32 Commercial St. Suite 2, Honesdale, PA 18431
GORDON "Gordy" KINZINGER
A veteran of the U.S. Army. Gordy worked as a helicopter mechanic and attained the rank of Sergeant SPC. As head of his staff, his team was the first to be called on for helicopter repairs at Ober-Schleissheim Airfield outside of Munich, Germany in the late 1950s. After his time in the military, he was recruited by Sikorsky Helicopters in Stafford, CT to work on helicopters. While there, he had the honor of working on the Marine One fleet while Dwight D. Eisenhower was POTUS. Gordy is very active in the local community with many volunteer hours spent on such projects as the building of the addition to the Historical Society for the housing of the Stourbridge Lion and its actual move to its current location. He worked with WNEP's Mike Stevens for the Muscular Dystrophy Association. He was involved with the Lion's Club and their work for the blind. He also does a significant amount of hard work for the annual Bonanza Banquet. He was a successful businessman. His daughter states that to this day you can find him puttering around in his workshop in the early morning hours.
Banner Location
Sunrise Avenue by Highhouse Oil Co.
WILLIAM "JACK" KLAGES
A veteran of the U.S. Army. Jack, as he liked to be called, served during WWII 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 Rt. 6 East and Tryon St at A&A Auto Parts
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 at Bismarck Archipelago, Luzon, New Guinea, Southern Philippines. Nick was awarded a Good Conduct Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, 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
245 Terrace St
WALTER L. LATOURNOUS
"Wally" was inducted into the Army on April 26, 1943, as a Surgical Technician, Fifth Grade. Serving in the European Theater/England until 1946. Walter received the American Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, and WWII Victory Medal. Born in White Mills, PA he returned to Wayne Co. and worked as layout man for Otis Elevator and was the owner of LaTournous Cut Glass.
Banner Location
301 Terrace St
JOSEPH J. LAVENDUSKI
A veteran of the U.S. Navy. Joe served during WW II with the 81st Naval Construction Battalion out of Virginia. He was a truck driver and steel worker. He attained several ranks during his time in the Navy. Joe saw action in the European-African-Middle Eastern Theater. He earned and was awarded that Campaign Medal. He also received several D-Day medals. One such commendation read as follows: 29 July 1944: Member of Crew Commended by Officer in Charge, 81st USNCB, for excellent work on Rhino Ferries and Tugs, from D-Day through a period of Normandy Invasion while under threat of shell fire and aerial bombardment, and practically without protection from either enemy action or the weather. Upon his discharge from the Navy Joe returned to Wayne County where he was born and raised. He worked for Katz's Window Design and Artist. Joe passed away in July 1967.
Banner Location
Between 14th St & 15th St on Main St
WILLIAM F. LESTRANGE
A veteran of the U.S. Army. Bill was a soldier in WWII from 1942 thru 1945. He was stationed in Europe and North Africa. He saw action at the Battle of the Bulge where he was an ammunition truck driver. He attained the rank of Private. Bill was born and raised in Wayne County. He was co-owner of the L&M Bar in nearby Carbondale.
Banner Location
Between 14th St & 15th St on Main St
JOHN E. LEWIS
Capt. John E. Lewis was a soldier in the Army during the U.S. Civil War fighting for the Union. Born Aug. 26, 1838, and died Jan. 05, 1921. Raised on Beech Grove Road, Honesdale, PA, served in the Army from May 1861 to June 1864 in Co. C. 6th PA Res. Infantry. His enlisted rank was Sergeant with Co. C 35th Infantry with rank changes from 2nd Lieutenant to First Lieutenant then Captain in less than 2 years. When returning to Wayne Co. Capt. Lewis was employed on the railroad.
Banner Location
1771 Main St
HAROLD C. LILHOLT
A veteran of the U.S. Army. His friends called him “Hoke.” He served in the army from 1948 until 1951. He was stationed in Germany. His job was working with Anti Aircraft Artillery. He attained the rank of Corporal. Hoke earned and was awarded The Good Conduct Medal, Army of Occupation Medal, and the National Defense Service Medal. After his time in service Hoke took full advantage of all the opportunities afforded him because he served in the U.S. Army. He attained his undergraduate degree, a B.S. From Syracuse University on the G.I. Bill and an M.B.A. Degree from Kent State also on the G. I. Bill. He attended Harvard Business School's Executive Education Program in Corporate Financial Management. He began his post-service career with B.F. Goodrich International in the Netherlands and Germany. He eventually returned to the U.S.A. to accept a position with Oneida Ltd. He retired from Oneida as the Executive Vice President of Finance.
Banner Location
Near Highhouse gas station on Sunrise Avenue
ROBERT M. LINDGREN
A veteran of the U.S. Navy. Known as “Lindy” he served during WWII. He was stationed in Africa and France. Lindy was a member of the Blimp squadron where he serviced aircraft, both airplane and blimp. He attained the rank of Aviation Machinist's Mate. He related to his family how, after repairing either an airplane or a blimp, the Captain would often tell them to jump in and go on a test flight with him. That way they would be sure you were doing a good job with the repair knowing you would be in the air after fixing it. Lindy returned home after the war on the USS Isaac Coles. After his military service, he worked as a tool and die, maker. Lindy passed away in August of 2011.
