With the U.S. 's entry into World War II , Slezak became a Major in the United States Army . He was promoted to Lieutenant Colonel in 1942 and Colonel in 1943 . He spent 47 months with the Chicago Ordnance District , first as Deputy District Chief , then as Chief of the Industrial Division , and finally as District Chief . For his war service , Slezak was awarded the Legion of Merit in 1944 ; the Oak Leaf Cluster in 1946 ; and the American Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal . After the war , as a civilian , Slezak helped to establish the machine tool division of the Army-Navy Munitions Board
World War II Victory Medal
World War II Victory Medal (United States)
John Slezak