Honoring and Remembering the
BRAVE VETERANS
Who Fought... To Give Us A Safe And Peaceful Place To Live. VETERAN’S DAY 2016
PAGE 2 - VETERAN’S SALUTE 2016-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 6, 2016
Honor A Loved One... Help Make A Difference with a Brick Purchase.
The Wayne HealthCare Foundation is selling bricks for our donor wall and Veteran Memorial Gardens. Your donation of $100 will help us improve the health and well-being of our local community. Larger donations are welcome for our donor wall as well, up to $1,000. Great for remembering a loved one. These lasting tributes will be around for generations to come.
WAYNE HEALTHCARE FOUNDATION VETERANS MEMORIAL BRICK ORDER FORM
Simply return this completed order form and payment to have your very own Veteran Memorial Brick made for our Veterans Memorial Garden
(Maximum 14 characters/spaces per line. Please leave a space as needed. Include Veteran’s Name and Rank, Branch of Service, and Dates Served. Cost is $100 donation per brick. No limit on the number of bricks.
Purchaser’s Name __________________________________________________________________________________________________________ Address ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________ City _____________________________________________ State ___________ Zip _____________________________________________________ Phone ________________________________________________________________________ Date_________________________________________
Make checks payable to: Wayne HealthCare Foundation, 835 Sweitzer St., Greenville, OH 45331 For more information, contact Lauren Henry, Director 547-7408 or lauren.henry@waynehealthcare.org. All contributions are tax deductible. “Collaborating through philanthropy with Wayne HealthCare in order to enhance community education and wellness close to home”
Fitzwater fair auction raises thousands for local Veterans BY CLINTON RANDALL STAFF WRITER crandall@earlybirdpaper.com
GREENVILLE – On Thursday evening, October 27, staff members from Fitzwater Tree & Lawn Care presented a check for $3,000 to the American Legion Post 140 in Greenville. “Fitzwater’s was founded 70 years ago by Stan Fitzwater… which he was a Veteran,” Fitzwater owner David Furlong told the members of the American Legion. “You guys sacrificed a lot for all of us and that is why we wanted to give back to the community.” The money was raised from a silent auction held during the 160th Great Darke County Fair in which bids were made to purchase a one-of-a-kind maple tree-based table with a custom glass top. The base of the table was discovered on part of a fallen maple tree, was cut and later sealed by Fitzwater staff members. According to Furlong, Matt Light was the one who purchased the table, which weighs well over a thousand pounds. Light says it will be placed in the foyer of a new building for the Light Foundation – with the foundation logo etched into the glass top. Fitzwater Tree & Lawn Care is located at the corner of State Route 49 and JaysvilleSt. Johns Road. Visit them online to learn more at www. fitzwatertreeandlawncare. com.
NOVEMBER 6, 2016-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERAN’S SALUTE 2016 - PAGE 3
(Clinton Randall photo)
As our Armed Forces fight to protect our freedom abroad, we’re reminded of the sacrifice made by so many brave soldiers before them. On Veterans Day, we pause to recognize and thank all of the veterans who have served our country. We are eternally grateful for their dedication and service.
1275 Northview Drive, Greenville, OH 45331 937-548-9521
PAGE 4 - VETERAN’S SALUTE 2016-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 6, 2016
From premie to presidential certificate Duane Hiatt, son of Ralph and Lenora (Edwards) Hiatt was born Dec. 31, 1932. He was a premature baby, so small he was wrapped in cotton and put in a shoebox to keep warm. He went to school in Palestine and worked at the Palestine Elevator, the Palestine Exchange and farmed with his dad. He joined the Marines in 1950 and spent 14 months on the frontlines in Korea. He was an MP at the Navy Base in Norfolk, VA. Duane farmed for several persons and worked at the Chicken Barbecue Tent at the Darke County Fair. In 1986 he had a severe heart attack and died at home in his favorite chair. After his death, President Ronald Reagan sent a certificate to the family that stated – The United States of America honors the memory of Duane Hiatt. This certificate
Elva Saylor & Sons Duane Hiatt
is awarded by a grateful nation in recognition of devoted and selfless consecration to the service of our country in the Armed Forces of the United States.
Mrs. Elva Saylor (upper center) has give sons who have done and are dong a magnificent job on the fighting fronts of the world. While her boys are gone, Mrs. Saylor is doing her part on the home front by working every day at her job. Pfc. Dale Saylor (upper left) has been in the service for three years and served in Africa and Italy with a Chemical Corps for over a year. He participated in two invasions and was returned to the states some time ago because of injuries and “trench feet.” He is now stationed at Camp Detrick, Md. Sgt. Lacy Saylor (upper right) is an Air Corps engineer and has been in the Philippines for some time. He has been in the Air Corps
for two years and overseas for a year. S 1-c Herbert Saylor (lower left) joined the Navy the night he graduated from high school last May. He is now stationed on a battleship in the southwest Pacific. Raymond Saylor (lower center) received a medical discharge from the service recently after suffering back injuries during training. Sgt. Paul Saylor (lower right) enlisted in the army five years ago and was stationed in Iceland for 22 months. At the present time he is in the European Theater of Operations with a Communication and Radio Cannon Company. He has been in Europe for seven months. This story appeared in the The Flare-Maker.
Thank You for Your Service!
Erwin Brothers Trucking
LOCAL/ OVER THE ROAD • TANKER (HM) Must be 21 years of age FLATBED • REEFER with CDL Great Pay & Home Time • VAN russ@erwinbrostrucking.com Inquiries call 1-866-532-5993
VETERANS
NOVEMBER 6, 2016-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERAN’S SALUTE 2016 - PAGE 5
THANK YOU FOR YOUR SERVICES!
Sales & Service Field & Road
BRIDGESTONE • GENERALS MICHELIN • FIRESTONE GOODYEAR • YOKOHAMA BANDAG • RETREADS
(937) 548-4151
801 Front St., Greenville, OH 45331
Larry Addis
US Navy, Petty Officer 2nd Class 1961-1966
Clarence J. Evers
Gene Gigli
Ryan Phillip Benge US Army, SPC Operation Iraqi Freedom Veteran
US Air Force, Sgt. Served in Turkey Jan. 1986-Jan. 1990
Ryan Berry
Joe Goebel
Gaylen Blosser
Harry Foutz
Norman Fullerton
US Army, Tsgt. WWII Europe - 1945
U.S. Army
US Army, SP/4 Vietnam 1966-1968
US Marine, LCpl. Vietnam 1967-1971
Tom Butts
Sammy L. Davis
Irvin Dapore
Phillip Benge
John Dudek
Stanley Dudek
Wally Dudek
Jacob Sobieraj
Louis Tomich
David L. Booher
U.S. Navy
U.S. Navy
U.S. Army Medal of Honor
U.S. Army
US Navy World War II
U.S. Navy
US Army, SPC Vietnam Veteran
U.S. Navy
U.S. Army
US Navy WWII
Angela Crisp
US Army, E-5 Vietnam 1968-1970
US Army, SP4 1970-1974
Ed Dudek
U.S. Army 1982-1987
U.S. Air Force
Doug Black
Ray J. Allread
Billie Radford Campbell
Jack Eugene Crawford
US Army Korea Nov. 1951-Aug. 1953
Robert L. Crawford Staff Sgt. World War II Killed in France June 30, 1944
John Byron Davis US Navy, 2nd Class Machinist Alaska 1943-1945
US Air Force, CMSgt., retired Jan. 6, 1961-Feb. 1982 Also spent 30 years continuing career with AF as civil servant and contractor retiring Oct. 2012 with 51 years of total service
Kristopher K. Garrison
US Army, SP5 E-5 Served during Vietnam Army Commendation Medal
US Army, SSG E-6 Bronze Star with Valor, Combat INF Badge, Defense Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam, 1965-1967
US Army, Pfc. Join Security Area Panmunjam, Korea 1964-1965 Signal Corp. 1963-1965
PAGE 6 - VETERAN’S SALUTE 2016-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 6, 2016
24 HOUR EMERGENCY TOWING
Hurd’s Service Inc. 1363 Sater Street, Greenville, Ohio 45331 www.hurdsserviceinc.com
President Ralph Hurd Jr., Vice President Ralph Hurd Sr.
