2013 lest we forget

www.issaquahpress.comLest We ForgetLest We ForgetLest We ForgetWednesday, May 22, 2013By Christina Corrales-Toynewcastle@isspress.comBefore Issaquah resident Lou Ortiz boarded the USS Lexington and conducted mis-sions all around the Pacific, the World War II veteran had to fight a different bat-tle one with his mother.After the attack on Pearl Harbor, the eager 16-year-old was determined to enlist in the U.S. Navy, despite the fact that he was underage.I was so upset with it that I just kept saying to my mom, Mom, I want to help. Youve got to let me join, he said.Ortizs mother finally gave in to the unrelenting teen, reluctantly signing papers to allow the then 17-year-old to join the Navy.I was patriotic enough to join when I was just a young man and I still feel the same way, Ortiz said.Sitting comfortably in his Klahanie home, Ortiz fondly reflected on his time as an aviation gunner and radio-man with the U.S. Navy during World War II.Taking flightOnce enlisted, Ortiz did not hesitate for a second when asked what role he wanted to assume. I wanted to fly, the now 88-year-old said in a recent interview as a grin stretched across his face and he pointed toward the sky.After spending a sig-nificant amount of time mastering naval communi-cation processes, including Morse code, Ortiz was sent to Long Beach, Calif., where he was paired with a pilot. Ortizs pilot, Robert Smith, or Smitty as he was called, manned the planes flight, while Ortiz, as a gunner, controlled the aircrafts weapons and communica-tions.In 1944, Ortiz and his bomber squadron were assigned to the aircraft car-rier USS Lexington. By Dan AznoffRichard Murphy is at a dif-ficult age.At 90 years old, he can still remember the pain in his leg from the crash-landing on Sakhalin Island in December 1944. He still remembers his crew sitting down to dinner with their Russian captors while they were being held as prisoners of war. Murphy is also aware that the early stages of dementia have taken away his ability to remember what type of plane he flew, who operated the POW camp, his rank or how he escaped. He becomes frustrated when he is unable to recall his wifes name or how many chil-dren they had together.The former bomber pilot still wears his pilot hat when he comes down to dinner at the Spiritwood Retirement Commu-Staff sergeant, U.S. Army Air Force, 375th Bomber Squadron, 308th Bomber Group, Heavy; reported MIA between January and April 1944; crew of plane was never found. Tablets of the missing are at Manila American Cemetery, Manila, Philippines. Second lieu-tenant, U.S. Army Air Force,443rd Bomb Squadron, 320th Bomb GroupMIA Oct. 23, 1943, over the Tyrrhenian Sea near Giannuitri Island. The crew of the downed B-26 was seen in life rafts but Air-Sea Rescue boats could not locate them, and no one from the crew was ever seen again. Tablets of the missing are at Florence American Cemetery in Florence, Italy.Staff sergeant, U.S. Army Air Force, 589th Bomb Squadron, 387th Bomb GroupShot down near Mayan, Germany, where his crew was attacking a rail-road viaduct, on Dec. 23, 1944.Private, U.S. Army Air Force, 481st Service Squadron, 46th Air Service GroupBorn: Nov. 28, 1920 Killed April 18, 1945, in accidental bomb explo-sion. Buried in Hillside Cemetery.Captain, U.S. Air ForceBorn: July 27, 1939,MIA May 31, 1966, Declared dead: Feb. 11, 1975Missing in air loss/crash in North Vietnam. (Remains never recov-ered.)Second lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Force, 737th Bomb Squadron, 454th Bomb GroupShot down in Croatia on April 21, 1944.Second lieutenantU.S. Army Air Force45th Fighter Squadron, 15th Fighter GroupMIA June 1, 1945, some-where between Iwo Jima and Osaka, Japan; weather may have been the reason for the loss.Private first class, U.S. Army,infantry,Born: Feb. 17, 1926 Died: June 14, 1945184th Infantry Regiment, 7th Infantry Division. KIA by a grenade attacking Hill 181 in Ryuku, Okinawa, Japan. Buried in Arlington National Cemetery.Private, U.S. Army, 18th Engineer RegimentDied: Aug. 10, 1918Buried in Suresnes American Cemetery, in Suresnes, France. From the Sept. 27, 1918, Press: A large con-gregation attended the memorial ser-vice Sunday afternoon at Issaquah in honor of Peter Erickson, the first of the boys from Issaquah to die in the service of his country. The oration delivered by the Rev. S. V. Warren touched a high note of patrio-tism.Woman Airforce Service Pilots (WASPs)Died in a training exer-cise over Sweetwater, Texas, in May 1944. Buried in Lakeview Cemetery, Seattle.Because WASPs were considered civilians, she never received a military burial. She was recently awarded a Congressional Gold Medal by President Obama.Corporal, U.S. Army, Scotch Platoon, C Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry DivisionBorn: March 7, 1949Died: June 18, 1969KIA in Tay Ninh, South Vietnam. Buried in Greenwood Memorial Park, Renton.Sergeant, U.S. Army, 8th InfantryApril 7, 1925 July 15, 1944Graduated from Issaquah High School in 1943.KIA in Normandy, France. Buried in Hillside Cemetery.Private, U.S. Army,701 T.D. BattalionJuly 9, 1924 May 31, 1944Graduated from Issaquah High School in 1942. KIA in Anzio, Italy. Buried in Hillside Cemetery.Corporal,U.S. Army,C Company, 3rd Battalion, 47th Infantry, 9th Infantry DivisionDied at age 21.Born: May 6, 1946 Died: July 29, 1967 He was shot in early 1967, but recovered; was back in action only a few days when he was killed in Dinh Tuong Province, South Vietnam. Buried in Hillside Cemetery.Freedom isnt free. Since the birth of this country, men and women have been willing to fight and die for Americans to be free to live their lives as they choose. And the number of those who have paid the ultimate sacrifice is staggering. More than 1.3 million men and women have died in wars fought by or on behalf of this country since 1775.Men and women have also been willing to sacrifice their personal time, by serv-ing in times when war was not on or imminent. They have done all types of jobs that people in the civilian sector do, but instead did them in service to this coun-try while they stood ready to defend our lives, liberty and the pursuit of happiness.We at The Issaquah Press salute, honor and thank the men and women from our community who have paid all types of sac-rifices to keep themselves, their families and everyone else free. We hope you will do the same.Remembering the 19 who gave the ultimate sacrifice Paul Alfred AmbroseRobert ArndtRobert BaskettJack McQuadePeter Erickson George C. LarsenJohn Raymond SmartInformation is incomplete and/or conflicting for the 19 local veterans killed while serving in wartime. Photos also could not be located for three of them. If you have information or pho-tos, email editor@isspress.com or call 392-6434, ext. 227.Clifford BensonElizabeth EricksonRobert PhilpRobert WatsonJames Patrick BradyLaurence J. LortieEmmett R. McDonaldFlight officer, U.S. Army Air Force, 422nd Bomb Squadron, 305th Bomb GroupKilled Aug. 6, 1944, when the B-17 he was co-piloting was hit by flak and crashed near Vollradisroda, Germany.Interred in Germany; later brought home to Greenwood Memorial Park, Renton.Joseph Albert TondreauFireman first class, U.S. Navy/Naval ReserveMIA or buried at sea Dec. 18, 1944.Tablets of the missing are at Manila American Cemetery in Manila, Philippines.Louis PetersenCarl Albert LarsonCorporal, U.S. Army 361st Infantry Regiment, 91st DivisionDied Oct. 9, 1918Buried in Meuse-Argonne American Cemetery, in Romagne, France.