UIU bestowed honorary degree to former student and WWII POW
Fayette, Iowa (May 11, 2007)--Upper Iowa University President Dr. Alan G. Walker bestowed an Honorary Bachelor of Arts in Business to former student and WWII prisoner of war Dale Minger, 87. The presentation took place at the 10:00 a.m. commencement ceremony on Saturday, May 12 in Dorman Memorial Gymnasium on the Fayette campus.
A Wadena, Iowa native, Minger attended Upper Iowa University for approximately two years prior to enlisting in the service in 1941. At that time a war was raging in Europe and because all of his closest friends were being drafted, Minger too decided to enlist in the Army at the age of 21.
Shortly after enlisting, Minger was assigned to Artillery D Battery, a ground anti-aircraft unit, and was shipped out to the Pacific Theatre. On May 6, 1942 in Manila, his unit was attacked by the Japanese. Minger was the only one of 13 men in the gun pit that day to survive. He was subsequently captured and remained a POW until the end of WWII.
After his release, Minger came back to Iowa and attended UIU for another year. However, before completing his credit requirements, he once again re-enlisted in the Army.
When his second tour of duty was up, Minger returned to Wadena to farm until he retired at age 69.
Dr. Walker congratulated Minger and thanked him for his many years of service to our country.