Call 937-548-0733
Elaine Harter
US Air Force, SSgt. 1977-1983
Jack Greer
Charles Greer
Chester Greer
Kenny Greer
Nicholas L. Grillot
U.S. Army WWII
U.S. Army WWII
U.S. Army WWII
U.S. Army, Pvt. 1st Class 1949-1952
Gerald J. Greer
Robert Greer
Sam Greer
Paul Hartzell
Karl A. Kissling
Beth Kirkpatrick
Michael J. Hiatt
Noel Hufford
Francis Heck
Everett Greer
U.S. Army Served during the early 60s
U.S. Marine Infantry Security 1984-1987
US Marine Chu Lai – South Vietnam 1966-1968
US Army Fort Knox, Ky. 1967-1968
Gib Heck
James Heck
Richard Heck
BK Hufford US Navy
US Army Air Corp.
Doyle L. Hemmerich
Naomi V. (Kimmel) Hemmerich
Glenn Hemmerich
Larry (Tom) Hofacker 2015
US Army, TSgt. 168th Infantry Co. K Silver Star, Bronze Star, Purple Heart and other Campaign Medals Served for 4 1/2 Years Inductee into Military Hall of Fame in 2015
U.S. Army
US Army Air Corps, Sgt. WWII, Aviation Engineer in Okinawa 1944-1946
U.S. Army
US Navy WAVES, Telegrapher, 3rd Class Served during WWII 1944-1946
U.S. Navy
US Army, Quartermaster Served in Germany and France during WWII 1942-1946
US Army, Sp/4 Vietnam 1969 Active Duty 1968-1971 Army National Guard, 1988-1995
US Army World War II
Lloyd Hunt
U.S. Army WWII
US Army Reserves June 2016
U.S. Army WWII
U.S. Marine Corp. 2001-2005
David King
U.S. Army
US Navy 1962-1966
Ron Kauffman
Denver Harter
US Navy 1955-1958 Served on the aircraft carrier Saratoga
US Army, Sgt. Korean Service Medal (with 3 Bronze Stars) Served in Korea for 1 year and 21 days 1949-1952
NOVEMBER 6, 2016-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERAN’S SALUTE 2016 - PAGE 7
Saluting All Wholesale Carpet Outlet Veterans
Wholesale Carpet Outlet Express
301 E. Main St., Gettysburg 937-447-4265
Portland, IN 260-766-4262
Mon-Fri 8:00-8:00/Sat 9:00-5:00 www.wholesalecarpetgettysburg.com
Larry J. Linder
US Army, SP4 – E5 1966-1968
Estel H. Pence US Army 1942
Dale M. Marker
Jim Lorton
Steve MaBrey
Brian Magoto
Tom Magoto, Sr. US Army World War II
Union Army Civil War Aug. 5, 1862-June 5, 1865
US Army, Infantry WWI Aug. 8, 1918-Jan. 13, 1919
Jeffery Pence
Donald Rhoades
Richard E. Martin
Byford K. McGlinch
Richard Polei
Troy McDaniel
Paul Marchal
John H. Laub
Richard Rhoades
Royce Rhoades
Eugene F. Martin
William L. McDaniel
US Navy, Petty Officer 2nd Class
US Air Force, Sgt. E-4 Guam 1948-1988
Army, 3rd Infantry Div. WWII Victory Medal March 1943 to Nov. 1945
US Navy, 3rd Class Store Keeper World War II South Pacific 1943-1946
Thomas L. Pence
Kenneth L. Pence
US Navy USS George Clymer APA 27 Korean War Honor Flight October 2014 Feb. 1952-Dec. 1955
US Navy, MM3 USS Noa DD 841, USS Kimberly DD 521 Korean War Honor Flight May 2014 Sept. 1948-April 1953
US Army
US Army, Sgt. Korea 1952-1954
US Marine Corp. 1st Marine Division Korean War 1955-1958
Henry H. McEowen
Union Army, Pvt. Greenville, Aug. 5, 1862 Company G. 44th Inf. Jan.4, 1864 transferred to Company G, 8th Cavalry Mustered out May 30, 1865
US Air Force Active Duty
US Air Force, Lt. Col. May 1968-May 1990
US Army, Cpl. Philippine Islands 1951-1953
Daniel A Pond, Jr.
US Navy, SM3 USS UTE; USS Motobi 2 WestPac; 2 Vietnam, South China, Pearl Harbor 1963-1967
US Army, MSgt. 1941-1945
US Army, Cpl. France, Germany 1951-1953
Stanley W. McEowen
U.S. Navy, Lt. Commander May 2, 1932-Dec. 31, 1957 Grandson of Henry H. McEowen
William I. Martin
US Army, Corporal Korea 1952-1953
US Army Corps of Engineers T/Sgt. July 14, 1942Oct. 10, 1945
Scott Riffle
US Navy, E-5 USS America, CVA-66 Vietnam (72-73) 1969-1973
Harold L. Martin
US Air Force 1990-1994
US Army, Pfc Sharpshooter and Paratrooper 1962-1963
William “Bub” McDaniel, II
US Air Force, MSgt. Desert Shield, Desert Storm Killed in Action on Feb. 22, 2002
PAGE 8 - VETERAN’S SALUTE 2016-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 6, 2016
Little Piece of Home In honor of our troops who have sacrificed so much. 3,116 care packages have been sent to our troops throughout the world. We want to thank our troops for their service and our community for their support. Call the staff at Zechar Bailey Funeral Home for details on how to send your care package to our troops. 937-548-4141 or 937-526-4440
Lonas (Von) Spitzer 2015 US Army, Germany Began serving when he was 14 years old Served 4 years in the 1940’s Died April 23, 2016
Josh Sizelove
US Navy, PO1 (AW) USS Nimitz, USS Stennis, USMC Base Kaneohe Bay, HI, Stationed in NAS Lemoore, CA (2007-2011 attached to VFA 14) Operation Iraqi Freedom, Operation Enduring Freedom Aug. 20, 2007-March 2015
Elmer D. Schafer
Harold H. Schafer
Herbert E. Schafer
Wilbur Warren Shotz
J. Robert Slonaker
Frank Szymanski,
US Army, Pfc. WWII Inducted April 14, 1941
US Army World War II 1943-1945
Duard G. Runner
US Air Force, Sgt. Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Feb. 8, 1943-Dec. 3, 1945
Terry Saylor
US Navy, US Marine Corp. Served with 2nd BN 1st Marine Corp in Vietnam from June 1967-July 1968 Republic of Vietnam Commendation, Republic of Vietnam Campaign, 2 Purple Hearts, Good Conduct, Unit Commendation 1966-1970
Wallace R. Seiber US Navy, South Pacific WWII
US Army, Sgt. WWII Inducted Jan. 19, 1942
US Navy, SK 2/C South Pacific Feb. 15, 1944-Jan. 31, 1946
Daniel R. Warvel 2015
US Army, Pvt. WWI, Aisne-Mame; OiseAisne; Meuss-Argonne; Army of Occupation Wounded in Action 1917-1919
US Army, Pfc. WWII Inducted June 8, 1944
US Air Force Master Sergeant, retired Jan 2, 1970-Feb. 2, 1990
Lawrence Schafer
Robert Schafer
US Army, Pfc. WWII Inducted March 1943
US Army, Pfc. Inducted March 13, 1943
Eric Wagner
Richard Warren
US Navy, Chief Gunners Mate USS Lassen (DDG 82), Mayport, Fla. Served 11 years
US Army Staff Sgt.
