Rockledge Borough is mourning the loss of Helmut Manfred Boehm, who passed away on Monday, June 10. He was 99 years old, according to his obituary.
“Mister Boehm”, as he was affectionately known, served as the Grand Marshal for the Rockledge 4th of July Parade in 2022 and 2023.
According to the Rockledge Fourth of July Association, Mr. Boehm was a resident of Rockledge since 1957 and served as an Ambulance Orderly in the 479th Motor Ambulance Company of the United States Army during World War II.
He was deployed less than a month after D-Day in 1944 and began his service during the heavy fighting through the Hedgerows of Normandy, France. He was awarded the Bronze Star for his participation in a mission to evacuate the wounded behind enemy lines in the Hurtgen Forest in November 1944.
From the Abington Rockledge Republicans’ announcement:
On this beautiful June day America and Abington lost a great man. Helmut Boehm, 99 year old WW II veteran passed away today. Mr. Boehm landed on Normandy beaches after D-day. He was an ambulance driver and fought with the US Army across France, in the Battle of Hurtgen Forest, he crossed the Rhine River on the Remagen Bridge before it collapsed and across Germany helping the survivors of a German concentration camp at the end of WW II. He did all this before he was 20 years old. He came home, raised his wonderful family and lived in Rockledge with his son. He joined us for our Spring Dinner and was the star of the show. We hoped he could attend our D-day Commemoration, but our dear Lord had other plans for Mr. Boehm. Please pray for Mr. Boehm and his family. We owe him a debt that only our living a good life will repay. RIP Good and Faithful Servant.
From Police Chief John Gallagher’s announcement:
On behalf of Mayor Jim Caffrey and the Rockledge Police Department, I would like to take this opportunity to extend our deepest condolences to the Boehm Family on the passing of their beloved Helmut. He was affectionately known around here as Mister Boehm. He died on June 10th.
Mister Boehm was no doubt one of the Borough’s most famous residents whose reputation as a gentleman and hero proceeded him. He fought in World War II. He truly exemplified what it meant to be part of America’s Greatest Generation.
Mister Boehm was the guest of honor in Rockledge’s July 4th Parade in 2022 and 2023, and he was the keynote speaker at the Veterans’ Day Presentation at Municipal Hall in November 2023. Mayor Caffrey and I were honored to be invited to his 99th Birthday Celebration at the Austrian Village Bar & Restaurant in April of this year.
To Mister Boehm’s son, Gerry, and the entire Boehm Family, please know that we are so sorry for your loss. Our community mourns the death of Helmut Manfred Boehm. May God rest his soul, and may God bring comfort to those whom he loved in their time of sorrow.
Sincerely,
John Gallagher
Chief of Police
Rockledge Police Department
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Photo:s Rockledge Fourth of July Association, ATRO – Abington Rockledge Republicans