32 Commercial St. Suite 2, Honesdale, PA 18431
Leo Andracki
Leo joined the United States Marine Corps. August 28, 1943. Leo obtained the rank of Corporal (TW) in November 1944 with special military qualifications to be a Mortar Crewman. He was stationed in the Central Pacific area Nov. 23, 1944-February 1946. Leo participated in the assault and capture of Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands February 19, 1945, to March 16, 1945. He was issued an Honorable Service Button. Honorable Discharge from the United States Marine Corps from the Casual Company, MB, Naval Base Philadelphia, PA on April 16, 1946.
Banner Location
Tri-Angle Park on North Main St
Carl Bell
A veteran of the US Air Force attaining the rank of 1st Lieutenant. Carl proudly served during WWII as a Bombardier on a B-24. He saw action in the Asiatic Pacific Theater. He was stationed in New Guinea, Morotai, and the Philippines. During his time in battle, Carl received five Battle Stars and two Air Medals with two Oak Leaf Clusters along with numerous ribbons. At the end of his service, Carl pursued his career as a school gym teacher.
Banner Location
Central Park
Michael B. Bishop
"Bishop" as Michael is known, enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1997 after graduating from Honesdale High School. During his stint, he rose to Senior Master Sergeant (E8). He served from July 1997 to July 2021, serving during OEF and OIF. His job was Tactical Aircraft Maintenance on the A-10 Warthog and retired as 354th Aircraft Maintenance Unit Superintendent. He was stationed at Davis-Monthan AFB, AZ, Osan Air Base South Korea, Nellis AFB, NV. He served as the Chief Contracting Officer's Representative for the largest Aircraft Maintenance Contract Field Team in the Air Force from Dec. 2016 to Feb. 2019. During his service, he was awarded Meritorious Service Medals x3, AF Commendation Medals x3, AF Achievement Medals x2, Maintenance Group Senior NCO of the Quarter x2, Squadron Senior NCO of the Year x2. Bishop is currently employed as a DOD contractor with KIHOMAG at Nellis AFB, NV.
Banner Location
West Park St near car wash
Arthur Bonham
"Buddy" Bonham was a Wayne County native living in Pleasant Mount and Honesdale his whole life. Buddy served in the United States Army from Jan.1955 to Jan. 1957. Specialist 3rd class Mechanic-Light Weapons Infantryman stationed at Fort Benning, GA. Buddy earned the awards of Sharp Shooter & Good Conduct Medal. He went to all the movies that Audie Murphy was starring in to honor a fellow soldier as Audie Murphy had previously lived in the same barracks as Buddy. Buddy felt Audie Murphy was an honorable person and soldier. Upon returning to his roots, Buddy married and raised his family and worked as a mechanic at Geo. W. Kinsman's and PennDot.
Banner Location
North Main St
WILLIAM BORTREE
"Bill or Billy" lived his entire life in Lookout, PA, Wayne County. He served his country in the United States Army from 1967-1970 during the Vietnam War. Bill held the rank of SP-4 in the area of communications. He was awarded the Top Award for Marksmanship during his time of service. Bill was stationed at Fort Jackson, NC, and Hanoi, South Vietnam. After returning home he worked for the Wayne Highlands School District until retirement. He was an accomplished poet and reader. He is remembered for his great sense of humor and for being a "wonderful dad" to his daughter Bryce Ann.
Banner Location
10th St by Central Park
John (Jack) Buddenhagen
Jack" Buddenhagen served in the United States Navy as an IC-2 (E-5) from November 29, 1961 to November 28, 1967. He earned the Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal during his tour in the Vietnam War. He was stationed in San Diego, California. Jack was born and raised in Wayne County and worked as a technician after his service was over.
Banner Location
Willow Ave. by Tractor Supply
Theron B. Calkin
A veteran of both the United States Army and Navy. He attained the rank of Commander. Theron was a career military man having served as an Army Medical Corp. officer during the Korean Conflict as well as a Naval Aviator, flying a helicopter gunship during the Vietnam War with the US Navy Seawolves HA(L) 3. He earned a Bronze Star with Valor, 26 Air Medals, and numerous other awards. He retired as a commander in 1980 and resided in Beach Lake. Theron passed away in 2002 and is buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
Banner Location
West Park St by Wayne Memorial
Joseph J. Coar, Sr
Joseph J. Coar, Sr. resided in the Cherry Ridge area of Wayne County when he joined the United States Army in May 1943. While serving in WWII, PFC Coar was assigned to the Combat Infantry with the Occupation Forces. He was stationed in the Philippines, Marianas, Okinawa, & Hokkaido, Japan. He was awarded 2 Bronze Stars, a Combat Infantry Badge, and a Philippine Liberation Ribbon. After his discharge Jan. 31, 1946, he returned home to family and friends and took up the career of Electronics Repairman.