Herbert L. Sease US Army, Sgt. Feb. 1942-Jan. 1946
Al Tookolo
U.S. Marine Corp.
The Old Man’s Draft Estel H. Pence was by no means a young man when he entered the US Army. Born in 1902, Pence joined the Army 40 years later in 1942. He is shown with two friends at Fort Ord, CA. All were drafted in what became known as the Old Man’s Draft.
NOVEMBER 6, 2016-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERAN’S SALUTE 2016 - PAGE 9
HONORING THE BEST AND BRAVEST WISHING ALL OF OUR VETERANS A VERY HAPPY VETERANS DAY
866-523-2673
640 Markwith St. • Greenville, OH 45331 Hours: Mon.-Fri. 9-5:30 / Sat. 9-5 Largest Inventory of Hand Guns, Rifles, Shot Guns, Targets, Accessories,& Ammo in the Greenville Area
John Junior Boyd US Navy, WWII USS Saint Louis (Died 1957) 1943-1947
Robert W. Boyd, Sr. US Navy, Seaman 1st Class WWII USS Stanton (DE 247) 1944-1946
Charles Franklin Mendenhall
Robert W. Boyd, Jr.
US Navy Aircraft Carrier USS Hancock 1951-1954
US Navy Vietnam Era USS Inchon (Died 2004) 1967-1971
James E. Warner
Jack J. Warner
US Navy, Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class (T) USNR WWII USS Atlanta (CL 104) (Died 2011) 1943-1946
US Army Korean War 1950-1952
George D. Boyd US Navy Korean War USS Manchester (Died 2010) 1951-1954
Charlie W. Boyd
James L. Boyd
US Navy Korean War USS Essex (Died 1995) 1952-1954
US Navy Korean War USS Manchester (Died 2014) 1951-1954
Russell Lee Mendenhall
James L. Boyd, Jr.
James Cash
Rainee G. Reigle
US Navy Vietnam Era USS Intrepid 1966-1969
US Navy
Thank You To All Who Have Served
Judge Jason Aslinger, Darke County Probate Court
US Army 1976-1979
US Army Vietnam Era 1971-1973
Billy G. Reigle US Army Aircorp Division WWII (Died 2001) 1945-1946
Russell (Pete) L. Mendenhall US Army CO A 775th TK BN (Died 2000) 1943-1946
Ricky L. Boyd
Gary W. Boyd
Jerry Dean Boyd, US Army, 1st Sgt. Persian Gulf War 1982-1997
US Army, Specialist E4 1977-1980
Steven D. Bohn
Theodore Ralph Retz
Rick Usserman
US Army 1976-1979
US Army Vietnam Era 1972-1973
US Army WWII (Died 1995)
US Air Force 1986
Always A Welcome Stop for
GOOD CHICKEN!
1226 SWEITZER 548-1803 GREENVILLE
PAGE 10 - VETERAN’S SALUTE 2016-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 6, 2016
THE LETTER JACKET LODGE
1200 Sweitzer St ~ Greenville, Ohio 45331 • 937-548-2662
Martin Family Memories Eugene F. Martin, WWII Veteran
Gene was born on Nov. 11, 1905 in Woodington. WWI ended on Nov. 11, 1918 on his 13th birthday. This became Armistice Day and was later called Veterans Day. It was always a very special day in our home as each year the Veteran’s paraded down Broadway on his birthday and after returning from WWII he would do the same. Gene’s older brother Harold L. Martin, enlisted in the Army Infantry on Aug. 8, 1918 and served as a Pvt. in WWI. Fortunately for Harold the war ended on his younger brother’s birthday and just before he was to be shipped overseas. Harold was discharge on Jan. 13, 1919. In the summer of 1942 Gene was working as a Civil Service, Senior Electrician employed by the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers at Wright Field. On July 4, 1942 he married Mary A. Powell from Greenville who was also working at Wright Field. Being 36 at the time it was very unlikely he would be drafted. So on the 14th of July he decided to enlist in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. After taking his oath of enlistment at Wright Field the Lt. who had sworn Gene in reached across the desk and welcomed him to the Army Air Corp. At which time Gene told the Lt. that he did not wish to be in the U.S. Army Air Corp but was enlisting in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. To which the Lt. replied if you
don’t want to be in the Air Corps we don’t want you and reached over and tore up his enlistment papers. Gene was so mad he got in his car and immediately drove over to Fort Hayes in Columbus, and reenlisted this time in the U.S. Army Corps of Engineers. Gene obtained the rank of T/Sgt. during the war and was assigned to the 3rd Engineers Special Brigade. These Brigades were a new type of unit speciďŹ cally created to conduct amphibious warfare operations using landing craft like the LCVP, LCM and LCT. Initially assigned to Camp Edwards, Massachusetts and the newly formed 533rd Engineer Shore Regiment Company “Aâ€?, July 22, 1942. He was within less than three weeks reassigned to the Regimental Headquarters Company of the 593rd EBSR or Engineer Boat & Shore Regiment, 3rd Amphibian Brigade. He underwent training for assault landings at Camp Carrabelle, FL and Ft. Ord, CA. On Jan. 9, 1944 he sailed on the S.S. Sea Flasher beneath the Golden Gate Bridge for the Southwest PaciďŹ c. His most memorable thought he said as he sailed beneath the bridge was that he wondered if he would ever live to see it again. The island campaigns he participated in made a lasting impression on him as did the Japanese Banzai attacks and night time Japanese bombing
raids. The operations Gene was involved in went from Noumea, New Caledonia, Milne Bay, Goodenough Island, and Finchaven, all in New Guinea. Gene’s ďŹ rst D-Day landing was at Aitape, New Guinea, Apr. 22, 1944 the objective being to capture the Japanese airďŹ eld there. A memorable event after the landing assault on the Japanese held beach was clearing the Japanese from caves on a hill overlooking the airstrip. Gene had entered one cave and ďŹ nding no Japs in it sat down on a rock outside to rest when two other GI’s approached and asked if the cave was clear. Gene told them yes as he had found nothing in there. The two GI’s decided they would take a look too and entered the cave after a few minutes there was a lot of gun ďŹ re. They emerged from the cave and related to Gene how lucky he was to be alive as the Japs had hidden in a smaller side tunnel and had obviously let him pass by rather than reveal their hiding place. After some time on Aitape he then went on to Hollandia, in Dutch New Guinea, and Tanahmerah Bay, New Guinea. He made his second D-Day landing on the beachhead at Wakde- Sarmi, Dutch New Guinea, and Arara - on May 17, 1944. Then in July he disembarked from PT Boat Base Number 41, in what was then called the Netherland East Indies.