(no photo available)Robert HoskinsLance corporal (mortarman),U.S. Marine Corps, H&S Company 5, Mar 1 Mar DivBorn: Sept. 14, 1949 Died: Nov. 25, 1968KIA in Republic of Vietnam (South Vietnam). Buried in Hillside Cemetery. (no photo available)Harold GleasonPrivate first class, U.S. Army, 301st Infantry Regiment, 94th DivisionBorn: Feb. 6, 1916 Killed March 2, 1945, while serving as a medic near Serrig, Germany. Buried in Hillside Cemetery. (no photo available)I was patriotic enough to join when I was just a young man and I still feel the same way. Lou Ortiz, World War II veteranBy Christina Corrales-toyLou Ortiz proudly displays the medals he earned in the U.S. Navy during World War II in his Klahanie home.STILL PAYING TRIBUTESee TRIBUTE, Page C6World War II vet recalls the days he took to the air as an eager teenContriButedIssaquah resident Lou Ortiz served as an aviation radioman and gunner in the U.S. Navy during World War II.Bomber pilot shares vivid memories of POW camp, raids over JapanSee PILOT, Page C6By GreG FarrarRichard Murphy (left), wearing his bomber jacket and Army Air Corps cap, and his son Kevin share one of their get-togethers with a visit at Spiritwood Retirement Community at Pine Lake.Any landing is not a crash if you can walk away. Richard MurphyWorld War II veteranFlintofts Funeral Home and Crematory is proud to honor our communitys veterans. B2 Wednesday, May 22, 2013 The Issaquah Press In loving memory of SSgt. Dale and Lt. Alice LeeRoger Lee BrownHighest rank achieved: Army PFC and Navy MR3Branch of service: Army and NavyWhere served: 41st Infantry Division 146 Field Artillery (Army); USS Ticonderoga; USS Coral SeaDetails of service: Multiple cruises with Pacific Fleet to the Far EastDates of service: Army 1955-58; Navy 1958-62Christopher Brown Sr.Highest rank achieved: ABH 3rd classBranch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: CVN 68 USS NimitzDetails of service: Served in Atlantic Fleet with multiple cruises to the Mediterranean areaDates of service: March 1979 to March 1983Christopher Brown Jr.Highest rank achieved: SergeantBranch of service: U.S. ArmyWhere served: 2nd Infantry Division, 3rd Stryker BrigadeDetails of service: Fought in every major battle in Iraqi Freedom, including Fallujah, Mosul and Baghdad; received two Purple Hearts, Commendation for Stryker Vehicle Commander under hostile engage-ments; Personal Commendation Medal for Operation Iraqi FreedomDates of service: November 2004 to presentFred ButlerHighest rank achieved: ColonelBranch of service: U.S. ArmyWhere served: Vietnam, Germany and U.S.Dates of service: Jan. 8, 1963 to Jan. 31, 1990Wayne E. BusbyBorn: 1920Died: 1995Highest rank achieved: Aviation Machinists Mate Second Class; ratings held S1c, AMM3c, AMM2cBranch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: NRAB Seattle, NRAB Pasco, Hed Ron 14-2, FAW-14, Hed Ron Fleet Airwing Six-FAW-4Dates of service: April 1942 to October 1945Gaius Sunday BuxtonHighest rank achieved: Signalman third classBranch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: Signalman on staff of Commander Transport Division 60 in the Pacific area on the USS Grimes; Okinawa Campaign, initial occupation of Tokyo Bay Area and Nagasaki, JapanDates of service: 1944-1946Jean-Michel ChristopherHighest rank achieved: EM2 (electricians mate second class)Branch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: USS City of Corpus Christi Dates of service: August 1992 to August 1998George W. Croft Jr. (Bud)Highest rank achieved: E9 (master chief petty officer)Branch of service: U.S. ArmyWhere served: Pacific Theatre, WWIIWounded in action: In Pearl Harbor hospital recovering from appendectomy when the Japanese began bombing Pearl Harbor. Ran out to veranda to see the entire Harbor as it was being bombed. Read his story in the military section on AncientFaces.com.Dates of service: 1941-1971Joseph Elmer ChevalierBorn: Aug. 3, 1925Highest rank achieved: Coxswain on the USS PGM19Branch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: Okinawa and RyukyusDates of service: August 1942 to January 1946Theodore Vernon Colbert Sr.Born: Jan. 22, 1922Died: Jan. 6, 2012Highest rank achieved: PFC/ Special Weapons GroupBranch of service: U.S. Marine CorpsWhere served: World War II, in the Pacific Region and fought in the Russell and Solomon islands, on Rendova Island, and in Guam and the Guadalcanal Islands, and stormed many beachesDates of service: Nov. 12, 1942 to May 5, 1945Details of service: awarded the Asiatic Pacific Ribbon 1 star for New Georgia Group OperationsPhillip James ConwayBorn: Feb. 22, 1926Highest rank achieved: Coxswain on the USS RenshawBranch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: World War II Solomon Islands, Marianas, Marshall Islands, Saipan, Tinian, GuamDetails of service: He was the coxen charged with ferrying the big shots to shore and transporting work crews around the ship or to shore in a gig.Dates of service: 1943 to 1946Dallas CrossHighest rank achieved: PFC, U.S. Army Infantry (twice achieved)Branch of service: U.S. ArmyWhere served:Fort McNair, Washington, D.C., and Fort Meyer Arlington Cemetery, Arlington, Va.Dates of service: Active service, Sept. 11, 1957 to Sept. 10, 1959; Army Reserve, 1959-1962Details of service: Drill platoon in The Old Guard Regiment, 1957; worked with the Secret Service as bayonet-guarded cordon lines to limit access to the President and visiting heads of stateAlice L. DavisHighest rank achieved: Petty officer first class Branch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: San Diego; Great Lakes, Ill.; Pearl Harbor; Camp LeJune, N.C.Dates of service: Aug. 11, 1994 to present William DixonHighest rank achieved: Bosn mate second classBranch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: Mediterranean and Pacific TheatresDates of service: October 1942 to January 1946W.J. (Joe) DodgeDied: June 3, 1982Highest rank achieved: Private (infantry)Branch of service: U.S. Army (Samuel Company)Where served: Georgia, not deployedDates of service: Discharged May 3, 1919W.J. (Joe) Dodge Jr.Highest rank achieved: AO3 (aviation ord-nance man third class)Branch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: USS Hancock CVA-19, Southeast AsiaDates of service: October 1961 to November 1963Thomas D. DoneganHighest rank achieved: Lieutenant colonelBranch of service: U.S. Army Where served: Panama, England, Europe, KoreaWounded in action: Suffered machine gun leg wounds while leading a rifle pla-toon into Germany in February 1945Dates of service: January 1940 July 1946, July 1952 to January 1965James R. DarstBorn: Jan. 1, 1927Died: Oct. 27, 2011Branch of service: U.S. NavyDates of service: 1945-1947Details of service: served aboard a land-ing-craft carrier in the Pacific Theater during World War II Raymond C. DavisBorn: July 8, 1941Highest rank achieved: Radarman third classBranch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: Far East, Pacific, Guantanamo Bay, CubaDetails of service: Served on the USS Washburn and USS CabildoDates of service: 1959 to 1963Archie AdairBorn: May 5, 1911Died: Feb. 18, 1985Branch of service: U.S. ArmyWhere served: Germany in World War IIDetails of service: While with the 83rd Infantry Division in Germany, was award-ed the combat infantrymans badge for displaying exemplary conduct in actionAllen Sherman Anderson Highest rank achieved: E-3Branch of service: U.S. NavyDates of service: Dec. 2, 1972 to April 7, 1977Details of service: Hull tech, was on the USS Samuel Gompers, USS John Paul Jones, USS Kitty Hawk; was off the coast of Vietnam from late 1973 until mid-1975; finished enlistment in dry dock at Bremerton shipyard overhauling the Kitty HawkEdward E. AuthierHighest rank achieved: Lieutenant colonelBranch of service: U.S. ArmyWhere served: Germany, Korea, Vietnam and U.S.Dates of service: 1960 - 1980Details of service: Was a senior Army aviatorBuford R. (Bud) AmbroseDeceasedHighest rank achieved: SK2 (store keeper second class)Branch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: South Pacific USS Saginaw BayDates of service: Feb. 15, 1943 to Feb. 5, 1946Gilbert R. AndressHighest rank achieved: Carpenters mate third class Branch of service: U.S. Navy, SeaBees Naval Construction Wounded in action: Gun explosion caused tinnitus Where served: Pacific Ocean, Hawaii, Guam, OkinawaDates of service: July 7, 1943 to March 6, 1946William Ernest ArndtHighest rank achieved: Baker second class Branch of service: U.S. Navy Where served: Pacific Dates of service: March 1943 to December 1945John ArnoldHighest rank achieved: Lieutenant Commander Branch of service: U.S. Navy Where served: U.S., Cuba, three tours in Vietnam Dates of service: August 1955 to January 1982Daniel T. AndersonBranch of service: U.S. NavyHighest rank achieved: ET2Where served: Atlantic Theater two years aboard USS Pocono, flagship of the Atlantic FleetDetails of service: Served as electronic technician (UHF specialist); President Truman was often aboard the ship, using my radio shack and equipment.Years of service: 1946-1948John Michael BarryHighest rank achieved: CorporalBranch of service: U.S. Marine CorpsWhere served: Vietnam Details of service: 1st Marine Air Wing, 3rd Marine Division; served in combat at Khe Sahn Combat Base during Tet and the Siege of Khe Sahn in February 1968; I Corps below the DMZ; in combat in Vietnam from December 1967 to August 1969Dates of service: February 1966 to February 1972Harry G. BehrensHighest rank achieved: LTJGBranch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: Served in Korea for one yearDates of service: 1953-1955Details of service: Was landing craft control officer on the USS LoganDavid Hardman Black Sr.Born: Nov. 5, 1945Died: Feb. 24, 2008Highest rank achieved: SP5 E-5 (T) Feb 1969Branch of service: