James R. Neubauer: From WWII to Vietnam

James R. Neubauer grew up in Portage, Wis., a small town towards the center of Wisconsin. At a young 15-years-old, he joined the military and would spend the next 19 years as a dedicated American soldier.

His only remaining loved ones are his niece and nephew Cheryl Barton and Dennis Simonson.

“My uncle James was in the Army almost the whole time since I was born,” said Barton. “The only time I got to know him really was when he was on leave.”

Over those 19 years, Neubauer served nine years in Germany with the 26^th infantry, and ended his career in Vietnam.

Neubauer was killed during action at age 34 by what was reported by authorities as a booby trap grenade while leading a troop through a jungle patrol. He was a year and a half from retirement.

Neubauer’s dedication awarded him with a Purple Heart medal and bronze star medal, both of which his mother, Agnes Twitchell received on his behalf after Sgt. Neubauer was killed during action. According to his obituary, he was the first Portage soldier lost in Vietnam. His parents ran grocery stores in Waupun and Randolph, Wis. The family roots were in Germany, at least on his mother’s side. His grandfather, who served in the German Army, had moved the family to Illinois in the 1870s.

“My mom and him were close,” said Barton of Neubauer.

Barton’s mother Shirley Simonson passed away in 1991 but shared her fond memories with her two children, Cheryl and Dennis.

The medals, along with most of the memories, were lost to a house fire that occurred in Agnes Twitchell’s home. Despite the tragic loss, his memory lives on.

Barton keeps a bulletin board in her home filled with memories of her late uncle. She has saved newspaper clippings and announcements about his many feats he accomplished while serving our country.

Neubauer’s legacy has withstood house fires and years of lost memories, but a face can now finally be put to the man who displayed such exemplary leadership and dedication throughout his military career.