James W. Hoerner

JAMES WILLIAM HOERNER,  BRIGADIER GENERAL, U.S. ARMY (RET) 

JULY 20, 1918 – JUNE 9, 2016

A solider, a man of God, country, and family, a man who was always compassionate to friends and strangers, passed away on Thursday at his residence at Heather Hills Village.  James W. Hoerner was born in Ft. Wayne, IN, the only son of Margaret (Murphy) Hoerner and William F. Hoerner. His mother was already a young widow when James heeded the call to serve his country, leaving his post as a bank teller.  He entered the Army in 1942 as a cook, however, it was recognized early on that his abilities were better utilized in the finance corp. In the course of events he was sought out to become an officer and completed Officer’s Candidate School in 1943. His education included Fort Wayne Business College, The Industrial College of the Armed Forces and Command and General Staff School, The Army War College in Carlisle Barracks, PA, and the University of Michigan. He was 25 years old when he landed on Utah Beach in Normandy, France on D-Day. He was inexperienced and untested and he was the company commander. He remembered that when they were given their order to attack, he felt the only thing he could do was pray with his men and he read them the 23rd. Psalm, which became his most inspiring prayer for the rest of his life.  Out of the seven Second Lieutenants that landed with him, he was the only one to survive that day. From this rough beginning his company learned quickly as a part of the 90th Division of General Patton’s Third Army. He credited his commanding officer of the 357th, General William DePuy, as the man who taught him to be a soldier and a leader of men. He later stated that. “Bill was the finest and most courageous soldier he ever met”. The 90th Division moved across France, Belgium, Luxembourg, Germany and into Czechoslovakia. He received many field promotions and ultimately earned the rank of Captain by the end of the five battle campaigns- Normandy, Northern France, Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. He was highly decorated for his service, receiving three Silver Stars, three Bronze Stars, three Purple Hearts, Combat Infantry Badge, The European-African Middle East Campaign Medal, American Defense Medal, The World War II Victory Medal, Army Commendation Medal, and The Presidential Unit Citation. He also received The British Military Cross, The French Croix de Guerre, and the French Legion of Honor. The honor that meant the most to him was when he was inducted into the Infantry Hall of Fame of Ft. Benning, GA later in his military career.  He stayed with the occupying troops after the war in southern Germany and then began his military career on reserve status. He returned to active status during the Cuban Missile Crisis and the Berlin Crisis. His leadership skills were apparent and he rose thru the ranks and went on to become a Brigadier General, retiring in 1978.  He was successful in the civilian sector as a businessman, owning retail stores, real estate and private investing. The age of 70 saw Jim pursuing a new career with the US Federal Bankruptcy Court as a Trustee until he retired at the age of 90.  He had ultimate respect and admiration for the attorneys and judges he worked with during his tenure.  Jim was devoted to his Catholic faith; he was past President of the Serra International, focusing on vocations. He was the first layperson to be elected as President of the Grand Rapids Interparochial High School Board. He was a member of various men’s organizations at St. Francis Xavier Parish and he enjoyed the many friendships he developed later at St. Robert’s Parish Usher’s Club. Jim attended daily Mass until he was physically unable to do so. He was preceded in death by his wife of fifty years, Mary Ruth (Hayes) Hoerner, his infant son, Richard, son-in-law, David Rossi, and his sisters, Sister Marie William, PhD, SP, Maxine Witting and Dorothy Gorman.  Dad will be dearly missed by his children, Anne Rossi, Kathleen (Ted) Hillary, Patricia (Ray O’Malley) Hoerner, and J William (Nannette) Hoerner; and also by his grandchildren, Matt Rossi (Tiffany), Michael, Brian (Anne Marie), (great-grandson, Jack Joseph Hillary), and John Hillary, Molly Hoerner O’Malley and Tim (Jennifer), Dan and Mary Kathryn Hoerner, as well as his very beloved nieces and nephews. Jim will be missed by his close friends in Periers’ France, Rene’ and Sylviane Kazandjian, Jean’ and Mary-Vonne Vasselin, as well as Henri’ and Jeannette LeFeauve, whose town he helped liberate in 1944.  “The ultimate lessons are for those destined to experience combat. In that chaotic arena one learns all men bleed red regardless of rank, race, or religion. Fear is a reaction that can be overcome by getting on with the job as you have been trained to handle it. You realize that God is really in control of your destiny and decide to leave that decision to Him”. The family will receive friends from 2:00 to 4:00 and 6:00 to 8:00 p.m. on Sunday at the funeral chapel. There will also be visitation on Monday at St. Robert of Newminster Parish,6477 Ada Dr. SE,  for one hour prior to the 11:00 a.m. Mass of Christian Burial. Burial will be at Arlington National Cemetery. Local military honors will be provided by the Kent County Honor Guard. For those who wish memorials may be made to the Wounded Warriors Project or a charity of one’s choice.

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