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WWII vet gets replacements for stolen medals

STANBERRY, Mo. — Donald Pike fought for his country at a crucial point in World War II, earning numerous decorations for his Army unit’s actions in the Battle of the Bulge.

Now 91, the old infantryman donned his uniform again to accept replacements for the medals stolen a decade ago in a burglary of his rural northwest Missouri home.

Gen. Dwight Eisenhower had pinned the original medals on Pike, according to state Rep. Jim Guest, R-King City, who organized Wednesday’s emotional ceremony at Stanberry Community Center.

This time, it was Maj. Gen. King Sidwell, adjutant general of the Missouri Army National Guard, who pinned the Purple Heart, Silver Star and one of three earned Bronze Stars on Pike’s uniform. Pike also received other citations, including a Good Conduct Medal and marksmanship award.

“It’s sad someone came along to steal medals and war mementoes,” Sidwell said.

Sidwell said presenting the replacement medals would “help right a wrong. It’s not every day you get to recognize a hero.”

Pike served in France, Belgium and Germany in 1944 and 1945. He won the medals for action at the Battle of the Bulge, where Nazi forces tried to break through Allied forces.

As a member of the 119th Infantry Regiment, 30th Division, Pike was among 17 soldiers who stormed a German position in a Belgian village near Christmas 1944. The attack killed many of the defenders and resulted in about 40 prisoners.

Several dozen people, including members of northwest Missouri veterans’ groups and Missouri National Guard personnel, were on hand to see Pike receive replacements for the medals taken in 1998 from his Darlington home.

Associate Circuit Judge Ed Manring was the Gentry County prosecutor at the time of the burglary. He said the burglary case had been dismissed for lack of witness testimony and the stolen medals had been difficult to track because they lacked serial numbers.

Guest briefly wept as he recounted a conversation he had with Pike about the battles.

“His memories are very vivid,” he said.