32 Commercial St. Suite 3 PO Box 186, Honesdale, PA 18431
corey jerome hanson
A veteran of the US Navy and US Marine Corps. Doc as he was often called was a Hospital Corpsman 3rd class and was stationed at Oakland Naval Hospital and Marine Corps Base at Camp Pendleton. He served during Operation Desert Storm. During his time in service Doc earned several awards including Navy Achievement, Good Conduct, National Defense, and Expert Rifle and Pistol. After completing his service, he worked at Wayne Memorial Hospital, then was self-employed and also works at Bethany Village Senior Care Facility.
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Corner of 4th & Church St
francis e. heraghty
A veteran of the US Air Force. Francis attained the rank of Airman First Class. He was attached to the 305th A&E Electronics Maintenance Squadron during the Korean Conflict. He was the recipient of a Good Conduct Medal and the Air Force Outstanding Unit Award.
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Corner of Rt. 6 East and Young St. by Smokin Joes
george j. herzog jr.
A veteran of the US Navy. Junior, as he was called, attained the rank of Seaman First Class. He served on board the USS Randolph during WWII. He received several awards among them was the WWII Medal, 3 Star Asiatic Pacific Campaign, and Philippine Liberation. Junior, a lifelong resident of Wayne County worked as a Police Officer. He was also a Barber and owned his shop on Main St. in Honesdale.
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On Rt. 191 south just of Clark's Market
lynn w. highhouse
A veteran of the US Army. He attained the rank of First Sergeant. During WWII he was stationed in New Guinea in the Western Pacific and Luzon in the Southern Philippines. He was assigned as the First Sergeant in a 38th Field Hospital. While overseas he was able to enjoy a USO presentation of musical Oklahoma. Lynn received several medals during his service. Among those medals are a Bronze Star, Good Conduct, American Campaign, Asiatic Pacific Campaign with 4 bronze service stars, WWII Victory, and Army of Occupation with Japan clasp. After leaving the service Lynn founded Highhouse Energy, which today is a large fuel and propane company.
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In front of Highouse gas station on Rt. 191 South of Honesdale
willard R. hocker
A veteran of the US Air Force. He was known to loved ones and friends as “Doody.” He was a pilot in WW ll and was the first casualty of Wayne County. He was buried with full Military Honors.
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In front of Bold's Garden Center on Rt. 6 East of Honesdale
robert d. holbert
A veteran of the US Navy and Naval Reserves. Bob was a Navy Pilot and Flight Instructor during WW ll. He attained the rank of Commander. His duty stations were multiple Naval Flight Bases across the United States. Bob received multiple accommodations during his service. A life long resident of Wayne County he returned home after his military service. He owned Honesdale/Holbert Airport and Pennsylvania Savings and Loan Company in Honesdale. As a pilot Bob flew many dignitaries and entertainers to various bases for the USO. He flew multiple movie stars and the Fred Warring Orchestra. Also of interest is that Bob once made an emergency landing of a seaplane in the Arizona desert and after the repairs were made he was able to take off again and continue his mission.
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1723 Main St
robert w. katz
A veteran of the US Army Air Corps. Bob, as he liked to be called, served during WW ll and attained the rank of 1st Lieutenant. He was stationed in Horham, England. The following is a story related by his only living child who still resides in Honesdale as of this writing. Bob was a bombardier on a B17 and was shot down over Hanover, Germany in July of 1943. One of the bullets penetrated his parachute which then deployed inside the airplane. The pilot helped him gather the chute and they bailed out together. He landed very hard and broke a rib and his ankle. A farmer held him down with a pitchfork until German soldiers arrived and took him prisoner. A couple of weeks after being shot down his parents did not know if he had survived. He was able to send a shortwave radio message which said “Hello Honesdale, Pa. Hello mother and dad. I am well.” He was a POW in Stalag Luft lll for two years and survived the Death March from Stalag Luft lll to Stalag Luft Vll where he was liberated when the war was over. He said when he was freed, General Patton said to them “sorry it took us so long to get here boys, but you're free now.” After returning home he was a partner in the Katz Underwear Company.
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Corner of 6th and Church St
robert h. kerber
A veteran of the US Army. Bob served during the Korean Conflict. He was attached to Company C of the 30th Infantry Division out of Fort Benning, Georgia. He attained the rank of Sergeant. Bob served two years stateside with the Old Guard in Washington, DC. This was the Army's official ceremonial unit and escort to President Harry S. Truman. He was assigned to Fort Benning and was involved in deprogramming returnees from the Korean Conflict. He was born and raised in Honesdale and graduated from Honesdale High School Class of 1946. After his service he returned to Wayne county and became a dairy farmer for seven years. He then worked for the S.J. Bailey Company in Honesdale for twenty-three years. He was also a self taught local artist specializing in oil media.
