Ilion High School - Class of 1945

Herkimer Evening Telegram - June 14, 1945

Ilion Lists 42 War Dead On Village Honor Roll

Article 19

Source pdf file is here Herkimer NY Evening Telegram 1945 01239.pdf on fultonhistory.com

Ilion Lists 42 War Dead On Village Honor Roll

Ilion - Forty-two names in gold leaf lettering signifying Ilion's war dead, are among the 1,600 listed on the World War II honor roll which was erected today at the Municipal Building in preparation for Sunday's memorial service.

The cost of the new roll is estimated at about $1,100. The expense of listing of names is about 50 cents each and there will be space for about 800 more names.

The Hull Sign Co., West Winfield, completed the work. John Thomas, Legion vice-commander and a village trustee, headed the planning committee.

Two flat type boards were erected at each side of the center entrance walk to the Municipal Building. The flagpole in the center with the Stars and Stripes, flies high above the roll. Pine trees growing at either end are connected by an arch.

The names, silver and gold on black, are on glass enclosed panels this permitting easy changes.

It is believed this honor roll will provide a basis for continuance in case a memorial building is built, The casing affords permanence. They could be removed to a memorial building or placed on Municipal Building wall.

The high school band under the direction of Frederick Fay Swift, played "Coronation March" from "The Prophet" while the sailors marched into the, theater. Both the choir and band gave several selections during the program. Invocations and benedictions were given by the Rev. Gerald Millet, assistant pastor of Annunciation Church. Miss Mary Horan, salutatorian spoke on "America - Our Challenge" and Miss Marian Ray gave the valedictory "America - Our Future.

Replaces VFW Shaft

The present honor roll in Memorial Park was erected by the William Hempstead Post, VFW. It was recently taken over by the village

The committee believed the new location is more ideal as the Municipal Building is open at all times, offering greater protection by police.

Ilion war dead listed in gold lettering include: Henry F. Remmers, Petty Officer 2/c, USN, killed Aug. 7, 1941, Alaska; Sgt. Gordon Davies, Army, Sept. 28, 1942, Guatemala; Cpl. Clinton Goller, AAF, Oct. 2, 1942, England; Pvt. Joseph Seymour, USMC, Nov. 1, 1942, Guadalcanal.

Pvt. Frank Kennedy, Army, May 18, 1943, North Africa; Lt. Vincent Dugan, AAF, May 27, 1943, N. Africa; Victor Lee Rice, Machinists Mate 1/c Navy, June 30 1943, S. Pacific; Nellis Heath, Army, July 1, 1943, Phillippine Islands; Lt. James Simpson, AAF, Aug. 28 1943, Georgia.

Sgt. M. Hale Sterling, Army, Sept. 19, 1943, Southwest Pacific; John R. Frantz, Merchant Marine, Sept. 22, 1943, N. Africa; Pvt. Forest Deyle, AAF, Sept. 24, 1943, Sicily; Harvey Dhonau, Quartermaster, 2/c, Navy, Oct. 27, 1943, S. Pacific; Sgt. Ralph Baum, USMC, Oct. 28, 1943, S. Pacific; Pfc. Raymond E. Danforth, Army, Jan. 13, 1944, Italy.

Gave Their lives

Pfc. Glenn Clarke, Army, Feb. 4, 1944, Italy: Lt. William H. Momberger, AAF, Mar. 9, 1944, England; Pvt. Paul Townsend, Army, May 4, 1944, Aberdeen, Md.; Pvt. Philip A. Davis, Army, June 23, 1944, France; Maj. John M. Nichols, Army, June 27, 1944, Saipan; Cpl. Richard M. Pelton, Army, July 3, 1944, England; Sgt. Donald Outman, AAF, July 3, 1944, Rumania; Sgt. Harry T. Durkin, Army, July 17, 1944, France.

Lt. Kenneth Bleau, Army, Aug. 1, 1944, France; Capt. Charles. M. Holcomb, AAF, Aug. 25, 1944, France; Lt. Ralph E. Hardy, Army, Sept. 25, 1944, Italy; Pvt. Alfred L. Seymour, Army, Oct. 7, 1944, Germany; Richard Vincent Elmer, Fireman 1/c, Navy, Oct. 25, 1944, Philippines; Sgt. Clyde Wbertendyke, Army, Nov. 15, 1944, France, Pfc. Ross Cushman, Army, Dec. 1, 1944, Germany; Pvt. Francis Blaise, Army, Dec. 3, 1944, France; Sgt. Joseph T. Hamlin, Army, Dec. 5, 1944, Luxemburg; Pfc. Robert E. Lozo, Army, Jan. 9, 1945, France; Pvt. Walter Snyder, Army, Jan. 15, 1945, Germany; Pvt. Wilbur D. Snyder, Jan. 15, 1945, Germany.

S/Sgt. Gordown Townsend, Army,Feb. 14, 1945, Luzon; Lt. Onofrio DiSano, USMC, Feb. 19, 1945, Iwo Jima; S/Sgt. Vernon B. Morris, AAF, Mar. 9, 1945,Luzon; PFC. John W. Cooe, Army, Jar. 26, 1945, Germany; pvt. Stanley Clark, Army, Apr. 15, 1945, Okinawa; Cpl. Eugene Brest, Army, Apr. 17, 1945, Germany; Pvt. John F. Petersen, USMC, June 9, 1945, Okinawa.

Services Sunday will be at 2:30 p. m. with a parade in charge, of Myron Hess in which all organizations have been invited to participate. Dedication services are in charge of Ralph Peters with Major James McDaniel, Rhoads Hospital chaplain, as speaker. All local pastors will participate.

Created and maintained by Aileen Carney Sweeney - Class of 1974