Elaine Basinger of Montgomery (left) asked Congresswoman Jean Schmidt to help her husband, Howard Basinger, obtain the medals he earned during Army service in World War II. Congresswoman Schmidt presented them to Basinger on his 90th birthday, Monday, April 9, along with an American flag that the congresswoman had flown over the U.S. Capitol in his honor. Congresswoman Schmidt and about 45 of Basinger’s friends and family members sang “Happy Birthday” to him, and then he joined them in singing “God Bless America.”
Montgomery, Ohio - Congresswoman Jean Schmidt helped Howard E. Basinger of Montgomery celebrate his 90th birthday on Monday (April 9) by presenting him with the Bronze Star and other medals he earned during World War II.
Elaine Basinger, his wife of more than 60 years, had requested Congresswoman Schmidt’s help in obtaining the commendations for her husband, who retired in 1979 after more than 30 years of service as a teacher and principal in the Deer Park public school system.
“Howard earned these medals during his service with the U.S. Army,” Congresswoman Schmidt said during a birthday party at the Montgomery home where Basinger and his wife have lived for more than 50 years. “On behalf of a grateful nation and the United States Congress, I am happy to present this long-overdue recognition to a member of our greatest generation.”
Basinger, a graduate of Blanchester High School in his native Clinton County, was a Terrace Park resident in his third year as a pre-med student at Xavier University in Cincinnati when he decided to enlist in the Army.
He entered active duty as a private on Nov. 4, 1942. Basinger was assigned to the 88th Infantry Division, which was nicknamed the Blue Devils. Blue was the color of the lucky four-leaf clover that adorned a shoulder of their uniforms, and they earned a reputation for fighting like devils.
Their initial mission was to help drive the Germans out of Italy. Upon arriving there, they engaged in combat that lasted 100 days.
After a battalion commander learned that Basinger had been a premed college student, Basinger was transferred to the 913th Field Artillery Battalion’s Medical Detachment as a corporal/tech 5.
During an intense conflict with the German army, Basinger suffered a concussion. However, with no regard for his own personal safety, he evacuated two badly wounded soldiers. This selfless act earned Basinger the Bronze Star for heroism.
Congresswoman Schmidt also presented Basinger with: the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign medal with three bronze star attachments (indicating participation in three major conflicts with enemy forces); the World War II Victory Medal; the World War II Honorable Service Lapel Button; the Good Conduct Medal; and the American Campaign Medal.
Basinger was honorably discharged on Nov. 8, 1945. Like many soldiers of the World War II era, Basinger did not want to talk about the horrors he had witnessed. This was evident when he came home to resume his education. He was not interested in medicine anymore because, as he said in his own words, “Of the many emergency decisions I made that I did not feel qualified to make.”
Instead, he pursued his passion for history by becoming a teacher. Basinger received a bachelor’s degree and a master’s degree in education and administration from Xavier University.
In 1948, he married Elaine Alf, who was also a teacher. They raised four children, Howard Jr., Martha, David, and Stephen, in Montgomery.
Basinger went on to become the principal of Amity grade school and later Howard grade school, where he was affectionately known as “Mister B.”
Basinger served on the board of directors and as president of the Deer Park-Sycamore Kiwanis, and he is a past president of the National Association of Gifted and Talented Children.
He also has been a member of American Legion Post 630, the Greater Cincinnati Valley Area Elementary Principals Association, the National Education Association, the Ohio Education Association Department of Elementary School Principals, the Department of Ohio School Supervisors, the Southwestern Ohio Teachers Association, and the Deer Park Teachers Association.
Basinger’s interest in children also led him to be co-owner of Camp Matrena in Pleasant Plain, a private summer camp for boys and girls geared toward outdoor skills, nature, and crafts.
He spent much of his time after retirement at his farm in the Tranquility area of Adams County, where Basinger cared for animals and a garden.
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