Banner Location
1224 Main St
GEORGE A. LIPPI
US Army Air Corps/Air Force active duty during WWII and Reserves through 1962, maintaining rank of Major. George was a Flight Instructor serving at Maxwell AFB, Alabama. Upon leaving the service, George was a New York City Police Detective and retired to Wayne Co.
Banner Location
Corner of 6th St & Church St
JAMES LOPRESTI
A veteran of the U.S. Navy. James was in the Navy from September 1976 until September 1980. He worked as an Engineman and attained the rank of EN2. He was stationed in Northern Sardinia, Italy aboard a submarine tender, the USS Howard W. Gilmore, AS 16. James also spent time aboard a minesweeper, the USS Dominant, MSO 431, moored in Perth Amboy, NJ. This ship set sail to work. One such assignment was the Mariel boatlift. This was the mass immigration of Cubans off the island of Cuba. They retrieved and towed many small vessels headed toward Key West, Florida with an unbelievable number of refugees on board. He spent a great deal of time between Cuba and the Florida Keys. James has lived in Wayne County for over 60 years. After completion of his service, he continued to work in government service.
Banner Location
Across from Citizens Bank on Willow Avenue
JAMES "PEACHES" LOPRESTI
A veteran of the U.S. Navy. “Peaches” served in the Navy from May 1944 until October 1946. His job was that of a Coxswain. He was stationed in the Philippines following the battle of Leyte during the Pacific Campaign of WWII. James was stationed with Leo Gorsey, an American Film Actor and to make a long story short, they were friends until they weren't! James lived in Wayne County for over 55 years. He was a woodworker.
Banner Location
Corner of Brown St and Willow Avenue
JOSEPH R. MACEY JR.
Serving in the United States Coast Guard as Engineman Second Class Petty Officer. "Joe" served in Vietnam as 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, Good Conduct Medal. When returning to civilian life, Joe became a teacher, located to Wayne Co. and taught Tech. Ed. at the Honesdale High School from 1975-2010.
Banner Location
Corner of Lincoln St and Willow Avenue
walter l. maers
"Bud" served in the Army and Airforce under the 141st Army Airways Communications System Squadron-760 during WWII. Bud reached the rank of Sergeant as a radio operator specializing in Morse Code transmissions and radio mechanics while being stationed in the South Pacific, Northern Solomons, and Southern Philippines. Walter was awarded the American Service Medal, Asiatic Pacific Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Philippines Liberation Ribbon, and WWII Victory Medal. Honorably Discharged Jan. 1946 to take up a career with Western Electric Company as a Supervisor. Interesting fact: Bud and his 2 brothers all signed up and joined the service during WWII.
Banner Location
Sunrise Avenue near Pet Central
peter f. margraf
Peter was ranked as a Sergeant in the United States Marines. While stationed in Korea he was a Machine Gunner and an MP. Peter was in the service for 27 years and became a Lieutenant. What brought him to Wayne County, was he started vacationing in the Honesdale and Prompton area in the 60s and 70s, and then bought a home in Prompton.
Banner Location
Between 5th St & 6th St on Church St
WALTER 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 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 70 years, Ella, still reside in Honesdale.
Banner Location
Near Wayne Memorial Hospital on Park St
FREDERICK LOUIS MARSH
A veteran of the U.S. Navy. Fred served during the Korean Conflict. His job was maintaining jet engines. He attained the rank of 3rd Class Petty Officer. Fred earned and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal. After his time in the service, he returned to Wayne County where he was born and raised. Fred worked in banking becoming a teller. He advanced to the position of Vice President of a branch of the Wayne Bank.
Banner Location
Across from Maple Avenue on Park St
EDWARD L. MARTIN
A veteran in the U.S. Army. Ed served during WWII having enlisted in the army in 1942 after graduating from Honesdale Central High School. He attained the rank of MP Sergeant. Ed served in Central Europe and was last stationed in Paris, France at the end of the war. He earned and was awarded the European-African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and the WWII Victory Medal. He was honorably discharged from the Army as Sergeant Major 502 in 1946. A lifelong resident of Wayne County, Ed returned home to Honesdale upon his discharge. He was employed by the former Lummus, Yuba, and Highhouse Oil Co. He went on to work for Moore Business Forms for 20 years before his retirement in 1986. Ed was always active in his community. He was co-founder of the Honesdale Biddy youth basketball organization and he served as a Junior Varsity coach at the Honesdale Catholic School. He was also one of the original organizers of the St. Mary Magdalen block party. Ed was a dedicated Mason, he was a member of the Honesdale Masonic Lodge 218 F & A Anthony Royal Arch Chapter and the Savona Commandery 89. He had the honor of being awarded the 50-year Masonic Service Emblem. Above all else, Ed was a family man. He relished gatherings with family and friends, especially his grandchildren. Ed and his wife Aileen raised 2 sons and a daughter. He passed away in 2004.
Banner Location
Sunrise Avenue near Pet Central
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