MONTGOMERY, Ala., (BNc) — Leon Bozeman, one of the oldest surviving POWs from World War II, has died. A lifetime resident of Montgomery, Bozeman was captured during the Battle of the Bulge in 1945.
Bozeman served as a rifleman in Charlie Company 134th Infantry Regiment. He and his troop, unaware that there was a German spy in their midst, were captured by the Germans in Bastogne, Belgium. He was held for four months until the Russians liberated the camp.
Suffering from frozen extremities and broken bones, Bozeman was hospitalized until 1946. After his discharge, he was able to return to work with the L&N Railroad as a locomotive engineer.
He died in his sleep on Sept. 22, at age 93, leaving a family grateful that he lived a long, full life.
Bozeman earned three Bronze Stars, two Purple Hearts and a Combat Infantryman Badge. He was buried with full military honors at Greenwood Cemetery.
Doug Smith, from the Dailraida congregation where Bozeman was a member, conducted the funeral. Online condolences may be made at the Leak Memorial Funeral Home website.
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