WWII VETERAN RICHARD GARD TURNS 100 in March 2023.

 Just 3 days after D-Day in 1944, Miami Valley resident Richard Gard landed on Utah Beach in Normandy, France with the u.s army. Gard was a Staff Sergeant in the 44th Armored Infantry Battalion, 6th Armored Division. He was responsible for leading his platoon area of the U. S. Troops as they made their way into France and Belgium. Originally from Union City, Ohio Gard was drafted into the Army in 1943. He attended basic training at Camp Polk Louisiana and was eventually deployed to England during WWII. Of the five major battles in Europe, Gard was a part of the first four while he served in the 44th Armored Infantry Battalion, 6th Armored Division. During the Battle of the Bulge, Staff Sergeant Gard responsible for leading his troops ahead of us troops as the made their way into France and Belgium. During the Battle at Bastogne he was awarded the Silver Star for gallantry in action. He was wounded in Belgium in 1945 and the war ended before he could rejoin his Division. His honors include the Silver Star, two Bronze Stars and the Purple Heart and other decorations from his time in France and Belgium. “In war you don’t know what will happen day to day. Almost everyday you wanted to climb up into your helmet, but I was proud to do things for my country,” Gard aid, “The US Army gave me a chance to better myself, my country, and get an education.” After the war, he served in the Army Reserves for another two years. He later went on to earn a degree in Engineering from the University of Dayton attending night classes while employed at NCR during the day. Today, he resides in West Carrollton where the VFW Post 9550 will throw a Parade around his house on his birthday April 6, 2023. Featured in the Parade will be the West Carrollton Police and Fire, Montgomery County Sheriffs, the West Carrollton High School Marching Band, and a 1943 PT-19A Cornell flyover by the Butler County Warbirds. The Cincinnati Reds will also honor Mr. Gard on April 1 as an “Hometown Hero”