05.31.16

Hoeven Honors Service of Two North Dakota Veterans Who Served During World War II

MINOT, N.D. – Senator John Hoeven today honored the service of two North Dakota veterans at a military medal presentation ceremony in Minot. Hoeven’s office worked to secure the medals earned by World War II veterans Arthur Grosz and George Weber. The medals were awarded posthumously to their family members.

“The veterans we are honoring today are part of our state’s proud history of military service,” said Hoeven. “These men left their homes and families to defend our nation, and while we can never repay them and their families for their service, it is my hope that these medals serve as a reminder of our country’s deep respect and sincere gratitude for their selfless service.”

Arthur Grosz of Minot

Arthur Grosz served in the U.S. Army during World War II. Arthur was born in Sheridan County in 1923 to Christ and Sophia Grosz, and had four brothers and four sisters. Arthur attended school in Kief and McClusky, but left in the eighth grade to work on farms in the area. When he was 19, Arthur volunteered for the army and completed his basic training at Fort Snelling in Minnesota.

Arthur was deployed with the 568 Quartermaster Railhead Company, a supply group, and eventually landed on the shores of Marseilles, France. Arthur was discharged in 1946, and returned to McClusky where he met his future wife at a Wednesday night dance. They were married in 1946 and had four sons: Arthur, Gary, Terry and Michael. The family farmed until they moved to Minot in 1955, where Arthur worked at Carl’s Radiator Service until his retirement. Arthur passed away on February 26, 2016.

Hoeven presented the following medals to Arthur’s son, Terry:

• Army Good Conduct Medal
• American Campaign Medal
• European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with two bronze service stars
• World War II Victory Medal
• Army of Occupation Medal with Germany clasp
• WWII Honorable Service Lapel button
• Marksman Badge with Rifle Bar

George Weber of Minot

George W. Weber was born in Harvey in February 1919 to Steve and Sybilla Weber. George had nine siblings, and grew up and attended school in Harvey. He enlisted in the Army on January 15, 1941, and then served with the 4806th Service Unit at Camp J.T. Robinson in Arkansas. He took part in the second invasion of Guadalcanal in the South Pacific, and after six months of hard combat and dealing with jungle diseases, Allied forces managed to halt the Japanese advance and dissuade them from contesting control of the island. American authorities declared Guadalcanal secure on February 9, 1943. Private First Class George Weber was honorably discharged in 1945 at Camp J.T. Robinson in Arkansas.

George married Arlene Lillemoen in 1946, and they lived in Minot with their four children. George passed away in 1976.

Hoeven presented the following medals to George’s daughter, Carol:

• Purple Heart
• Presidential Unit Citation
• American Defense Service Medal
• Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal with one bronze service star
• World War II Victory Medal
• Combat Infantryman Badge 1st Award
• WWII Honorable Service Lapel Button

Senator Hoeven is working extensively to improve health care services for veterans. His efforts include:

• Resolving scheduling issues with third party administrators: In April, the senator hosted a roundtable in Fargo with officials from the VA and Health Net, which resulted in an agreement to develop and start to implement a pilot project at the Fargo VA Medical Center.
• Facilitating greater health care services for veterans in both rural and urban communities by allowing the VA to enter into provider agreements with qualified hospital, medical and extended care providers.

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