U.S. ArmyWhere served: Thailand (1966-68) Korea (1970)Dates of service: 1965 to 1977Details of service: Served in Vietnam in 1972 and was exposed to Agent Orange; received the National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal (second award), two overseas bars and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with palm; buried at Camp Nelson National Cemetery in Nicholasville, Ky.David Wayne BrackenBorn: 1917Died: 1979 (in Issaquah)Highest rank achieved: PFCBranch of service: U.S. ArmyWhere served: Aleutian IslandsDetails of service: Signal CorpsDates of service: 1942 to 1945William BentzHighest rank achieved: Staff sergeant Branch of service: U.S. Army Where served: South Pacific, New Guinea Philippines; Fort Lawton, Wash. Dates of service: 1943-1946, 1948-1949Carl B. Bridges Deceased (at age 70)Branch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: Stationed on the USS BraineDates of service: 1952-1956Jim BriodyHighest rank achieved: Specialist 5 (E-5)Branch of service: U.S. ArmyWhere served: U.S. Military Liaison Mission, West Berlin and Potsdam, East GermanyDates of service: 1961-1964Paul Eugene BartholomewHighest rank achieved: Corporal; airman second class Branch of service: Air National Guard/Air Force Reserve/U.S. Naval Reserve Where served: United StatesDates of service: Jan. 23, 1946 U.S.N.R to June 4, 1946; June 1948 A.N.G. to June 1952; May 1, 1951 U.S. Air Force to Dec. 20, 1951Paul Thomas BooneBorn: Sept. 26, 1924Died: Oct. 7, 2009Highest rank achieved: Flight officerBranch of service: U.S. Air ForceWhere served: P-51 pilot in combat in the Philippines, New Guinea and other places in the South PacificDetails of service: He was in Japan after the bomb was dropped, and ferried numer-ous planes from the islands to storage areas.Dates of service: 1943-1946Walter Lee BrazeltonHighest rank achieved: First sergeantBranch of service: U.S. ArmyWhere served: 508th MP BN, Military Police; Fort Lawton, Wash.; 61st MP Co., France; 62d MP (RAFP) Co.; USAREC, Bloomington, Ill.; Special Forces Thailand-Cambodia, Laos, Vietnam; 1st Infantry Division Fwd., Germany; and Fort LewisDates of service: October 1956 to December 1977Albert AndersonBorn: Feb. 28, 1892Died: Oct. 1969Highest rank achieved: Fireman Second ClassBranch of service: NavyWhere served: U.S.S. New YorkDates of service: May, 17, 1917 to May 7, 1918Rodney Albert AndersonBorn: Apr. 16, 1925Died: Nov. 16, 2000Branch of service: ArmyWhere served: EuropeDetails of service: served in World War II in the 97th Infantry Division and drove a jeepVern G. AndersonBorn: Nov. 23, 1927Died: May 16, 2008Highest rank achieved: CorporalBranch of service: Navy and ArmyWhere served: Fort Lewis, Fort Lawton, Whittier (Alaska), Port of Embarkation in SeattleDates of service: 1946 (Navy) then discharged after eight months, drafted again in 1951Details of service: in Seattle, was a military police officer at the main gate, in Alaska unloaded shipsAngelo BoniBorn: Dec. 26, 1926Died: July 24, 2006 in IssaquahHighest rank achieved: PrivateBranch of service: ArmyDates of service: June 22, 1945 to Nov. 11, 1946Dan BoniBorn: Aug. 25, 1924Branch of service: NavyWhere served: Motor machinists mate second class unitDates of service: Sept. 17, 1943 to March 31, 1946Details of service: served in combat in the South Pacific for two years; Ship PGM8 received two letters of commendation for services in Northern Solomons and the PhilippinesLouis BoniBorn: Nov. 24, 1918Died: 2003 in IssaquahBranch of service: Navy, water tenderDates of service: April 3, 1942 to Nov. 29, 1945, and the Korean WarDetails of service: served in combat in the Pacific during World War II and the Korean WarWilliam Michael CooperBorn: April 25,1940Highest rank achieved: Master sergeantBranch of service: Air Force, Marine CorpsWhere served: served in combat, Vietnam Conflict, first Marine platoon to land, stayed until 1967Dates of service: USMC September 1958 to June 1967Details of service: also in the Air Force and then the Reserves from 1980 to April 2000, retired after 29 years; from the Air Force: Meritorious Service Award, Commendation Medal, Outstanding Unit Award, Nave Unit Commendation, Air Force Training Ribbon; from Marines: Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship, National Defense Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign MedalRobert R. CowardBorn: June 6, 1939Highest rank achieved: Adjutant 3Branch of service: Navy, Aviation Machinist MateWhere served: air-craft carriers, U.S.S. Kearsarge CVA 33 U.S.S. Oriskany CVA 34Dates of service: Sept. 10, 1957 to Sept. 10, 1961Gerald Patrick DarstBorn: March 17, 1932Highest rank achieved: CorporalBranch of service: ArmyDates of service: 1951-1952Details of service: served in combat in KoreaJack DompierBorn: Dec. 1, 1946Highest rank achieved: RM3Branch of service: NavyDates of service: 1966-1970Details of service: served in combat; the first tour to Vietnam was aboard the Destroyer USS Chevalier off the Vietnam coast in 1967-68. The last 2 1/2 years was spent on PBRs (River Patrol Boat) at PBR Mobile Base 1, north of Danang. One river that was patrolled was the HUE river. The Issaquah Press Wednesday, May 22, 2013 B3Norma Ernsting-EmmonsHighest rank achieved: Storekeeper Second Class Branch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: Milledgeville, Ga.; and Bremerton, Wash.Dates of service: March 2, 1943 to July 12, 1945Duane W. EnglundHighest rank achieved: SergeantBranch of service: Army EngineersWhere served: Europe, Philippine IslandsDates of service: July 1943 to January 1947Tauno L. EricksonHighest rank achieved: Technical sergeantBranch of service: U.S. Army Signal CorpsWhere served: Southwest and Central Pacific theatersMedal awarded: Bronze Star Dates of service: May 1942 to October 1945Ralph Carl EikenberryHighest rank achieved: Staff sergeantBranch of service: U.S. Marine Corps infantryWhere served: Served in a combat zone in Korea for six months in 1950 in the 7th Marines; was wound-ed at Chosin Reservoir and was air evacuated to JapanDates of service: 1946-48; 1950-51Joel EsteyHighest rank achieved: E-5Branch of service: U.S. ArmyWhere served: Served in combat in I Corps South Vietnam, Da Nang Chulai; mostly in the field throughout tour of duty; American 196th Light InfantryDetails of service: Wounded by booby trap; earned a Purple Heart and two Bronze StarsDates of service: 1967-1969Luther Edward FranklinHighest rank achieved: LieutenantBranch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: ZP-4 and NADEVU Naval aviation unitsDetails of service: Flew several aircraft and airships on East Coast on anti-submarine missions and as test beds for gadgets being designed at MIT; fer-ried the admiral who lined up the worlds warships at Norfolks 1954 Navy Centennial Parade (he was tall and somewhat upset I couldnt strap a parachute harness on him); navigated the superconnie that tracked Kruschevs plane as he departed our Northeast Coast 1957 Years of service: November 1953 to November 1957William Falkenstein Born: Dec. 22, 1913Died: Dec. 18, 2001Highest rank achieved: Master sergeantBranch of service: U.S. ArmyWhere served: WWII New Guinea; Korean War Seoul, KoreaDates of service: 1940-1960Delbert E. FlemingHighest rank achieved: Chief petty officerBranch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: Vietnam on various ships and commandsDates of service: 1957-1977Barry A. FederHighest rank achieved: Lieutenant colonelBranch of service: U.S. Army, retiredWhere served: Fort Polk, La., active duty; reserve units in Oregon and Washington; active duty for six months during Desert Storm (first Gulf War) Dates of service: Commissioned in 1969; active duty 1973-1975; reserves 1975-1995John E. FloodHighest rank achieved: LieutenantBranch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: Supply CorpsDates of service: Three yearsTyler Lenwood Fraker Born: June 11, 1970Highest rank achieved: E-4, fuels specialistBranch of service: U.S. Air ForceWhere served: Spain during Desert Shield and Dahran, Saudi Arabia, during Desert StormDetails of service: 406th TFTWDates of service: October 1990 to October 1994Ray GiaudroneHighest rank achieved: MM 1st ClassBranch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: Navy Post OfficeDates of service: 1941-1945Louis Charles GiraldinHighest rank achieved: Radioman second classBranch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: North Pacific Ocean Dates of service: April 12, 1944 to Feb. 21, 1946Wayne GeigerHighest rank achieved: E4Branch of service: U.S. Marine CorpsWhere served: 1st Marine Division; served in combat in Danang, Vietnam, from May 1969 May 1970Dates of