Rep. Mike Gallagher presented the family of a late Northeast Wisconsin veteran who served his country for more than 15 years with four posthumous medals, Jan. 4, 2024. PC: Fox 11 Online
DE PERE, WI (WTAQ-WLUK) — A late Northeast Wisconsin veteran who served his country for more than 15 years was honored Thursday with four posthumous medals.
Rep. Mike Gallagher (R-WI) presented the decorations to the family of Captain Raymond Perry Birdsall II, who Gallagher described as “an honorable servicemember and selfless American.”
Birdsall, a native of Neenah, graduated from Algoma High School at the age of 16 and earned a bachelor’s degree from UW-Madison before joining the U.S. Army in 1950.
“Ray served in Germany during a pivotal period in both U.S. and world history,” Gallagher said. “With Europe being rebuilt following the destruction of World War II, American servicemembers like Mr. Birdsall provided much-needed stability to a region that was still recovering from the war.”
Ray, along with his brothers and sisters in arms, supported the mutual defense of our NATO allies and served as the first line of defense against communist aggression in Western Europe. His efforts contributed to the security and prosperity of our allies abroad while ensuring our adversaries would think twice about any plans to invade Western Europe or threaten American troops.
After being honorably discharged in 1952, Birdsall continued his service with the Army Reserves from 1955 through 1966 and earned the rank of Captain.
He and his wife were married for 66 years and the pair raised seven children together. Birdsall died in Nov. 2019 at the age of 90.
“I love doing these, because not only is it a way to honor a specific person and veteran who served our country well — but I think there’s something to the idea of passing on the legacy of service from generation to generation,” said Gallagher.
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