Photo Gallery
Floyd Hartwig’s military photo.
Floyd Hartwig later in life.
Floyd Hartwig and fellow soldiers in Korea.
Floyd Hartwig and fellow soldiers in Korea.
Myron Petrowski, Floyd Hartwig, Fritz Schwitzer, Jim Soufal
Ben Hartwig telling his grandfather, Floyd Hartwig’s, story.
Floyd Hartwig’s grave in Sacred Heart Cemetery.
Ben Hartwig next to his grandfather, Floyd Hartwig’s grave.
The Hartwig family celebrating Floyd Hartwig’s Koran War service: Jake Hartwig, Dan Hartwig, Diane Hartwig, Ben Hartwig, Annelies Hartwig holding Oliver Hartwig, Alex Hartwig holding Abel Hartwig, and Luke Hartwig.
Floyd Hartwig
After High School, I tried to join the Navy, but was rejected on May 25, 1945, due to my lack of swimming skills. I furthered my education at Milwaukee School of Engineering studying refrigeration and was a student there from August 15, 1945, to my graduation day of December 21, 1945. I then went to work at Shawano Beverage Company where Pomps Tire is currently located and I worked for Orie Williams, that piqued my interest in the bottling business.
I was drafted into the United States Army on September 21, 1950, and was in the 24th division. I had my basic training in Indiana and shipped out for Japan in January of 1950. We then shipped out for Korea on March 24th, 1951 at 8:30 AM.
During the six months I spent overseas I was put on the frontlines because I was an expert shot and served in the rifle squad. I was injured twice and had a very close call. I will start with the close call involving a hand grenade. I came upon a bunker where enemies were firing and I lobbed a grenade about 50 feet toward them, but it landed on the edge of the bunker. Then, I saw the grenade roll back down the hill toward where our guys were. I felt sick to my stomach watching that grenade roll by my fellow soldiers but, it never went off. I either forgot to pull the pin or it was a dud. Either way, I was the happiest man in the world because it did not go off. Now on to my injuries that I sustained.
First, I was shot in the hand on April 16th, 1951 which took me out of the front line for 6 days. On April 22, 1951 | was shipped back out and was then shot through both legs which occurred on April 24th, 1951. On July 3, 1951 I received a doctor’s report stating I was unfit for combat. After being in the hospital for 4 months, I was shipped back to San Fransisco on August 24th, 1951. I find it interesting that I was shipped out on March 24th, I was in the 24th Division, injured on April 24th, which was my 24th birthday, and then returned to the United States on August 24th. Quite a coincidence! I remained in the Active Reserve until November 27th, 1956, when I was honorably discharged.
While lying in a Tokyo bed healing from my injuries, I came up with the idea to start up a small bottling plant. I started it with my softball buddies who always referred to me as Twig, so we decided to call the bottling company, Twig’s Beverage. I sent my military checks home to start investing in equipment. This business really took off and it caught the attention of Charles Lazier, who was the inventor of a Golden Cola known, as Sun Drop.
Once I returned home, I married the love of my life Valda Hartwig on July 5th, 1951. Together we raised 4 children, Ken, Sherry, Dan, and Cathy. I was involved in many organizations in the Shawano community. I was involved with the Knights of Columbus, Shawano Eagles Club, Rotary Club, The VFW, The American Legion, 40et8, D.A.V., and Shawano Masonic Lodge 170. I also graduated clown college in Baraboo and after my graduation from there, I would attend multiple events as Twig the Clown. I attended mass every Sunday with my family at Sacred Heart Catholic Church. I was 92 when I passed away on January 10, 2020 in Shawano, WI surrounded by my loved ones.