Honoring the Veterans in Our Lives

First observed in 1919 as Armistice Day, Veterans Day commemorates the end of “the Great War,” World War I. In addition to preserving the date’s historical significance, the holiday is now a time to honor America’s veterans for their love of country and commitment to the common good. 

Many members of the Maddin Hauser family have loved ones who have served in the United States Armed Forces. This Veterans Day, we are honoring their service by sharing their stories.

Michael Hamblin

Mike shares an incredible story about his grandfather, Raymond “Guy” Hamblin, who served in the United States Army both before and during WWII. Guy fought in the celebrated Battle of the Bulge in December 1944 and January 1945, where he was attached to General George S. Patton’s legendary Third Army. 

One day, in the midst of the Battle of the Bulge, Guy and several fellow soldiers were walking along a road through some woods when a German tank and several accompanying German soldiers surprised them. Half of the American soldiers froze and surrendered immediately, while Guy and the others ran off through the woods with the Germans pursuing them. 

Luckily, the American soldiers found a village where the Bürgermeister (mayor) was willing to hide them. A stinky but safe option, they hid in a large pile of manure while the German soldiers searched the village for them. Once it was safe to come out of hiding, Guy and his fellow soldiers exited the manure pile. They then made their way to the American lines, where they rejoined their unit, and continued fighting across Europe until the Germans surrendered in May 1945.

Kim Rattet

Kim also shines a spotlight on her grandfather, Milton Rattet, who served in the United States Navy. Milton, born in September 1924, served as QM2 in the Navy during World War II. He was stationed aboard the USS Bache and shared with his family the story of the ship being hit by kamikazes.

Although Kikusui No. 6 was over, small groups of Japanese aircraft continued to attack U.S. ships off Okinawa. At dusk on May 13, 1945, the destroyer Bache (DD-470), commanded by Lieutenant Commander Alan R. McFarland, came under attack by several Japanese kamikazes. Bache had come to the rescue of other ships and survivors multiple times in the preceding month and had been attacked without sustaining significant damage, but her luck had run out. 

She shot down the first two aircraft coming in at low altitude and badly damaged a third, which hit the No. 2 stack with its wing before spinning down to the main deck. The plane’s bomb exploded, rupturing steam and power lines, which caused extensive topside and engineering space casualties. 

Despite 41 dead and 32 wounded, Bache’s crew brought the fires under control. After his passing in January 2018, Milton was buried in the South Florida National Cemetery.

We are grateful for the service and sacrifice of Mr. Hamblin and Mr. Rattet, and for their families. At Maddin Hauser, we celebrate and honor all veterans who have served our country.