Banner Location
Church St between 6th and 7th St
John G. Coar
John was a private in the Army during World War I. He was also part of the 82 Division Supply Company, 321st Field Artillery, 79th Division Company B, and 311th Machine Gun Battalion. John was stationed in France: St. Mihiel, Mouse Argonne. When he came home from the war he became a coal miner. When the time came for him to get out of the mines, he moved to Wayne County to a small farm where he lived till he passed away.
Banner Location
Church St between 6th and 7th St
John G. Coar Jr.
John served as a sergeant in the Army Air, during World War II. He was stationed in North Africa and Europe. After getting out of the service he became a machinist, welder, and gunsmith. He came to Wayne County as a teen and lived here till his death. Banner Location:
Banner Location
Church St between 6th and 7th St
Thomas A. Connolly
Thomas Connolly served in the United States Army from Sept. 1965- August 1967. Rose to the rank of Sergeant E5 and held the job of Clerk-Typist. He was stationed in Heidelberg, Germany. After returning to the United States and being honorably discharged he pursued a career in Law Enforcement (NYPD) & Law as an Attorney. Thomas owned a home in Beach Lake after retirement. Thank you for your service.
Banner Location
Willow Avenue near 4th St bridge
Patrick A Conte
Pat grew up in Berwyn, PA, and worked at his father’s Esso Service Station in Berwyn. He later enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1957 and achieved the rank of AIC, E-4 (P), Air Force Senior Airman. He worked as a mechanic and in administration. Pat earned the Airman of the Month award, AFOUA-Air Force Outstanding Unit award, and Good Conduct medal. He was stationed at the Little Rock AFB, Jacksonville, Arkansas, and was assigned to the Azores, Portugal for a short time. After receiving an Honorable Discharge from the Air Force in 1963, he obtained employment with AT&T in Wayne, PA. He worked as a craftsman in the scheduling department and then achieved the position of Operations Manager. This is where Pat met his wife, Maria, at AT&T. They were married in 1965 (married for 57 years) and raised two children, Brian (retired PA state trooper) and Teresa (Sr Product Marketing Manager with Fastly, Inc). They celebrated their 25th wedding anniversary in Maui, HI in 1990, and in 2015 their 50th wedding anniversary with family and friends. Pat was later transferred to the AT&T Hawley Earth Station in 1982 and lived in Honesdale, PA for 41 years. Pat was an avid golfer and member of the Honesdale Golf Club for many years. He loved going to air shows and traveling to California to see his daughter and family and to Wildwood, New Jersey for vacations. Pat was a loving husband, father, and grandfather to six grandchildren, five boys (which includes twin boys) and one girl. He was a member of St John the Evangelist Church in Honesdale. Pat had a winning smile and he lit up the room whenever he was with family and friends. He will be in our hearts forever. By Maria Conte and Family
Banner Location
North Main between Firmstones and 13th St
Ralph Allen Corey
Seaman 1st Class serving with the United States Coast Guard out of Long Beach Island, NJ. Ralph served during the Korean Conflict to safeguard the East Coast and provide Sea Rescue Service. Awarded the Coast Guard Commendation Ribbon, Ralph is credited with assisting in many water rescues of military staff and civilians. Ralph and his wife located Wayne Co. establishing a construction business and retiring in 2017. Ralph continues to be very active in the community
Banner Location
North Main near 18th St
Randy Cousins
Randy is a resident of Honesdale who was a member of the National Guard, during peacetime from Aug. 1975-March 1981. Spec. 4 Cousins was assigned as a Track Vehicle Mechanic, assigned to Fort Knox, Kentucky. During his service, he was awarded a Letter of Commendation for second in Track Vehicle Mechanics. Randy currently works in the Propane Industry. Thank you for your service!
