Soldier for Patton honored by Czechs

Ridge man gets medal for helping free nation from Nazis

By Meg Sullivan

During nearly a half decade in the Army during World War II, Michael Bilder cheated death several times, including the time a German soldier held a pistol to his head and pulled the trigger, only to have the gun dry-fire.

Bilder, 90, of Chicago Ridge, was honored the morning of Jan. 21 when representatives from the Czech Republic visited his home and recognized his service with the 5th Infantry Red Diamond Division, which helped liberate Czechoslovakia in 1945. Bilder was presented with the Honorary Remembrance Medal for the 90th anniversary of the Czech Republic by Marek Skolil, the nation's ambassador to the Consul General of the Czech Republic. Skolil was joined by Frantisek Gal, Consul of the Deputy Head of Mission for the consulate general. The men made the presentation on behalf of Czech Minister of Defense, Martin Bartak and the Czech Ambassador to the U.S., Petr Kolar.

The medal is awarded to soldiers, members of security corps and other citizens of the Czech Republic and foreign nationals who have made outstanding contributions to development of the Czech Republic.

"Thanks to your actions and deeds, Czechoslovakia was liberated from the tyranny of the Nazi rule. We will never forget what you have done for the liberty and freedom of our nation," Skolil read in a letter from Kolar to Bilder.

Skolil then presented the medal to Bilder, who sat in his armchair surrounded by about 15 family members, including Palos Heights resident Jim Bilder.

"Oh, it's beautiful," the elder Bilder said, gazing at the medal.

Sipping a rare glass of champagne, he smiled and commented, "This is good!"

"I am profoundly honored to receive such a high award from the Czech Republic," Bilder wrote in a statement he had prepared. "I accept this medal on behalf of all my comrades who served in the 5th Infantry Division during the second World War, many of whom never returned. We are proud to have been part of the Allied forces that helped liberate Czechoslovakia in 1945. The Czechs are great people. Their affection for, and bonds to Americans were strong then and they are strong now. I wish them every good thing and again thank them for this great honor."

Only 10 percent of Bilder's outfit survived the war, and Bilder himself was fortunate to live through many skirmishes, according to his son.

The Czech minister of defense became aware of Bilder's service through a book co-written by Bilder and his son called "A Foot Soldier for Patton - The story of a Red Diamond Infantryman with the U.S. Third Army." Jim Bilder had sent the book to the minister.

Bilder shared stories of his combat duty as a rifleman, which included service in Normandy, northern France, the Rhineland, the Ardennes and Central Europe. Fluent in German, he was assigned as a translator when the German fortress of Ft. Driant in Metz, France, surrendered on Dec. 8, 1944. He received numerous awards for valor including a combat infantry badge, a bronze star medal with oak leaf cluster, the Croix de Guerre (general combat award) and the Legion of Honor from France.

Though he has a special place in his heart for the Czech people, he will not return.

"I won't go back - too many sad memories for me - but the Czech people were very nice."

Bilder chatted with Skolil about his life since arriving back on American soil on Aug. 4, 1945 and being discharged from the Army five days later. He married his wife, Mary, who is now deceased on Aug. 11. Mary had planned the wedding while he was gone, not certain of the exact day of his homecoming.

"You'd have to be young to believe everything will work out just how you want it to," Jim Bilder laughed.

Bilder, a carpenter by trade, built many homes in the south suburbs, including his own. He also served as local judge, part-time police officer, building inspector and Chicago Ridge village trustee from 1963 to 1969.

"I remember when dad would go on police patrol and do the building inspections while he was out there," Jim said.

"Now, that's American efficiency!" Skolil quipped.

Bilder talked about his book, which he also presented to Skolil.

"I have only read a quarter of it," Bilder said. "I get a notion to cry."

This is part of the January 28, 2010 online edition of The Reporter.

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