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Military Heroes
While working on a book honoring graduates and former students from Davenport, Iowa's Assumption High School and Saint Ambrose Academy who died while in service to their country, my wife told me I should create a web site, sharing the pictures and stories as told by the heroes family with others to read and enjoy. Adventuring into such a new world made me nervous. But nevertheless, I thought I would give it a try.
As time pasted, I added a page honoring Korean War veterans from Rock Island County, Illinois and Scott County, Iowa; and became the official web site for Medal of Honor recipients Jimmie Earl Howard and Allen James Lynch.
My current project is working on a book for Burlington (Iowa) High School, honoring their graduates and former students who died while in servicing to their country.
This web site also pays tribute to the United States Army Finance Corps soldiers who died while in service to their country and a special tribute to this web sites heroes who are still listed as Missing In Action.
The dedication and service of these heroes, will never be truly appreciated or understood by those who never served. Those who were there with them, are the only living individuals who can truly say, without reservation, that they KNOW what they experienced and endured.
Thank you for stopping by. As you look through my web site, I hope that you take a moment to think about what this great Country would be like if it wasn't for this web sites heroes, service and sacrifice.
Assumption High School; Davenport, Iowa: In the Fall of 1958, Assumption high School opened its doors as a co-institutional facility, with the merger of Saint Ambrose Academy and Immaculate Conception Academy. In the School’s 46-year history, six graduates made the ultimate sacrifice.
Burlington High School; Burlington, Iowa: The high school was established on 15 June 1864, when the Burlington Board of Education rented Cumberland Presbyterian Church. J. E. Dow (City Superintendent of the Schools) elected as the high schools first Principal on 20 July 1864. The first graduation took place in 1868 when eleven students received their diploma. A half-mill tax was levied with a contracted awarded on 13 May 1872, to Houseworth and Hayden to build a high school at the corner of Valley and Boundary Streets. In the high school's 140-year history, twenty-seven graduates and former students are known to have died while in the service of their country.
Korean War Veterans from Scott County, Iowa and Rock Island County, Illinois: On 13 September 2003, a ceremony was held in Davenport’s River Center honoring the Korean War soldiers, sailors, airmen, and Marines that made the ultimate sacrifice
Saint Ambrose Academy; Davenport, Iowa: The Academy, an all boy’s school, was founded in 1882 by Davenport’s first bishop, the Rev. John McMullen, D.D. The Academy offered preparatory classes prior to entrance into classical, collegiate, or commercial courses. In 1958, the Academy and Immaculate Conception Academy, an all girls school, merged to form a co-educational school; Assumption High School. In the Academy’s 76-year history, twenty-five graduates and former students made the ultimate sacrifice.
United States Army Finance Corps: I know of three Finance Corps soldiers that made the ultimate sacrifice for their country: Lieutenant Colonel Lewis L. Hawkins, Sergeant Major (Retired) Robert Erroll Russell, Sr., and Staff Sergeant Mike A. Dennie. If you know of a Finance Corps soldier who made the ultimate sacrifice, please contact me at [email protected]
IT'S THE SOLDIER
It's the soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us freedom of the
PRESS.
It's the soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us freedom of
SPEECH.
It's the soldier, not the campus
ORGANIZER,
Who has given us the freedom to
DEMONSTRATE.
It's the soldier, not the lawyer,
Who has given us the right to a
FAIR TRIAL.
It's the soldier who salutes the flag,
Serves under the flag
And whose coffin is draped by the flag,
Who gives the protester the right to
burn the flag.
Medal of Honor
The Medal of Honor, established by joint resolution of Congress, 12 July 1862 (amended by Act of 9 July 1918 and Act of 25 July 1963) is awarded in the name of Congress to a person who, while a member of the Armed Services, distinguishes himself conspicuously by gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty while engaged in an action against any enemy of The United States; while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force; or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which The United States is not a belligerent party. The deed performed must have been one of personal bravery or self-sacrifice so conspicuous as to clearly distinguish the individual above his comrades and must have involved risk of life. Incontestable proof of the performance of service is exacted and each recommendation for award of this decoration is considered on the standard of extraordinary merit.
