32 Commercial St. Suite 2, Honesdale, PA 18431
jOSEPH WASYLYK
A veteran of the U.S. Army. Joe served during WWII. He was an Infantryman and attained the rank of Private. He saw action in the European Theater of Operations. He was awarded the Purple Heart Medal for wounds sustained in battle. He also earned and was awarded a Combat Infantry Badge. Stateside Joe received training at Camp Phillips, Kansas, and Camp Forrest, Tennessee. He was also stationed at Fort Meade, Maryland before being shipped overseas from Camp Kilmer, New Jersey. Before the war, he was employed by the Hudson Coal Co. and returned to work there after the war. While working in the mines his arm was crushed requiring major surgery. After leaving Hudson Coal Co., he worked for General Motors Corp. in Linden, N. J. for 15 years. Tired of the long commute and time away from his family he left General Motors and purchased a business in Honesdale. He owned Wasylyk's Bar on Main Street in Honesdale. He sold the business after 20 years and retired. He lived in the Honesdale area until he died in 1994.
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East side of Sunrise Avenue near Clark's Market
KENNETH LLOYD WELSH
A veteran of the U.S. Army. Kenneth was inducted into the Army at age 21 in 1940. Serving in WWII. He was a skilled mechanic and repairman for motor vehicles and attained the rank of Technician 4th Grade. On December 7, 1942, just 2 short months after being married, Kenneth was activated and sent to Camp Phillips in Kansas. He was assigned to the 3rd Army 94th Division 794th Ordinance. General George Patton called the 94th Division his “Golden Nugget” while the German Army referred to them as “Roosevelt's Butchers.” As part of the Automotive Section of the 794th Ordinance, he worked on replacing transmissions, engines, and complete vehicles that had been destroyed in combat. His foreign service began on August 6th, 1944. Kenneth was deployed to Northern France, Rhineland, Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge), and Central Europe. He earned and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Meritorious Unit Award, American Theater Service Medal, Victory Medal and Theater Service Medal with 4 Bronze Stars. Kenneth received an honorable discharge on December 25th, 1945. After his military service, he worked as a mechanic for the Ford Motor Company. Kenneth passed away on April 11th, 1982, and is buried in the family plot at Hillside Cemetery in Damascus, Wayne County.
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Across from Stourbridge complex on West Park St
FREDERICK L. WENIGER
A veteran of the U.S. Naval Reserve Medical Corps., Dr. Weniger served during WWII. He attained the rank of Lieutenant Commander. He earned and was awarded The Silver Star. The following is the Citation for the Silver Medal by then-Secretary of the Navy John L. Sullivan...”For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity as Medical Officer, attached to the Third Marine Division Hospital, in action against enemy Japanese forces during the Guam, Marianas, Campaign on July 26th, 1944. When the hospital was taken under attack by strong Japanese forces at dawn, Lieutenant Commander (then Lieutenant) Weniger immediately organized a group of pharmacist's mates and Marines and advanced against the enemy. Establishing a defensive position on the left flank he directed his men valiantly in the defense of the hospital and holding his position in the face of hostile rifle, machine gun, and mortar fire, covered the evacuation of patients and secured the hospital area until relieved by elements of the Division Reserve. His heroic action was instrumental in saving the lives of helpless, wounded men and inspired others to courageous efforts which successfully stopped the advance of the enemy. His devotion to duty and professional integrity despite great personal danger reflect the highest credit upon Lieutenant Commander Weniger and the United States Naval Services.” Dr. Weniger also received a Commendation Ribbon from the Commander in Chief of the U.S. Pacific Fleet Admiral J. H. Towers. That commendation read; “For meritorious conduct in the performance of his duties during the construction period and subsequent operation of the U.S. Naval Hospital No. 8 and the U.S. Medical Facility, Guadalcanal, B.S.I., from April 1943 to 17 May 1944. His professional skill and devotion to duty contributed materially to the early completion of the facilities for rendering much-needed medical and surgical aid to a great number of casualties occurring during the Solomon Islands Campaign. His work was carried out despite rain and mud and frequent enemy air attacks in an active theater of war. His performance of duty was outstanding and his conduct was at all times in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.” Dr. Weniger was born and raised in Wayne County. After the war, he completed a Psychiatric Residency at the University of Pittsburgh. He remained there and became a Professor of Psychiatry. His life was about his family and his country. He died at home in Pittsburgh on July 2, 1992.
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West Park St near Edward Jones office
GERALD J. WENIGER
A veteran of the U.S. Army. Gerald served in the Army from January 1952 until December 1953. He worked as a Signal School Repair Supervisor and attained the rank of Corporal. He was stationed at Fort Monmouth, NJ, and Fort Eustis, Virginia. Gerald lived his entire life in Honesdale. He started and managed a retail Electronics Store in Honesdale.
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Across from Wayne Memorial Hospital on West Park St
ROBERT T. WENIGER
A veteran of the U.S. Army. Bob served during WW II with the 29th Infantry Division. He was a Technician and attained the rank of Corporal. He earned and was awarded the European Theater of Operation Ribbon with one Star. He also received a commendation from his commanding officer Major General Charles H. Gerhardt. This commendation was for his participation in the battling through the flooded areas and hedgerows of Normandy and the storming of the key city of St. Lo. This was a campaign where the taking of every 500 yards was a major battle. Bob lived his entire life in Honesdale. After his time in the service, he returned to Wayne County where he was an Attorney.
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Across from Wayne Memorial Hospital on West Park St
MARTIN F. WENK JR.
A veteran of the United States Army. Sergeant Major Wenk served as an Administrative Specialist Personnel during the Vietnam War. 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
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279 Terrace St
LARRY ZELLER
A veteran of the U.S. Navy. Larry or “Doc” as he was called by his comrades, served in Vietnam as a Medical Corpsman. He attained the rank of HM3. He earned and was awarded the Vietnam Service Medal with Fleet Marine Force Combat Operations Insignia and three Bronze Stars, National Defense Service Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, and the Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device. Larry worked as a Respiratory Therapist at Wayne Memorial Hospital for many years. He is a very proud Vietnam Veteran and maintains contact with other Corpsmen who he served with and came to know during his time in the Navy.
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Park St. near Wayne Memorial Hospital