perplexing young man. Bill worked on the railroad as a fireman on a steam engine, worked at Franklin (Electrolux), completed air-traffic controller school in Oklahoma City and Indianapolis, joined the Minnesota Highway Patrol and became a licensed pilot. While working for the railroad, he met his future wife, Sally. They married in 1955 and have been married 64 years.
In 1963, Bill became chief of police in St. Joseph. This was a one-man police force. Initially Bill carried a sidearm but after a few years he stopped carrying one as the weight gave him troubles with his hips. In the absence of a police station, at least initially, Bill would interview or question a variety of criminals and noncriminals at the kitchen table of the house he and his wife Sally lived in. After 29 years as police chief, Bill retired in 1991.
At the age of 59 Bill was not quite ready for retirement. For several years he drove excursion buses around the country for Trobec’s Bus Service.
From Sally and Bill’s marriage, two daughters were born. Bill and Sally have two granddaughters and one great-granddaughter.
Throughout the years, Bill has had many hobbies and interests including woodworking, wine making and “getting along with people.” These days Bill has slowed down a bit given medical issues.
Lorentz.
Lorentz in 1951.