service: November 1968 to May 1970William Daniel GilleyHighest rank achieved: Sergeant Branch of service: U.S. ArmyWhere served: Panama; Fort Columbia, Wash.; and Fort Stevens, Ore. (the forts guard-ing the mouth of the Columbia River)Details of service: Hurt very seriously in an accident as they fired one of the 10-inch disappearing guns at Fort Columbia early in 1942. Was unable to serve afterward and was discharged.Dates of service: 1936-1942Doris GrossHighest rank achieved: Link instructor, involved in American Legion, first woman vice commander Branch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: Corpus Christi, Texas Dates of service: 1941-1945David HayesHighest rank achieved: Journalist first classBranch of service: U.S. NavyWhere Served: USS Simon Lake; Diego Garcia; USS Kittyhawk; Naval Station Sandpoint, Naval Station EverettDates of service: 1987-1998 S. William Hollingsworth Born: 1925Died: 2010Highest rank achieved: PFC (private first class) Branch of service: U.S. Army 100th InfantryWounded in action: Wounded in combat in France, Nov. 1944Dates of service: World War II January 1944 to August 1945Shirley Beining HilgemannHighest rank achieved: E5/SP5Branch of service: U.S. ArmyWhere served: 9th Adjutant General Fort Lewis; HQ U.S. Army Element, Brunssum, The NetherlandsMedals awarded: Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Joint Services Commendation MedalDetails of service: We married one year before joining the U.S. Army. Would do it all over the marriage and serving. Dates of service: 1975-1980Ewert HilgemannHighest rank achieved: E5/SP5Branch of service: U.S. ArmyWhere served: 9th Adjutant General Fort Lewis; HQ U.S. Army Element, Brunssum, The NetherlandsMedals awarded: Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Joint Services Commendation Medal, Expert (M16) Details of service: Married my high school sweetheart one year before joining the Army. She convinced me that serving together would be fun. It was.Dates of service: 1975-1980James Thurston HogansonHighest rank achieved: Sergeant Branch of service: U.S. Army, infantryWhere served: 40th and 24th Infantry Divisions in KoreaDetails of service: Served in combat in Korea as a medical techDates of service: May 1953 to March 1955Archie HowatsonBranch of service: U.S. ArmyWhere served: Hawaii for 26 months; Served during combat in Okinawa, Japan, with the 892nd Ordnance Heavy Automotive Maintenance Co. in the 10th Army; he was a mechanic who kept the vehicles movingDates of service: Jan. 5, 1942 to 1945Ron HowatsonHighest rank achieved: CD3Branch of service: U.S. Navy SeabeesWhere served: Korea 1952-1954Kenneth Lee HamptonBorn: Nov. 12, 1931Highest rank achieved: Staff sergeantBranch of service: U.S. Army Security AgencyWhere served: KoreaDetails of service: Served until the truce was signedDates of service: 1952 to 1955Roger L. HericDied: 1994Highest rank achieved: SergeantBranch of service: U.S. ArmyWhere served: Germany, 749th Tank BattalionDetails of service: The 749th fought with the 76th Division, April 7-30, 1944; was wounded in actionErik Johnson Highest rank achieved: Second class petty officer Branch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: IraqDates of service: 1994-2006Roy InuiHighest rank achieved: T5Branch of service: U.S. ArmyWhere served: Was an allied translator, interpreter section; served in combat in the Philippines for two monthsDetails of service: Received Presidential Unit Citation, Congressional Gold Medal (2011), Philippine Liberation Medal, othersDates of service: 1944-1946Steve Johnson Highest rank achieved: Sergeant Branch of service: U.S. Army Where served: VietnamDates of service: August 1967 to August 1969Daryl E. JohnsonBorn: December 1927Died: October 2009Highest rank achieved: Seaman first classBranch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: Washington, D.C.Dates of service: 1945-1946Donnas D. JohnsonHighest rank achieved: YN1Branch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: Mare Island Naval Shipyard; Alameda Naval AirbaseDates of service: 1950-1954Scott Wayne JohnsonHighest rank achieved: E4 AMH/AMSBranch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: VAQ 129 VikingDates of service: 1978-1988Bonnie Eugene Johnson Jr.Born: July 5, 1925Died: March 29, 2012Highest rank achieved: ETM 3CBranch of service: U.S. NavyDates of service: Jan. 1, 1944 to May 31, 1946Details of service: Great Lakes Naval Air Station in Radio Training School, radio operator, World War II veteranRolland R. Kiefel Highest rank achieved: Storekeeper second class (SK2) Branch of service: U.S. Navy Where served: Atlantic, Mediterranean, Gulf of Mexico aboard USS Exultant, USS Rigel, USS Des Moines, USS ConwayDates of service: June 6, 1958 to June 6, 1964Larry R. Kulin DeceasedHighest rank achieved: Yeoman Third Class Branch of service: U.S. Navy Where served: Japan, Hawaii, PhilippinesDates of service: 1959-1963Gene KlineburgerHighest rank achieved: Corporal Branch of service: U.S. Army Where served: Utah, California, ArizonaDates of service: 1942-1945David T. EvansBorn: Oct. 2, 1943Died: 2002Highest rank achieved: 1st LieutenantBranch of service: U.S. ArmyWhere served: Tour of duty was from 1967-1969 in Heidelberg, GermanyDates of service: 1967-1969Details of service: Military Police and Criminal Investigation DivisionDurward M. GarrettHighest rank achieved: Lt. Col.Branch of service: Air Force (retired)Where served: ser-vice included WWII, occupation forces in Japan, troop carrier duties from Guam covering the entire South Pacific, the Berlin airlift, the Korean Conflict, and The Cold War era including Vietnam while serving in the Strategic Air Command (SAC)Dates of service: enlisted in the Army Air Corps as an avia-tion cadet in June 1943 and retired in June 1966Details of service: served on B-17, B-29, F-2,C-54, KB-29, KC-97 and KC 135 aircraft and was instructor navigator/master navigatorJoseph L. GroveBorn: March 16, 1942Highest rank achieved: Sgt. First ClassBranch of service: four years active duty Air Force, six years Navy Reserve, 10 years Army National GuardWhere served: served four years at the Elmendorf Air Force Base, Alaska; six years with the Navy Reserve in Alaska and Arkansas, and 10 years with the Arkansas Army National GuardDates of service: 1960-1964; 1985-2002Details of service: active duty Air Force 5040th Supply Squadron, US Navy Reserve and Army National Guard 875 Combat EngineersJudson Burns HarperBorn: Dec. 8, 1936Highest rank achieved: Gunnery sergeantBranch of service: U.S. Marine CorpsWhere served: Korea and VietnamDetails of service: Awarded Combat Action Medal, two air medals, six good conduct medals, Navy commendation, served as aerial gunman on CH-46 helicoptersDates of service: Dec. 10, 1953 to June 30, 1973Robert C. HarperHighest rank achieved: Corporal Branch of service: U.S. Army Signal Corps MOS 1187Where served: U.S. and GermanyDates of service: December 1952 to November 1954Reed W. JarvisDied: April 1, 2012Highest rank achieved: Colonel Branch of service: U.S. Army and U.S. Navy, U.S. Army, Washington National Guard, Washington State GuardWhere served: Korea, Persian GulfDetails of service: Active and reserveDates of service: March 1951 to June 2001Brown Bear Car Wash is proud to salute our communitys veterans.Ivan A. LeeHighest rank achieved: Lieutenant commanderBranch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: Patrol Squadron 46 (VP-46); Vietnam 1972-1974Dates of service: July 1969 to September 1974Arthur E. Landdeck Born: April 25, 1921 Died: March 9, 2003Highest rank achieved: SergeantBranch of service: U.S. Army, 1393rd Engineer Construction Battalion; entry and training Fort Leavenworth, Kan., and Camp Joseph T. Robinson, Ark. Where served: During WWII, in the Pacific Theater In the Philippines was in the Battle at LuzonDates of service: June 15, 1942 to Dec. 23, 1945Howard E. LanddeckHighest rank achieved: AX3 (aviation antisubmarine warfare technician, third class)Branch of service: U.S. Navy Where served: Ream Field, Imperial Beach, Calif.; USS BenningtonDates of service: Nov. 17, 1961 to Aug. 31, 1965Richard C. LarsonBorn: Aug. 3, 1919Died: Nov. 26, 2010Highest rank achieved: Tech Sergeant 5th GradeBranch of service: U.S. ArmyWhere served: 2nd Armored Division Headquarters Company 66th Armored Regiment Details of service: Fought in World War II North Africa, Sicily, Holland, France, Belgium and Germany Dates of service: February 1941 to July 1945Margaret (Slate) LarsenBorn: April 12, 1930Highest rank achieved: Staff sergeantBranch of service: U.S. Air ForceWhere served: KoreaDetails of service: As one of very few female radio repair