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On Grandview Avenue in front of Schwab's Automotive shop
william e. klages
A veteran of the US Army. Jack, as he liked to be called, served during WW ll and attained the rank of Technician 5th Grade. At the end of the war he was stationed in Korea. His battalion received orders that they would return to the States. According to protocol all soldiers received papers as to which Army base they would be going to, that is all except Jack. His papers were not sent or were lost. He had to stay at the camp in Korea until such time his papers would arrive. They left him with plenty of provisions and ammunition. His job was to ride the train between Pusan and Seoul until such time as his papers were reissued. He rode the train to keep the local people safe. The people came to love Jack. While riding the train if they saw a deer in the field he would have the conductor stop the train. He would shoot the deer and the men on board, mostly farmers, would get the deer back to the train. It was cut up and used to feed the hungriest on the train. During his down time he kept busy making things such as a Hawaiian hula skirt for his daughter. He used an old parachute and pulled thread by thread from the risers. He also made his wife a bracelet from a piece of airplane metal. All this was quite an undertaking considering the conditions he was in at the time. The Army kept in contact and sent provisions as needed. Finally, after four months, new papers were issued and Jack came back to the United States. After his time in the service Jack owned and operated an auto body shop.
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On Central Park at the corner of 9th St. and Church St.
dennis koropchak
A veteran of the US Army. Dennis worked as a Military Police during the Cold War. He attained the rank of Corporal. He earned and received an Expert Rifle Bar and a Sharpshooter Pistol Bar. Dennis was stationed at Fort Jackson, Fort Gordon, 8th Army HQ, and Seoul, Korea. His final duty station was the Carlisle War College. He was in Korea from 1963 to 1964. At one point, during that time he was on patrol in Seoul, South Korea. He was dispatched to the 8th Army helipad to meet a visitor. After the helicopter landed, he noted a short, slight, and haggard but nicely dressed individual getting out of the helicopter. He recognized him immediately as then US Attorney General Robert F. Kennedy. This was shortly after the assassination of his brother President John F. Kennedy. He noted that Mr. Kennedy was very cordial. He escorted the attorney general to his destination at Panmunjom. Dennis was impressed at how dignified and mannerly Mr. Kennedy was, also very polite and appreciative of him for being there and serving his country. After his time in the Army Dennis returned to Wayne County and worked as a State Construction Inspector.
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At the entrance to Dave's Super Duper on Willow Avenue
louis p. kowalcyk
A veteran of the US Navy. Louis served during WWII and attained the rank of Seaman First Class. He was drafted into the Navy on November 30, 1944. He was from a family of eleven, of which four brothers served in the military. Another young man from nearby White Mills was assigned to the same ship as Louis. After basic training he was in Orange, Texas where he was assigned to the ship the USS Furse DD 882. The ship had been christened by then First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt. The ship sailed to numerous places such as Cuba, the Panama Canal, San Francisco, Hawaii, and Japan. Onboard Louis worked as a chef. Since the ship was a destroyer, everyone had "battle stations" assignments also. His job was to load the powder kegs behind the bullets and aim the five-inch thirty-eight caliber gun salvo. While docked in Japan and during the middle of the night a drill took place. The crew diligently assumed their battle stations and within minutes, the target went up in flames. During his time in service, Louis received many awards including the Pacific Theater Ribbon, The American Theater Ribbon, and the Victory Ribbon. He was inducted into the "Sacred Order of the Golden Dragon" for having crossed the Prime Meridian. Being a lifelong resident Louis returned to Wayne County after his time in the service. He worked as an Auto Salesman for a Ford Motor Company.
