Badgers honor Sgt. Jack Postlewaite, U.S. Army veteran, at Camp Randall
November 05, 2025 | Football
Wisconsin celebrates Heat and Housing for Heroes and Gruber Law Veteran of the Game at each Badger football home game
Jack Postlewaite didn't get a chance to take part in any sports while attending Central High School in St. Paul, Minn. His parents died when he was young and he went to live with his aunt. Money was tight, so Postlewaite worked the soda fountain at Reyers Drug Store and helped customers with their sundry purchases.
Upon graduation, Postlewaite joined the Army, where he spent three years, from 1955 to '57, rising to the rank of Sergeant while stationed in Germany. There, he was specially selected to the 10th Division Honor Guard for his embodiment of excellence and his commitment to serving his country. He wound up spending two years assigned to the 10th Infantry Division. Upon graduating with honors from the 10th Division NCO Academy, he led a 106 Recoilless Rifle Squad.
Postlewaite came home, used the GI Bill to attend Minnesota and later got his law degree from what is now the Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul.
Now 89 and retired, Postlewaite lives in Eau Claire. He's the father of four and grandfather of nine. To date, six of those grandchildren have attended Wisconsin, which might help explain the scene at Camp Randall Stadium on the night of Oct. 11.
As part of the school's "Heat and Housing for Heroes and Gruber Law Veteran of the Game" acknowledgment, Postlewaite, accompanied by his wife Lois, daughter Jennifer and three of his grandsons – freshmen Ben and Henry and junior Andrew – was brought onto the field and recognized for his military service.
It was an enlightening experience for all involved even though the Badgers endured a loss to Iowa while 76,064 fans looked on.
"It was something unusual," Postlewaite said, "to hear my name and to stand there with my grandkids and hear the response from the stands. I'm no military hero, but the fact they're willing to honor the vets like that is terrific."
His daughter, Jennifer Feisenmaier, helped arrange the moment. She called it "an opportunity of a lifetime."
"His grandsons were so excited to be on the field with him," she said. "They commented how it was so amazing that everyone was cheering for him and then thanking their grandfather for his service."
Feisenmaier said her father has related all sorts of stories about his time in the Army, but one that stands out is camaraderie Postlewaite shared with men from his unit. Two others are still living and he still stays in touch with them.
"They created quite the bond," his daughter said. "It was a big part of his life. To be recognized for it – to be thanked for it – and surrounded by his family when it happened was something none of us will forget."
Postlewaite said it was the first time he'd been to Camp Randall for a UW football game. Its backdrop as a Civic War training site and the fact its status as the fifth-oldest on-campus stadium among Football Bowl Subdivision schools – it has been around since 1917 – added to the allure.
When the Badgers host No. 24 Washington on Saturday at 3:30 p.m., it will be billed as the Military Appreciation Game in advance of Veterans Day, which is Nov. 11.
Postlewaite said his latest experience in Madison was a whirlwind of meals with his grandkids, shopping with his wife and enjoying the football game even though the outcome left something to be desired.
"The people from the University were really terrific," he said.
Feisenmaier said her dad couldn't help but be taken aback by all the applause and thank-yous from complete strangers.
"I don't think that happens much anymore," she said. "It was a real big highlight for him."
And the family, too.
"To be able to experience his joy and his appreciation, it warmed their hearts," Feisenmaier said.
Upon graduation, Postlewaite joined the Army, where he spent three years, from 1955 to '57, rising to the rank of Sergeant while stationed in Germany. There, he was specially selected to the 10th Division Honor Guard for his embodiment of excellence and his commitment to serving his country. He wound up spending two years assigned to the 10th Infantry Division. Upon graduating with honors from the 10th Division NCO Academy, he led a 106 Recoilless Rifle Squad.
Postlewaite came home, used the GI Bill to attend Minnesota and later got his law degree from what is now the Mitchell Hamline School of Law in St. Paul.
Now 89 and retired, Postlewaite lives in Eau Claire. He's the father of four and grandfather of nine. To date, six of those grandchildren have attended Wisconsin, which might help explain the scene at Camp Randall Stadium on the night of Oct. 11.
As part of the school's "Heat and Housing for Heroes and Gruber Law Veteran of the Game" acknowledgment, Postlewaite, accompanied by his wife Lois, daughter Jennifer and three of his grandsons – freshmen Ben and Henry and junior Andrew – was brought onto the field and recognized for his military service.
It was an enlightening experience for all involved even though the Badgers endured a loss to Iowa while 76,064 fans looked on.
"It was something unusual," Postlewaite said, "to hear my name and to stand there with my grandkids and hear the response from the stands. I'm no military hero, but the fact they're willing to honor the vets like that is terrific."
His daughter, Jennifer Feisenmaier, helped arrange the moment. She called it "an opportunity of a lifetime."
"His grandsons were so excited to be on the field with him," she said. "They commented how it was so amazing that everyone was cheering for him and then thanking their grandfather for his service."
Feisenmaier said her father has related all sorts of stories about his time in the Army, but one that stands out is camaraderie Postlewaite shared with men from his unit. Two others are still living and he still stays in touch with them.
"They created quite the bond," his daughter said. "It was a big part of his life. To be recognized for it – to be thanked for it – and surrounded by his family when it happened was something none of us will forget."
Postlewaite said it was the first time he'd been to Camp Randall for a UW football game. Its backdrop as a Civic War training site and the fact its status as the fifth-oldest on-campus stadium among Football Bowl Subdivision schools – it has been around since 1917 – added to the allure.
When the Badgers host No. 24 Washington on Saturday at 3:30 p.m., it will be billed as the Military Appreciation Game in advance of Veterans Day, which is Nov. 11.
Postlewaite said his latest experience in Madison was a whirlwind of meals with his grandkids, shopping with his wife and enjoying the football game even though the outcome left something to be desired.
"The people from the University were really terrific," he said.
Feisenmaier said her dad couldn't help but be taken aback by all the applause and thank-yous from complete strangers.
"I don't think that happens much anymore," she said. "It was a real big highlight for him."
And the family, too.
"To be able to experience his joy and his appreciation, it warmed their hearts," Feisenmaier said.
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