Ripley County's most decorated veteran

Herman W. Jahnigen, 87, of Versailles passed away Monday, May 23, 2005 at the Hospitality Hall of the Margaret Mary Community Hospital in Batesville. He was born in the Cedar Creek community near Osgood on April 22, 1918 the oldest son of Arthur and Clara Diem Jahnigen. He was married to Thelma Koons on May 3, 1947 and she survives. Other survivors include one daughter, Jeanne Ison and her husband Jerry of Milan; grandchildren J.J. Ison of Lawrenceburg, Lauren Ison, and Nikki Whisman both of Milan; one brother Jerald (Butch) Jahnigen and his wife Helen of Osgood; two sisters, Mrs. Dorothy Black of Holton and Mrs. Jeraldine Humphrey and her husband Jim of Osgood; his brother-in-law Walter S. Lowe of Osgood. He was preceded in death by his parents, his brother Clem Jahnigen and his sister Virginia Lowe. Mr. Jahnigen was a 1937 graduate of Versailles High School. He was a veteran of WWII and was Ripley County’s most decorated veteran. He was a member of the 508^th Parachute Infantry of the 82^nd 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. In civilian life Mr. Jahnigen, along with his wife owned and operated Jahnigen Dry Cleaners in Versailles from 1947 to 1978. He also worked for Berkel Electronics in Versailles from 1978 to 1983. He was a member of the Versailles Baptist Church, a former member and past chief of the Versailles Fire Department, the Milan VFW, and was a member and past commander of the Versailles American Legion. Mr. Jahnigen was also a past vice-commander of the American Legion’s ninth district.

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