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LIEUTENANT GENERAL MILTON H. MEDENBACH 

We are all fortunate to share in the rich history and legacy of The Forge. This is what unites us. Though we have concerns about current events at VF, we can strengthen our bonds and resolve by remembering those who made a difference on and off post. Some of these stories will appear here as our community and impact grow.

[Congressional Record (Bound Edition), Volume 153 (2007), Part 1]
[House]
[Pages 1325-1326]
[From the U.S. Government Publishing Office, www.gpo.gov]

IN REMEMBRANCE OF LIEUTENANT GENERAL MILTON H. MEDENBACH

The SPEAKER pro tempore. Under a previous order of the House, the gentleman from Pennsylvania (Mr. Sestak) is recognized for 5 minutes. 

Mr. SESTAK. Mr. Speaker, I rise today because I wish to honor a proud American and because it is my sad duty to announce the loss of Lieutenant General Milton H. Medenbach, superintendent emeritus of Valley Forge Military Academy in Wayne, Pennsylvania, who died this morning, January 16, 2007.

Lieutenant General Medenbach turned 99 on December 31, 2006, and had been a member of the Valley Forge Military Academy & College faculty and staff since the fall of 1932. General Medenbach was a 1929 graduate of the Johns Hopkins University, where he was commissioned a second lieutenant, infantry (TANKS).

He also attended the University of Marburg in Germany and was a student of military government at the University of Virginia and Yale University during his active military service. He held a doctorate from Gettysburg College.

Upon the completion of his fellowship at the School of Diplomatic Service of the Austrian Foreign Office in Vienna, Austria, in 1932, he came home and joined the Valley Forge faculty as an instructor in the Foreign Language Department and as a tactical officer in the Commandant of Cadets Department.

On leave from Valley Forge during World War II, General Medenbach served as Secretary of the General staff of the Army Air Corps Tactical Training Command and the Air Corps Training Command and later, in North Africa, Italy, France, Germany and Austria as a military government planner and officer under Field Marshal Alexander and General Eisenhower.

Following active duty, General Medenbach returned to Valley Forge and served in the Pennsylvania National Guard. His many decorations included the Legion of Merit, the European Service Ribbon with two battle stars, the American Defense Ribbon, the Meritorious Service Unit Award, and the Pennsylvania State Guard Reserve Distinguished Service Ribbon. He was also listed in Who's Who in America.

During his Valley Forge service, General Medenbach served in or assisted in the establishment of practically every department of the institution as an associate of the founder, Lieutenant General Milton G. Baker. He held the post of adjutant and chief of staff, as well as deputy superintendent, and served for more than 30 years as the commandant of cadets.

He became the president on the retirement of General Baker and retired as superintendent emeritus in 1971. More recently, he served the school as volunteer historian and archivist and as the vice president and secretary of the Chapel Foundation Board of Directors. During the many years of his long service, General Medenbach was the driving force in establishing the high standards of character, personal discipline, drill, ceremonies, and individual fitness that have been the hallmarks of military excellence at Valley Forge.

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Location

Medenbach Foundation

104 South Wayne Avenue

PO Box 123

Wayne, PA 19087


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The Lieutenant General Milton H. Medenbach Memorial Foundation is an independent, tax-exempt (pending) organization and is not affiliated with, nor is it recognized by, the Valley Forge Military Academy & College, the VFMA Foundation, nor any of its organizations, board of trustees, or other affiliates.

 

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