Bio: Langfeldt, Herb – Honored by Loyal Am. Legion (2017)

Transcriber: stan@wiclarkcountyhistory.org 

Surnames: Langfeldt, Hansen

Source: Tribune/Record/Gleaner (Abbotsford, WI) 20 Dec 2017

Herb was born in Spokeville, in 1938. Herb grew up in the Loyal area. Herb went to St. Anthony’s and then to the Loyal High School. He graduated in 1957. Herb joined the Army National Guard in 1956 when he was 17. Herb did his basic training at Fort McCoy and then returned to Loyal.

In July, 1961 he married Donna Hansen from Loyal. In October, 1961 Herb was activated to Fort Lewis, Washington. This was the time of the Berlin crisis. Herb’s unit was out of Neillsville and many Neillsville and Loyal men were activated at this same time.

Herb’s Staff Sgt. was also from Neillsville. Herb’s brother, Bob, was also activated at this same time. Herb and Donna had found a place in advance for Donna to live so Donna went with Herb’s unit. Donna recalls there were over 100 car/truck caravans that left Neillsville and traveled to Washington state. Donna advised Herb was a cook in the Army. She said that he and the other cooks got lost in the rainforest in Washington and built a fire at night and finally were found by the search party. They were in Washington state for 10 months and then returned to Loyal.

Herb left the Army in 1965. He was on the Loyal Fire Department for 34 years and was the ˉ re chief for 11 years. He also managed the American Legion for four years.

Herb and Donna have four children, 13 grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. Herb was a member of the American Legion for 26 years. Donna has been an active member of the Auxiliary for 28 years. Herb died in 2015.
The Loyal American Legion and Auxiliary are always looking for new members to help our local veterans and our Loyal community. To be eligible to join the Legion you must have served in the U.S. Army, Navy, Air Force, Marines, or Coast Guard at these times: April 6, 1917-Nov. 11, 1918; Dec. 7, 1941-Dec. 31, 1946; June 25, 1950-Jan. 31, 1955; Dec. 22, 1961-May 7, 1975; Aug. 24, 1982- July 31, 1984; Dec. 20, 1989-Jan. 31, 1990; Aug. 2, 1990-Cessation of hostilities as determined by the U.S. Government.

To be an Auxiliary member your husband, father, grandfather, son, or brother that has or is still serving the above dates would qualify you as a member.