His third D-Day assault landing was on July 2, 1944 on Noemfoor Island, Netherland East Indies. Later that month he got a letter from home informing him of the birth of his son Richard the previous month. His son would one day be an Air Force ofďŹ cer and retire as a Lt. Colonel. On orders from HQ 593rd from Jul. 19 to Aug. 10, 1944 Gene traveled by plane and crash boat to and between: Hollandia, Finschaven, Madang, Alexishafen, Hansa Bay, Aitape, Hollandia, and Noemfoor coordinating supplies and acting as a liaison for the unit. Then on Aug. 14, 1944 he was transferred to the 71st. Evac. Hospital on Noemfoor Island due to contracting malaria, beriberi and jungle rot. On Aug. 15, 1944 he received a Letter of Commendation for outstanding service as a member of the Regimental S-4 Staff. In part reading that he was attached to Alamo Force engaged in three major D-Day assaults and carried on his work with a high degree of enthusiasm, courage, and understanding. The medical transfers continued on to the 5th Field Hospital Hollandia, Dutch New Guinea and eventually to 5th Camp Company in Manila, Philippine Islands, July 11, 1945. Gene sailed from Manila, in
MARTIN FAMILY continued on page 11
NOVEMBER 6, 2016-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERAN’S SALUTE 2016 - PAGE 11
KEITH TROUTWINE AGENCY, INC. www.troutwine-ins.com Our Website:
Kurt Troutwine
692-8310
MARTIN FAMILY continued from page 10
the Philippine Islands; Sep. 15, 1945 to Leyte Harbor, on Sep. 17, 1945. He then sailed on USS General W. C. LangďŹ tt, and arrived back in the U.S.A. in Seattle, WA. on Oct. 3, 1945. As he often said he did not see the Golden Gate Bridge again but at least he survived the war. He was discharged at Ft. Benjamin Harrison, IN. on Oct. 10, 1945. Gene’s other brother Fred W. Martin, had also registered for the draft in WWI but the war ended before he was called up. So like Gene, even though Fred was in his 40’s he enlisted in WWII in the U.S. Army Signal Corp and served in the 711th Signal Co. ACFT WNG. Gene’s two nephews Joseph H. Martin and George W. Martin, sons of his older brother Harold also enlisted during WWII. Joseph chose the Army Air Corpand was training in B-29’s when the war ended. While George served in the 104th Infantry Division also known as the “Timberwolvesâ€? Division as their shoulder patch was a wolf’s head and their focus was on nighttime combat operations. George fought in the Battle of the Bulge during the winter of 1944-1945. After WWII, Gene and several of his friends started the effort to form the local VFW Post in Greenville. His wife Mary became involved with the spouses of other veterans and in forming the Ladies Auxiliary to the local Post. This followed the pattern of two of Gene’s great uncles, 1st Sgt. Jefferson R. Martin and Sgt. William I. Martin who were veterans of Co. K of the 94th Regt. O.V. I. (Ohio Volunteer Infantry)
21 W. George St., Arcanum
during the Civil War. Upon returning to Greenville after the Civil War they helped form the local Jobes G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) Post in Greenville. Gene’s Great Grandfather James G. Martin also served in 94th Regt. O.V.I. during the Civil War. ~~~~~~
Richard E. Martin, Veteran
Dick was born June 15, 1944 in Greenville, nine days after the Normandy D-Day landings in France and a month after his father had made his second D-Day landing against the Japanese in New Guinea during WWII. Dick became interested in taking ying lessons at the old Greenville airport and made his ďŹ rst solo ight from that grass ďŹ eld during his senior year at GHS in 1963. While attending Ball State University he had the opportunity to join the Air Force ROTC. He felt very fortunate at the time because only one slot remained open in the cadet corps. The colonel in charge of the Air Science Program after a very memorable discussion accepted him into the cadet corps and it was off to basic training at Maxwell AFB that summer. Returning to campus in the fall and attending ROTC classes for the next two years was kind of different. In May 1968 at graduation in addition to his BS degree he was commissioned a 2nd Lt. in the U.S. Air Force. The ďŹ rst assignment was to the technical school at Tyndall AFB in Florida for training as a “Weapons Controller.â€? In the Air Force the weapons are of course the aircraft so you are the controller of the aircraft and their mission. This career ďŹ eld is very different from the
enlisted air trafďŹ c “ATFâ€? or tower controllers. At that time release of nuclear weapons, missiles, rockets or aircraft interceptions was retained solely within the ofďŹ cer corps as Intercept Directors /IND’s Senior Directors /SD’s or WC’s. His next assignment was to a Semi Automated Ground Environment or SAGE Air Division in AZ. There were several of these around the county as they were part of NORAD and provided the Air Defense for the United States. They contained the largest computer system in existence at that time and all search radars across the nation feed into the system. Following that Dick became the Operations OfďŹ cer at a radar site called Tin City, AFS in Alaska. This was the closest radar and U.S. military installation to the old Soviet Union. From the site you could look across the Bering Straits and see the mountains of Soviet Siberia. Intercepting Soviet bombers and ďŹ ghters trying to penetrate America airspace was quite a memorable experience to say the least. Coming out of that assignment Dick received the Air Force Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service related to those activities. A later assignment was to another SAGE location in VA. During that time he controlled interceptors against 13 hijacked aircraft as well as controlling the ďŹ ghter escort for Air Force One and the President at various times. In 1972 he left active duty and went into the AF Reserves. For approximately 10 years he was a liaison ofďŹ cer to the Italian Air Force and annually participated in NATO exercises in Italy, Turkey and Spain.
He also became an Air Intelligence OfďŹ cer and later was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal for Meritorious Service a second time. He graduated from Squadron OfďŹ cer School and from Air University Air Command & Staff College and was selected to attend the USAF Soviet Awareness Program in Washington D.C. Dick retired as a USAF, Lt. Colonel in May of 1990 with 22 years of service. ~~~~~~
William I. Martin, Civil War, Union Veteran
William was born July 7, 1840 in Casstown, Miami, Co. OH but lived in Darke Co., since 1852. In 1862 the Civil War was not going well for the Union and many units were being raised across the state. The 94th Regiment (O.V.I.) Ohio Volunteer Infantry was mustered in at Camp Piqua, OH on Aug. 24th, 1862. The unit was part of the 14th Army Corps, and the 94th O.V.I. was part of the First Brigade, First Division. Companies within the Regiment were raised in different townships and counties but almost all the men in Company “K� came from Darke Co. and many from Brown Township where the Martin’s lived. William I. Martin enlisted on Aug. 5, 1862 at the age of 22 as they tried to recruit men for the new regiment. His occupation at the time of his army enlistment was an artist when in enlisted at Ansonia. William was appointed a Corporal on Aug. 24, 1862. His brother Jefferson R. Martin followed him and enlisted on Aug. 10, 1862 at
MARTIN FAMILY continued on page 12
PAGE 12 - VETERAN’S SALUTE 2016-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 6, 2016
WE HONOR OUR VETERANS IN ALL BRANCHES OF SERVICE.
