Bernard Cardinal

Butch served his country as a U.S. Marine, fighting in the Battle at Iwo Jima, where he earned a Purple Heart. After being honorably discharged in March 1946, his rank was corporal, but he re-enlisted in 1949 for another three years and served during the Korean War. While in the service, he took up amateur boxing, gaining a passion for physical fitness, which he pursued his entire life. He participated in many marathons. He set the example and encouraged the youth in Chippewa County the values of physical fitness. Upon returning to Chippewa Falls after the service, he worked in construction in St. Paul, Minnesota. He then worked at a construction company in Eau Claire, working on dams in Chippewa Falls, Jim Falls and Cornell.

He was a devoted member of Notre Dame Catholic Church in Chippewa Falls.