Bio: Meinhardt, Clarence
Contact: Stan
----Source: "Meet The Folks" by Arvid Myhrwoid, Greenwood Gleaner (Sept. 1964)
Surnames:
Clarence Meinhardt Greenwood, Clark County,
Wisconsin Just before the end of the war, the prisoners were
marched 17 days to the west. The Germans hated the Russians so much that
they did not wish to surrender the prisoners to the Russians. After about
a week without food, shelter or care, they were liberated, together with 4,500
other prisoners, by three jee-loads of American officers. After his war experience, Clarence returned to
Greenwood, married Vera Buchholz of Loyal, and set about serving his community
as a civilian. He farmed until a year and a half ago. But he has served
well in other respects: twelve years a director of the Greenwood Milk Products
Cooperative; two years on the Board of the Greenwood Cooperative (Midland) seven
years as a director of the Warner Mutual Fire Insurance, where he was also
adjustor, vice president, and president. He gave four years of service on the
board of the Greenwood Community Schools, and has served Immanuel United Church
of Christ for x years as financial secretary. Clarence believes that the Postal Department has a
sacred trust to the people, and a most intimate relation to the community. lie
hopes, as time goes on, to learn to know the department, and to inform the
people who are served by this office as to what they can expect. He believes that
the more Information people have, the better they will be able to use the set’-
vices of the Postal Department.
Stevens
Point , Wisconsin Central State Teachers' College In 1927
Stevens Point Normal School became Central State Teachers College and began
offering four-year teaching degrees. When post-World War II enrollment became
less centered on teacher training and more focused on liberal arts education,
the Wisconsin State Legislature intervened, elevating the school to a Wisconsin
State College with the authority to grant bachelor's degrees in liberal arts.
On Saturday, September 12, a new face met us at the window of the Greenwood Post
office. Yet this was not a new face, either, since Clarence Meinhardt has been
around these parts for most of 45 years. He grew up in the Rocky Run area, and
graduated from ‘Greenwood High School in 1936.
As he enters upon his service as the new postmaster, Clarence brings to it a
varied and interesting background. He came from high school during the
depression. Since there was little employment, he entered the Civilian
Conservation Corps. At the time, it was Just something to do. The older he gets,
the more he is impressed with the impact of the CCC upon the state. He thinks of
this every time he goes to Tioga, and drives through trees planted under this
program. Wisconsin has much so-called waste-land. Clarence believes that this is
not waste-land, but very productive in forest products, recreation, and
wild-life. It is also an important reservoir of run-off water.
Clarence came home, and began farming with his brother Elmer. But he
needed more education, so he enrolled at Stevens Point Teacher's College.
He passed the physical exam for the draft, but was deferred while in classes.
As soon as school was out in the spring, Uncle Sam issued his customary
greeting. Clarence chose the Air Force and entered the 12th Bombardment
Group, 81st Squadron. This was the first full American Group to go into action
in the Middle East. This group was responsible for stopping Romnmel’s advance in
the Libyan Desert. After one years training, on July 15, 1942 they flew with new
11-25’s to Palm Beach, Florida, then across to Khartoum. Sudan, and then to
Deverswar, Egypt. After returning safely from two daylight bombing missions
against General Rommel’s army, Clarence’s plane was shot down by German
Antiaircraft fire. He was the only survivor of a crew of 5, and he was both
wounded and burned.
He was given three months care in German military hospitals, then taken to an
interrogation camp at Frankfort, where he endured eight days of solitary
confinement. He was grilled daily by the Gestapo and the SS troopers. He almost
died from the stifling heat, but refused to give any information other than
name, rank, and serial number. The Nazis moved him
from Stalag 7A to LUFT 3, then to Stalag Luft 1, then back to Stalag 7A, then to
Stalag 17, near Krembs, Austria.
He has no regrets from his service experience, and holds no grudge, although he
hopes It will never happen again. If It did, however, he would again fight for
his country. He says that this type of experience jars one loose from old ruts,
and gives a new perspective. Of all the citations, he values most the Purple
Heart which he received, besides a Presidential Citation.
He and his wife Vera have one son, Ronald, who has already entered Eau Claire
State College, as a pre-engineering student.
We wish Clarence every success and happiness, as he enters upon a new phase of
service to his country.
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