• ALIGNMENT • TIRES • BRAKES • SERVICE • REPAIR
www.grilliotalignment.com
8008 Arcanum Bears Mill Rd., Greenville MARTIN FAMILY continued from page 11
the age of 20. At the time of his enlistment in the army Jefferson was a farmer. Jefferson was appointed as a Sergeant Aug. 24, 1862. Their Company Commander was Captain Chauncey Riffle from Greenville. Company “K” was one man short of its manning requirements just before the unit was to be mustered in at Camp Piqua. To round out the unit manning document Capt. Riffle approached James G. Martin the father of William and Jefferson Martin. Captain Riffle promised James that if he would join with his two sons and round out the company manning he would make it up to him in the future. James G. Martin agreed to Capt. Riffle’s request and enlisted as a “Wagoner” or wagon driver on Aug. 13, 1862. He did this at the age of 52 making him the oldest enlisted man in the company. Four days after the unit was mustered into service it was ordered to Lexington, KY on Aug. 28, 1862. Their first battle was for a river crossing call Tate’s Ford - Aug. 31 to Sept 1, 1862. Next the unit was engaged in a battle for the Richmond-Lexington Rd. Perryville, KY - Oct. 8, 1862. The battle was fierce and the Union Army was force to withdraw to Louisville, KY. James was deafened by canon fire during the battle of the Richmond Road. He was then discharged on Nov. 10, 1862 at Louisville, KY on a surgeon’s certificate of disability and returned to Woodington in Darke Co., OH. With the loss of his father from the unit William is
hospitalized with sun stroke just before the Battle of Stone River, TN. He was left in the hospital at Nolensville, TN according to the unit muster roll list and listed as captured at Nolensville, TN when the Confederates took the field hospital. He was paroled as a P.O.W. at Nolensville on Dec 29, 1862 according to the muster roll. The Prisoner of War Records shows he was actually paroled on Dec 30, 1862. At this time Union soldiers who were paroled by the Confederacy could not take up arms against the Confederacy again until they served time in a Union camp. This agreement permitted both the Union and Confederate Armies to exchange prisoners knowing they could get their own troops back provided they did not immediately return them to a combat unit. This practice continued until a Confederate unit killed some Union P.O.W.’s they had captured in VA. William returned to the unit in October 1863 and was appointed as a Sergeant on Nov. 1, 1864. Jefferson fought at the Battle of Chickamauga on Sept. 19-21, 1863, and was later appointed 1st Sergeant of Company K on March 30, 1864. Both William and Jefferson fought together in all the following battles: Lookout Mountain, TN Nov. 24, 1863 Missionary Ridge, TN Nov. 25, 1863 Ringold, GA - Nov. 26-29, 1863 Reconnaissance on Dalton, GA - Feb. 22-26, 1864 Tunnel Hill & Buzzard’s Roost, Gap, GA - May 7-10,
1864 Resaca, GA - May 25, 1864 Dallas, GA - May 25 to June 4, 1864 Kennesaw Mt., GA - June 9-30, 1864 Marietta, GA - July 3-5, 1864 Chattahoochee River - July 6-10, 1864 Peach Tree Creek - July 20, 1864 Atlanta, GA - July 22, 1864 Siege of Atlanta - July 23 to Aug. 28, 1864 Jonesboro, GA - Sept. 1, 1865 Siege of Savannah, GA Dec. 11-21, 1865 Averysboro, NC - March 16, 1865 Bentonville, NC - March 19-21, 1865 Raleigh Campaign, NC April 10-17, 1865 They marched with General Sherman from the Atlanta to the Sea. The 94th had the reputation as one of the fastest marching units in the Union Army. They were present at Johnston’s Surrender on April 26, 1865. The 94th O.V.I. marched in the Grand Review Parade down Pennsylvania Ave. in Washington, D.C. on May 24, 1865 at the end of the Civil War. However; of the 1,010 men who left Piqua in 1862 only 338 were able to participate in their final march that day in Washington. The unit returned to Darke Co. after they were mustered out of service on June 5, 1865. In Dec. of 1864 Capt. Chauncey Riffle had to resign from the Army due to ill health. He returned to Greenville and ran for and was elected Sheriff of Darke Co. from 1864 to 1867. He also remained true to his promise to pay James G. Martin back for joining the unit and rounding out the company manning. He
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married James’ daughter Sarah Martin in 1865. William’s father James still suffered from his hearing disability incurred during the battle of the Richmond Road. In 1884 at the age of 73 James applied for his Civil War Pension due to his disability. As today the government was slow to address the needs of its veterans. Finally, after friends and neighbors petitioned on his behalf on Jan 24, 1889 at the age of 79 he was told to report to the Pension Board in Union City, Ind. for an examination of his claim. He walked from Woodington to Union City, Ind. along the railroad. Two miles from Union City a westbound passenger train struck and killed him. According to the train engineer he blew the whistle several times, but the old man did not seem to hear it. The pension board examination that day was to determine the extent of his hearing loss. So the cannon fire of two decades earlier had claimed another Darke Co. soldier. Sgt. William I. Martin and his brother 1st Sgt. Jefferson R. Martin on returning to Greenville after the Civil War helped form the local Jobes G.A.R. (Grand Army of the Republic) Post in Greenville. William was the Adjutant Officer of the Jobes G.A.R. Post in 1892, 1893 and 1894. He sent a letter from the Soldiers and Sailors Home in Sandusky to the post C/O on Dec. 30 1917. In the letter he wishes his old comrades best wishes for a happy New Year for 1918 and pays his post dues for the coming year. On Jan. 2, 1923 William died at 124 East 4th St., Greenville at the age of 82.
NOVEMBER 6, 2016-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERAN’S SALUTE 2016 - PAGE 13
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Charles and Nellie Hopper Family History of Service Ryan Phillip Benge US Army, E-4 Specialist Infantry Gunner on Bradley’s. Operation Freedom, Baghdad, Iraq Army Achievement Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal 2008-2013 Roy S. Chavez US Marine Corp., E3 Lance Corporal Packing Specialist Camp Lejune, Japan, Camp Pendleton Sharp Shooting Award, Good Conduct Medal 1983-1987 Clyde D. Curtis US Army, Specialist 4th Class Counter Guerilla Warfare School Vietnam 1965-1967 Marvin Dwight Detling US Army, Pvt. 1st Class Armored School Good Conduct Medal Active Duty - 1954-1956 Reserves 1956-1962
Lawrence Craig Fenstermaker US Army, Private Killed in Action in the Battle of the Bulge, Jan. 19, 1945. Buried 3 years later in Greenville Union Cemetery. Purple Heart Sean Hart US Army/ National Guard Company Commander, Greenville Army Achievement Medal, Meritorious Service Award From private to Company Commander 1985-1999 Robert Eugene Hopper US Army, Tech 5 WWII Radio Operator Northern France, Rhineland, Central Europe, Ardennes EAME Theater Ribbon (4 bronze stars), Lapel Button issued 1943-1945 Paul Burnell Peters US Army, Sgt. WWII Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, Good Conduct, Lapel Button issued, 1942-1945
Charles, Patricia (Pottkotter), Myrna (Detling), Carol (Hart), Nellie, Onda Fae (Matthews), Robert Hopper, Ellen (Fenstemaker) (Peters).
Paul Eugene Peters US Marine Corp Good Conduct Medal Reserves – 1969-1975
Ralph Louis Pottkotter US Air Force, Airman 1st Class Air traffic controller and radar control during Cuban Missile Crisis and Vietnam Era Expert Rifleman, Good Conduct and highest score ever on traffic control test Serves as an officer Legion Post 470, Coldwater. He conducts flag ceremonies and military rites. 1961-1965
Larry Ray Matthews US Marine, Lance Corporal Chauffeur for the Admiral of NATO National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal Active duty - 1969-1971 Reserves until 1975 Robert Eugene Matthews, Jr. US Marine, Sgt. Vietnam Dong Ha, Da Nang, Phue By, Khe Shaun, Chulie National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (3 stars), Vietnam Service Medal (with device), Combat Action Ribbon, Rifle Sharpshooter Badge, Pistol Marksmanship Badge, Good Conduct Medal Active Duty 1966-1969 Reserves – until 1972
PAGE 14 - VETERAN’S SALUTE 2016-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 6, 2016
Orme Hardware
Proudly Honors Those 210 S. Main St. Who Have Served 692-8282 Arcanum The Roy and Agnes Matthews Family History of Service George Gibbs Dickson US Air Force, 1st Lt. WWII 440th Bomb Squadron and 319th Bomb Group Aircraft Engineering Officer 4823 – Battles and Campaigns – Air Offensive Japan, China Offensive, Ryukyus American Theater Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Japan Occupation Medal, Victory Medal, lapel button 1943-1946 George F. Lewis US Air Force, Lt. Col. WFAB Bomber Flight Test, KC-135s, mew communication, navigation and response systems. Flew more than 100 missions over North Vietnam. Accomplished 6,500 flying hours in over 20 kinds of aircraft and retired as Deputy Director of Manpower and organizations. Awards include Distinguished Flying Cross, 11 air medals, Meritorious Service medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Combat Readiness Medal, Vietnam Combat Medal, Vietnam Service Medal 1951-1976 Bruce Sink, U.S. Marine Corps.
