32 Commercial St. Suite 3 PO Box 186, Honesdale, PA 18431
john j. robinson
A veteran of the US Army. John was an infantryman and squad leader with the 109th Infantry 28th Division during WWII. He attained the rank of Sergeant. John was one of five brothers who served in WWII. He was in Normandy, France. He earned and was awarded the Purple Heart. John gave his life in defense of his country. Fifty-two years after he was killed, a member of his squad, Corporal Bob Kirk, by chance, met a priest from St. John the Evangelist Church in Honesdale where John and his family attended services. Kirk related the following story to the priest. "John Robinson was my squad leader. On July 18, 1944 while in England the squad was called upon to engage the enemy in mortal conflict. Before crossing the English Channel all catholic soldiers attended mass and received communion. Since one priest couldn't hear the confessions of 1,000 young men conditional absolution was granted to all who recited a good Act of Contrition. Sergeant John Robinson and I held hands and recited it together. A short time later we were in battle in Hedgerow Hell with the enemy lobbing mortar shells at our position. We hastily dug fox holes for cover. A shell hit fairly close to us. After it hit I raised and looked out at the battlefield, a lone soldier was face down. I and others jumped up and rolled him over and saw the first man in our outfit was dead. It was Sergeant Robinson. I found out that some of his men had failed to dig in deep enough and he jumped out of his safe fox hole to chastise them. This is when the mortar shell hit. Sergeant Robinson will live in my memory until death. Sergeant Robinson returned home in 1947 and is buried in the church cemetery. He truly was an All-American boy." John was killed in action on August 8, 1944. He was twenty-three years old.
Banner Location
Corner of 6th St. and Church St at VanGorder's Furniture
william p. robinson
A veteran of the US Army. Bill served in WWII and saw action in the Pacific Theater and was also in the Philippines. After his service, he returned home to Wayne County and worked as a Barber.
Banner Location
606 Church St
harrison tripp rosenkrans
A veteran of the US Navy. Harrison served during WWII and the Korean Conflict. He was stationed on the USS Halford (DD-480) and worked as a Radio/Radar Operator and attained the rank of Radarman 2nd Class. His main duty station was in the Pacific. After his time in the service Harrison returned to Wayne County and worked for the Bell Telephone Company as a station installer.
Banner Location
In front of Edward J. Schwarz Buick on Rt. 6 East of Honesdale
robert f. schilling
A veteran of the US Army. Robert served overseas during WWII. He quit high school in his senior year to join the service and received his high school diploma many years later. He gained the rank of Technical Sergeant with Company M of the 109th Infantry as a Heavy Machine Gunner. He was an M1 and carbine Sharpshooter. Robert saw action in Normandy, Northern France, and Rhineland. He was awarded the American Defense Service Medal, the European African Middle Eastern Service Medal and three Bronze Service Stars. Robert seldom spoke of his war experiences but did speak of spending Christmas Eve in a railroad boxcar. After returning home to Wayne County he worked as a drill press operator and also in the Wayne County Sheriff’s Department. He was a very community-minded person. He was one of the founders of little league baseball in the local area. He was an announcer at high school football and basketball games. Robert received honors to recognize his work with area young people. Of those honors is an athletic field that bears his name.
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1407 Main St
andrew semack
A veteran of the US Army. Andrew was stationed in the Asiatic-Pacific Theater during WWII and attained the rank of Private. Andrew was raised at the orphanage at St. Tikhon's Monastery in South Canaan Township. He returned to Wayne County after being discharged and worked at various manufacturing jobs.
Banner Location
Near intersection of Erie St and Rt. 191 South of Honesdale
vincent p. smith
A veteran of the US Army. Vince served in WWII as an interpreter and attained the rank of Captain. He was stationed in the Philippine Islands. His parents came from Ireland and settled in Wayne County. Vince was born in Tyler Hill in 1912. He was a graduate of Damascus High School class of 1929. He then attended Western Reserve University in Cleveland, Ohio where he graduated with a degree in Languages. He spoke seven languages. He worked on Wall Street before being drafted into the Army to serve in WWII. He served in Manila, Philippine Islands where he developed malaria before his discharge. Vince passed away in 1968 and is buried in Hillside Cemetery, Damascus, Wayne County.
