32 Commercial St. Suite 2, Honesdale, PA 18431
Edward Justice
"Buzz" as he was known to his friends and family. He graduated from Honesdale High School in 1968 and immediately joined the United States Army. He entered the Army Engineer School as a heavy equipment operator and mechanic, serving his country as an SP4 with the 43rd Engineer Unit, and was stationed at Fire Base Blaze in the A Shau Valley Vietnam. Returning to Wayne Co. after his discharge he worked for several local excavation companies, was employed as Head custodian of the Damascus School along with operating a small welding mechanics business, also working for Cochecton Mills. He enjoyed teaching hunter safety with area youth along with volunteer work at his church.
Banner Location
Corner of 8th and Church St
John Kelly
John served in the United States Army and 1st Veterinary Company as a Staff Sargeant from March 31, 1943, to February 4th, 1946. John earned the Good Conduct Medal, Victory Medal, and the As-Pac+thr service medal and Bronze Star. He worked as a Quarter Master Supply Tech and cared for horses and mules at the border with China. He was stationed in India and Burma. He lived in tents part of the time near Ledo. He recalls that Malaria was rampant, but John washed in streams and never got sick. Most of the men in his unit were older so they called him "Kid". The comradery was important to him. After his service, John returned to his family home at 111 Russell St in Honesdale and worked at the Farview State Hospital for Criminally Insane – first in the wards and then as a telephone operator.
Banner Location
Willow Avenue near Wayne Bank
William E. Klages
A veteran of the U.S. Army. Jack, as he liked to be called, served during WW II 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 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. Jack would shoot the deer. He would then have the men on board, mostly farmers, get the deer back to the train. It was cut up and used to feed the hungriest on the train. During his downtime, he kept busy making things such as a Hawaiian hula skirt for his daughter. He used an old parachute and pulled a 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 service, Jack owned and operated an auto body shop.
Banner Location
Corner of 9th and Church
Norman "Skip" Klinger
"Chief" Klinger served in the United States Air Force for 30 years from June 1965 to November 1, 2005. His job was Wire Communication Technology. He was awarded the Air Force Commendation Medal, Four Meritorious Service Medals, Vietnam Service Medal, and Korean Defense Service Medal. During the 30 years, Skip was stationed in the Philippines, Vietnam, Japan, South Korea, Turkey, Saudi Arabia, Spain, Germany, England, and various Air Force Bases and retired at Kessler AFB in Mississippi. After his service, he opened contracts with the Air Force with General Dynamics Information Technology, installing lines for US Air Force Defense Contractors. Skip loved the VFW belonging and serving as the quartermaster for the Gold Legacy Post 6731 in Diberville, MS. He was known for his generosity in grilling Korean ribs and donating his time, home, and money to every hurricane or natural disaster. He volunteered so much of himself to better his community.
Banner Location
Corner of Church St and 9th St
Charles E. Knapp Sr.
Charles served as a Staff Sargeant in the United States Air Force stationed at Fairchild Air Force Base in Washington State from 1950-1953. His job during that time was as a dental technician. He received a Good Conduct Medal and a National Defense Service Medal. After the war, Charles joined his father as a barber in Narrowsburg, NY. He operated the shop for over 60 years. He was a proud veteran, a member, and past commander of the former Delaware Valley Post 1020 of the American Legion and a member of Sylvan Liebla Post 1363 of the American Legion in Eldred NY.
Banner Location
Church St across from Central Park
Nicholas Lasko
WWII veteran "Nick" Lasko served in the United States Army, reaching the rank of Tech 4. During his stint in the Army, he was stationed in the Philippines and was classified as an Infantry Soldier and HMG 1st Class Gunner on a Seaman Landing craft. Nick was involved in campaigns in the Bismarck Archipelago, Luzon, New Guinea, and Southern Philippines. Nick was awarded a Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, and Philippines Liberation Ribbon with 1 Bronze Star. He had a pet parrot named "Static" and also met Tex Ritter and John Wayne during a USO tour! Upon his honorable discharge from Company B 592D Engineers, he held the rank of PFC in 1945. Banner Location: Willow Avenue by 4th St traffic light
Banner Location
Willow Avenue by 4th St traffic light
Joseph R. Macey, Jr.
- Serving in the United States Coast Guard as Engineman Second Class Petty Officer. "Joe" served in Vietnam as an Engineman/Small boat handler/Boarding Officer. Joe was stationed at Jones Beach and on the Coast Guard Cutter- Morgenthau WHEC 722. During his service, he was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, and Good Conduct Medal. When returning to civilian life, Joe became a teacher and was located at Wayne Co. where he taught Tech. Ed. at the Honesdale High School from 1975-2010.