Present day variations of the Medal of Honor
Army Navy Air Force
Medal of Honor Recipient home page on Military-Heroes.com:
Jimmie Earl Howard (USMC, Vietnam)
Allen James Lynch (Army, Vietnam)
Medal of Honor Recipient home page at HomeofHeroes.com:
Harvey C. Branum (USMC, Vietnam)
Sammy Davis (Army, Vietnam)
Drew Dix (Army, Vietnam)
Wesley Fox (USMC, Vietnam)
Peter C. Lemon (Army, Vietnam)
Jack Lucas (USMC, World War II)
Mike Novosel (Army, Vietnam)
Mitch Paige (USMC, World War II)
Other Medal of Honor Recipient home page:
Roy P. Benavidez (Army, Vietnam)
Joel Thompson Boone (Navy, World War I)
Robert L. Howard (Army, Vietnam)
Allen James Lynch (Army, Vietnam)
Robert J. Modrzejewski (USMC, Vietnam)
William Gordon Windrich (USMC, Korea)
Medal of Honor Memorial Defaced
By Rob Schneider
March 30, 2005
Vandals left the Medal of Honor Memorial looking like it had been through its own battle Tuesday, and repairs are expected to take at least six weeks.
Memorial officials estimate repairs could cost $6,000 to $8,000 in materials alone.
"It's not so much the money, it's the fact that someone would do this dishonor to people who have gone above and beyond in protecting the rights of American citizens," said Susan Hanafee, a member of the IPALCO Foundation board responsible for the upkeep of the memorial on the Downtown Canal.
The attack on the memorial also upset and surprised visitors out enjoying the spring-like weather.
"It's shocking," said Harold Cleaver, 34, as his sons, Logan, 7, and Ethan, 6, moved through the memorial. Both children were old enough to understand the significance of the memorial, a series of green glass panels inscribed with the names of the soldiers who received the country's highest honor for bravery during war.
The
Cleaver boys, who were visiting the memorial for the first time, "asked why
would somebody do that," their father said.
One panel had a hole in it, while glass in a second panel was chipped. Each panel weighs about 200 pounds with glass that is one inch thick.
In addition, walls around the memorial were spray-painted with obscenities aimed at Gov. Mitch Daniels and President Bush, peace symbols and a plea to "legalize ganja," a reference to marijuana.
Melvin E. Biddle, of Anderson, also expressed disappointment over the attack on the memorial. His name is one of those listed on the glass panels, a tribute to his actions during the Battle of the Bulge during World War II.
"It's just a shame we have people like that," Biddle said.
The vandalism was discovered Tuesday morning and was the most serious act against the memorial since it was dedicated in May 1999.
The IPALCO Foundation has put up a $10,000 reward for information leading to the arrest of those involved.
Vandals also sprayed graffiti along an area of the canal that stretches from the National Collegiate Athletic Association offices to just east of the memorial.
The areas receiving the most damage included the memorial and the support columns and walls of the Indiana State Museum that face the canal.
The attack stood in stark contrast to the spirit of the memorial, which was designed to pay homage to the acts of ordinary men who did extraordinary things.
Created to look like glass sails that glow at night against the city's Downtown skyline as a backdrop, the concept of the memorial came from John Hodowal, the former chairman of IPALCO Enterprises. He, along with his wife, was overcome by images of these men after reading a story about a Medal of Honor gathering.
The dedication of the memorial was timed to coincide with the city's 1999 Memorial Day activities and drew nearly 100 Medal of Honor recipients and thousands of spectators.
Until Tuesday, the memorial had remained untouched, except for one instance when someone tried to steal one of its speakers, said Hanafee, the foundation board member. "People have respected it and treated it with the dignity it deserves," she said.
Hanafee said investigators will see if two security cameras in the area captured the vandalism.
Anyone with information is asked to call (317) 232-3142 and ask for Detective Scott Alexander.
Source: 30 March 2005 issue of the Indianapolis Star
Links for additional articles:
Child Empties Piggy Bank To Fix Vandalized Memorial
Attention to Orders:
A National Hero Passes
The following Medal of Honor recipients passed away in 2005:
Ernest Chief Childers
United States Army, World War II
16 March 2005
George Lang
United States Army, Vietnam War
16 March 2005
George H. O'Brien, Jr.