Banner Location
In front of the Highhouse Carwash on Rt. 191 South of Honesdale
bernard g. southerton
A veteran of the US Army. While in the service during WWII he was given the nickname of "Sully." He attained the rank of Sergeant. While in the service Bernie was a jeep driver for Company L so he named his jeep LuLu. He was stationed in England, Wales, France, Luxembourg, Germany, Belgium, and after his capture Stalag 12 A and 3 B. Regarding his capture the following story was related. Sergeant Southerton landed off the barge and into the water on D-6. On September 9, 1944, French soldiers reported that 20,000 Germans wanted to surrender. General Macon and Major General Erick Elster set up a meeting in Beaugency. Due to a lack of time and abilities to inform all the units of the surrender, the Germans were allowed to keep their weapons. Southerton was one of the seven jeep drivers transporting the officers to the meeting. He was then one of a dozen soldiers to keep surveillance of the armed Germans for over a week while the preparations for the surrender were finalized. Two months later, on the evening of November 9, 1944, while in Luxembourg, Southerton was taking two officers and supplies to an outpost when he was ambushed and wounded. When he regained consciousness, Germans were standing over him with guns. He was taken to Stalag Camp 12 A. His mother received a telegram from the War Department on November 27, 1944, informing her that her son was missing in action. It was not until March 5, 1945 when a fellow Wayne Countian John J. Boyle's family received a letter from him mentioning that he had met Southerton. They contacted Mrs. Southerton to tell her about the status of her son and that he was a POW. Sgt. Southerton was one of the prisoners who endured a march through the snow from Stalag 12 A to Stalag 3B. It was here in May of 1945 that his former unit liberated the camp. They were surprised to see him because he had been presumed dead. When Bernie returned home after the war, he never received any of his medals. During the time of war, orders for medals were often lost or the officers making the recommendations were killed or wounded, leaving many soldiers without the decorations they earned and deserved. In 1993-94 his family worked to get the five Bronze Stars, Purple Heart, POW medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European African Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WWII medal, Machine Gun, and Rifle Award, and the Combat infantryman Army Award that he should have received. Sgt. Southerton was to have been awarded the Normandy Star for Bravery for his help in capturing 20,000 Germans in Beaugency, but the medal never arrived. The family was told that the French government stopped issuing medals related to WWII in 1954. A lifelong resident of Honesdale Bernie worked for the Murray Company and joined the electrical union and worked in many areas before becoming a mailman at the Honesdale Post office.
Banner Location
On Central Park at the corner of 10th St, and Church St.
david w. spry jr.
A veteran of the US Marine Corps. David or Dobber as his friends called him served during the Global War on Terror has been in the service from 2000 to 2004. He was a Team and Infantry Squad Leader and attained the rank of Sergeant. His duty stations included Camp Lejeune and Parris Island for Basic Training and then Japan and Okinawa. Dobber was in Iraq in 2003 aboard the USS Ponce and then in Afghanistan from November 2003 until May of 2004. He earned and received several ribbons and medals. Those awards include The Combat Action Ribbon, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon (2nd award), National Defense Service Medal, Certificate of Commendation (2nd award), Presidential Unit Citation, Global War on Terror Expeditionary Medal, Rifle Qualification Badge (Expert), NATO ISAF Medal and Ribbon, Global War on Terror Service Medal and Ribbon, Afghanistan Campaign Ribbon and the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon. While in Afghanistan he managed to take in a USO show starring country singer Darryl Worley. Having been born and raised in Wayne County Dobber returned home after his service and now works as a Corrections Officer at SCI in Waymart.
Banner Location
Across from A&A Auto Parts on Rt. 6 East of Honesdale
robert j. suhusky
A veteran of the US Army. Bob served from 1960 to 1985 and was with the Special Forces in Vietnam. He attained the rank of Colonel. He earned and received the Bronze Star and Combat Infantryman's Badge. At home in Wayne County Bob worked in real estate and finance.
Banner Location
North Main St between Triangle Park and Aqua Water co.
clark william taninies
A veteran of the US Marine Corps. Clarkie, as his friends called him, served during the Vietnam War. He was an infantryman and attained the rank of Corporal. He earned and was awarded the Purple Heart Medal, Republic of Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Medal, and the Combat Action Ribbon. He was born and raised in Wayne County. Sadly, Clark died July 9, 1970, in an automobile accident while still on active duty in the service.
Banner Location
Between Bold's Garden Center and Smokin' Joes
warren l. todd
A veteran of the US Army. "Sparky" as his friends called him served during WWII (Battle of the Bulge) as a Rifleman and attained the rank of PFC. He saw action in Normandy, Northern France, Rhineland, and Central Europe. He earned and was awarded the Purple Heart Medal, American Campaign Ribbon, Victory Ribbon WWII, and the Euro-African Middle Eastern Service Medal with five bronze stars. A lifelong resident of Wayne County Sparky returned home after his service and worked as a carpenter and logger.
Banner Location
Corner of 13th and Main
daniel h. turner
A veteran of the US Army Reserves. Danny, as he was called, served at the time of the Vietnam War. He attained the rank of Private. Danny was awarded the Expert Badge with rifle bar. His work during his service was as an engineer equipment repairman. He was stationed at Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and Bullville, New York. Danny was a lifelong resident of Wayne County. He worked as an electrician after his time in the military.
