Tuesday, May 15, 2007

Ripley County’s most decorated veteran



Herman W. Jahnigen, 87, 1918 - May 23, 2005

He was a veteran of WWII and was Ripley County’s most decorated veteran.
Herman W. Jahnigen, 87, 1918 - 2005 of Versailles passed away Monday, May 23, 2005 He was a member of the 508th Parachute Infantry of the 82nd Airborne Division and participated in the D-Day landing at Normandy. He also participated in the Battle of the Bulge and was wounded on June 9, 1944 in the European Theatre. Mr. Jahnigen’s citations included the Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Silver Star, European Campaign Medal, Victory Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Citation, French Fourragere, Netherlands Citation, and the Normandy, Belgium, French, and American Defense Medals. On June 27, 1945 he received a battlefield commission promoting him to Lieutenant.

Please see a video tribute to Herman Jahnigen at:
http://www.ripleycounty.net/herman/herman.html

Let us remember Herman, but please remember all the veterans that have served to give us the freedoms we now enjoy in our everyday life. You may, and should, attend the services at Cliff Hill Cemetery, Versailles, Indiana, Monday May 28 2007 - Contact Versailles Legion Post # 173 at 812-689-6400 after 4:00 PM for information.