32 Commercial St. Suite 2, Honesdale, PA 18431
MATTHEW LOU SELVAGGI
(MM2) Machinist's Mate 2nd Class Petty Officer Selvaggi. Matthew enlisted in the Navy in 2002 during the War on Terror. He served most of his time in Groton, CT. as a Navy Submarine Machinist. Educated in Tomahawk WK all-up-round handling & maintenance for capsule launching system, quality assurance inspector, shipboard gauge calibration, first-line leadership development, Trident defensive weapons ordnance subsystem operation and maintenance. Matthew was awarded 2 Navy Achievement Medals, Good Conduct Award, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon, Enlisted Submarine Breast Insignia, SSBN Deterrent Patrol Pin (4 Patrols). Honorably discharged in 2011 returning to Wayne Co.
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Across from Maple Avenue on West Park St
MICHAEL S. SLISH JR.
A veteran of the U.S. Army Mike served in Vietnam and was an Infantryman, Truck Driver, and Door Gunner with the 2/8 Mechanized Infantry 4th Division and attained the rank of Specialist. He earned and was awarded the Purple Heart Medal, Air Medal, the Combat Infantry Badge, Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with Bronze Star, National Defense Service Medal, and the Army Commendation Medal. While stateside, Mike was stationed at Fort Knox, Kentucky for basic training, Fort Polk, Louisiana for advanced infantry training, and Fort Carson, Colorado. When he was deployed to Vietnam he was stationed in Pleiku for a one-year tour of duty. Mike has lived in Wayne County for over 70 years. He worked at Moore Business Forms, Cove Haven Resort in security, and for 34 years worked at the Tobyhanna Army Depot. He was trained in law enforcement under Act 235 and also worked as a part-time Corrections Officer for the Wayne County Prison.
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Between 6th St & 7th St on Church St
HARRY SMITH JR.
Harry was in the Navy, and while in the service, he was a firefighter. Serving during the era of the Korea War. He was stationed in Norfolk, Virginia. Harry lived in Wayne County all his life. After being discharged he was a Custodian at Damascus School, in the Wayne Highlands School District.
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On Willow Avenue just East of Lemnitzer Bridge.
PAUL E. SMITH
A veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Paul was an F-16 Fighter Pilot and Squadron Commander. He attained the rank of Lieutenant Colonel. One of his many fighter pilot nicknames was Jekyll. He flew his squadron into operation Desert Fox in Kuwait. Paul was the recipient of several awards and medals. His stateside duty stations included Texas, Arizona, Utah, and Virginia while overseas he was stationed in Korea and Kuwait. After he retired from the Air Force he worked for Lockheed Martin and Saab in defense and security for the United States.
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Near car wash on West Park St
BERNARD G. SOUTHERTON
A veteran of the U.S. Army. Bernie served with the 83rd Infantry Division, 329 Regiment. While in the service during WWII he was given the nickname “Sully.” He attained the rank of Sergeant. 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 at Stalags 12 A and 3 B. Some of his many heroic acts included landing 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 ability 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. On the evening of November 9, 1944, while in Luxembourg, Sergeant Southerton was taking two officers and supplies to an outpost when he was ambushed and wounded. When he regained consciousness, German soldiers 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 the family of fellow Wayne Countian, John J. Boyle, 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 3 B. 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. From 1993-to 94, his family worked to get the four Bronze Stars, Purple Heart, POW Medal, Good Conduct Medal, American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal, WWII Medal, Machine Gun and Rifle Awards, 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 began working for the Murray Company, then joined the electrical union where he worked in many areas. He changed careers becoming a mailman at the Honesdale Post Office in 1956 until his retirement.
