Mamaroneck WWII Veteran Inducted
Into NYS Hall of Fame
World War II Veteran Dr. Max Eagelfeld was recently nominated by State Sen. Shelley Mayer for the New York State Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame. He was recognized during a ceremony hosted in Albany at the Legislative Office Building, where inductees were presented with a plaque commemorating their service.
Eagelfeld served as a medic with the U.S. Army, 12th Armored Division, 82nd Armored Medical Battalion, from 1944 to 1945, which took part in the liberation of the French region of Alsace-Lorraine and western Germany. For his service, he was awarded numerous accolades includes the Bronze Star, the Combat Medical Badge, the European Africa Middle East Service Medal, the World War II Victory Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal, and his medical unit also received a Meritorious Service Plaque.
“I am honored to nominate Dr. Max S. Eagelfeld for the 2019 NYS Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame,” said Mayer. “Dr. Eagelfeld served our country during WWII, and he is a true American hero. I was glad to welcome Dr. Eagelfeld, his wonderful wife, Naomi, and their son Barry to Albany for the ceremony. The Veterans’ Hall of Fame ceremony is held just a few days before Memorial Day, and it serves as a time to recognize the notable residents of our state who served our country. Legislatively, I am pleased to support measures to improve and enhance veterans’ services and opportunities in Westchester and across New York State.”
Eagelfeld thanked Mayer for recognizing his service during World War II as a combat medic, for which he received the Combat Medical Badge and a Bronze Star medal.
“One of my memorable experiences was visiting the French and German battlefields in 2010, where the 12th Armored Division fought to liberate Europe, with five other veterans from my division and their families,” he said. “After a ceremony at the American Cemetery in Alsace Lorraine, both villagers from towns that were liberated by our forces and the granddaughter of Gen. Patton thanked us for helping to liberate that area of France. It brought back both good and horrific memories I experienced during that time in my life.
“In 1945, I crossed the Rhine River under Gen. George S. Patton’s Third Army, and later crossed the Danube as the first Allied Division to cross that River. Having been a lifelong resident of the State of New York for 95 years, this recognition by the New York State Senate for the Veterans Hall of Fame is especially meaningful to both me and my family, honoring my service to this country nearly 75 years ago. “
On May 11, 2018, Eagelfeld received a Knighthood in the French Legion of Honor by the French Consul-General in New York for aiding in the liberation of the Alsace-Lorraine region of France.
Eagelfeld has lived in New York State his entire 95 years, and has been a resident of the Town of Mamaroneck with his wife for more than 50 years. He has given talks before students and military history groups about his experiences during World War II.
