Local D-Day Veteran Honored at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum

Last Updated on Saturday, 29 June 2019 00:57

By Michael P. Mauer

A Mon Valley veteran was one of three honored at 9:30 a.m. at Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum in Pittsburgh on June 6.

D-Day Veteran Glen E. Kempf

Glenn E. Kempf, a life member of Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 914 Intrepid West Mifflin, was recognized as part of a program partly organized by the Pittsburgh Chapter of Pets For Vets at Animal Friends. The event featured a presentation by Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum curator Michael Kraus.

Kraus discussed the heroic contributions made by Kempf and Burgettstown, PA native and Medal of Honor winner John J. Pinder, Jr., who was killed during the Battle of Normandy June 6, 1944. Also recognized at the event was Henry Parham, a Pittsburgh native who served with the 320th Anti-Aircraft Barrage Balloon Battalion – the only African American combat unit to land on Omaha Beach on D-Day.

Kempf served in Normandy, as well as in the Ardennes during World War II while assigned to the 45th Field Hospital as a medical technician. He landed in Normandy June 7, 1944, on Omaha Beach. He also participated in the Battle of the Bulge. Among the awards and decorations Kempf earned for his military service are the Legion of Honor by the French Republic, the European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with five battle stars, the World War II Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

Kempf is a graduate of the Scotland School for Veterans’ Children. Following his discharge from the Army, Kempf worked as a machinist for the Continental Can Company, from where he retired after 30 years of service. He has been a member of the West Mifflin VFW for nearly three decades.

For more information about VFW Post 914 and its activities, visit the group’s website at: http://traa.weebly.com/vfw-post-914.html, or contact VFW Post 914 Commander Bradich at: 412 508-1313.

(Photo at Right) Life member of West Mifflin Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 914 Intrepid and World War II veteran Glenn E. Kempf, seated, with family members Theresa Urasek, Joanne Majernik and John Majernikat Soldiers and Sailors Memorial Hall and Museum in Pittsburgh. Kempf was honored along with two other local D-Day veterans at a 75th anniversary of the Normandy Invasion commemoration ceremony June 6.