(from left: Dr. Ken Guetzke, Dean Leon Assael, Tom Guetzke)

The School of Dentistry hosted alumnus Dr. Ken Guetzke (Class of 1949) and his son, Tom, at TCF Bank Stadium on Saturday, September 8, for the University of Minnesota football home opener.

Dr. Guetzke was featured in a Spring 2012 Dentistry Magazine story about the unexpected honor he received last January when the French government awarded him its Chevalier (Knight) of the Legion of Honor for his role in helping liberate France during World War II. Guetzke was among the United States forces that landed in Normandy and fought their way inland. His bravery also earned him a Purple Heart at Omaha Beach in Normandy and a Bronze Star at Saint-Lô, France.

A long-time Golden Gophers fan and former football season ticket holder, the 96-year-old Guetzke arrived at the stadium in a Purple Heart jacket, and University of Minnesota and School of Dentistry garb and cheered Minnesota on to a 44-7 victory over the University of New Hampshire.