Cecil Eldon Matthews US Army, SSgt. WWII 607 Field Artillery, 7th Div. Rhineland, Central Europe American Theater Ribbon, European Theater Ribbon with 2 Bronze Stars, WWII Victory Medal 1943-1949 Robert Eugene Matthews, Jr. US Marine, Sgt. Vietnam Dong Ha, Da Nang, Phue By, Khe Shaun, Chulie National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal (3 stars), Vietnam Service Medal (with device), Combat Action Ribbon, Rifle Sharpshooter Badge, Pistol Marksmanship Badge, Good Conduct Medal Active Duty - 1966-1969 Reserves – until 1972 Lloyd Pearson US Army, Sgt. 1st Class Presidential Honor Guard Flag presentations and military funeral details Sharp Shooting Medal (M1 Rifle), Good Conduct Medal 1952-1954
Shown are Irene (Ingle), Cecil, Agnes, Roy, Olive (Sink), Ralph, Pauline (Greer), Gertrude (Pearson), and Robert.
Larry Ray Matthews US Marine, Lance Corporal Chauffeur for the Admiral of NATO National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal and National Defense Service Medal Active duty - 1969-1971 Reserves until 1975 Matthew Karl Ramirez US Navy, Lieutenant Operation Enduring Freedom, Afghanistan on Aircraft Carrier Dwight D. Eisenhower (2012-2013) AS F18 Pilot 2006-present Charles W. Sink, Jr. U.S. Army, Sgt. WWII Germany 1944-1949
Chester Greer U.S. Army, Corporal, WWII, Southern France –Ardennes and Rhineland. Wounded in action on Dec. 17, 1944, Germany. Administrative NCO S02 until Jan. 12, 1946. Decorations and citations – Victory Medal, American Theater Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon (w/3 Bronze Battle Stars), Overseas Bar, Good Conduct Medal, Purple Heart, Meritorious Unit Award, lapel button. Lester Warren Matthews US Army, Tech 4 WWII 785th Petroleum Distribution Corps., Italy, Philippines Victory Medal, European Theater Ribbon (3 Bronze Stars), Asiatic Theater Ribbon, Philippines Liberator, 3 overseas bars, service bars, lapel button issued 1943-1946
PAGE 16 - VETERAN’S SALUTE 2016-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 6, 2016
Helping the country at age 16 BY RYAN BERRY MANAGING EDITOR editor@earlybirdpaper.com
While most 16-year-olds want to get behind the wheel of a car, Jack Seiber had different ideas at the age of 16. He wanted to be in the US Navy. The year was 1943 and World War II was in full swing and Seiber wanted to do his part.
With a smile on his face, Seiber explained how he was able to enlist at a young age. “They sent my sister’s birth certificate instead of mine,” he said. “I rubbed her name out and put my name on it.” The Navy wasn’t his first choice. Seiber said he wanted to be a Marine. Weighing only 105-pounds, the Marine Corp told him he was too scrawny and needed to get a
Remembering Our Veterans Today and Always Scott J. Zumbrink Darke County Treasurer
little bigger. He said he tried for a year to get in the Marine Corp. After basic training, Seiber was sent across the country to the west coast, which could only mean one thing for the teenager. He was going to be putting his training to work in the Pacific Theater. His ride across the ocean would be a DD375 Destroyer in a ship that had been blown up at Pearl Harbor. His ship was responsible for rescuing downed pilots, sailors and soldiers as well as providing harbor patrol and charting all the ships coming in and out of the area. At one stop his ship picked up 29 crew members of a B-29 that was either shot down or ran out of gas. His ship supported battles at Iwo Jima, Saipan, Guam, but
the one that is forever etched in his memory is the Battle of Tinian. As they approached the island, Seiber and his crew saw people jumping off the cliffs to their death. He learned the Japanese had the residents thinking the Americans were bad and were coming to murder them and do horrible things to the women. Tinian is also where snipers were aiming at the Destroyer. He was also aboard the ship when America put an end to the war and dropped the Atomic Bomb. They were sent back to Iwo Jima where they gathered as many men as they could carry before going back to Pearl Harbor. Seiber made it home for Christmas dinner in 1945. While he was home he turned 19-years-old.
Jack Seiber
PAGE 18 - VETERAN’S SALUTE 2016-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 6, 2016
CONING RECALLS continued from page 17
months. Not many photos offer a peek at those for whom they were fighting. “They weren’t around,” Paul said of the South Koreans. “We had very little contact with the Korean people. They’d left the area. No one knew where they’d gone. There were a few they called house boys who took care of our food and did odd jobs around the camps. We lived in tents with no running water and no toilets.” Another photograph shows the conditions Paul witnessed upon first arriving in the city of Seoul. “It had been totally bombed. We had to drive around the craters.” Paul said he remembers temperatures falling to 30 below zero in the winter and rising to 115 degrees in the summer. “We were at the 38th parallel, just about where Greenville sits,” he noted. “I didn’t know what to expect,” Paul said upon his arrival in Korea on Aug. 1, 1951. He worked for a time with the top-security unit, which was responsible for intercepting Korean and Chinese
Paul Coning of Greenville served 18 months in Korea.
radio messages. “We broke the code and passed the information on” to U.S. Army intelligence. Paul recalls one incident when his unit saved the lives of a large group of American soldiers by intercepting information revealing the enemy was planning to encircle the U.S. soldiers. “We got a unit citation for saving that outfit,” he said. Paul also recalls a trip he made driving a courier jeep over rough gravel roads through enemy territory to pick up information for his superiors. “It was 50 miles there and back and I could look over and see the Chinese tanks. I drove as fast as that Jeep could go. It was all dirt
ERK COTTRELL POST 140 of the
AMERICAN LEGION Greenville, OH
Veteran’s Day, the time to remember the sacrifice of some who gave willingly and more importantly those many who gave all selflessly for the future of America. Our freedom is non-negotiable and unconquerable. Our loyalty to each other comes to the surface with a powerful statement -
I AM AN AMERICAN.
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roads. Was I scared, no, but I was concerned. I drove that Jeep two weeks and then they had to part it out.” The 1947 Greenville High School graduate also spent some time driving a supply truck. “I didn’t like just sitting around,” Paul said so after noticing all the trucks coming and going he decided to transfer from the security detail. “I’m just glad I wasn’t carrying a rifle on the front lines,” Paul said. “I learned a lot about life and death. You’d see convoys go by every day with bodies of our boys thrown on trucks just like cordwood.” Coming home to Nola, Paul picked up farming and retired from Union City Body Company. The Conings have lived on
their Greenville farm for 50 years, rebuilding their home after the original farmhouse was lost in a fire. Their two children aren’t far away – David resides in Beavercreek and Diane (Crowe) lives in Woodington. They also have two granddaughters, Emma and Sara Coning. As we honor America’s veterans, the Conings want people to remember those who served in Korea, often referred to as the “Forgotten War.” Nearly 2 million Americans served in Korea from 1950-53. Coning doesn’t take any personal credit for his the roles he played while serving in Korea. “Everybody had a part to do,” he says.
