Johnston-Blessman Post 38

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2025 MEMORIAL CEREMONY HONORING 

1st Lieutenant Philip T. Bixby, Jr.

Story: 1st Lt. Philip Taylor. Bixby, Jr., United States Army

Gold Star World War II Veteran

As Memorial Day approaches, there are so many stories of heroes who braved a war that was fought on two fronts against two formidable enemies. At times the odds of becoming victorious seemed almost insurmountable. To this day, there are many stories that have never been told and have too passed in the memories of those brave men and women who answered the call to serve this nation.

There is a reason why these patriotic souls are proverbially referred to as the "Greatest Generation." They answered the call of duty, standing up for the country for whom they fought, and did so, in the most challenging conditions. Many of these heroes paid the ultimate sacrifice and would be forever interned in foreign soil.

The Appleton American Legion Post 38 is honored to highlight one of those heroes. A soldier who left Appleton and made his mark across the Atlantic. To this day, his service is recognized by the nation of whom he is contributed with saving from attack by Germany. The soldier we honor is, First Lieutenant Phillip T. Bixby, 2nd Armored Division, United States Army.

First Lieutenant Bixby was born into a family of farmers who tended the fields once gracing the Appleton area along Prospect Avenue. After high school, Philip attended UW Madison, where he began his military career serving in the Reserve Officers’ Training Corps. Bixby, while attending UW-Madison studied the Farm and Industry short course, graduating with the Class of 1939. In 1941, Bixby married his high school sweetheart, Rosemary (Pekarske) Bixby and they would go on to have two children together.

Philip left to serve his country during World War II (WWII). He became a tank commander and served as the First Lieutenant of the 67th Armored Regiment in the 2nd Armored Division of the Army. During his service, he traveled to North Africa, Sicily, Normandy and Germany.

In January 1945, after being wounded three times in Europe, Philip briefly returned home, as the Army had granted him a one-month leave. Philip used it to visit his wife and family, spending precious time with ‘Bicky’, his two-year-old son.

Upon his return to the front lines, in March 1945, Bixby was informed he and his fellow service members were going to capture Berlin, and the country needed all veterans to serve. As he had done so many times before leading the advance with his head out of the turret of his tank, Philip was tragically killed by an enemy sniper on April 14, 1945, near the Elbe River outside Magdenburg, Germany. He was only 29 years old. The 2nd Armored Division crossed the river; however, they were ordered back, allowing the Russians to take Berlin. A month later, the war was over.

It would be over two week later that Philip’s beloved Rosemary would receive the dreaded news that her husband was killed in the line of duty. Philip would never see the child Rosemary gave birth to, his second son, Ronald, born in November 1945.

Philips T Bixby Jr is buried or memorialized at Plot J Row 8 Grave 17, Netherlands American Cemetery, Margraten, Netherlands. Since 1945, the Diederen family from Brunssum, has adopted Philip’s grave and they lovingly cared for and maintained it.

On May 24, 2025, 1st Lieutenant Bixby, along with a number of American WWII veterans will be honored and remembered during the annual Memorial Eve gala dinner, organized by the Netherlands American Institute of Limburg (NAIL). This is a well-known and renowned event in the Holland region.

To learn more about 1st Lieutenant Bixby and his background at UW Madison, please consider visiting this link here: https://www.honorstates.org/index.php?id=124016

 

       

 

 

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VETTIX

FREE TICKETS FOR VETERANS AND THEIR FAMILIES

vettix.org

 

Do you like going to concerts, sporting events, or other shows? If so, then look no further than Vet Tix to see if your next adventure could be had with free tickets offered by Vet Tix. 

Vet Tix provides tickets to events which reduce stress, strengthen family bonds, build life-long memories and encourage service members and veterans to stay engaged with local communities and American life. They support our troops by honoring their service and providing positive family and life experiences, during and after their years of service to our country.

 

Tickets are available to members who served in any branch of the armed services. Sign up on line through their verification portal to ensure your service is recognized. Once verified, you are on your way of getting discounted and/or free tickets for a variety of events and attractions. So don't wait, sign up today!

 

(Tickets from our area include the TimberRattlers, the Comedy Club, Milwaukee Brewers, Bucks, Green Bay Packers, and UW Badger sporting events).

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AMERICAN LEGION VEHICLE DONATION

PROGRAM

 

Spring is here and it's time to recapture the space in your garage.

Have an older vehicle that you no longer need? Then consider donating it to the American Legion's Vehicle Donation Program. Donating your unwanted vehicle is super easy!

1. Contact the American Legion at 844-4-LEGION (844-453-4466) or complete their on-line donation form at https://legion.careasy.org/home

2. Schedule your FREE pick-up on your schedule

3. Receive a receipt for your generous donation. Make sure to save it for your taxes if you itemize.

Please note, your vehicle donation provides the crucial support needed for the American Legion to continue its mission.