Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs
Veteran Lifetime Achievement Award

Past Award Recipient
June 2009

PROCLAMATION

WHEREAS, Joseph F. Klein was born in Butler, WI on July 31, 1916 and spent his formative years in Green Bay, WI. After graduating from Marquette University with a degree in Journalism and working as a reporter, he enlisted in the United States Army at Marquette, MI on May 14, 1942, eight days after the fall of Corregidor; he took basic training at Fort Sheridan, IL and Jefferson Barracks, MO, received advanced training as an Engineering Clerk at Fort Logan, CO, and was assigned to the 18th Photo Mapping Squadron of the United States Army Air Force at Pearson Field, CO; and

WHEREAS, he deployed with his unit to the Solomon Islands in the Asian-Pacific Theatre of Operations in December, 1942; and he supported his unit in its preparation of aerial photos and maps in advance of the Allied invasion of the Japanese-held islands; and he was afflicted by dengue fever and spent an extensive time in military hospitals; and he was honorably discharged with the rank of Sergeant at Fort Logan, CO on August 2, 1944. His military decorations include the Asian-Pacific Ribbon and the Good Conduct Medal, and, while he earned additional war and service-related medals and awards, with his customary modesty, he “did not apply for them”; and

WHEREAS, in 1945, he became the Chief Clerk of Selected Services Local Board Number 3 (Brown County) in Green Bay and then a Registration Officer for the Veterans Administration in Milwaukee; and in January, 1946 he was appointed as the Brown County Assistant County Veterans Service Officer and was named County Veterans Service Officer in 1954; and he went on to serve Brown County and state veterans with great professionalism, dedication, and diligence until his retirement in 1987; and

WHEREAS, as the Brown County Veterans Service Officer he was an original member of the CVSO Advisory Council, a critically important advisory group which provides an expert veterans affairs and “grassroots” perspective to the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs and the Department Secretary; and he served as a CVSO during the administrations of every Department Secretary, up through John Maurer; and he witnessed the evolutionary nature of the relationship between local, state and federal veterans advocacy agencies during that timeframe. He summarized his career-related observations and experience by stating, “the ideal CVSO must be able to combine the professional expertise of a lawyer practicing before the bar, the human understanding and compassion of a skilled counselor, and the patience and helpfulness of a social worker”, and he further observed, “the CVSO should be a political realist and a forceful advocate for veterans”; and for over 40 years as a Brown County Veterans Service Officer and Assistant County Veterans Service Officer he came to epitomize those ideals and in the process became one of Wisconsin’s most accomplished and effective professional veterans advocate and an elder statesman of the Wisconsin veterans community; and

WHEREAS, he is a member of the American Legion having served as its Service Officer and on its Rehab and King Home Committees, and also is a member of the Disabled American Veterans, Veterans of Foreign Wars, AMVETS, and 40 Et 8. He previously served on the State Board’s Committee on Veterans Affairs, the Regional Red Cross Board, and after his retirement, he was a member of SCORE, the Service Corps of Senior Executives for many years and received a citation for his exemplary service.

NOW, THEREFORE, I, Marvin J. Freedman, Chair of the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs, proclaim Joseph F. Klein as the recipient of the Wisconsin Board of Veterans Affairs Veteran Lifetime Achievement Award on this 19th day of June 2009.

MARVIN J. FREEDMAN, Board Chair