Salute to Veterans 2013

Monday, November 11, 2013

On the 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1918, an armistice, or temporary cessation of hostilities, was declared between the Allied nations and Germany in the First World War, then known as "the Great War." Commemorated as Armistice Day beginning the following year, Nov. 11 became a legal federal holiday in the United States in 1938. In the aftermath of World War II and the Korean War, Armistice Day became Veterans Day, a holiday dedicated to American veterans of all wars. Pictured here are some of the local men and women who have served in our nation's military, and are among those being honored this Veterans Day.

Petty Officer 1st Class Ben W. White U.S. Navy Hedron Ordnance Football Squad (Ben White is No. 35) North Island, San Diego, Calif. Photo taken November 20, 1945
America's most-advanced and final fighter plane entry into WWI European air combat, 220 HP Hispano-Suiza SPAD biplane, on tarmac at Selfridge Air Field, Michigan, 1919. Eddie Rickenbacker flew SPADs while gaining ACE status.
MSgt. Frank R. Anderson Photo taken April 1943 U.S. Army Corps deployed to Marlborough, England, then assigned to General George Patton's 3rd U.S. Army in Europe
Capt. Stephen E. Baillio USAF 1969-1975 Receiving Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight in Vietnam

Joseph Lee Burns U.S. Navy Active Duty 1964-1966 3rd Class on USS Princeton
Leon Burns U.S. Army Air Corp Worked in Sheet Metal in Italy Hometown: Blytheville, Ark.
Rhondal Dale Burns Spec. 5 U.S. Army 1967-1970 Hometown: Blytheville, Ark.
Odell and Mark Campbell U.S. Army Air Corps 1943-1945 WWII European Theater Hometown: Blytheville, Ark.
Prince Phillip Carter E-5 U.S. Army 1993-1995 Served in Desert Storm as a Communications Technician.
Frank Clinton U.S. Army WW1 - 1919 Flight Surgeon Lt. Frank Clinton is shown being assisted by his 6-year-old son Frank Russell Anderson performing officer of the day duties at Selfridge Air Field, Michigan. Now 99, Frank R. Anderson lives in retirement at Westminster Village, Blytheville, Ark.
David Cox Sgt. E5 U.S. Army 101st Airborne Division Vietnam 1967-1968 Caught in crossfire in 1968 during Tet Offensive. Died twice while on operating table. 7 purple Hearts and Bronze Star with "V" for Valor. Died 2013 of brain cancer.
Matthew C. Enos U.S. Air Force, 30 years, retired 1982 Airmen's Medal, Bronze Star, Meritorious Service Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal, Korean Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Aircrew Badge. Hometown, Provincetown, Cape Cod, Mass.
Richard E. Frazer MSgt. U.S. Air Force 1943-1971 28 Years Hometown: Blytheville, Ark.
Kenneth W. Hart Cpl. U.S. Marine Corps Vietnam 1968-1969
MSgt. William L Haven Jr. (USAF Ret). U.S. Marine Corps June 26, 1962-October 7, 1966 Vietnam, he decided that he would rather send the aircraft than watch them coming, so he enlisted in the Air Force November 9, 1966, serving until June 29, 1973. He left active duty but stayed active with the South Carolina Air National Guard until May 1, 1981. He then re-enlisted in the Air Force at that time and retired on April 30, 1990. While active with the Guard, he earned an Associate of Electronic Engineering from Florence-Darlington Technical College in Darlington, S.C. in 1980, worked at Acco Cable Controls in Blytheville as a maintenance technician and as an electrical engineer at Maverick Tube/Tenaris until December 2009 when he was forced to retire due to health problems. Bill and his wife Beth have a combined family of seven children, 24 grandchildren and 6 great-grandchildren.
Gene Henton Sergeant, U.S. Marine Corps Photo taken 1950 Hometown: Blytheville, Ark..
Jackie Wayne Hicks Jr. U.S. Army 1987-1988 Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. Honorable Discharge due to martial hardship. Gone but not forgotten.
Jackie Wayne Hicks Sr. U.S. Army 1963 Ft. Polk, La. Medical Discharge due to injury at war Gone but not forgotten
Tony L. Howard Sergeant, Military Dept. of Arkansas Arkansas National Guard August 1976-August 1996 Hometown: Wilson, Ark.
James (Jim the Barber) Hudson U.S. Navy Served in the Pacific Theater of War from August 1942 to December 1945 Served aboard the U.S. Pyro Ammunition ship as an Electrician's Mate 2nd class. Jim turned 92 in May.
Joe Donald Igleheart Pvt. First Class U.S. Army Air Corp 1943-1946
Kenneth Jackson SSgt. U. S. Air Force June 1982-September 1992 Stationed at Lackland Air Force Base, San Antonio, Texas; Lowry Air Force Base, Colorado; Blytheville Air Force Base, Blytheville, Arkansas (Before it was Eaker AFB); Kadena Air Base, Okinawa, Japan; Various bases in Korea; Mountain Home Air Force Base, Mountain Home, Idaho. Primary Career Fields: Munitions Supply, Office Special Investigations
Kenneth R. Jenkins U.S. Army Staff Sgt. E7 1986-May 2009 (Retired) 7 years overseas duty 10 years 82nd Airborne Division Meritorious Service Medal (Retirement), Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Army Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal,, Armed Forced Expeditionary Medal, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, NCO Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Kuwait Liberation Medal, Saudi Arabia/Kuwait NATO Medal, Parachutist Badge. Graduate: BHS 1984. Hometown: Blytheville, Arkansas
