BEAVERTON, MI - Federal legislation renaming the Beaverton Post Office for a World War II hero is headed to President Donald Trump's desk for his signature.
The legislation introduced last June by U.S. Rep. John Moolenaar, R-Midland, calls for naming the Beaverton Post Office in honor of Col. Alfred Asch, a decorated veteran and a local from Beaverton, a community located in Gladwin County.
"He was a World War II hero, he flew many missions, and received 13 medals, including the Purple Heart," Moolenaar said. "He was a native of Beaverton, Michigan and was a citizen who gave back to the local community."
Asch started his service in 1941 when he joined the Army Air Corps where he served two tours with the 93rd Bomb Group, flying 28 missions, and with the 455th Bomb Group, where he flew 47 missions. Some of the medals he earned included the Legion of Merit and the Distinguished Flying Cross with oak leaf clusters. Most of his service was over north Africa and over Europe.
Sen. John Moolenaar, R-Midland, and Rep. Joel Johnson, R-Clare, present a special tribute to the family of Col. Alfred Asch commending Asch's significant contributions to Michigan and the nation. Moolenaar recognized Asch during state Senate session and presented Asch's surviving sons, David Asch and Peter Asch, and his brother, Daniel Asch, with a special tribute signed by Moolenaar, Johnson and Gov. Rick Snyder. (Courtesy | John Moolenaar)
When Moolenar was a state senator in Michigan, he paid tribute to the colonel in 2014 at the opening of the Beaverton Activities Center, where a plaque honoring Asch is on display.
Moolenaar also said the legislation was something the entire Michigan delegation supported with both Democrats and Republicans voting for it.
"Throughout his distinguished military career, Colonel Asch displayed time and again the courage and conviction that was forged in Beaverton," said U.S. Sen. Gary Peters in a news release. "Designating Beaverton's USPS Facility as the Colonel Alfred Asch Post Office is a fitting tribute to his years of exemplary service, and I am pleased to see this legislation move forward."
The colonel, who died in 2013 at the age of 93, helped to establish a scholarship for residents of Gladwin County to go to Central Michigan University. He also wrote a book about his experiences in the war titled, "The Whole Nine Yards" which was published in 2013 as well.
The legislation, which passed in the U.S. House of Representatives, recently passed in the U.S. Senate and is now headed to the president's desk for signature.
"I believe he will sign it and it's something our entire Michigan delegation supported in a bipartisan way,," Moolenaar said.