Two members of the Malta Bend American Legion Post No. 558 have received Quilts of Valor. Harrell Boedeker, a Korean War Army veteran, and Richard Wagner Jr., an Army veteran of Operation Desert Storm, were both presented a Quilt of Valor this past month.
Boedeker served in the Army from February 1951 to February 1953, achieving the rank of PFC(T). He was assigned to Company B, 712th Transportation Railway Operating Battalion as a welder in Korea, during the war. Company B had the responsibility for the maintenance of railway equipment and worked with the Koreans to teach them faster and better ways of keeping inadequate and scarce motive power and cars in service. At his discharge, his awards included the Korean Service Medal with three bronze service stars and the United Nations Service Medal. Boedeker’s quilt was presented by Christena and Keith Windmeyer on Sunday, March 17.