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Corner of 10th St & Church St
GEORGE JEROME SOUTHERTON
A veteran of the U.S. Army Air Corps. George was a member of the 405th Fighter Squadron, 371st Fighter Group. He attained the rank of Corporal. He earned and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, American Theater Service Ribbon, European-African- Middle East Theater Service Ribbon, and three (3) Overseas Service Bars. George saw action in WWII. He was stationed in Seattle when stateside and overseas George was in England, France, and Luxembourg, Germany. His main job was auto equipment mechanic, and jeep driver, and was assigned to a forward AAF unit in support of the army troops. His duties included calling in air support and at times using a mounted machine gun on a jeep to fire at German planes. He once talked about firing at the enemy planes until the gun barrel was red hot! A story told to his family about his time in England just before the invasion of Europe he was assigned to prep vehicles for the D-Day landing. George covered key engine parts with layers of grease and then drove the vehicles into the Thames River at low tide to test the waterproofing. He was among those who landed at Normandy on D-Day late in the evening after the Allied troops had taken the beaches. He drove one of the jeeps off the landing craft onto the beach. George served as part of the occupation forces in Germany and was stationed in German Field Marshal Hermann Goering's private Black Forest Reserve. He would hunt deer in the preserve to supply the troops with fresh deer meat. A skill he learned as a lifelong resident of Honesdale. George was an avid hunter and fisherman. He also was introduced to new spinning reels for trout fishing while in Germany. On his return to Honesdale, he went to the local tackle shop telling them of the reels. Before being shipped to Europe and while stationed outside Seattle, Washington he was able to take in USO activities when on weekend leave. It was there that George and an army buddy went to a USO dance with two girls from South Dakota, Evelyn and Daphna Larsen. George and his buddy eventually married the Larsen sisters. George and Evelyn settled in Honesdale at the end of the war while Daphna and her husband settled in Texas. After returning to Honesdale, George worked as a mechanic at Kinsman's Garage. George and Evelyn raised three children. George passed away just before his 96th birthday. He remained an avid hunter and fisherman until the day he died.
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By the Wayne County Memorial Hospital
GEORGE RONALD SPORER
"Ron" or "Huckleberry", a Wayne Co. native, the middle child of 5 kids growing up on a dairy farm in Cherry Ridge, served in the United States Army as SP4 E4(T) from Sept 1961-Sept 1963. Stationed at Fort Huachuca, AZ. He was assigned to the Army Corps of Engineers building roads, bridges, and airports out in the Arizona desert. Honorably discharged and returning to his roots, he used his Army experience in construction/heavy equipment to create a business in the construction field and logging. After retirement, he worked for the Wayne County Transportation Office.
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10th St on Central Park
MABEL VIOLA TAYLOR
was in the U.S Navy as a Lieutenant (JG) during WWII. She was a nurse and was stationed in Guam. Mabel was born and raised in Wayne County. After getting out of the service she worked as an X-Ray Technician.
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Near Davis R. Chant Realtors on Willow Avenue
EDWARD TENBUS
A veteran of the U.S. Army. Ed was a Cannoneer and Diesel Mechanic during WWII and attained the rank of Technician 4th Grade. He was stationed in New Guinea, the Philippines, and Luzon. Ed earned and was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 1 Bronze Star, American Theater Service Medal, and the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars. After his time in the service, Ed returned to Honesdale where he was born and lived his entire life. He worked as a plumber.
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Between 6th St & 7th St on Church St
james r. theobald
Local Honesdale boy "Jim"/"Jimmy" Theobald served in the Army as a Specialist 3rd Class. Jim served his country from 1955-to 1957 in Korea and Japan. While in the Army Jim provided hot/healthy meals to other servicemen as a cook. After returning home Jim took up a career as a Barber.
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Corner of 8th St & Church St
jerry theobald
A veteran of the U.S. Navy. Jerry was an Aviation/Airplane Mechanic during WWII. He attained the rank of Seaman 1st Class. He was stationed on the USS Valley Forge Aircraft Carrier. He was a lifelong resident of Wayne County and returned here after his military service. He worked as a mechanic for Herzog Trucking and GW Kinsman. He also retired from Farview State Hospital where he was a prison guard.
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Near the Dime Bank on Church St
leo richard theobald
A veteran of the U.S. Air Force. Rich, as he was called, was in the Air Force from 1952 to 1956. He was a Heating Specialist and attained the rank of Airman 1st Class. He earned the award of Airman of the Month during his enlistment. His duty stations included New York, Wyoming, Arizona, and Alaska. Rich was born and raised in Wayne County and returned there after the service. He worked as a Barber.
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Near Dime Bank on Church St
herman o. todd
Herman served in the United States Army.