technicians, she worked to prepare Presidents Trumans and Eisenhowers planes for flights in the Pacific.Dates of service: 1951-1954Edward Prior LeahyBorn: April 1, 1923Highest rank achieved: Lieutenant JG Branch of service: U.S. Navy/ Marine CorpsWhere served: 4th Marine Division Iwo Jima, Marshall Islands, Tinian, SaipanDetails of service: Injured and taken to the hospital on the third day of attacks on Iwo JimaDates of service: 1942 to 1945Steven W. Lewis Highest rank achieved: CorporalBranch of service: U.S. Marine CorpsWhere served: VietnamDates of service: 1966-1972 B4 Wednesday, May 22, 2013 The Issaquah Press Robert C. LyonHighest rank achieved: Lieutenant commanderBranch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: Served in combat in Korea for 18 monthsDetails of service: On senior ship in Inchon Harbor at the time of the truce in 1953; commanding officer of USS Lenawee APA 195; navigating offi-cer of USS Lenawee APA 195Dates of service: May 17, 1943 to July 1, 1966Sean S. Lewis Highest rank achieved: Private first classBranch of service: U.S. Marine CorpsDates of service: 2011 currently servingLucille E. LundstromBranch of service: U.S. ArmyHighest rank achieved: First lieutenant Where served: General nursing care on the hospital ship Marigold, Zone of Interior and in the European and Southwest Pacific Theaters of operationDetails of service: Was the youngest nurse on the Marigold at age 22; Bronze Star (4) Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal; Bronze Star (2) European-African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal; Bronze Star (2) Philippine Liberation Medal Years of service: Dec. 31, 1943 to Feb. 1, 1946 Ledo J. MalmassariDied: Oct. 25, 1998Highest rank achieved: Sergeant Branch of service: U.S. ArmyWhere served: Korea Third Infantry DivisionDates of service: 1950-1952Norman W. McLeanDeceasedHighest rank achieved: Seaman first classBranch of service: U.S. Coast Guard Where served: Alaska Dates of service: April 21, 1943 to March 18, 1946Kathleen R. MerrillHighest rank achieved: Specialist 4Branch of service: U.S. Army/Reserve Where served: Various states includ-ing Indiana, South Carolina and Colorado Dates of service: March 1983 to December 1989Edith Rose MacDougallDeceased (at age 58) Highest rank achieved: Mechanics mateBranch of service: Navy WAVES Where served: Cedar Falls, Iowa; Norman, Okla.Dates of service: 1943-1944Mother of Issaquah Mayor Ava FrisingerJeremiah Fraser Pitts MacDougallDeceased (at age 76)Highest rank achieved: Lt. junior gradeBranch of service: Navy Where served: South Pacific; AtlanticDates of service: 1943-1945 active duty; reserve to 1954Father of Issaquah Mayor Ava FrisingerBob McCoyHighest rank achieved: Lieutenant Branch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: USS Forrestal CVA-59, Sixth Fleet (Mediterranean)Dates of service: 1966-1973John A. MarshDeceasedHighest rank achieved: PrivateBranch of service: U.S. ArmyWhere served: 75th Infantry DivisionDetails of service: Served in combat for one year in the European Theatre; received Purple Heart for being wounded during the Battle of the BulgeUrban V. MassetHighest rank achieved: E-7Branch of service: U.S. Coast GuardWhere served: Marine Patrol; Marine Inspection; served in combat in Korean waters marking chan-nels for troop ships for six monthsDetails of service: Served from Korean Waters Bering Sea Patrol ice breaking for dew line; teaching firefighting school at T.I. Coast Guard Academy; and up and down the East Coast all in different groups. Wrote book for Marine Corps on the new Marine Corps in 1985.Dates of service: 1952 until retirementEd McKeeHighest rank achieved: SergeantBranch of service: U.S. Air Force, turret gunnerWhere served: Served in combat in 12th Air Force in Corsica, fall and winter of 1944-45; 23 bombing missions over European TheaterDates of service: Sept. 16, 1940 to Sept. 14, 1945David John MitmanBranch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: USS Coral SeaDetails of service: Served as flight engi-neer for top secret Martin Mercator intelligence-gathering aircraft, flying spy missions into Soviet airspace from Port Lyautey, Morocco. During one mission, his plane was fired at by a Soviet surface to air missile. (It missed.)Years of service: 1951-1953Duncan MulhollandHighest rank achieved: Staff sergeantBranch of service: U.S. Air ForceWhere served: 3595th GIDIST Supply Squadrons; Nellis Air Force Base 1951-52; NCOIC Base Supply Nagoya, Japan, 1952-54Details of service: Received good con-duct medal, National Defense Medal, Korean Service Medal and United Nations MedalDates of service: November 1950 to November 1954David V. MerrittHighest rank achieved: SFC (sergeant first class)Branch of service: U.S. Army Where served: Okinawa, Vietnam, India, Bolivia, Greece and Afghanistan Dates of service: July 1954 to July 1957; September 1959 to November 1976Alan Ray MilesBorn: July 18, 1947Highest rank achieved: CorporalBranch of service: U.S. Marine CorpsWhere served: VietnamDetails of service: Received the Purple Heart for shrapnel in the leg, Presidential Unit Citation, 2nd Battalion and 9th Marine DivisionDates of service: 1967 to 1968Leonard MilesBorn: Dec. 16, 1920Died: 2005 (in Issaquah)Highest rank achieved: PFC, washmanBranch of service: U.S. ArmyWhere served: Sitka, AlaskaDetails of service: Received the Victory MedalDates of service: 1945 to 1946Gary C. NewbillHighest rank achieved: Major Branch of service: U.S. Marine Corps ReserveWhere served: Virginia; California; Okinawa, Japan; The Philippines and VietnamDates of service: January 1965 to March 1968 (active duty)Norman B. Crash Nash Highest rank achieved: CaptainBranch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: Service included two combat tours in A-6 Intruders in VietnamDates of service: 1957-1988Details of service: naval aviator; served in attack squadrons and weapons test facilities, was an aircraft carrier opera-tions officer, squad-ron commandingLee O. OlsonBorn: Oct. 28, 1921Highest rank achieved: Lt J.G.Branch of service: USNR Air Group IVWhere served: Pacific Theatre during WWIIDates of service: August 1942 to December 1942Details of service: fighter pilot Air Group IV, flying F6F-3 Air Grumman Hellcats; saw action under Admiral Halsey and flew off of the USS Essex, including the first carrier based raid on Tokyo involving over 1,200 targets; decorated with the Air Medal Citation for meritorious achieve-ment, skills and cour-age in the highest tra-ditions of U.S. Naval ServiceCharles D. ParkerDied: Nov. 7, 2010Highest rank achieved: Captain Branch of service: U.S. Marine CorpsWhere served: U.S.; Okinawa, Japan; VietnamDates of service: Sept. 9, 1954 to Sept. 30, 1974Russell D. PeeryHighest rank achieved: Specialist 4th classBranch of service: U.S. Army/ Washington National Guard Where served: Camp Murray, Wash., 181st Support Battalion, Company DDates of service: August 1977 to May 1983Louis OrtizHighest rank achieved: Petty officer second class Branch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: In the Pacific, aboard the carrier USS Lexington, as radio gunmanWounded in action: Received Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal and Purple HeartDates of service: 1942-1945Norman PeeryHighest rank achieved: Seaman first class Branch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: Aleutians Islands Alaska; Japan; USS Jarvis DD-799Dates of service: Dec. 16 1943 to May 19 1946Gerald Francis PetersenBorn: Sept. 15, 1925Highest rank achieved: Air cadetBranch of service: U.S. Army/Air ForceWhere served: Various bases in the U.S.Dates of service: 1943 to 1945Elmer John Petett Highest rank achieved: Pharmacists mate second class Branch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: USS Alshain in the Asiatic Pacific and PhilippinesDates of service: July 1943 to March 1946John Norman Naegle Born: May 1, 1942Died: Jan. 4, 1999Highest rank achieved: CommanderBranch of service: U.S. Coast GuardDetails of service: Coast Guard Academy graduate with honors in 1964; Master of Science in engineer-ing, University of Michigan Naval Architecture 1969; Engineering Mechanics 1970; Ph.D. Naval Architecture, Marine Engineering 1980; Dtente Delegation to USSR 1974-75; served on several wind class ice breakersDates of service: 1964-1985William Kenneth LokenBorn: Oct. 1, 1930Highest rank achieved: JO3Branch of service: NavyWhere served: Whidbey Island Naval Air Station & Commander Submarine Force Pacific FleetDates of service: Jan. 17, 1951 to Dec. 3, 1954Details of service: JournalistDon A. McWhirterBorn: March 1, 1931Highest rank achieved: S/SGTBranch of service: U.S. Air