Rep. Miller and William Pollauf during medal presenation
U.S. Representative Candice Miller (MI-10) on Friday presented World War II military medals to William A. Pollauf of Algonac, Michigan for his service to the nation. William Pollauf was a Corporal in the U.S. Army with the 443rd Division field and 3rd Division B-battery Artillery. William Pollauf was captured by the Germans on February 14, 1943 during the Battle of the Kasserine Passin in Tunisia, North Africa and was sent by train to Moosburg Munich, Stalag 7-A, a German Prisoner of War camp. William Pollauf was a Prisoner of War for 27 months and was moved to different camps, including Furstenberg (Stalag 3-B) and Luckenwalde (Stalag 2-A), until his liberation by the Russians in April 1945. William Pollauf and his family contacted Rep. Miller who advocated on his behalf to the Department of the Army and asked that they review his case and award the appropriate medals recognizing his service. The Army granted William Pollauf the following medals which will be presented to him on Friday: the Prisoner of War Medal, World War II Victory Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with one Bronze Service Star, and WWII Honorable Service Lapel Button. The Army also issued a Certificate of Release from Active Duty (DD-214) which confirms his service status. “It has been 71 years since the start of World War II and over 67 years since its conclusion, and after long last today I am proud to present these medals, including the Prisoner of War Medal, to Corporal William Pollauf on behalf of a grateful nation for his brave and dedicated service in defense of freedom,” Miller said. “This presentation stands as proof that in this nation we never forget our heroes. We never forget those who defend our freedom. And we are eternally grateful to those who so bravely put their life in harm’s way in order to defend the freedom and liberty we all hold dear.”
