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Bodlander, Walter V. (01176890): Difference between revisions
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'''Walter V. Bodlander''' was a | '''Walter V. Bodlander''' (ASN 01176890) was a Ritchie Boy (from Germany; Jewish) who trained at Camp Ritchie in class 11 and served with IPW Team 34. | ||
</div> | </div> | ||
== Biography == | == Biography == | ||
Ritchie Boy Walter V. Bodlander passed away February 2, 2020 at age 99. His widow was kind enough to share stories about him today. Please see the Youtube Video where he discusses the "Unauthorized Biography" as a memoir of his life during 1933-45. | |||
Bodlander (hidden behind the helmet) taken on July 25, 1944 at St. Lo, France, interrogating a German POW and interpreting for Lt. Hansen, G-2 for the 4th Infantry Division. | |||
Ritchie Boy Walter V. Bodlander was awarded the French Legion of Honor (Chevalier). He was also the recipient of the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars. Here is an interview he gave to the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles in July 2018. He passed away in February 2020. | |||
I've written extensively about the service of Ritchie Boy Capt. Walter Bodlander. Thanks to Dan Gross, I'm able to share the names of the members of 4th Infantry Division's IPW Team 34 that Capt. Bodlander lead into battle on D-Day 1944. Bodlander (1920-2020) 2nd Lt. Kietzmann (1914-1997) M/Sgt Robert H. Sternberg (1921-1990) S/Sgt Otto Brickner (1908-2002) T/3 Ernest Gunzburg (1911-1990) T/5 John H. Baer (1919-1990) | |||
== Research notes == | == Research notes == | ||
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== Gallery == | == Gallery == | ||
<div class="soldier-gallery"> | |||
<gallery mode="packed" heights="140px"> | |||
4234558729899349.jpg|Thanks to our colleague, Steve Goodell, who is the expert on locating and sharing photographs of Ritchie Boys from the US National Archives, for providing this photo of Ritchie Boy Lt. | |||
</gallery> | |||
</div> | |||
== Technical record == | == Technical record == | ||
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* NARA World War II Army enlistment records (where a NARA ASN is present) | * NARA World War II Army enlistment records (where a NARA ASN is present) | ||
* 1940 U.S. Census (where a census match is present) | * 1940 U.S. Census (where a census match is present) | ||
* Ritchie Boys of WWII Facebook page, post dated 2021-05-27 (1 post) | |||
* Ritchie Boys of WWII Facebook page, post dated 2021-05-28 (1 post) | |||
* Ritchie Boys of WWII Facebook page, post dated 2021-05-31 (2 posts) | |||
* Facebook-linked source: [https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=ucS6XJFGF5Y YouTube video] | |||
Revision as of 03:48, 26 August 2026
| Walter V. Bodlander | |
|---|---|
 | |
| Personal details | |
| Nativity | Germany |
| Religion | Jewish |
| Military service | |
| Allegiance |  United States |
| Branch |  United States Army |
| Arm / service | Field Artillery |
| ASN | 01176890 |
| Rank | Second Lieutenant |
| Camp Ritchie | Class 11 (25 August – 23 October 1943) |
| Section | 5A |
| Team | IPW 34 |
{{Needs source}}, or explain disagreements on talk. Baseline import notes: About the data.
Walter V. Bodlander (ASN 01176890) was a Ritchie Boy (from Germany; Jewish) who trained at Camp Ritchie in class 11 and served with IPW Team 34.
Biography
Ritchie Boy Walter V. Bodlander passed away February 2, 2020 at age 99. His widow was kind enough to share stories about him today. Please see the Youtube Video where he discusses the "Unauthorized Biography" as a memoir of his life during 1933-45.
Bodlander (hidden behind the helmet) taken on July 25, 1944 at St. Lo, France, interrogating a German POW and interpreting for Lt. Hansen, G-2 for the 4th Infantry Division.
Ritchie Boy Walter V. Bodlander was awarded the French Legion of Honor (Chevalier). He was also the recipient of the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Purple Heart and two Bronze Stars. Here is an interview he gave to the Museum of Tolerance in Los Angeles in July 2018. He passed away in February 2020.
I've written extensively about the service of Ritchie Boy Capt. Walter Bodlander. Thanks to Dan Gross, I'm able to share the names of the members of 4th Infantry Division's IPW Team 34 that Capt. Bodlander lead into battle on D-Day 1944. Bodlander (1920-2020) 2nd Lt. Kietzmann (1914-1997) M/Sgt Robert H. Sternberg (1921-1990) S/Sgt Otto Brickner (1908-2002) T/3 Ernest Gunzburg (1911-1990) T/5 John H. Baer (1919-1990)
Research notes
- The Unauthorized Autobiography
- VI Corps. to Capt
- 11/30/1920-a
Gallery
-
Thanks to our colleague, Steve Goodell, who is the expert on locating and sharing photographs of Ritchie Boys from the US National Archives, for providing this photo of Ritchie Boy Lt.
Technical record
| Field | Imported value |
|---|---|
| Class_ASN | 176890 |
| Class_Name | BODLANDER, Walter V. |
| match_method | asn_partial_name_exact |
| row_source | both |
Sources
- Camp Ritchie class roster (classes 1–31), merged research file
- NARA World War II Army enlistment records (where a NARA ASN is present)
- 1940 U.S. Census (where a census match is present)
- Ritchie Boys of WWII Facebook page, post dated 2021-05-27 (1 post)
- Ritchie Boys of WWII Facebook page, post dated 2021-05-28 (1 post)
- Ritchie Boys of WWII Facebook page, post dated 2021-05-31 (2 posts)
- Facebook-linked source: YouTube video