Former Milpitas Mayor Receiving Honorary Promotion from Marine Corps

It has been nearly six decades since Staff Sergeant William Weisgerber was medically discharged from the U.S. Marine Corps. During the Korean War, Weisgerber was on track to be promoted to Gunnery Sergeant, when he lost his leg and was medically discharged. The actions that led to the injuries resulted in him receiving the Nacy Cross, the highest honor awarded by the U.S. Navy. However, his promotion was stalled because he was officially retired.

Since then, he has been elected as Mayor of Milpitas, serve as the city’s chair of Veterans Commission, and marry his high school sweet heart.

But in 2000, the rules changed regarding honorary promotions for veterans. After some hard lobbying in Washington for more than a decade, Staff Sergeant William Weisgerber officially became Gunnery Sergeant Weisgerber on Saturday. He is only the second Marine to receive the honorary promotion since the rules changed.

From the San Jose Mercury News:

It’s been nearly 60 years since former Milpitas Mayor William “Denny” Weisgerber served in the Marine Corps, but Saturday he’s getting promoted from staff sergeant to gunnery sergeant.

Read the full article here.