Hoist a Glass for Red Today-- Part 1: World War II Veteran

From the May 30, 2016, Chicago Tribune editorial.

Red Madsen came home from war and led an ordinary life.  Even after seeing all the bloodshed and destruction.

When he died, his daughter wrote an obituary about his life and wartime service.  She knew that he had advanced island to island and was approaching Japan in the weeks before the two atom bombs ended the war.

Not until his death did she learn that he had earned a Bronze Star for combat heroism.

Part of the obit:  "Harry N. 'Red' Madsen, 76, retired railroad brakeman, died September 15, 1996, in Audubon, Iowa, 13 miles from where he was born."

--GreGen