Better Late Than Never

Reynolds Tomter hasn’t been speechless often in his 105 years, but after receiving three awards from two different countries, all he could say Monday afternoon was “Wow!”

The purpose for the ceremony was for Tomter to be awarded with a Congressional Gold Medal for his service as a Merchant Marine during World War II. The Merchant Marines delivered necessary cargo to support allied forces worldwide. 

According to family friend Lt. Col. Ray Aanerud, retired U.S. Air Force, when Tomter was drafted into the service, he intended to join the Navy. However, the last available slot for the Navy was taken before Tomter could sign up. He then signed up for both the Army and the Merchant Marines, obligated to join whichever called for his services first. That happened to be the Merchant Marines where Tomter’s responsibility was to bake bread every morning and then other food after. 

With the Merchant Marines, Tomter’s crew delivered food and supplies to France and Italy — a 17-day trip in which he was had to stay below deck. 

An estimated one in 26 who served in the Merchant Marines lost their lives in service to our country. An additional 11,200 mariners were injured during the conflict, and dozens were captured and tortured as POW’s. Over 1,440 vessels were sunk. The Merchant Marines were present at every invasion in WWII. They transported over 700,000 servicemen and women overseas. 

Merchant Marines were not granted veteran status until 1988 when the organization won a lawsuit against its own government. More than three decades later, in March of 2020, Merchant Marines of WWII Congressional Gold Medal Act was signed into law. The official Congressional ceremony took place on May 18. On Monday Tomter received his medal from Congressman Ron Kind, representing the 3rd congressional district. 

“This is completely right and proper, even though it’s coming a little late, that we are finally able to pay our respects and show our gratitude to one of our own,” Kind, who  co-sponsored the bill, said. 

Kind also presented an American flag that he had flown over the United States Congress in honor of Tomter last week. 

During the 100-minute long ceremony, Tomter and roughly 200 attendees heard from Aanerud, Brigadier General Andrew M. Schuster, U.S. Army and Captain Egil Vasstrand of the Norwegian Embassy — who presented the Pigeon Falls man with two awards, the Convoy Cup Award and the Norwegian Liberation Medal for his service. All thanked Tomter for his service, noted the sacrifices made and expressed disappointment that it had taken so long for the Merchant Marines of WWII to be honored. 

American Merchant Marine Veterans (AMMV) President Captain Dru DiMattia said the crowd in the Whitehall school auditorium was the largest crowd they had for such a ceremony. Kind noted that honoring veterans is something local residents do well. 

“We do this well as a nation, but we do this particularly well in Western Wisconsin, honoring our veterans, coming together as a community as we are today and saying thanks to people like Reynolds,” Kind said.  

Also speaking was Tomter’s son, Reynolds “Bud” Tomter, Doris Bautch of MARAD, AMMV Captain Chris Edyvean and a video of a speech fellow AMMV Dave Yoho gave at the official Congressional ceremony marking the passage of the act. 

When it was all done, the elder Tomter was handed the microphone and had little to say. 

“I don’t know what to say. But, wow,” Tomter said before estimating there were 4,000 people in the crowd, one of whom shouted that it was the first time Tomter didn’t know what to say. 

“It’s unbelievable what your friends and family will do for you. Thank you, right from here,” Tomter said, pointing to his heart.