Captain Frederick Reier was a 1st Lieutenant in this picture when he addressed the Afghan and US soldiers on Joint Security Station Hasan before a partnered patrol in Afghanistan’s Ghazni province on June 14, 2012.
Giving women a chance to vote Captain Frederick J. Reier, US Army Reserves and also with the US Secret Service, has witnessed a lot during his time with the 82nd Airborne Division’s 1st Battalion, 504th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade Combat Team. After serving two tours in Afghanistan, Captain Reier is recognized (and his missions are partly documented) in the 2015 book The Brave Ones by Michael J. MacLeod – A Memorial of Hope Pride and Military Service. When asked the question, “What has the United States accomplished in Afghanistan?” Captain Reier gave the following response: “The country has been the cross-roads of foreign powers for millennia and for a period was a part of the British Empire. More recently (1979-89) it came under control and occupation of the Soviet Union whose withdrawal was necessitated by the collapse of the USSR.
So to answer the question of what we have accomplished in Afghanistan, the answer is – a lot! In the last Afghani elections, millions of women were able to vote for the first time.” Word powers are increasingly coming under the leadership of women, such as Angela Merkel (German), Theresa May (Great Britain) and 18 other Prime Ministers – and hundreds of other such leaders. It is possible that the United States may have a woman President. He continued, “The establishment of voting rights for women in Afghanistan then becomes an essential prerequisite for a country’s inclusion in the affairs of a civilized world. Incidentally, our mission (US Army 82nd Airborne Division 1st Battalion) was specifically to wipe out the Taliban…and we did just that!”
NOVEMBER 6, 2016-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERAN’S SALUTE 2016 - PAGE 19
FM student spends senior year in Army BY RYAN BERRY MANAGING EDITOR editor@earlybirdpaper.com
GREENVILLE – While most 17-year-old high school students spend their summers working part-time jobs, training for fall sports, spending time with friends, or playing video games, one Greenville girl spent her time serving our country. Instead of being told to pickup her bedroom by her parents, Beth Kirkpatrick was being told to drop and do pushups by her Drill Instructor. Kirkpatrick was part of a US Army program that allows 17-year-old high school students to enter the US Army Reserves and go through basic training while still in high school. They do their AIT training after they graduate. This Split-Off program allows the soldiers to get a head start over those enlisting upon graduation. Kirkpatrick said she has always wanted to join the Army and when her brother joined a couple years ago she became more interested. When her cousin joined the Reserves to get money to help pay for college, she knew what she was going to do. In February, she travelled to the Military Entrance Processing Station (MEPS) to officially become a member of the US Army. She said, “I thought I might as well get it over with.” Once school ended at the beginning of June,
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Kirkpatrick had a couple of weeks to get her affairs in order before heading off to basic training at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. at the end of June. The Franklin Monroe senior was not alone as a Split-Off and was not the youngest person in her unit during basic training. “There were about 30 of us,” she said. While Split-Offs are not uncommon, Kirkpatrick said her Drill Instructor was surprised by the number going through at one time. Although she was 17 when she started basic training, by the time it was over Kirkpatrick had turned 18. While many soldiers will recall horror stories of basic training, Kirkpatrick said, “I actually enjoyed it.” She pointed out she formed a good connection with those in her unit and it made training a lot better. Her favorite part of training was going to the range and handling the weapons. “They were long days,” she said. Her least favorite – “I did not enjoy the gas chamber,” she said emphatically. “It was not fun.” She recalled it was okay while she had the mask on, but then the mask came off. For Kirkpatrick, the physical training aspect of basic training was not the grind a lot of young recruits report. As an athlete, a four-year starter on FM’s varsity soccer team, she
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was used to the long distance running and sprints the Army was requiring. The physical training she received helped her step right in to Franklin Monroe’s lineup for its first game. She returned home Aug. 25, a few days before Lady Jets Soccer first game of the season. Next summer, Kirkpatrick will get training as a Motor Transport Operator. She explained there were limited career choices for Split-Offs, which is why she chose the career field. She will be learning how to fix trucks. As a member of the US Army Reserves, Kirkpatrick is reporting to her unit near Wright Patterson Air Force Base nearly every weekend. Although she hasn’t received her training, she is able to do things around the base and make some money. However, she isn’t allowed to miss her high school classes to take part in extended training by her unit.
Beth Kirkpatrick
Because it takes a year in the military before college money is available, Kirkpatrick is hoping to take advantage of GI Bill funds next fall. She wants to major in Criminal Justice and is looking at the University of Cincinnati, The Ohio State University, University of North Carolina and Coastal Carolina.
PAGE 20 - VETERAN’S SALUTE 2016-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 6, 2016
Fowble, Beam and fellow soldiers honored BY RYAN BERRY MANAGING EDITOR editor@earlybirdpaper.com
UNION CITY – You may not know Jack Beam or Robert Fowble, Jr., but if you travel State Route 571 between Greenville and Union City on a regular basis you will get to know their names. On Nov. 12, plaques renaming a portion of the highway in honor of these men and members of the 196th Light Infantry Brigade will be unveiled. SP4 Robert L. Fowble, Jr., of Greenville, and Pfc. Jack E. Beam, of Union City (Hillgrove), were part of an Army experiment that went horribly wrong. According to military records, both men joined the Army on July 15, 1966 and neither would make it through their first few months in Vietnam. Fowble was killed in action on Nov. 3, 1966 in the Tay Ninh Province of South Vietnam during hostile action. Beam was killed a month and
a half later, just four days before Christmas, in the same Province. Family recounted the story of Beam’s death. “He was in the 196th Infantry in the Iron Triangle, Veing Tau, Vietnam. Sgt. Rex Tipple and his squad were pinned down by sniper fire as helicopters rushed into the area to evacuate the men. Jack was the Radio Man. Rex was by his childhood friend carrying the equipment that day when they reached the open area. Snipers opened fire on the squad. They all hit the ground. Rex looked up as Jack screamed and realized one of the grenades had exploded. Jack was hit in the chest.” Beam was only 20-yearold when he died and had only been in the Army for five months. He was awarded posthumously the Purple Heart and Bronze Star Medals. They were presented at the Hillgrove Federated Church – Jack’s lifelong church.
State Representative Jim Buchy, sponsor of the bill to rename the highway, said, “The men of the 196th Light Infantry Brigade served with SP4 Fowble and PFC Beam when they paid the ultimate sacrifice through actions of bravery. Naming this highway is just recognition of their duty and honor to their country.” The dedication ceremony
for Fowble, Beam and the men of the 196th Light Infantry Brigade will be held Nov. 12, 10 a.m., at the Evangelical United Methodist Church, 117 N. Franklin St., Union City, Ohio. Following the dedication event, the Ohio Department of Transportation will be unveiling the new highway signs.
This is the last picture of the Beam boys with their father. Shown are Fred, Steve, Jack and Dave.