Banner Location
At Central Park on 10th St. between Church St. and Court St
james l. vanorden
A veteran of the US Army. James served during World War ll as a Radio Operator and attained the rank of Technical Sergeant. He was stationed in England, North Africa (Tunisia), Sicily, Italy, and France. He received the Good Conduct Medal and earned the Purple Heart Medal. James was wounded while in Sicily. He related a story to his family that while in North Africa the sand dunes so muffled the noise from the enemy planes that you couldn't tell from what direction they were coming from until they were on top of you. After his time in the service he returned to his lifelong home of Wayne County and worked for Pennsylvania Power and Light Company.
Banner Location
407 Church St. between 4th. and 5th St. on Church St.
jacob walter watson
A veteran of the US Army. Jake, as he is called, is a graduate of West Point. He was deployed to Afghanistan twice and attained the rank of Captain, Engineer. Jake is a highly decorated soldier. His long list of medals, badges or ribbons includes Afghanistan Campaign Medal with two campaign stars, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3rd award), Army Achievement Medal (3rd award). Also included in his list of awards are the Meritorious Unit Commendation, Valorous Unit Award, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, NATO Medal. Last, but not least, the long list is a Combat Action Badge, Parachutist Badge, Air Assault Badge, and the Presidential Service Badge. Jake was a Combat Engineer Officer. In addition to his tours of Afghanistan he was stationed at Fort Hood, Texas, Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, and Washington D.C. Having been born and raised in Wayne County he returned home. He was an account manager/consultant, project manager, and custom window treatments business owner.
Banner Location
In front of Davis R. Chant Realtors on Rt. 6 East of Honesdale
leo george weidner
A veteran of the US Army Air Corps. Leo served during WW ll and attained the rank of Corporal. He worked on the ground crew of a B 26 bomber. Leo's duty stations included England, France, and Belgium. He earned and was awarded a Good Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, European African Middle Eastern Service Medal with six bronze stars. Being a lifelong resident of Honesdale Leo returned home and worked as a machinist and later he was a guard at Farview State Hospital.
Banner Location
In front of the Campbell Law Office (Childhood home of Dick Smith) directly across from Central Park on Church St.
martin francis wenk jr.
A veteran of the US Army. Martin served as an Administrative Specialist Personnel during the Vietnam War. He attained the rank of Sergeant. Martin earned and was awarded several medals among which were the Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Meritorious Unit Citation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and Expert Badge-M-16.
Banner Location
Near Pet Central on Rt. 191 South of Honesdale
mark a. westbrook
A veteran of the US Army. Mark has a long distinguished and decorated career in the US Army attaining the rank of Colonel. He served from 1983 until 2013. During this time, he was stationed in Fort Eustis, Virginia, Italy, Rotterdam, Fort Dix, NJ, Fort Bragg, NC, Kuwait, Iraq, and Afghanistan. He deployed to Saudi Arabia as the Port Operations Officer assigned to the 18th Airborne Corps during Operation Desert Storm. While he commanded the 598th Transportation Terminal Group in Rotterdam he deployed his group to Kuwait in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom and Operation Enduring Freedom. Col. Westbrook’s awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal with three Oak Leaf Clusters, the Meritorious Medal with four Oak Leaf Clusters, the Joint Service Commendation Medal, the Army Commendation Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster, the Army Achievement Medal, the Presidential Service Badge, Army Staff Identification Badge, Office of the Secretary of Defense Badge and the Parachutist Badge. This is not the complete list of awards for this proud thirty-year veteran. After completing his military career Mark became a Professor at Virginia State Univ. and is now Director of Military Affairs for Saint Leo University in Florida.
Banner Location
In front of George W. Kinsman Inc. on Rt. 191 South of Honesdale
jessica l. wilcox
A veteran of the US Navy. Jessie as she is called is a Navigator on a submarine and has attained the rank of Lieutenant. Her home bases include Kings Bay, Georgia, and Pearl Harbor, Hawaii. She was born and raised in Wayne County. At this writing Jessie is still on Active duty with the Navy.
Banner Location
614 Church St. in front of Krupa Wealth Management
michael yevich
A veteran of the US Army. Mike, as he was called served in WWII and attained the rank of Private First Class. He was a Rifleman and Front-Line Communications. Mike's duty stations were Anniston, Alabama, England, and most notably Normandy, France. He earned and was awarded the Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Europe/African/Mid-Eastern Campaign Medal with three bronze stars. A longtime resident of Wayne County Mike, after returning home, used the GI Bill to attend Culinary School. He was a baker for over thirty-five years at Caesar's Resort Cove Haven. At this writing Mike is ninety-five years old and lives in Honesdale.
Banner Location
West side of Church St. at The Dime Bank
wayne county honoring heroes 2022-2023
Applications for the 2022-2023 Banner Program
Regretfully, we have utilized all poles approved for the mounting of the banners. These banners will be in place for two years, at which time the current banners will be given to the sponsors and we will replace them with the next group. Applications for the next group will be available after Jan. 1, 2021. Please stay tuned to our Facebook page or this website for further information. Please email Kim at kimeric1967@yahoo.com or Jeff at jeff@historichonesdale.com for information.