United States Marine Corps, Korean War
11 March 2005
Stephen Gregg
United States Army, World War II
4 February 2005
The following Medal of Honor recipients passed away in 2004:
Richard Keith Sorenson
United States Marine Corps, World War II
9 October 2004
Richard E. Bush
United States Marine Corps, World War II
7 June 2004
Raymond M. Clausen, Jr.
United States Marine Corps, Vietnam
30 May 2004
As of 31 March 2005, there are 125 living Medal of Honor recipients.
Prisoner of War/Missing in Action
This section of the page is dedicated to this web sites heroes who fought but have not returned and whose fate is known only to god. We must pledge together to remember them each day and to do everything in our power to speak on their behalf. We must continue to find our heroes remains that still lie in nameless graves or scattered on the hillsides and return him to their own soil. Working on this together, then we can help bring our heroes back to where they belong...where they deserve to be. They fought for OUR freedom, now let's fight for THEIRS!!!! Some have been held now for 60 plus years. We need to bring them back before it's TOO LATE!
In reverence and out of respect for these heroes who truly gave their all, please observe POW/MIA Recognition Day (the third Friday in September).
Clayton Lyle Bogart, Jr.
Private First Class
United States Army
20 December 1950
George Howard Briear
Fireman Second Class
United States Navy Reserve
Water Tender Second Class
United States Navy
9 August 1942
Staff Sergeant
United States Army Air Force
3 June 1944
Commander
United States Navy Reserve
4 May 1945
Second Lieutenant
United States Army Air Force
4 February 1944
Corporal
United States Marine Corps
10 October 1942
Lieutenant (Junior Grade)
United States Navy Reserve
5 June 1942
Pharmacist's Mate Third Class
United States Navy Reserve
8 January 1945
First Lieutenant
United States Air Force
16 July 1953
Charles H. Weyer
Private
United States Army
11 February 1945
Donald Harold Wilson
Airman Second Class
United States Air Force
31 October 1952
Michael J. Ybarra
Sergeant First Class
United States Army
31 December 1953
Click on the button below to View and Sign the Guestbook!
The Department of Defense announced on 19 November 2004, the launch of “America Supports You,” a nationwide program to showcase and communicate American support to the men and women of the Armed Forces.
In announcing “America Supports You,” Principal Deputy Under Secretary of Defense for Personnel and Readiness Charles Abell said that thousands of Americans, including individual citizens, businesses and organizations, have spearheaded activities and projects in their communities to show their support for America’s Armed Forces, especially those serving in harm’s way.
“These activities of support have a positive impact on the morale and spirit of those who serve,” said Abell. He said the “America Supports You” program will showcase these community activities and projects on a new website http://www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil so that the American public and the U.S. military serving at home and overseas will know firsthand how much the American people appreciate their service and sacrifice.
Teenager Shauna Fleming of Los Angeles created one of the projects highlighted on the new “AmericaSupportsYou” web site. Fleming, a 15-year-old high school freshman, launched a campaign called "A Million Thanks," a year-round campaign to show U.S. military men and women, past and present, appreciation for their sacrifices, dedication and service through letters, emails, cards, prayers and thoughts.
Fleming’s story is one of many that will be profiled on the “AmericaSupportsYou” website in the coming weeks and months. Americans are invited to log on to the website and share details of activities supporting the troops that are taking place in their communities. Everyone who shares their story will receive a dog tag with the “America Supports You” logo, while supplies last.
Representatives of veterans and service organizations also joined DoD at the launch, including Edward A. Powell Jr., USO, president and chief executive officer; Raymond Felsecker, American Legion, assistant director of the National Security Foreign Relations Commission; and James R. Mueller, Veterans of Foreign Wars, senior vice commander-in-chief.
They join other organizations and associations supporting the campaign through the distribution of promotional materials and development of community-based activities.
For more information about “America Supports You,” please log on to http://www.AmericaSupportsYou.mil .
Some of the graphics for this web site were provided by:
This web site was created on 28 March 2004 and is maintained by Richard Worthy.
28 February 1973 to 30 June 1994
This web site was last updated on Sunday, April 03, 2005 09:21 PM
I Home I Assumption High School I Burlington High School I Jimmie Earl Howard I Links I Allen James Lynch I
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