WWII Army DUCKW driver Richard E. Leibel is being presented with a Senatorial Citation from yet another mentor of Connor's, Ohio Senator Joe Uecker, in addition to his hardware as our Soldier of The Year.

The 458th Transportation Corps was created on 2 June, 1943 as the 458th Amphibian truck Company. The unit operated modified 2 1/2 ton trucks that had the ability to travel on land or water. DUKW's provided valuable support during World War II, particularly at Omaha Beach on D-Day. The 458th participated in the Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe campaigns, earning the French Croix de Guerre. Richard E. Leibel was an original member of the 458th, serving during the D-Day Landing and many other campaigns.

We honored Mr. Leibel at age 97 and sadly he passed at age 98. He was a popular author writing "The 458th Transportation  Co. In WWII, Memoir of a DUCKW Driver." You can still purchase his book on Amazon. He was a great man who touched the lives of his comrades and especially his family.