WWII vet recounts decisive Battle of the Bulge

"The Ardennes was a beautiful forest" that "turned into a hell hole" 70 years ago during the Battle of the Bulge, Michael Levin, 95, a veteran of that last great battle on Europe's western front in World War II told a meeting of the Club's American Legion Post 20 Tuesday, Jan. 20.

Levin recently returned from 70th battle anniversary ceremonies in Belgium, Luxembourg and France. He was a 25-year-old lieutenant and forward artillery observer during the bloodiest battle in U.S. history. Some 19,000 Americans were killed and more than 70,000 wounded thwarting the Dec. 16, 1944 to Jan. 25, 1945 German offense.

Levin, who directed artillery fire at the front lines, survived unscathed. His post-war career included 46 years at the National Security Agency where he received the nation's highest civilian intelligence award, the National Intelligence Distinguished Service Medal.

Speaker portions of Post 20 meetings are open to all Club members.