ForceDates of service: May 23, 1949 to Nov. 7, 1952Details of service: HRRCWhere served: Lackland AFB, San Antonio, TX, through basic training, perma-nent party at HRRC until dischargedJohn MeekBorn: Sept. 30, 1961Highest rank achieved: Sgt.Branch of service: ArmyWhere served: served in combat, Persian Gulf War (Aug. 22, 1990 to April 1, 1991), one of first 10 Washington Army National Guard reservists deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert ShieldDates of service: Nov. 1, 1984 to May 16, 1992Details of service: Combat Engineer, 317th Engr BN & 116th RAOCMichael Dean Miles Born: Oct. 10, 1951Highest rank achieved: Lance corporalBranch of service: U.S. Marine CorpsWhere served: OkinawaDetails of service: Meritorious Unit Citation and National Defense Service Medal, 5th Marine Division, Fleet Marine Force PacificDates of service: 1970 to 1972Melvin MillerBorn: Nov. 5, 1922Died: April 25, 2010Branch of service: NavyWhere served: Philippine TheatreDates of service: 1942-1945Donald NelsonBorn: Jan. 11, 1928Died: 1969Highest rank achieved: SpecialistBranch of service: ArmyWhere served: served in combat in the Korean Conflict for a little more than a yearDates of service: 1950-1953Details of service: Headquarters CompanyGerald A. NelsonBorn: July 26, 1944Highest rank achieved: Specialist 5Branch of service: Army National Guard and Military PolicemanWhere served: CaliforniaDates of service: January 1964 to January 1970Details of service: Outstanding military policeman of our company in 1967Ernest R. NybergHighest rank achieved: Sergeant Branch of service: U.S. Army Air ForceWhere served: South Pacific Tinian IslandWounded in action: B-29 crashed off Iwo Jima, three men survived out of crew of 10, Ernie made 17 missions, some over capital of JapanDates of service: 1943-1945Ruben NietoBorn: May 4, 1946Highest rank achieved: Spl. 4Branch of service: U.S. ArmyDates of service: June 1966 to March 1968Details of service: Radio Operator (RTO), 1st Cavalry Div/1/7th Cavalry Regiment, served in combat, Vietnam, December 1966 to December 1967Michael OConnorBranch of service: Air ForceDates of service: 1962-1966Details: Michael joined the Air Force right out of high school because his older brother did and found out it was the easiest. In those days you either joined a branch of your choice or else they drafted you into the army. Vernon M. Parrett, M.D.Highest rank achieved: CaptainBranch of service: U.S. Army, medicalWhere served: Served two years in the Valley Forge Army Hospital in officers ward, tuberculosis unitDates of service: 1944-46 and 1952-54Kiwanis Club of Issaquah, Hone Landscaping & Excavation, Dr. Alexandra Cristescu and Integrity Automotive Maintenance & Repair remember our local veterans.Philip PitruzzelloHighest rank achieved: Aviation Radioman Second Class Branch of service: U.S. Navy Where served: Atlantic Fleet, Pacific FleetDates of service: June 1942 to September 1945Robert PlossHighest rank achieved: CaptainBranch of service: U.S. Air Force (B-17 pilot, physician U.A. Air Force medical)Where served: 11 combat missions over Germany; POW Mission Austria to France; two food drops to the Dutch; flew Atlantic twiceDates of service: 1943-1952Meindert PillieDied: March 10, 2010, at age 95Highest rank achieved: Sergeant Branch of service: U.S. Army Air CorpsWhere served: Instructor at 349th Flexible Gunnery Training Squadron, Tyndall Field, Fla.Dates of service: Oct. 21, 1941 to Sept. 17, 1943Jeston J. PhillipsBorn: Feb. 9, 1923Highest rank achieved: WT3/CBranch of service: NavyWhere served: USS Ludlow during World War IIDates of service: 1944-1946Details of service: served in combat in World War II, American Area, Victory medal, Asiatic Pacific Jay Robert RodneHighest rank achieved: Lieutenant colonelBranch of service: U.S. Marine Corps/still serving in the U.S. Marine ReserveWhere Served: Persian Gulf War (1991); Somalia (1992-93); Operation Iraqi Freedom, Kuwait & Iraq (2003)Dates of service: 1990-presentReuben Allen RichardHighest rank achieved: SP4Branch of service: U.S. ArmyWhere served: Co. E 122nd Mnt. Bn. USAREURDates of service: January 1968 to December 1969Michael M. RisteDeceased Highest rank achieved: SP5/E-5Branch of service: U.S. Army, transportationWhere served: 1st Cavalry DivisionDetails of service: Served three tours of duty in VietnamYears of service: Oct. 25, 1966 to Nov. 15, 1983To learn more about this section, read Managing Editor Kathleen R. Merrills column on Page A6.Neal Harley HowardBorn: Oct. 6, 1945Highest rank achieved: Specialist 4th ClassBranch of service: ArmyWhere served: 5th of 46th Light Infantry Brigade attached to 198th Light Infantry Brigade, located in Chulai below DanangDates of service: January 1967 to January 1969Details of service: served in combat in Vietnam, mortar man (killing radius is 50 meters; mortar would go up 5 miles) The Issaquah Press Wednesday, May 22, 2013 B5Robert Howard Rockwell (Rocky)Highest rank achieved: PFC (private first class) Branch of service: U.S. Army 173rd Airborne Recon, RTO (radio telephone operator) call sign Papa Kilo, nickname Crash Where served: Vietnam 1969-1970 (The Blackscarfed Gunslingers)Dates of service: 1968-1970Elmo Jerome SagedahlHighest rank achieved: Corporal Branch of service: U.S. Marine CorpsWhere served: Pacific areaDates of service: May 26, 1944 to Aug. 31, 1946Daniel S. SegonHighest rank achieved: Private Branch of service: U.S. Army Where served: GermanyDates of service: 1966-1967Edward SchaeferBorn: June 10, 1911Died: 1986 in SpokaneHighest rank achieved: Technician fifth grade (Tec 5)Branch of service: U.S. ArmyWhere served: Served in combat in the European Theater, February 1944 to November 1945; 3429th Ord Mam Co.Details of service: A man who loved his countryDates of service: 1943-1945Dave SaoHighest rank achieved: Staff sergeantBranch of service: U.S. Air ForceWhere served: Strategic Air CommandDates of service: March 1966 to March 1970Details of service: Munitions specialist, sent to Anderson AFB in Guam and Utapao AFB in Thailand, team chief of a team that was responsible for loading hundreds of bombs each day on B52 bombers in sup-port of the Vietnam War, and loading and caring for nuclear weapons stateside.Lee F. ScheelerBorn: April 10, 1926Highest rank achieved: PFCBranch of service: U.S. Army/Air ForceWhere served: Germany, 9th Infantry DivisionDetails of service: 4th Infantry DIV Rifleman, 22nd InfantryDates of service: 1944 to 1946Frank Valentine SchroederBorn: Feb. 10, 1894Died: Sept. 6, 1977Branch of service: U.S. ArmyDetails of service: Fought in France dur-ing World War IJohn SchroederBorn: Feb. 23, 1888Died: Jan. 10, 1973Highest rank achieved: privateBranch of service: U.S. ArmyDates of service: Muster out telegram Nov. 16, 1918, according to dis-charge papers. Start date unknown.Details of service: Last assigned school for cooks and bakers. Was a cook at Camp Lewis, now known as Fort Lewis.William Edward SeilDeceased(at age 66)Highest rank achieved: Colonel Branch of service: U.S. Air Force Where served: World War II, Korea and VietnamDates of service: 1944-1975Jack Richard SteidlHighest rank achieved: PFC (private first class)Branch of service: U.S. Army Air CorpsWhere served: Jackson, Tenn.Dates of service: 1941-1944William Britton StrikerBorn: Dec. 12, 1907 Died: Oct. 1, 2003Highest rank achieved: T-4, sergeantBranch of service: U.S. Army, Big Red 1Where served: Omaha Beach Normandy, Sicily, Tunisia, European African Campaign, Middle Eastern front ArdennesWounded in action: Leg wounds, shrapnel, received Silver Star and Bronze StarDates of service: July. 6, 1942 to Sept. 2, 1945Ernest Milton SwansonHighest rank achieved: Aviation machinist first classBranch of service: Coast GuardDates of service: Oct. 21, 1941 to Dec. 23, 1946George H. SwansonDied: 1992Branch of service: U.S. Army Air CorpsWhere served: United States Dates of service: 1943-1945John SwansonDied: 2001Highest rank achieved: Staff sergeant Branch of service: U.S. Army Air CorpsWhere served: Missouri and Alberta, Ferry Command Post planes to Russia Dates of service: 1942-1945William A. SomsakHighest rank achieved: Boatswains mate third class Branch of service: U.S. Navy Where served: Marshall Islands, USS MidwayDetails of service: Received two med-als; operated landing craftDates of service: 1942-1944Hugh Gordon RossNo photo availableHighest rank achieved: Petty officer 2Branch of service: U.S. Navy, cryptograph techWhere served: Strategic nuclear deter-rence in South China Sea during Vietnam War; Combat Zone vet, 1972-1973; nuclear submarine forceDates of service: January 1971 to January 1977Alonzo Lee SweetBorn: Nov. 18, 1938Died: 