Michael Bilder was inducted into the th Infantry Division in April 1941 and in 2006 was awarded the Legion of Honor, France's highest decoration, for his WWII service. A retired carpenter, he lived in the house he built himself in 1960 and where he and his late wife raised five children, until his passing in Spring 2010. James, his youngest, has a BA degree in Journalism from Lewis University and a Masters in Sciene from Loyola. He served as the mayor of Worth, Illinois from 1993 to 2001 and is currently in private industry, living only a few miles from his father with his wife and four children.
James Bilder has a BA degree in Journalism from Lewis University and a Masters in Science from Loyola University. He served as the mayor of Worth, Illinois from 1993 to 2001 and currently works in private industry, living in Chicago. His interest in military history stems not only from his grandfather Len Fairfield, but also from his father, Michael Bilder, an infantryman who was awarded the Legion of Honour, France's highest decoration, for his World War II service.
