GREEN BAY, WI (WFRV) - Folks gathered at the VA Outpatient Clinic bearing the name of "Battle of the Bulge" hero Milo C. Huempfner Friday for a special rededication ceremony and tribute to the 80th anniversary of the infamous battle that preceded the Nazi surrender in World War II. He is the highest-decorated World War II Veteran in Brown County, having received the Distinguished Service Cross and Bronze Star for his extraordinary heroism. Hometown Heroes: Pulaski native Eugene Kraszewski reflects on 80th anniversary of the Battle of the Bulge "Milo's bravery at the Battle of the Bulge is an inspiration to us all," Congressman Tony Weid told the crowd. "80 Years ago he went above and beyond the call of duty in service to his country. It is important that we continue to honor him and tell his story so future generations know the sacrifices that were made to allow us to live in the freest country in the world." The Private First Class served in the 551st Parachute Infantry Battalion. So it seems only fitting that they unveiled a new display case by tearing away a parachute. Rededication organizers say the more they learned about Milo, the more they knew that just a plaque wouldn't do. Milo's story of staying behind enemy lines in a German-occupied town in Belgium is the stuff of legends. "There's a lot of truth that he was a one-man army," said his VFW buddy Bernard Deprey who turns 99 on Saturday." Definitely, and the Germans got the worst end of that one!" Huempfner single-handedly waged war against a German tank column during the infamous "Battle of the Bulge." He would inflict severe damage on German machinery while wandering between enemy lines to warn Allied forces. "He hid in the attic of the train depot," revealed Deprey. "He snuck out, I don't know how many times. He ruined vehicles. There was one time he took a truck and got it going fast enough that he went through the German line and they were so shocked." Congressional records were the first to use the term "one-man army" when recounting how he was separated from his convoy during a chaotic battle. He saved countless American lives, and with a single pistol, he protected civilians as they celebrated Christmas mass, and managed to secure the surrender of more than a dozen Nazis before all was said and done. He did it all without ever being ordered to do so. After the war, he attended 900 funerals of fellow Veterans in Brown County alone before his passing at 67 in 1985. The VA outpatient clinic bears his name and reminds us of his unending devotion to fellow soldiers over himself. "As a proud Navy veteran, I am grateful for the care and services provided by the VA," said WI Dept. of Veterans Affairs Deputy Secretary Christopher J. McElgunn. "WDVA stands with the VA and the critical services they provide to Wisconsin Veterans." Milo's family also attended the rededication and posed for pictures afterward while getting an up-close look at all the artifacts now on display in the facility's lobby. Some are on loan from the Neville Public Museum. Milo entrusted the institution with more than 100 artifacts and personal effects from the war. One of the more intriguing items is a compass that probably came in handy as he evaded the Germans and put his explosives skill to work to foil what was their last gasp for victory. "He trusted the Neville to keep his story," said museum director Beth Kowalski. "To hold tight his story and preserve his story. So we're very fortunate." One of the volunteer greeters at the clinic is a retired art teacher who restored the helmet on display and marveled that a palm tree was the symbol. "It confused me about why, if they're in Belgium, they have a palm tree," Teri Bartel explained. "It's because they were originally trained to go to the Caribbean." It took until the last minute to find the correct replica jacket to complete the vision of the display. "Luckily veterans from the Oneida Nation had one of these jackets and graciously offered to donate it to the facility," recalled Kyle Newkirk who many credit for spearheading the rededication concept. "Further, it was the same size as Milo's original jacket. So, it was just meant to be." There are also items from the town that Milo protected and his eldest daughter, Jeri Huempfner-Gatz, visited. Hometown Hero Andy Weyker passes away after brave battle with ALS She lights up when talking about seeing how a world away, they too know about the hero of Green Bay. "It's just such a gift to us," Jeri told Local 5 News. "As the eldest daughter, he was my hero always."