Banner Location
Willow Avenue by Dave’s Super Duper
Vincent J. Martone
Local legend Vincent Martone served as a Technical Sergeant in the United States Army during WWII. He entered active service on Feb.17, 1941, in Company H, 109th Infantry of the 28th Division as a gun crewman in light artillery. He was stationed in Scotland, England and Wales. His division landed in Normandy after D-Day and paraded in Paris after the city's liberation. With German troops remaining in the city, the division needed to fight its way out. On Sept. 17, 1944, Martone and his radioman were trying to establish a forward observation point at the Siegfried Line when they were captured by German soldiers. He was taken to Stalag 3-C at Limburg, Germany, where he and approximately 12,000 Allied prisoners were detained. He recalled how the American prisoners were treated fairly, better than the Russian prisoners. However, the conditions were poor and there was not much food and they slept on a concrete floor with one blanket. Prisoners were moved several times from 3-C to avoid the Russian Army. The final camp that Martone was held at was about fifty miles from Berlin. On January 31, 1945, about 200 prisoners escaped from the camp and wandered several days around East Germany and Poland, where they were rescued by Russian soldiers. The prisoners traveled for seven days by boxcar to Odesa, Ukraine on the Black Sea. From there Martone was returned by ship to the United States landing at Camp Myles Standish near Boston. After a sixty-day leave, he reported to Camp Dix, NJ, and was Honorably discharged on July 1, 1945. Before discharge, he received the American Defense Service Medal and European African Middle Eastern Good Conduct Medal. Upon discharge, he returned to Honesdale and became the owner of Martone's Bar and Restaurant.
Banner Location
North Main St between 13th and 14th St.
Norman Meszler
Norman entered the service on October 23, 1942. He elected the Air Corps as his preferred branch and before going overseas (England) in November 1943, he completed a course of training which embraced a total of ten different camps and airfields. Assigned to the 489th Bomber Group, he saw plenty of action in the defense of Europe and later in the invasion of Normandy and Northern France. Norman was an engineer-gunner on a B-24 Liberator Heavy Bomber with more than 30 missions over Germany and enemy-occupied Europe. He was on two different planes, the Kill Joy and Special Delivery, both of which sustained severe battle damage from time to time by enemy anti-aircraft fire, but luckily, none of the crew were injured. His missions included targets in Berlin, aircraft factories, bridges, oil depots, heavy gun emplacements, and other installations in Dummer Lake, Brunswick, Frankfort, and areas on the coast of Nazi-held France. He received the ETO ribbon with three battle stars, the Air Medal with three oak clusters, the Distinguished Fly Cross, and the Good Conduct Medal. He returned to civilian life on October 19, 1945, and was employed as an auto mechanic.
Banner Location
Grandview Avenue by A & B Homes
David Carlton Mitchell
A veteran of the U.S. Navy. David served during the Vietnam era in the submarine service and attained the rank of Petty Officer 2nd Class. He had several duty stations including New London, Connecticut stateside, and foreign ports in Rota, Spain, and Holy Lock Scotland. David earned and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Polaris Deterrent Patrol Pin, and Submarine Dolphins (Qualified Submarines). He is a lifelong resident of Wayne County and returned after he completed military service. David worked as a Land Surveyor and also worked for the Wayne Conservation District.
Banner Location
Church St. between 5th and 6th St.
John Otto Mitchell
A veteran of the U.S. Navy, John Graduated basic traing September 12, 1975 and left the service end of 1989 or early 1990.
He was in during the Libyan and Invasion of Grenada.
Banner Location
Church St. between 5th and 6th St.
Roger F. Mitchell
A veteran of the U.S. Army. Roger served during the Vietnam era entering the Army in September of 1962. He worked as a mechanic working on trucks, jeeps, and backup motors. He attained the rank of SP4. His duty station was Fort Lewis, Washington. After his military service in September of 1965, he worked as a carpenter and also worked in a paper mill while in Washington state.
Banner Location
Church St. between 5th and 6th St.
Arthur "Arkie" Moller
A veteran of the U.S. Army. Arkie entered the Army in 1955 during the Cold War. He was with the Military Police (MP) and stationed in Germany. He achieved the rank of SP3. On completion, of his military service, he worked as a Lineman for the NY State Electric and Gas Company. Arkie passed away in January 2023.
Banner Location
Willow Avenue by Fins and Feathers
Richard A. Moore
Rich, as he preferred to be called served in the United States Air Force 1962-1982. Rich was E1 Master Sergeant and was highly decorated from his tour in Vietnam. He was assigned the job of Aircraft Electrician. Stationed in the Philippines, Vietnam, and Goosebay, Labrador. He then went on to have a career with the Dept. of Defense working on fighter jets after his discharge. Thank you for your service to the people of the United States.