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Across from Wayne Memorial Hospital
brian david lamberton
A veteran of the US Army. Brian served during the Global War on Terror and attained the rank of Staff Sergeant. Lambo, as he was called, was an infantryman and a paratrooper with the 101st Airborne. He is a highly decorated veteran of combat in Iraq. Among his many medals and badges are two Bronze Star medals. The following is the commendation for his Bronze Stars. "SSG Brian Lamberton, as Weapons Squad Leader for the 1st Platoon, repeatedly distinguished himself throughout combat operations in Iraq (March-May 2003). His leadership and tactical knowledge was the driving effort that enabled Charlie Company to complete every mission throughout Iraq: Al Kifl, An Najaf, Karbala, the capital city of Baghdad, Al Mahmudiyah, and Mawsil. While clearing those cities the company discovered scores of enemy compounds and caches, capturing numerous Iraqis and destroying countless weapons and ammunition. These actions had a critical effect on the enemy's ability to fight. While conducting combat operations at Al Kifl, SSG Lamberton's maturity and tactical knowledge were integral to his platoon's successful defense of the bridge crossing the Euphrates. Directed by the Brigade Commander to occupy and defend the bridge, he used his superior knowledge on crew-served weapons emplacement to facilitate the platoon by placing his M240B machine gun teams to defend their sector independent from the company. SSG Lamberton's superior terrain analysis enabled the alternate placement of support by fire position that maximized the amount of cover provided to the initial breach element entering the city of An Najaf ensuring a safe passage for all follow on forces. During the "Battle of Karbala" SSG Lamberton's decisiveness and rapid emplacement of his squad in setting up support by fire positions were the decisive elements in his platoon's ability to maintain the momentum while clearing their sector of enemy forces. Operating in the capital city of Baghdad, SSG Lamberton seamlessly assumed the duties of platoon leader freeing up the chain of command to interrogate the captured Iraqi soldiers. Responding to a FRAGO, SSG Lamberton rapidly moved his squad to the city of Al Mahmadiyah. SSG Lamberton's battlefield awareness and emplacement of his machine gun teams to support the movement of his platoon led to the discovery of a large cache of Sagger Missiles. His timely and accurate report and intense security of the location prevented countless future-friendly casualties. SSG Lamberton's tactical knowledge and decisiveness while operating in intense combat operations in the country of Iraq are key to his platoon's overwhelming success are in the greatest keeping with history the 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) and the US Army. After active duty Brian became a JROTC Instructor. Having been born and raised in Honesdale he currently resides in Florida with his family.
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In front of Pet Central on Rt. 191 South of Honesdale
general lyman louis lemnitzer
GENERAL LYMAN LOUIS LEMNITZER was born in Honesdale, Pennsylvania, on 29 August 1899; graduated from the United States Military Academy, 1920; was commissioned a second lieutenant, July 1920; attended the Coast Artillery School at Fort Monroe and then served with his battery in the United States and Philippines, 1921–1926; married Katherine Mead Tryon in 1923.
He was promoted to first lieutenant, June 1925; was twice instructor of natural and experimental philosophy at West Point, 1926–1930 and 1934–1935; again served as a troop and staff officer in the Philippines, 1931–1934; was promoted to captain, August 1935; was instructor in tactics at the Coast Artillery School, 1936; graduated from the Command and General Staff School at Fort Leavenworth, 1936, and the Army War College, 1940; served in the 70th Coast Artillery and the 38th Coast Artillery (Antiaircraft) Brigade, 1940–1941; was promoted to major, July 1940, and to temporary lieutenant colonel, December 1941; was a plans and operations officer on the General Staff and at Army Ground Forces Headquarters, 1941–1942; was promoted to temporary colonel and brigadier general, June 1942; commanded the 34th Coast Artillery (Antiaircraft) Brigade and was concurrently plans and operations officer at Allied Forces Headquarters in England and North Africa and deputy chief of staff of Fifth Army in North Africa, 1942–1943; was promoted to temporary major general (May) and permanent brigadier general (June), 1944; was chief of staff to the Supreme Allied Commander, Mediterranean, and United States theater commander there, 1944–1945; was senior Army member of the Joint Strategic Survey Committee, Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1945–1947; was deputy commandant of the National War College, 1947–1949; was director of the Office of Military Assistance, Office of the Secretary of Defense, 1949–1950; was promoted to permanent major general (April) and temporary lieutenant general (August), 1952; commanded the 11th Airborne Division in the United States and the 7th Infantry Division in operations in Korea, 1951–1952; was deputy chief of staff for Plans and Research, 1952–1955; was promoted to temporary general, March 1955; was commanding general of United States Forces, Far East, and the Eighth Army, 1955; was commander in chief of the Far East and United Nations Commands and governor of the Ryukyu Islands, 1955–1957; was vice chief of staff of the United States Army, 1957–1959; was chief of staff of the United States Army, 1 July 1959–30 September 1960; stressed the need to modernize the Army and pressed for adequate appropriations; was chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff, 1960–1962; was commanding general of United States Forces, Europe, 1962–1969; was Supreme Allied Commander, Europe, 1963–1969; retired from active service, July 1969; was a member of a panel that investigated domestic activities of the Central Intelligence Agency, 1975; died in Washington, D.C., on November 12, 1988. He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery.
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West Park St. across from West St.
william lestrange
A veteran of the US Army. Bill, as he was known, served during WW II and attained the rank of private. He was stationed in Egypt and North Africa as a Munitions Truck driver. After the war Bill became co-owner of L & M Bar in the nearby town of Carbondale.