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NOVEMBER 6, 2016-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERAN’S SALUTE 2016 - PAGE 21
Bretz remembers the helicopters in Vietnam While serving in the U.S. Army from 1965-1967, James Bretz, of Union City, was able to record his recollections and duties while stationed in Soc Trang, Vietnam. The following is a portion of his memories. I arrived in Viet Nam on Dec. 1, 1965 and began work in the hangars as a mechanic. There was not enough work to keep me busy and make me feel I was doing my part, so I volunteered to become “Crew Chief.” I was soon assigned to Warrior 28, a slick helicopter. When I first took over Warrior 28 I had little hopes of keeping her in the air. You see she was very ragged looking and gave me a bad impression. The former crew chief had experienced six engine failures with her and she was down in the ride paddies six times. Gad engines were very common when I first arrived here. There are two types of helicopters being used in Viet Nam, Huey or Gun Ship and slicks. A gun ship displays various types of armament such as rockets and flex-mounted machine guns. Its purpose is to fly low-level over the Viet Cong area and destroy them so the slick helicopter can land and drop off troops. My helicopter, Warrior 28, can carry nine combat loaded troops. I have seen it carry 12 and 14 when it had to, but this is a very dangerous practice. Warrior 28 will fly almost three hours on one filling of fuel. It has a turbine engine and burns J P-4 at the rate of one gallon a minute. The engine oil it uses cost $9 a quart. Just goes to show where the taxpayer’s money goes. The crew consists of one pilot, one co-pilot, one crew chief and
one gunner. The pilots have helmets and armor plated seats with sliding panels for getting out of the aircraft. The crew chief and gunner wear helmets, flak vests and armor breast plates for protection. The slicks all have machine guns mounted on the sides so as to suppress an area that is Viet Cong infested. This system works very well. The crew chief must get up around 4 a.m. to make sure the ship is ready. His duties are to keep the ship as clean as possible at all times, constantly checking the ship for hits or cracks that come from over stressing the aircraft. He also makes sure the ship is straight at all times and brings water C-rations for the crew in the morning as you never know when you will get back. He must pull a daily inspection after the last flight of the day and sign it off in the log book. This inspection is pulled daylight or dark, rain or shine to find excessive bearing play or other defects which could make you fall out of the sky on the next day’s flight. If something is found, the ship is placed on a red x mark list. This signifies the ship non-flyable. Maintenance crews may work all night to fix the defect in order to meet the mission time the next morning. The crew chief pulls intermediate inspections due every 25 flying ho0urs. When this comes due the crew chief pulls fuel filters, fuel strainers, magnetic plugs, oil filters, etc. to make sure no steel filings or foreign matter has worked its way into the intricate systems. The period inspection is due
at every 100 flying hours or 4th intermediate. When this is due the ship taken into the hangar where maintenance crews work for about three days to correct all minor faults on the log book and also pull panels, filters, strainers, magnetic plugs, etc. The crew chief and gunner gets a little rest here. A very strict record or log book is kept on the ship at all times and the Chief must make sure that this is kept up to date. Any faults or discrepancies will be kept in the book to make sure the parts are on order and the pilots are aware of such faults so care can be taken to not use a faulty part. A good way to get chewed out by a pilot is to let him pull his preflight inspection in the morning and find something the crew chief missed the evening before or maybe something not listed in the book that should be. Sometimes when the new parts stock gets low and they don’t have necessary parts to make the ship flyable, the ship goes EDP,
meaning awaiting parts which could take a month or more. This is the case with me now as my ship is in the hangar awaiting parts for the fourth day. Seems as though they don’t have any rotor blades or collective sleeves. Happy days are here again. Maybe I can get some letter writing caught up. Since I have started as crew chief about nine months ago, I have flown over 600 hours. I have carried rice, weapons, ammunition, troops, grenades, mines, clothing, kids, wounded, dead and VC prisoners and supplied Special Forces outpost. Well, I could go on and on here, but you can imagine what it’s like. I guess everyone that has ever been here is ready to go home when the time comes, but duty could be worse. I might add that no one has it made in Viet Nam and just a very few men really object to being here, but the U.S. Soldiers work is really cut out for him. We will win eventually, but it will take a lot of hard work.
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For their service and their sacrifice, we salute American’s brave veterans.
Thank you for your dedication to this great country and our values as a nation. Your courage and conviction make us proud to be Americans. Hours: M-F 8:30am-6:00pm; 937.526.3337 42 West Main St. Versailles, OH Sat. 9:00am-1:00pm
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PAGE 22 - VETERAN’S SALUTE 2016-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 6, 2016
In honor of the faithful and dedicated service of our country’s men and women in uniform, the Winery at Versailles released their designer wine, titled “Freedom” last year on Veteran’s Day. With the sale of each bottle, $2.00 will be donated to the very worthy non-profit organization: Honor Flight. Honor Flight Dayton’s mission is to take veterans of WW II, Korean, and the Vietnam War (s) and terminally-ill veterans of any armed conflict to see their national memorials in Washington,D.C. These trips are provided at no cost to all qualified veterans which includes airfare, bus transportation while in D.C., meals, tee-shirts, and disposable cameras. Please join the Winery at Versailles in supporting this great local organization, and give back to those who have already given so much in the name of Freedom. This is a cause near and dear to The Winery at Versailles, as the Williams family has 3 generations of their family having served in the United States Armed Forces. Owner Carol Williams’ father, Harold Freitag, served in the Army, owner Mike Williams served in the Army, and their Grandson Gregg Dauber served in the Air Force. For more information please visit www.honorflightdayton.org or www.wineryatversailles.com
Harold Freitag, U.S. Army
Mike Williams, U.S. Army
Gregg Dauber, U.S. Air Force
NOVEMBER 6, 2016-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-VETERAN’S SALUTE 2016 - PAGE 23
Everyone at Dave Knapp Ford would like to say
Willard Price is shown with his son, Ronnie Price.
World War II vet given Quilt of Valor UNION CITY – On October 16, Willard Price of Union City, was awarded a Quilt of Valor. Price is 98 and fought in World War II from 1942 to 1946. When he and his men were on ship headed to Japan, they received word that a bomb had been dropped on Japan and the ship was diverted to Okinawa. Friends and family gathered to thank him and his fellow veterans present for their service. A quilt named Freedom Stars was given to Willard. The Quilt of Valor was established in 2003 when Founder Catherine Roberts’ son was deployed in Iraq. She dreamed of a young man sitting on the side of his bed in the middle of the night,
hunched over. There was a feeling of despair. She said she could see his war demons clustered around and dragging him into an emotional gutter. In the next scene she saw him wrapped in a quilt and his demeanor changed from one of despair to one of hope and wellbeing. The quilt made this dramatic change. The message of the dream was Quilts = Healing. The mission for the Quilts of Valor organization has not changed since 2003. They are dedicated to covering service members and veterans touched by war with comforting and healing Quilts of Valor. For more information on the Quilts of Valor program, visit www.qovf.org.
THANK YOU
To All of Our Veterans
Lynch remembers Korean War Charles M. “Chuck” Lynch, of Greenville, is a proud veteran having served in the Korean War. Now 87years-old, Lynch was a member of the United States Army. On Jan. 11, 1951, Lynch entered basic training at Camp Breckenridge. He followed up basic training with OCS at Ft. Riley, Kansas.
Lynch served as a 1st Lieutenant with the 45th Infantry Division and was part of several battles, including Heartbreak Ridge, Sand-Bad Castle, The Punch Bowl, and Mun Dun Ni. He earned two campaign ribbons and a Bronze Star. He was discharged on Oct. 9, 1953.
500 Wagner Ave., Greenville www.daveknappford.com
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PAGE 24 - VETERAN’S SALUTE 2016-SUPPLEMENT TO THE EARLY BIRD-NOVEMBER 6, 2016
VFW Post 7262
219 North Ohio Street, Greenville, Ohio, 937-548-4004
VFW Boosters • Men’s Auxiliary • Women’s Auxiliary • VFW of Ohio Charities
John (Jack) Campbell US Army
Dwight Emmons US Navy, World War II
Tom Mowery US Army, Korea 1963-1964 Vietnam 1965-1966
Awards: Korea Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service 2 Bronze Stars, National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Civil Act Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm, Good Conduct Medal
Bob Klosterman US Army, Kuwait
Jacob Whittaker US Army Guard 2009-Present