2003Highest rank achieved: CorporalBranch of service: U.S. NavyDates of service: April 27, 1956 to Oct. 16, 1959Frank R. TroutmanDeceasedHighest rank achieved: Colonel Branch of service: U.S. Army/Air ForceWhere served: Pacific, Italy Dates of service: May 1940 to January 1984Details of service: APTO-US-MTODallas L. WaggonerDeceased(at age 76)Highest rank achieved: Tech sergeant Branch of service: U.S. Army Where served: Europe, Italy, North AfricaWounded in action: Purple Heart awardedDates of service: 1941-1945David S. WaggonerHighest rank achieved: Lieutenant colonel Branch of service: U.S. Army Where served: Vietnam, Central America, U.S.Wounded in action: Purple Heart awardedDates of service: 1968-1993Dwight Eldon WaggonerBorn: August 23, 1922Died: Oct. 9, 2009Highest rank achieved: Seaman third classBranch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: South PacificDetails of service: American Area Campaign Medal, Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal, WWII Victory MedalDates of service:April 1943 to November 1945Austin Vickery WigginsBranch of service: U.S. Marine Corps Where served: Saipan in the Mariana IslandsDates of service: 1942-1946Robert Edward WolahanBorn: Nov. 23, 1932Deceased: Dec. 10, 2010Highest rank achieved: PNC (chief)Branch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: Korea and VietnamDates of service: 1950-1970Geoff WarrenHighest rank achieved: CDRBranch of service: U.S. Coast GuardDates of service: 1992 to currentDetails of service: continues to serve in the Coast Guard Reserve; is the senior reserve officer for Sector Puget Sound in Seattle; has mobi-lized for national disasters such as the Deepwater Oil Spill, the Haiti Earthquake and Hurricane Katrina; flew C-130s while stationed at Kodiak, Alaska, and Elizabeth City, N.C.James WoodBorn: May 8, 1950Highest rank achieved: RM3Branch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: Vietnam, three toursDetails of service: Radio Teletype Task Group operator, Yankee StationDates of service: 1968 to 1972James H. Van WinkleDied: Feb. 9, 2008Drafted into the U.S. Army in 1944, one month before high school graduation.Deployed to Japan and in transit, the Japanese surren-dered before he arrived. James went from front line duty to a clerk typist in the office due to termination of the war. Stayed in Japan in civil service and returned stateside from Kanagawa, Japan, on Nov. 5, 1946George Van LeeuwenBorn: May 18, 1921Died: 2012Highest rank achieved: LieutenantBranch of service: Army/Air ForceWhere served: served in combat in the South PacificDates of service: 1943-1945Details of service: pilot, flew C46Winston Matthew YourglichHighest rank achieved: PhM3c (photographers mate third class) Branch of service: U.S. Navy Where served: South PacificWounded in action: After his ship, the USS Houston, was torpedoed, Winston swam in shark-infested waters in the China Seas for four hours before being picked up.Dates of service: Oct. 11, 1943 to April 13, 1946David Les YeisleyBorn: Dec. 23, 1932Highest rank achieved: SergeantBranch of service: U.S. Army, InfantryWhere served: 3rd Infantry Division, Korea and 28th Infantry Division, GermanyDetails of service: Received Bronze Star with V-Device Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Service Medal with Bronze Service Stars and United Service Medal, National Defense and Army Occupation (Germany) MedalsDates of service: Jan. 22, 1951 to Jan. 8, 1954Jack YusenBranch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: Pacific Theater: Home Front, Atlantic sub scare, Leyte GulfDetails of service: Served aboard the USS Samuel B. Roberts amid World War II, until Japanese forces sunk the destroyer escort in the Battle of Leyte Gulf the largest naval battle during World War II; some sailors sur-vived the attack only to bob in the shark-infested Philippine Sea until rescuers arrived days laterGale Robert SchroederBorn: March 1935Deceased: June 2005Highest rank achieved: Master SergeantBranch of service: ArmyWhere served: last unit 409th Engineer Company, ReserveDates of service: 1954-1963 and 1976-1994Details of service: airplane mechanicMary Ellen Holmes SheridanBorn: Sept. 7, 1927Highest rank achieved: LieutenantBranch of service: NavyWhere served: Pentagon; White House; Kodiak, Alaska; Long Beach, Calif.; Kansas City, Mo. (recruiting); Newport, R.I.Dates of service: 1953-1960Details of service: received a letter of commendation from the chairman, Joint Chief of StaffJay Anthony VanniHighest rank achieved: Petty officer third classBranch of service: U.S. NavyWhere served: two six-month tours to Persian Gulf on the aircraft carrier USS Carl Vinson as cata-pult officerDetails of ser-vice: Letter of Commendation; grad-uated from Central Washington University with degrees in sci-ence and business; now lives in St. Louis (he lived in Issaquah for 36 years)Dates of Service: 1993-1997William James WeatherfordBorn: March 8, 1925Highest rank achieved: MAM 2CBranch of service: NavyWhere served: NTS Farragut, Idaho, Acorn 21 NAB Navy 825 NAS, Seattle, PSCU 5NB, Bremerton, served in combat in Roi-Namur in the Marshall Islands for 15 monthsDates of service: July 1943 to March 1946Details of ser-vice: Awarded Asiatic Pacific Area Campaign Medal 1 star and World War II Victory MedalThe Issaquah Sportsmens Club, The Issaquah Valley Grange, Bellevue Honda, Fischer Meats, The Erickson Family and Las Margaritas honor our communitys veterans.Standing in front of the Veterans Wall of Honor at the Bellewood retirement living community on May 17 are (from left) Joe Wallis, Herb Lyons, Florence Blankenship, Jack Loppnow, Colin Corbett, Jack Jessup, Bruce Leavitt, Matt Winzen, O.J. Hjelt, Don Carter, Hobie Larson, Helen Sabin, Jim Thompson and Gordon Hanson. There are 20 veterans living in the community.By GreG FarrarBELLEWOOD VETERAN FAMILYTELL US YOUR STORYIf you served in the military during wartime, we want to hear from you. We would like to share your story in future papers. Email Managing Editor Kathleen R. Merrill at edi-tor@isspress.com.THANK YOUSpecial thanks to the many local residents who contributed through PayPal and Go Fund Me to help us publish this section.Milton BronsdonHighest rank achieved: Interior Communications Second ClassBranch of service: U.S. Navy Where served: served on U.S.S. Grand Canyon AD28, traveled to Mediterranean countries, England, Norway, CubaDates of service: 1955-1958 B6 Wednesday, May 22, 2013 The Issaquah Press Evergreen Ford, Klahanie Family Dentistry, Kiwanis Club of Issaquah Valley, NAPA Auto Parts of Issaquah, The Johnson Family and Earth Pet honor our veterans.nity at Pine Lake. He sits at the same table near the window and shares stories with the same group of men at every meal. Two or three times every week, he is joined by his son Kevin Murphy.Sherrie Reid, the com-munity relations manager at Spiritwood, described Murphy as a hero to mem-bers of her staff and other residents of the facility. She said the World War II veteran likes to take com-mand of his entourage in the dining room as if he were still in the cockpit of his bomber.My dad likes to tell everybody within earshot that if it were not for him and the other brave pilots who flew those tin can ice boxes during World War II that wed prob-ably all be speaking Japa-nese right now, Kevin said proudly. There were lots of heroes who fought for this country during World War II. Each of them has a story, but they are in the twilight of their years and the stories are falling silent with each passing.Flying into an ambushThe proud son was able to fill in many of the gaps in his fathers narrative from the war. According to Kevin, his father was assigned to the Shemya Air Station at the east end of the Aleutian Islands of Alaska and received orders for his first mission within hours of his arrival. The target was a mili-tary complex on one of the northern islands that make up the Japanese homeland. The American planes would fly southwest for nine hours across the northern Pacific so they could arrive over the target at twilight to reduce the ac-curacy of the anti-aircraft batteries and fighters that had been assigned to pro-tect the Japanese base.The American attack plan had the larger B-24s scheduled to deliver their payload from high altitude followed by low-level runs from the smaller B-25 bombers. The planes took off from Alaska and flew southwest under radio silence.The one detail com-manders of the American 11th Air Force did not take into consideration, according to the younger Murphy, was that the B-25s were much faster and arrived at the target ahead of the hulking B-24s. So that by the time the larger planes