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North Main St in front of Aqua Water Company
william T. lobb
A veteran of the US Army. William fought for the North in the Civil War. He enlisted in the Army in August of 1862 in Honesdale and was not yet a citizen. William came to America from England in 1854. His family sailed from Plymouth, England to New York City then took a boat up the Hudson River to Rondout, New York, and finally a D&H canal clipper boat to Honesdale. He fought in seven major battles during the war. He was in Fredricksburg, Chancellorsville, Gettysburg, The Wilderness, Spottsylvania, Totopotomoy Creek, and Cold Harbor. He attained the rank of Captain. Although there were no records of medals or awards, there is no doubt he would have received a Purple Heart if it existed back then. He was severely wounded in the battle at Totopotomoy Creek. He spent three months in a field hospital. William gained the rank of Infantry Sergeant but kept getting promoted and eventually attained the rank of Captain. After the war he found his way back to Wayne County. He worked initially as a farmer then became a carpenter for the D & H Canal Company boatyard. He was active in the GAR (Grand Army of the Republic), James Ham Post. William passed away on April 1, 1892. There is a wonderful article on his family in the Wayne Independent archives dated Wednesday August 31, 1938 which included a picture of his beautiful home at 1319 West Street in Honesdale.
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Rt. 6 just East of the 4th St. bridge
dan longmore
A veteran of the US Army. Dan started his eight-year military career at the age of 17. He spent his 18th birthday in Vietnam on his first tour of duty there in 1963. Dan was an infantry Ranger with the 1st Calvary Division, and he attained the rank of Sergeant. Along with two tours in Vietnam he also spent time in Germany. Dan earned and received several medals. His awards include the Good Conduct Medal, MAC-V Class A patch, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, National Defense Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Service Medal, Bronze Star National Defense Service Medal, the Purple Heart Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Combat Infantry Badge and Parachutist Pin. Dan rarely spoke of his time in Vietnam, but he was most definitely a very proud veteran of that conflict. After his active duty he joined the Pennsylvania National Guard. On completion of his military service he worked at the SJ Bailey furniture factory in Honesdale. He eventually applied for a nursing assistant position at Wayne Memorial Hospital. He also took a training course and became a police officer in Hawley. He left the hospital to work as a police officer but after a few years returned to Wayne Memorial. He loved working in the emergency room. Dan, having left high school to join the Army went on to receive his GED from Honesdale High School. He then applied and was accepted at Mercy Hospital School of Nursing in Scranton. He graduated from Mercy and returned to Wayne Memorial as a Registered Nurse. He worked in the Emergency Room and the Operating Room. Dan died in 2006 at the age of 61 from kidney cancer. He firmly believed his cancer was the result of excessive exposure to Agent Orange while in Vietnam.
Banner Location
On 9th St. at Central Park between Church St. & Court St.
theodore e. malakin jr.
A veteran of the US Navy and the US Army Reserve. Theodore went by the nickname Tee. Tee attained the ranks of Petty Officer Third Class and Master Sergeant respectively. He served aboard the USS Intrepid during the Vietnam War. He received the National Defense Service Medal and Vietnam Service Medal with one campaign star as well as the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. After his active duty with the Navy, Tee spent 25 years with the Army Reserves. He graduated from the University of Scranton. He has held a variety of wide-ranging positions. He worked for the Pennsylvania Power and Light, was a Psychiatric Assistant for Northeast Tri-County Mental Health Center, Operations Manager for radio station W.D.N.H., as well as a Patrolman for Hawley Borough Police and a Rural Carrier for the U.S. Postal Service. Tee also spent many years working for the Pennsylvania State Police, BLCE (Bureau of Liquor Control Enforcement). He lived most of his life in Wayne County and now resides in Lake Ariel.
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In front of Highhouse Energy office on Rt. 191 South of Honesdale
william h. mander
A veteran of the US Army. Bill served with the 11th Airborne Division during the Cold War and attained the rank of Corporal. He was an MP and squad leader stationed in Augsburg, Germany. He was awarded the National Defense Medal and Good Conduct medal. After his military service, Bill returned home to Wayne County and worked for the United States Postal Service.
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Near B & B Dodge on Rt. 6 East of Honesdale
walter bryant marion
A veteran of the US Navy. Walter or Red as he was called served as a Gunner's Mate aboard the USS Thomas E. Fraser during the Korean Conflict. He attained the rank of Gunners Mate 2nd Class. Aboard the ship, Red was in the Caribbean, Atlantic, and the Mediterranean Sea. His duty station in the states was in Charleston, South Carolina. While there he took in a USO show and saw Doris Day and Bob Hope. Red earned and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, European Defense Medal, and the American Defense Medal. Having been born and raised in Wayne County he returned home and worked as an installer for materials for three generations of Pratts in their local interior decorating business. Red and his wife of sixty-eight years, Ella still reside in Honesdale.
Banner Location
Across from Wayne Memorial Hospital
MARTIN-ROBERTS
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