By Gerri Miller
Elmore/Autauga News Staff Writer.
Family and friends of Robert Shafton Kohn filled an entire room of the Front Porch Grill in Millbrook Tuesday night to celebrate the well-loved Army veteran’s 99th birthday.
Martha Poole Simmons, a volunteer with the American Red Cross, presented Kohn with a commendation from Gov. Kay Ivey and a commemorative coin from the Department of Veterans Affairs.
“I think it’s wonderful, that’s the only word I have for so many people coming today to celebrate my birthday,” Kohn said. The Front Porch Grill is one of Kohn’s favorite restaurants and he continues to eat there during the week.
Simmons shared some of the colorful history that Kohn told her during earlier interviews.
Kohn served in combat in the Army’s Infantry for 52 days in the World War II Battle of the Bulge and the Battle of the Rhineland under General George Patton. He was in the 3rd Army, 90th Infantry Division, 359 Battalion, Company M (Heavy Weapons.) Company M used 81 mm mortars and 30-caliber machine guns.
He also served stateside in the Army National Guard for 13 months during the Korean War.
Kohn received numerous awards for his WWII service, including American Theater of Operations (ETO) with Two Battle Stars for the Battle of the Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge) and the Battle of the Rhineland, Good Conduct Medals, Meritorious Unit Award, Combat Infantry’s Badge and the WWII Victory Medal.
Kohn was born in Pine Level on July 28th, 1922, to James S. and Thelma Kohn. He attended Auburn University (Alabama Polytechnic Institute) for six months learning how to weld with a plan to work as a welder in Mobile’s shipyards. Instead, he worked at a cattle ranch in south Montgomery County.
He was drafted into the U.S. Army in June of 1944 and he completed 17 weeks of Infantry Basic Training at Camp Blanding, Florida. He sailed from New York City to Southampton, England. He took a train to a locations two miles within the German occupied area.
During the Battle of the Bulge and the Battle of the Rhineland, Kohn served as a foot soldier in extremely cold winter weather from December 16, 1944 through January 25, 1945. He said he recalls never having a change of clothes and had nothing to eat except K-rations.
Kohn said he remembers trying to survive in the cold and to drive the enemy away. His feet froze from marching. Finally, his condition got so bad that he couldn’t walk anymore and had to be picked up by a medic. His left leg was purple from his knee to his foot and medics had to cutoff his boots to treat him. He rode to a roofless treatment center in a combat vehicle along with some injured German prisoners.
The next day he rode a train to France and was then transported to the 142nd Army General Hospital in Ascot, England, for three months and 22 days of treatment.
Kohn said that after he could walk, he would build fires for the Red Cross and worked as an Army telephone operator. He was sent to Fresno, CA., and then to Eglin Field in Florida where he answered phones. He was discharged at Camp Shelby, MS, in June of 1946.
His conclusions about his military service? “They let me know that I was a man, and also taught me a lot of discipline. I came to a great realization that God really does answer prayer,” he said. “I learned how to obey orders. It made me a lot sterner than I would have been otherwise. I felt like it was my duty, and wanted to make the best of it that I could. I feel like I did.”
Kohn resumed his military service when he joined the Alabama Army National Guard in January of 1961. He was sent to Fort Jackson, S.C., where he worked in food services. He was released from service at the rank of Corporal.
Kohn married Syble Jeanette Jones in 1947 and they had seven children. He now has eight grandchildren, 11 great-grandchildren and one great-great-grandchild.
He operated Kohn’s Western Wear and Kohn’s Auto Sales on Highway 31 North in Prattville. He also worked as an auctioneer selling merchandise and still can provide an auctioneer’s dialogue.
When he wasn’t working, Kohn went trail and pleasure riding with friends. His musical talents include playing the mandolin, guitar and harmonica and his band, the Dixie Blue Grass, played for 12 years at volunteer fire departments and schools.
He sold his store in 2013, but continues each week to go to used car auctions for his grandson, who still operates Kohn’s Auto Sales. Kohn said he doesn’t ever plan to completely retire.
Thank you Mr. Kohn for your service to our great nation!