arrived, the smaller bombers had finished their runs and Japanese fight-ers were already in the air ready to defend their homeland. They flew into an ambush, Kevin said. The Japanese fighters shred-ded the big slow bombers.Enemy fighters shot out the windshield, disabled one of its four engines and tore away a major section of underside of the fuse-lage, but Lt. Murphy did manage to get his crew back to base. His B-24 was only one of six that returned that day from the squadron of 18 planes that took off together.A crash landingThe younger Murphy said the actual war was relatively short for his father. Lt. Murphys final mission was his 23rd bombing run over Japan on Dec. 7, 1944. His last flight ended in a snow-covered mountain valley in what he would soon dis-cover to be the Japanese-controlled southern section of Sakhalin Island west of Japan.Crippled by enemy anti-aircraft defenses, Murphy turned his plane north and veered west until the Japanese fighters turned back to base. Dad knew there was no way his plane would survive the long flight back to Alaska, Kevin repeated from the story he heard numerous times. His biggest concern was for the men who had been injured, especially one of the gunners who had been shot during the air battle over Japan.Murphy took over the controls to guide the crippled bomber toward his last hope, a risky land-ing in uncharted Russian territory. The crash-landing was anything but smooth. The impact shoved Murphys leg bone into his hip. His seat belt snapped, breaking bones in his face and upper body.But as Dad always said, Any landing is not a crash if you can walk away.The crew survived the crash, but ended up be-ing captured by Japanese soldiers within a few hours. The enemy soldiers rendered no first aid but instead locked them in a shed for the night. Know-ing that they would be executed by the Japanese, Murphy and his crew es-caped in the middle of the night and began their trek north toward the Russian-controlled part of Sakhalin Island, carrying the injured members of the crew in makeshift stretchers.They hiked all night through the forest in minus 20-degree temperatures toward what they hoped would be Russia. Miracu-lously, they survived, only to be captured by Russian troops who administered first aid, treated them for severe frostbite and trans-ferred the bomber crew to an old-style gulag.According to the younger Murphy, the Russians were allies with the Americans fighting in Europe, but were neutral in the conflict with Japan. Not knowing what to do with Ameri-cans, the Russian soldiers took the airmen to what had been forced labor camps for political oppo-nents.Treated with respectMurphy did remem-ber that his crew was treated with respect and the injured were taken to the infirmary for medical treatment. The Russians even invited the Americans to join them for dinner.It was during dinner one night that a member of Murphys crew realized they were free to leave the prison. As the war in Europe ended, Murphy and his crew traveled on the Si-berian railroad to Iran and were repatriated in Teh-ran. The crew remained together until they finally made their way to Casa-blanca in Northern Africa, where they were liberated and eventually made their way home.Richard Murphy re-turned from war to his home in the San Francisco area and was married to Edna Catherina for 55 years. The Murphys had five children together. After decades of suffering and years of bureaucracy, Kevin Murphy said his father finally had his hip replaced in a V.A. hospital in 2004.Dan Aznoff was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize for his cover-age of the toxic waste crisis in California. He is now a freelance writer who makes his home in Bellevue and specializes in cap-turing the stories of past genera-tions. His website is www.dajour-nalist.com.ContriButedLt. Richard Murphy is standing in the back row, second from right in a zipped up leather jacket in this photo taken June 6, 1944, at Great Falls Army Air Base in Montana. Murphy is standing in front of the plane that crashed on Sakhalin Island.There were lots of heroes who fought for this country during World War II. Each of them has a story, but they are in the twilight of their years and the stories are falling silent with each passing. Kevin MurphySon of WWII veteran Richard MurphyPilotFrom paGe C1There were a lot of good guys. We were all like a family after awhile, he said.The squadrons first mis-sion was a memorable one, sending them to the island of Guam to take out enemy installations. Its a moment that Ortiz said he will never forget, as he described with youthful exuberance how much the accomplishment of successfully completing the first assignment meant to him.It was kind of scary because it was our first actual battle, he said. We didnt know what to expect, but by the time all of us came back, we were pros. We were patting our-selves on the back.Close callsDuring his time on the Lexington, Ortiz earned the moniker WaterLou be-cause of his and his pilots penchant for repeatedly ending up in the water.In one of the more memorable instances, Ortizs squadron partici-pated in a strike on Chi-chi Jima, a small island that the Japanese relied on for communication purposes.Ortizs plane was hit as it flew against a storm of anti-aircraft fire toward the island. The right wing was damaged along with the rudders, and the pilot was forced to make a land-ing in the water.When the plane hit the water, Ortiz and Smith emerged from the aircraft and inflated a raft. The two hopped in, with no certainty of where they would float to, or who would find them. Ortiz was sure they would get picked up by an enemy boat, but luckily, they were found a short time later by an ally destroyer ship.We were really lucky, he said. It was a beautiful sight to see the destroyer heading right for us.Ortiz was injured in the fight, taking some shrapnel to the head, but the wound was superficial and he was quickly sewed up and bandaged. It did earn him a Purple Heart, though.Nov. 5, 1944When Ortiz was asked to talk about his experiences in front of his granddaugh-ters class, he gave the students a clear message War is awful.Never was that more true for Ortiz, when on Nov. 5, 1944, his pilot, Smitty, died. Its a moment that he rarely talks about because of the emotions that day generates.The duo was scheduled for an early strike on a nearby island, but engine problems prevented them from going. Just a short time later, the Lexington was attacked by kamika-zes. Smitty ventured to the carriers secondary control tower to get a good view of the action, and the structure was hit, blowing its occupants out into the water.If we had gone on that mission, hed probably be alive, Ortiz said. I think of him all the time. He was such a nice guy. I felt when it would happen, it would be both of us at the same time.They never were able to recover Smiths body.Tribute to our guysAfter the war, Ortiz worked for Rockwell In-ternational as a technical artist, illustrating specifi-cations for space shuttle parts and satellites.In 1992, Ortiz and his wife of 61 years, Terry, moved to Klahanie, so they can be close to their grandchildren.Memorial Day is an im-portant time for the family. Every year, without fail, Ortiz makes sure to hang his American flag outside for the holiday.It really means a lot to have both of my parents here, said Stacey Boyd, Ortizs daughter. My kids understand Memorial Day and its purpose because they get firsthand knowl-edge hearing Grandpas stories.Memorial Day is all about paying tribute to our guys, such as Smith, who did not get the chance to come home, Ortiz said.Many of the real heroes never came back, he said. A lot of people dont realize that theyre here today, living in democracy, because of those guys. We pay tribute to my friends that didnt come back. They are all up there look-ing down at us.TributeFrom paGe C1ContriButedIssaquah resident Lou Ortiz served as an aviation radioman and gunner aboard the USS Lexington, above, during World War II.ContriButedLou Ortiz (right) receives the Distinguished Flying Cross. Ortiz served as an aviation radioman and gunner in the U.S. Navy during World War II.ContriButedLou Ortiz poses with a replica of the plane he flew during World War II.Many of the real heroes never came back. A lot of people dont realize that theyre here today, living in democracy, because of those guys. We pay tribute to my friends that didnt come back. They are all up there looking down at us. Lou OrtizWorld War II veteran My kids understand Memorial Day and its purpose because they get firsthand knowledge hearing Grandpas stories. Stacey BoydLou Ortizs daughter