Daryl Johnson AC 3 U.S. Navy 1951-1955 Control Tower Operator
Harry Kisman E7 U.S. Air Force 23 years 1966-1989 Vietnam Veteran Numerous Awards, Commendation Medal
Robert Jordan Sgt. U.S. Marine Corps 1948-1955 (Korean Theater 1951-1952); Rocket Squad Leader. Hometown: Lonoke, Ark.
Jackie Lewis Sgt. U.S. Army 1967-1970 CuChi, South Viet Nam 1968 D Co 2/22nd Infantry 25th Infantry Division
Jerry Lovins Sgt. E-5 U.S. Army 1970-1972
Ronald W. Maple MSgt. U.S. Air Force (1962-1985) Air Force Commendation Medal with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster, NCO Professional Military Education Ribbon, Air Force Longevity Service Award Ribbon with 4 Oak Leaf Clusters National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal with 5 Bronze Service Stars, Air Force Outstanding Unit, Award with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters, Air Force Good Conduct Medal with 6 Oak Leaf Clusters, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Device, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Graduate of Air Force Leadership School, Graduate Command NCO Academy.
Tibor Mazar Lt. Colonel U.S. Air Force 1962-1992 Active and Reserve Picture: Tibor Mazar (right) is shown being congratulated upon his retirement by Col. Gary Emmons.
Leonard C. Middlebrooks U.S. Navy Petty Officer 1977-1981-1982-1988 Duty Stations: U.S.S. Texas (CGN-39) Norfolk,Virginia, Navy Bases in Vallejo and Alameda, California, U.S.S. Canopus (AS-34) Charleston, S.C. and Kings Bay, Georgia
Kenneth Overman U.S. Army (2 years) Korean Commendation Ribbon Hometown: Blytheville, Ark.
Kristopher Overman U.S. Marine Corps Served in Afghanistan Hometown: Blytheville, Ark.
Billy Baker Poole U.S. Army 1950-1952 38th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Infantry Division Awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge, Korean Service Medal with one Bronze Battle Star, Presidential Unit Citation, and the Korean Presidential Unit Citation.
NaTara Robertson PFC U.S. Army Currently active army national guard Blytheville transportation unit.
Bud Sweat U.S. Army 1943-1945 Second Calvary Recon Division Munitions detail in Normandy, France 5 Bronze Stars Photo taken 1945 Hometown: Blytheville, Ark.
Roy Thomas SP/4 U.S. Army 1968-1971 Vietnam Veteran
Carroll Towell Aviation Ordnance 2 U.S. Navy Served aboard the USS Wasp Air Squadron VS 31 September 1963 to September 1969. Carroll Towell on right of picture standing with his friend Joe.
Bill D. Walker Jr. Lance Corporal U.S. Marine Corps. 3 years National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal Hometown: Blytheville, Ark.
Bill D. Walker Sr. Staff Sgt. U.S. Air Force 4 years Korean Service Medal 2/2 Bronze Service Stars, National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Govt. 50 Year Appreciation Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Synman Rhee Unit Citation, Presidential Unit Citation, 4th Fighter Interception Wing Hometown: Blytheville, Ark.
Don M. Walker U.S. Army Army Commendation Meal National Defense Service Medal Combat Infantryman Badge Vietnam Service Medal Vietnam Campaign Medal
Ernest M. Walker U.S. Army Air Corp 4 Years Hometown: Blytheville, Ark.
Larry D. Walker U.S. Army 1967-1969 Company B, 3rd Battalion, 101st Airborne Division, 506th Infantry, Army Commendation Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal
Russell L. Ware Sgt. U.S. Air Force 20 Years 1955-1975 3275th Basic Military Training Group; Tours in France, Germany, 2 in Thailand; 56th Special Operations Wing, Nakhon Phanom Royal Thai Air Force Base Photo taken 1973 Hometown: Luxora, Ark.
Homer Webb U.S. Navy (2 years, 1944-1946) Seaman First Class USS Shipley (Recognition) Hometown: Burdette, Ark.
Tom White U.S. Navy 1968-1972 2nd Class Petty Officer Fighter Squadron USS Forrestal.
Ricky Lee Wilkerson U.S. Army 1966-1972 Vietnam War Veteran Hometown: Blytheville, Ark. Died September 1, 2010 Father of Heather Howard of Blytheville
Bernell M. Wlencek U.S. Air Force 20 Years Air Force Achievement Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Air Force Good Conduct Medal Hometown: Crystal Falls, Mich.
Elton Grant Sgt. U.S. Marine Corps 1977 to 1983 High School: Rivercrest Class of 1977 Duty Stations: N.A.S., Adak, Alaska; Security Detachment 1977 to 1978; Camp Lejeune North Carolina 1st Marine Division, 2nd Battalion 6th Marine Regiment (2/6), H-CO, G-CO and E-CO; 1978 to 1981 M.C.A.S. El Toro, California; Squadron VMA-311, "Tomcats," 1981 to 1983. Currently employed at American Greetings, Osceola, Ark., with 22 years of service. Married to Gwendolyn Grant for 34 years. One son, Elton Grant Jr., three daughters Crystal, Marci and Jasmine Grant; all live in Gosnell; five grandchildren, Aeris Grant, Micheal Williams Jr., Cameron Williams, Ja'Kayla Grant, and Jordan Grant.
Mike Huffman 1st Lt. U.S. Army Active duty 1969-1971
Mike Connealy Sgt. U.S. Marine Corp. (1948-52) 3rd Battalion 5th Marines, Korean Service Medal, United Nations Medal. Hometown: Blytheville, Ark.
James C. Atterberry Cpl. U.S. Army Photo taken August 1972 Vietnam Veteran (deceased)
James Atterberry Cpl. U.S. Army Photo taken October 1942 WWII Veteran (deceased)
Douglas Atterberry E-4 U.S. Army Photo Taken March 1990 Desert Storm Veteran