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TBD
joseph tolerico
Served during WWII in the United States Navy. Joseph held the rank of Coxswain 3V6 USNR. As a Coxswain, he was responsible for transporting troops on a Landing Craft Vehicle Personnel to the shoreline during invasions. He served on the USS LST208, USS LST266, USS Marlboro, and Lantflt Boat Pool. Joseph was involved in the invasion of Normandy and Anzio. Joseph was awarded the American Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, and European African Medal w/1Star. Joseph was Honorably Discharged in February 1946.
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Near B & B Dodge on Willow Avenue
thomas tolerico
Thomas served in the United States Navy during WWII 1943-1946. He held the rank of 3rd Class Aviation Machinist Mate. Thomas was assigned as Air Group Commander's Crew Chief on the USS Hornet CV12. Thomas served in Bogoville (North of the Solomon Islands), Guam, Saipan, Tainan, The Marshall Islands, 1st and 2nd, Battles of Philippine City, Invasion of P.I., Okinawa, and The Pacific Theater. Awarded the American Campaign Medal, WWII Victory Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Asiatic Pacific Campaign Ribbon with 4 Bronze Stars and 1 Silver, Philippine Liberation Ribbons, and 2 Bronze Stars. Honorably Discharged returning to Wayne Co. taking a job with PPL as lineman then promoted to PPL Supervisor.
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Near B & B Dodge on Willow Avenue
john w. tuman
Army Corporal Tuman served during WWI (Nov. 1917-May 1919). He was assigned to Bat A, 310 Field Artillery, 79th Division. John served overseas from July 14, 1918, to May 8, 1919. The 79th Division was first activated at Camp Meade, Maryland in August 1917, composed primarily of draftees from Maryland and Pennsylvania. After a year of training, the division sailed overseas in July 1918. The 79th Division saw extensive combat in the Meuse-Argonne Offensive areas where it earned the name "Cross of Lorraine" for its defense of France. The division was inactivated in June 1919 and returned to the United States. Before joining the service, John was a professional baseball player from 1913 to 1917 playing for teams in Buffalo, NY, Fort Wayne, IN, Greensboro, NC, and Scranton, PA. After the war, he worked in the defense industry in Harrisburg, Kanes Market on Main St. Honesdale, and owned his own meat cutting business. In later years he worked at the Belleview Biltmore, FL resort during the winter months.
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325 Terrace St
william tuman
"Jerry" served in Korea during the Korean War. He was drafted at the age of 21 on March 21, 1951, into the Army. Corporal Tuman was trained at Fort Knox, KY with the 3rd Armored Division, Co. C, 57th AAA Battalion in Korea, served in the 37th Field artillery Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division, while deployed in active combat, attended Eta Jima Specialist School with the Japan Logistical Command. He received the Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citation for Naktong River Line and for Korea 1950-1953. Returning home from Korea with 3500 troops via San Francisco, then attended the Cadre Training Course. Honorably discharged from the U.S. Army, returning home where he went to PSU, Worthington campus to study drafting. He was partner and manager of Honesdale Milling Co. Previous to that he worked at Wirthmore Feeds in Honesdale and then ran the Wirthmore Feed Store in Cortland, NY for 2 years. After selling the feed mill, he owned and operated Honesdale Canvas Co.
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Between Tryon St and Brown St on Willow Avenue
gerritt g. vanderwell jr.
A veteran of the U.S. Army. Gerrit served in the central highlands of Vietnam where he was a Gunner and Truck Driver. He attained the rank of Sergeant. He earned and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal w/60 Devices, Vietnam Service Medal w/1 Bronze Star, MM Badge, M 16 Rifle Expert Badge w/GB. A lifelong resident of Honesdale, Gerrit returned here after his military service. He worked in Law Enforcement.
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Near Bolds Garden Center on Willow Avenue
gerritt g. vanderwell sr.
A veteran of the U.S. Army. Vandy, as he was called, was an infantryman during WWII. He attained the rank of Master Sergeant. During the war, he was in Rhineland, Normandy, and Northern France. He earned and was awarded the American Defense Service Medal, European-African-Middle Eastern Service Medal, and the Bronze Star Medal. Vandy was a lifelong resident of Honesdale. Returning here after service he worked in construction.
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Near Bolds Garden Center on Willow Avenue
heroes wasylyk-zeller
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