August "Augie" Herchenratter

Other Events:

• Interesting: military, story
• Military: WW2 - Distinguished Conduct Medal
• Eby ID Number: Waterloo-185701
• Residence: 1989, Kitchener, Waterloo Region, Ontario, Canada
• Hall of Fame - Waterloo Region: 2016

Notes:

Second World War hero August Herchenratter dead at 98

Second World War hero, August Herchenratter, 98, of Waterloo has died.

His wife of 72 years, Joanne, said he passed away in his sleep in the early morning of Dec. 7 at Parkwood Mennonite Home, Waterloo, where he resided for the past three years.

Herchenratter's funeral will be take place on Wednesday, Dec. 10 with full military honours provided by his regiment, The Royal Highland Fusiliers of Canada.

Herchenratter served with the Galt (Cambridge) based Highland Light Infantry of Canada during the Second World War. In 1965 the regiment merged with Kitchener's Scots Fusiliers and was renamed The Highland Fusiliers of Canada. It was granted its 'Royal' designation in 1998.

Lt.-Col Mark Poland, commanding officer of the regiment, said Sgt. Herchenratter was one of few remaining unit veterans of the Second World War.

"He was a role model who inspired successive generations of our soldiers with the legacy of his courage and devotion to duty in serving Canada and what our nation stands for," Poland added.

Herchenratter was awarded the Distinguished Conduct Medal (DCM) for his courage during a fierce battle in France in 1944. The DCM is the Commonwealth's second highest award for valour. Only the Victoria Cross outranks it.

King George VI presented the medal to him during a special ceremony at Buckingham Palace.

Herchenratter was a 24-year-old sergeant, one of 600 men of the HLI that launched an attack against a larger German force defending the Normandy village of Buron.

He led a 28-man platoon across a mile of open farmland through intensive machine gun, mortar and artillery fire, eliminating enemy positions along the way. Only he and five of his men reached the village unscathed. The others were either killed or wounded.

During that single day battle the HLI sustained 263 casualties: 70 killed and 193 wounded.

Following the battle for Buron, Sgt Herchenratter took part in the HLI's efforts in helping to capture the Falaise Gap and open the Port of Antwerp.

In 2014 France awarded Herchenratter its National Order, the Legion of Honour, for his service in helping liberate its country.

In 2016 he was inducted into Waterloo Region's Hall of Fame.

He is resting at Erb and Good Family Funeral Home, Waterloo. Visitation Dec. 13 from 1 p.m. to 2: 45 p.m. Funeral service to take place at 3 p.m. in the funeral home chapel with reception to follow in the Fireside reception room. Internment will take place at a later date.

Second World War hero August Herchenratter dead at 98. (2017). WaterlooChronicle.ca. Retrieved 12 December 2017, from https://www.waterloochronicle.ca/news-story/7991028-second-world-war-hero-august-herchenratter-dead-at-98/

August — Joanne. [Group Sheet]