WIGANT, Harold Marlin 1931-2003

WIGANT, GWIN

Posted By: Volunteer
Date: 9/30/2009 at 22:38:45

Military graveside services will be held at 10:30 am at the Osage Cemetery on Saturday, April 26, 2003 for Harold Marlin Wigant, age 71, of Osage. He died Monday, March 24, 2003 at Mercy Hospital in Mason City.

Harold was born December 6, 1931 in Stacyville, IA to William and Maude (Gwin) Wigant. He attended Stacyville public school through the 8th grade and then moved to Austin, MN. Harold joined the U.S. Army on March 6, 1951 at the age of 19. On the 1st of August, he got his orders. It was then that he joined the 7th Cavalry Regiment Company I (it was General Custer's old outfit the "Garry Owen" Regiment.)

On Nov. 10, 1951, he was wounded by a mortar round and a shrapnel hit his left forarm. While in the Army, Harold was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, the Good Conduct Medal, Korean Service Medal, W/2 Bronze Service Stars, United Nations Metal, National Defense Service Metal and the Purple Heart.

He was also authorized the Republic of Korea Presidential United Citation Badge. He was honorably discharged from the Army on the 6th day of March 1954.

After serving in the Army, he worked in Waterloo until 1966. He then drove truck over the road until he retired in Portland, OR in 1994.

In the year 2000, Harold moved back to Iowa and lived in Osage. He enjoyed the time spent with his nieces and nephews and having connections with old army buddies and school friends from years ago.

Preceding him in death were his parents and seven brothers, Samuel, Edward, Dean, Ervan, Orville, William and Louis and his sister, Mary.

Those that survive him include his brothers, Raymond W. Wigant and his wife, Catherine of Austin, MN, Vern R. Wigant Sr. and his wife, Jeannette of Canby, OR and Robert K. Wigant and his wife, LaVona of Salem, OR and a host of nieces and nephews.

[Mitchell County Press-News online - Posted April 2, 2003 - www.mcpress.com ]
Submitted by Kermit Kittleson 2003