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Memory of eight former Prisoners of War honored at New Buffalo Railroad Museum

HONORING THOSE WHO GAVE IT ALL

BY FRANCESCA SAGALA

Throughout his career in the United States Navy, Lieutenant Commander T.R. Shaw Jr. has had the privilege to know a few Prisoners of War (POWS).

“Through my encounters with former POWS, I’m amazed at the brutality and struggles that they endured - how is it humanly possible, I ask myself… Today, we pause to honor and recognize veterans from this area who share horrific stories of brutality and survival and endured unspeakable atrocities,” Shaw said.

Giving the formal recognition that these men deserved was why members of the families of eight New Buffalo area men who fought in World War II and were captured and interned as Prisoners of War and who are now deceased gathered on the railroad car platform at the New Buffalo Railroad Museum Friday, Sept. 16.

LCDR Shaw, who served on active duty from 1982 to 1987, is active in the Navy League of the United States, Association of the United States Navy, Reserve Officer’s Association, Commanders Club of Michigan and the American Legion. He currently chairs the Battle Creek Area Chamber of Commerce Military Affairs Committee. He is the author of “Defy the Immediate: A Journey of Failure, Perseverance and Success.”

LCDR Shaw said the third Friday in September is recognized as POW/MIA Day - a “time to remember sacrifices of POW and other service members missing in action.” He added that, until 1979, there was “no formal recognition of the day set aside for these important men and women in uniform.”

“It’s an important day and a time to reflect on those particular veterans who went well beyond the call of duty as Prisoners of War or Missing in Action,” LCDR Shaw said.

An Honor Guard from American Legion Post 169 hoisted a flag on the museum’s flagstaff. The flag was flown Aug. 15 on the mast of the USS BATAAN, commemorating the 80th anniversary of the Battle of Bataan and in the memory of Carpenter’s Mate 3rd Class Robert A. Barnes, a young sailor from New Buffalo who was captured when Corregidor fell May 6, 1942.

After the tribute, the flag was retired and became a permanent part of the museum’s veteran’s exhibit, which pays tribute to the men and women who have served in the uniformed services and have a connection to New Buffalo (living, working, or attending New Buffalo Area Schools).

Members of the families were presented with the State of Michigan Tribute that has been issued by Gov. Gretchen Whitmer and Lt. Gov. Galvin Gilchrist; a Certificate of Special Senatorial Recognition, which was delivered by Julian Sanders, the West Michigan Regional Coordinator for Sen. Gary C. Peters, who was present at the ceremony and the Prisoner of War Medal.

Master Chief Petty Officer, U.S. Navy (retired) Jim Smitchger, a 30-year military veteran and now curator of the museum’s Veterans Exhibit in the C & O Chessie Boxcar, said the Prisoner of War Medal is a military award of the United States Armed Forces which was authorized by Congress and signed into law by President Ronald Reagan Nov. 8, 1985.

American Legion Post 165 Chaplain Chuck Baran gives the innvocation Kevin Covert, son of Howard Covert, accepts the medal from Lt. Commander T.R. Shaw, Jr.

Robert Barnes Howard Hop Covert Harold Maerz

Kim Krestan, daughter of Premysl Krestan, accepts the medal from Lt. Commander T.R. Shaw, Jr.

Jim Smitchger delivers opening remarks Judy Roth Fegley, niece of Robert Barnes, poses with the medal with Lt. Commander T.R. Shaw, Jr.

Richard Hahn Joseph Zizlavsky

Lt. Commander T.R. Shaw, Jr., U.S. Navy gives the keynote address “The Medal is to be issued only to U.S. military personnel who were taken prisoner and held captive while engaged in an action against an enemy of the United States. Award of the medal was made retroactive to World War I,” Smitchger said.

“For the men we honor here, their recognition comes today as we present their families with this long overdue military award.”

Family members accepted the certificates and medals for the following POWS:

Carpenter’s Mate 3rd Class Robert A. Barnes, U.S. Navy, who was captured in the Philippines May 1942 and held at Osaka at Japan. For his service during World War II, he was awarded the American Campaign Medal, The AsiaticPacifc Campaign Medal, World War II and the Victory Medal.

Staff Sergeant George W. Bond, U.S. Army Air Corps, who was shot down over Germany November 1943 and held at Stalag 17B near Krems, Austria. For his service during WWII, S/Sgt Bond was awarded the Air Medal, Purple Heart, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three Bronze Campaign Stars, American Campaign Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.

First Lieutenant Harold D. Cook, U.S. Army, who was captured during Battle of the Bulge (1945) and held at Oflag 13B Hammelburg Bavaria. For his battlefeld experiences and achievements, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal, the Purple Heart with 2 oak leaf clusters, EuropeanAfrican-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four Bronze Campaign Stars, American Campaign Medal, and World War II Victory Medal.

Staff Sergeant Howard (Hop) L. Covert, U.S. Army Air Corps, who was shot down over France April 1943 and held at Stalag 17B near Krems, Austria. For his service during WWII, he was awarded the Air Medal, European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with Bronze Air Campaign Star, American Campaign Medal, and World War II Victory Medal.

Second Lieutenant Richard E. Hahn, U.S. Army Air Corps, who was shot down over Germany and captured March 1945 and forced to march with other prisoners by his captors to avoid Allie Troops. A New Buffalo High School Class of 1939 graduate, Second Lieutenant Richard Hahn, was awarded the Air Medal, WWII Victory Medal, and European–African–Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze campaign stars, and American Campaign Medal.

Technician Fifth Grade Premysl J. Krestan, U.S. Army, who was captured in Tunisia February 1943 an dheld at Stalag 3B Furstenberg Brandenburg, Prussia. For his WWII service, Tech 5 Premsyl Krestan was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds received during combat, European-AfricanMiddle Eastern Campaign Medal with Bronze Campaign Star, American Campaign Medal, and World War II Victory Medal.

Private First Class Harold L. Maerz, U.S. Army, who was captured near Orscholz, Germany, January 1945, and held at Stalag 11B Near Fallingbostel, Germany. For his service during WWII, Harold Maere was awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with four Bronze Campaign Stars, American Campaign Medal, and World War II Victory Medal.

First Lieutenant Joseph Zizlavsky, U.S. Army Air Corps, who was shot down over Burma December 1943 and held at Burma Camp #5 (AKA Rangoon Jail). He died in captivity July 15, 1944. For his heroic WWII service was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, Purple Heart, Asiatic–Pacifc Campaign Medal and WWII Victory Medal.