58 Years Later, Local WWII Vet Gets Medal
Former Army Sergeant Honored
POSTED: 4:49 p.m. EST March 31, 2003
UPDATED: 5:56 p.m. EST March 31, 2003
A local veteran is finally getting recognition for an act of bravery that happened nearly 60 years ago, WTAE's Susan Koeppen reported Monday.
As an Army sergeant in World War II, Michael Brutscher (pictured, right) was sent to Tibet to buy horses for the Chinese.
He embarked on a 26-day trek through knee-deep snow to bring the animals back.
"Blizzards, icy trails ... we had to exchange a few shots with the bandits," Brutscher said. "They wanted to steal the horses."
As a result, Brutscher earned a bronze star for heroic and meritorious achievement. He received the honor years ago, but never got the 1 1/2-inch medal that goes with it.
Brutscher came home from the war and worked in the Wilkinsburg Fire Department for 19 years, then spent 22 years as a borough police officer.
Years later, granddaughter Melissa Pare pushed Brutscher to get his medal.
"He wanted to fluff it off," Pare said. "He just figured, 'Ah, I'm never going to get it. They've already forgotten.'"
After two years of writing letters and making phone calls, Brutscher's medal arrived in the mail.
"Took them a long time, but they finally got around to it," he said.
Brutscher said military officials haven't explained why it took so long to send the medal, but he says he's just happy to get it.
As an Army sergeant in World War II, Michael Brutscher (pictured, right) was sent to Tibet to buy horses for the Chinese.
He embarked on a 26-day trek through knee-deep snow to bring the animals back.
"Blizzards, icy trails ... we had to exchange a few shots with the bandits," Brutscher said. "They wanted to steal the horses."
As a result, Brutscher earned a bronze star for heroic and meritorious achievement. He received the honor years ago, but never got the 1 1/2-inch medal that goes with it.
Brutscher came home from the war and worked in the Wilkinsburg Fire Department for 19 years, then spent 22 years as a borough police officer.
Years later, granddaughter Melissa Pare pushed Brutscher to get his medal.
"He wanted to fluff it off," Pare said. "He just figured, 'Ah, I'm never going to get it. They've already forgotten.'"
After two years of writing letters and making phone calls, Brutscher's medal arrived in the mail.
"Took them a long time, but they finally got around to it," he said.
Brutscher said military officials haven't explained why it took so long to send the medal, but he says he's just happy to get it.Copyright 2003 by ThePittsburghChannel. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten or redistributed.
