Harold C. Buck

Harold C. Buck (continued)

Harold enlisted and entered the US Army on October 24, 1942 just one week shy of his 37th birthday. His first year in the Army, he trained in Camp Campbell, Kentucky. There he was assigned to the 92nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Battalion. Then in November 1943, he went onto Camp Barkley near Abilene, Texas. There the Battalion was reorganized into the 92nd Cavalry Reconnaissance Squadron Mechanized. Harold was assigned to Troop A. Intensive day and night training at the camp qualified the division for combat. While at Camp Barkley, Harold was a Technician Fourth Grade and then was promoted to Technical Sergeant in April of 1944. Harold’s division was the last combat division stationed at Camp Barkley. They shipped out to Europe in September 1944. The 12 Armored Division, nicknamed "Hellcats" and dubbed "The Mystery Division" fought in General George S. Patton’s historic drive to the Rhine River. They served with distinction, receiving more than 800 battle decorations.

In 102 days, from December 1944 to May 1945, Harold C. Buck performed reconnaissance. His squadron fought Nazis marching across Europe, from France to Austria, liberating towns and cities, freeing Allied POWs and Americans POWs, killing and capturing German soldiers and supplies, liberating concentration camps including Landsburg Concentration camp and sub camps of Dachua Concentration Camp.

Campaigns- : Rhineland, Ardennes-Alsace, Central Europe.

Harold C Buck was awarded 9 medals and the following citation including; American Defense Medal

European Campaign, with 3 bronze stars - American Campaign Medal

- Army of Occupation Medal

- Good conduct medal

- WWII Victory medal

- Distinguished Unit Citation awarded to the 92nd Recon Squad. The only unit in the 12th Armored Division to receive this distinguished citation.

- The Distinguished Unit Citation, was awarded to units for extraordinary heroism in action against an armed enemy. The unit must display such gallantry, determination, and esprit de corps in accomplishing its mission under extremely difficult and hazardous conditions so as to set it apart from and above other units participating in the same campaign.

- - Harold Buck was also awarded the Colmar crest, to be worn on his sleeve. Awarded by France to his division for the liberation of the City of Colmar, France.

After the War Harold returned to the United States and separated from the service in January,1946. Harold and Mary lived in Frederic, Michigan where he was a member of the Elks Lodge. Sometime after 1958, Harold and Mary adopted a son, naming him, Charles Harold. By 1960, the Bucks lived and had a business in Matlacha, Florida before moving to Bonita Springs in 1962. In 1963, Harold and Mary bought the Golden Anchor Bar and constructed the current building where Maria’s Restaurant is located on Old 41 Rd. Harold was a founding charter member of VFW Post #4254 and was the first member to pass away. He died at Naples Community Hospital on January 27, 1967, just 2 days after the Post was chartered on January 25, 1967. Harold Buck was a member of St Leo’s Catholic Church, the American Legion Post #303 and of course, The VFW. His funeral mass was held at St. Leo’s Catholic Church His pallbearers included members of the VFW and notable Bonitians. Harold and his wife Mary are buried together in Naples Memorial Gardens, in North Naples. Mary died in December 2000.