71st anniversary of D-Day

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Saturday, June 6 marked the 71st anniversary of D-Day, the American landing on the beaches of Normandy. Shown above are brothers Herman (left) and Clem Jahnigen. The boys were the sons of Arthur and Clara Jahnigen of the Cedar Creek community near Osgood. Herman was a sergeant in the 508th Parachute Infantry of the 82nd Airborne Division and landed at Normandy. He was wounded on June 9, 1944 and was Ripley County's most decorated veteran. Some of his awards included the Purple Heart, Bronze Star Medal, Silver Star Medal, as well as a battlefield commission on June 27, 1945.  Clem was a staff sergeant with the 501st Parachute Infantry Regement of the 101st Airborne Division and also participated in the D-Day invasion. Among his several awards were the Silver Star Medal, Oak Leaf Cluster, and the Presidential Unit Citation. Clem died at the age of 63 on November 28, 1983 and Herman died at the age of 87 on May 23, 2005. Both are buried in the Cliff Hill Cemetery at Versailles.

This article was was written and published by:
Mike Stratton

Herman Jahnigen Interview

Please try to overlook the quality of this video. It was converted from a VCR tapte to DVD then to Youtube format. .........Jack

Ripley County's most decorated veteran. 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.

Jahnigen / Bishop Tributes

Herman Jahnigen

Ripley County Indiana's most decorated veteran. 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.
Herman was a dear friend of mine and I feel he never received the credit he deserved. Here with the Internet and YouTube all can give him the credit he well deserved for helping make the USA free for you and I. Please forward this link to others you know.
See the Tribute here:
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Cpl. John C. Bishop USMC Tribute

More than 5000 people have viewed the "Cpl. John C. Bishop USMC Tribute" to date. As time passes this video of John's return to the small town of Versailles, Indiana will help to keep him in our mind. I play this tribute from time to time to refresh my mind of the great sacrifice our veterans have gave in the past to protect our freedom. I reccomend you play the video as I do from time to time to keep our veterans in our thoughts. See the tribute HERE.
Please send a donation to benefit Cpl. Bishop’s children at:
Bishop’s children Fund
c/o Stratton - Karsteter Funeral Home
P.O. Box 84
Versailles, In 47042

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.

See still photos here

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.