Banner Location
Church St. near Highlights for Children
Sgt. John W. Moser
John Moser, Jr served in the United States Army from 5/12/69 to 5/8/71. His rank was Private E1. He served as a military policeman during his duty and then as a welder after his service. John grew up in Wayne County and attended a one-room schoolhouse in Milanville, PA, and later attended Damascus High School.
Banner Location
Willow Avenue near Dave’s Super Duper
Edward O'Neill
Ed served in the United States Army during World War II. His rank was Pvt, Pfc, Tec 4. During his service, he was awarded a Bronze Star and an American Defense Service Medal. He worked as a welder. Eddie was stationed in Fort Myer, Fort Benning, Fort Gordon, and Camp Shanks in the US France, Belgium, and Germany. After the service, Eddie worked as a welder.
Banner Location
Church St near the Dime Bank
Dorothy Pazel
Dorothy was a resident of Honesdale upon enlisting. She graduated from Pleasant Mount High School, Wayne Commercial School, and Southern Illinois University. She worked for 8 years in the office of the Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross in Honesdale and 2 years as a bookkeeper at the Aldenville Furniture Company. At that time there were no jobs available in her line of work, so she enlisted in the Air Force. She was assigned to Statistical Services upon entering the service and cross-trained as a computer programmer when the Air Force switched to computers. She served for 20 years from 1956 to 1976. After that, she served stateside in California, Texas, Nebraska, Illinois, and 16 months in Puerto Rico, and then 3 years in Germany. Her day consisted of writing new computer programs, revising working programs, and testing them until they were 100% ready to use. She was also the supervisor of her section. Dorothy was awarded the Joint Services Commendation Medal and 2 awards of the Air Force Commendation Medal. She made many friends and saw and traveled to places she otherwise would never have seen. After getting out of the service, she took care of her elderly father, a WW1 veteran. She loved the Air Force even though she often worked day and night. As with any other job, it's what you, yourself make of it. Banner Location: Corner of 9th and Church St. - Dorothy was a resident of Honesdale upon enlisting. She graduated from Pleasant Mount High School, Wayne Commercial School, and Southern Illinois University. She worked for 8 years in the office of the Wayne County Chapter of the American Red Cross in Honesdale and 2 years as a bookkeeper at the Aldenville Furniture Company. At that time there were no jobs available in her line of work, so she enlisted in the Air Force. She was assigned to Statistical Services upon entering the service and cross-trained as a computer programmer when the Air Force switched to computers. She served for 20 years from 1956 to 1976. After that, she served stateside in California, Texas, Nebraska, Illinois, and 16 months in Puerto Rico, and then 3 years in Germany. Her day consisted of writing new computer programs, revising working programs, and testing them until they were 100% ready to use. She was also the supervisor of her section. Dorothy was awarded the Joint Services Commendation Medal and 2 awards of the Air Force Commendation Medal. She made many friends and saw and traveled to places she otherwise would never have seen. After getting out of the service, she took care of her elderly father, a WW1 veteran. She loved the Air Force even though she often worked day and night. As with any other job, it's what you, yourself make of it.
Banner Location
Corner of 9th and Court St.
Donald T. Pender Sr
A veteran of the U.S. Army, Donald served from 1948 (end of WW II) and into the Korean Conflict. He was an infantryman stationed in Korea and attained the rank of Corporal. He earned and was awarded the WW II Victory Medal and the Army of Occupation Medal (Japan). After his time in the service, Donald attended St. Joseph University and Penn State University. He was an engineer for the state of Pennsylvania. He also became a real Estate Broker. He sold advertising and worked in sales at B & B Dodge. In 1980 he built and operated Shurway Food Mart with his sons. The supermarket filled the grocery needs of Greeley and the surrounding communities until its closing in 2011. Don was a faithful member of St. John the Evangelist Roman Catholic Church, Alert Hook & Ladder Fire Company, VFW, American Legion, DAV, and Chairman of the Wayne County Redevelopment Authority and Director of the Wayne County Veterans Affairs for over 30 years. Don passed away in 2005.
Banner Location
10th St by Central Park.
Joe Arnold Phillip
Joseph Phillip served in the United States Marine Corps from 11/18/1965 to 09/01/1967 as a Sergeant during the Vietnam War. He earned a Purple Heart and Good Conduct Medal. His job during his service was a mud marine. Joe was stationed at Camp LeJeune, North Carolina, and in Vietnam. He grew up in Beach Lake, PA and after the service, he worked for General Motors for almost 40 years. Banner Location:
Banner Location
Willow Avenue near Schwarz Buick
HEROES KINZINGER- MARTIN
Click on the button below to continue to view remaining veterans banners and their stories.