Banner Location
Corner of Church St and 11th St by Methodist Church
Clayton Crum
Clayton served in the Army during the Korean War with the rank of Staff Sergeant. He received the Purple Heart – Combat Infantry Badge – Bronze Star – Korean Service Medal and National Defense Medal. He was stationed at Camp Breckinridge, Kentucky, and Fort Lee, Virginia. At the age of nineteen, Clayton found his way to Breckenridge, Kentucky for 16 weeks of basic training. Following the basic training, he attended 8 more weeks of what they call Leadership School and ended his training with the rank of Corporal. The next thing he knew he was on a troop ship for Korea. After 19 days he landed in Ichon, Korea. To get off the ship that was out in the bay, they went over the side, into a landing craft, and down the nets and ropes. They were packed tight. When the landing craft hit the beach, they couldn’t breathe for a few moments as we all came forward. The front gate came down and out they went onto the beach. From there they had a soldier directing us to “Hurry up! We need you up here. They are killing them like flies.” If you want to shake in your boots and skin, that will do it. Clayton remembers thinking “This isn’t any game or fun. They are playing for real here.” Clayton became what they call a Platoon Sergeant of the Heavy Weapons Squad. Almost daily, they were taking out Korean bunkers. He became pretty good at using a bazooka. He had a great group of soldiers on his team and loved them all. He can remember it was over a month and they still hadn’t had a bath, shower, or a hot meal. They mostly ate K-ration food. They pulled us off the front line to give us a hot bath and a shower and we did not recognize each other at the other end. Being a sergeant, they had five-man teams, and we would go out at night in front of the line until we made contact to where the Koreans were building up. Each sergeant could pick his men. Clayton can remember several patrols being pinned down and firing at each other – calling mortar rounds so they could get back to their line. He had 36 of these patrols; some not so nice. The Koreans liked to hold the peaks and the highlands, so they could have advantages and take pop shots at us during the day. Every time you went to eat, they would take a pop shot at you. Their bunkers were like a hole in a mountain and had about 50 grenades and 50 packs of cigarettes. Many bunkers had different kinds of guns in them. They had a light machine gun and could take it apart blindfolded and put it back together as they had done so many times. After about 11 months in the hills, we had many buddies who were hit and taken back to the hospital. Captain Bray decided to take one more hill under all kinds of fire. The last push they made was on Baldy, Pork Chops, and T-bone Hills. (they had interesting names for every hill and mountain). Well, made it and onto another hill. Clayton can remember diving from one hole to another hole. It was a very terrifying experience for all, and brought most of them to tears. They were coming at them in layers. Clayton remembers not getting quite into one of the bunkers and was hit in the foot with one of the burp guns. He said a little prayer at the time as he looked at the clouds in the sky. “Lord, put me up on one of those clouds and send me home.” After 13 months in Korea, He did. After a month and a half in the hospital, Clayton was aboard a ship bound for the states and on his way home. He landed in Fort Lewis, Washington. Clayton found out later that 228 men were in those hills and only 23 came down, 6 were captured. Clayton thanks God for his blessings and GOD BLESS, GOD BLESS AMERICA.
Banner Location
Corner of 10th and Church St Banner Location: Corner of 10th and Church St
John J Derrick
John Derrick served and retired in World War II and the Korean Conflict as a Master Sergeant in the United States Army. He earned many well-earned medals during his 25-year tenure. After his service, John worked at a Tool & Dye Company in the Honesdale area where he grew up.
Banner Location
Corner of 10th and Church St by former Presbyterian Church
Joseph Albert Dickhut
"Joe" was a proud Wayne County resident who enlisted in the US Navy and served from 1928 to 1932 as Store Keeper 2C. He was stationed on the USS Philip, USS Evans, USS Newport, USS King, USS Dobbin, and USS Sturtevant. He enjoyed his travels to Panama and Balboa, going through the Panama Canal to Haiti. He was proficient in firing
long-range and torpedoes during his time in service. After returning to the Galilee and Honesdale area he worked as a house painter and wallpaper installer, doing woodworking and Janitorial work.
Banner Location: Church St between 4th and 5th St
Banner Location
Church St between 4th and 5th St
Joseph Allen Dickhut
A veteran of the U.S. Army. Joe served during Vietnam. Joe was an aide to top officials of the Army. When accompanying the officers he would carry secret papers in a briefcase attached to his wrist with handcuffs. While in Vietnam, Joe spent a lot of time in helicopters. He was a very lucky soldier because one day while having lunch in front of a hotel in Vietnam, a bomb hit the back of the hotel. The back was blown out. He also was stationed in Germany where he worked in an office. Joe earned and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, 2 Overseas Bars, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, and an Expert Badge M-16.
Banner Location
Church St between 4th and 5th St
CARBONE-FLYNN
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