Oldest World War II vet honored in Grayslake
April 25, 2010
By LONG HWA-SHU Special to The News-Sun
Gilbert C. Thiel of Grayslake, 93, believed to be the oldest living World War II veteran in the area, was honored at a luncheon Saturday, attended by 24 fellow veterans from Indiana, Iowa, Georgia and Illinois.
The event was sponsored by Squadrons and Shipmates Inc., which was founded in 2009 to reunite those serving aboard the aircraft carriers USS Midway and USS Franklin D. Roosevelt.
“It’s great to be with a lot of my shipmates once again,” said Thiel from his wheelchair as he was wheeled into a banquet room at the County Squire Inn in Grayslake by his wife, Gladys.
The event was sponsored by Squadrons and Shipmates Inc., which was founded in 2009 to reunite those serving aboard the aircraft carriers USS Midway and USS Franklin D. Roosevelt.
“It’s great to be with a lot of my shipmates once again,” said Thiel from his wheelchair as he was wheeled into a banquet room at the County Squire Inn in Grayslake by his wife, Gladys.
» Click to enlarge image
Gilbert Thiel, 93, of Grayslake, the oldest known World War II veteran, was presented a plaque by Squadrons and Shipmates, and was thanked "for defending our freedom throughout World War II.”
(Joe Shuman / Special to the News-Sun)
(Joe Shuman / Special to the News-Sun)
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• Photos: Oldest Veteran“My boss at the bank told me the bank needed me, but I told them Uncle Sam needed me even more,” recalls Thiel who speaks with a booming voice, despite suffering from high blood pressure, diabetes and spinal stenosis.
Thiel was presented a plaque by Squadrons and Shipmates and was thanked "for defending our freedom throughout World War II.” It mentions him as a plank owner of the U.S.S. Midway, which means he was aboard the carrier when it was commissioned September 10, 1945. The ship is now a Navy museum in San Diego, California, while the U.S.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt, commissioned October 27, 1945, has been scrapped.
Grayslake Mayor Rhett Taylor, presenting him with a letter of appreciation, said, “It’s a great honor and privilege to have the oldest living World War II veteran who served our country beyond the call of duty living in the village.”
Albert Wedemeyer of Atlanta, founder of Squadrons and Shipmates, who came with his wife, Sue, said he was able to track Gilbert Thiel down from a list of 4,033 veterans who served aboard the U.S.S. Midway through The Internet. Wedemeyer, who served aboard the U.S.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt as a seaman, pointed out that the Midway was the largest ship during World War II. He recalled those who served on the deck like Gilbert Thiel often had to face difficult and dangerous situations, including fires and other hazards.
“I was surprised when they contacted me. I kind of lost track with my fellow veterans,” said Thiel about the phone call he received inviting him to the luncheon.
Warming to the occasion, the guest of honor recalled with pride how he fathomed the depth of the carrier, “I was the only one who walked down an 80-foot ladder to reach the bottom of the ship and touched it when it was in dry dock.”
“It’s something I’ll never forget. I just wanted to know how deep it is,” he added.
Squadron and Shipmates boasts 425 members, according to Raleigh Plesko of Schererville, Indiana, President, who served aboard USS Midway as a petty officer.
“We have members in Japan and Hawaii,” he said, hoping to expand the group’s reaches.
Among others attending were Thomas Drake of Munster, Indiana, a lieutenant who served aboard the U.S.S. Franklin D. Roosevelt and the event’s organizer; Jay Hantelman of Dubuque, Iowa, a USS Midway petty officer, and his wife, Charlene; John Brayton of Geneva, Illinois, a USS Franklin D. Roosevelt seaman, and his wife, Joanne; Mark Humage of Joliet, Thiel’s stepson; David Kivi of Brookfield Illinois; Robert Shinabarger of Valpariso, Indiana, also a 1945 plank owner of U.S.S. Midway and John Thiel, a nephew, and his wife, Kathy. Gilbert Thiel and Robert Shinabarger met for the first time since 1946 and they had a lot of catching up to do.
More events are being planned, according to Drake, who teaches business at National Lewis University.
The group can be reached via its Website at www.squadrons-shipmates-of-the-fdr-midway.com.
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 |  Gilbert Thiel was beaming when he entered the restaurant to see his family and friends and some of his shipmates from long ago. |  | Left - Gilbert Thiel meeting Al Wedemeyer for the first time. Al and his wife Sue drove from Atlanta for this very special day. Mr. Freeman from the local newspaper, The News-Sun, is interviewing Gilbert Thiel when he arrived at the resraurant. |
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