The following list indicates the individuals who attended the Tribute. In some cases, the spouse of the veteran attended because the veteran is deceased. Also, it indicates if a veteran has passed away since attending the Tribute. Bios are not listed for those who attended a prior Tribute.
William Ashcraft, Air Corps: SSG Ashcraft was with the 784th Bombbardment Squadron, 466 Bomb Group, 8th Air Force. He was a left waist gunner aboard a B-24 Liberator and flew 22 missions over Germany. His crew's las 10 missions would be flown in the "Black Cat." Later, with another crew, the "Black Cat" would be the last American bomber shot down over Germany.
Russ Blowers, Air Corps: SGT Blowers was assigned to the 343 Fighter Squadron, 55th Fighter Group, 8th Air Force in England. As a member of the ground crew, he was the Armament crew Chief for P-38 & P-51 squadrons. (D: 11-10-07)
Francis M. Bilbee, Navy: MMM 1/c Bilbee served aboard the USS Fiske, a destroyer escort in the Atlantic. While operating against German submarines, it was torpedoed and broke in half. Mr. Bilbee spent 20 hours in the water before being rescued. (D: 1-15-08)
Harry Bryan, Navy: Electricians Mate 1/c Bryan served aboard the destroyer, USS Isherwood and saw action in both the Atlantic and Pacific. With the 7th Fleet, he was part of the initial landings in the Philippine Liberation campaign and was involved in the invasion at Okinawa. In April '45, the Isherwood was hit by a Kamikaze.
John Bryan, Navy: MMM 1/c Bryan served aboard LCI 24 & 336 landing troops on the beaches. He was in the Solomon Islands and Guadalcanal campaigns. In '44, while on the beaches of Rendova, Japanese bombers sunk his LCI, and he sustained injuries that caused his discharge.
Wilmer Bullerdick, Navy, (Mrs. Bullerdick honored her late husband): He was a fireman aboard the USS Howard in the South Pacific. On a mission in the Pacific, his ship was rammed during a storm and had to return to port to be decommissioned.
Howard Buis, Air Corps: SSG Buis served with the 806th Bomb Group, 8th Air Force. He was head of the administration section for his squadron.
Gerald Burkett, Navy: Radar Repairman 2/c Burkett served aboard the USS PC 1563 in the admin section. He served in the Pacific Theatre to include the Philippines.
Verlyn Burkett, Navy: Petty Officer 2/c Burkett was an aircraft mechanic in the Pacific Theatre. He repaired radars for PDMs, DBYs, TBF, and B-26s.
Les Cheesman, Army: SSG Cheesman was a member of the 169th Infantry Regiment, 43rd Infantry Division. He saw action in Guadalcanal, New Georgia, New Guinea, New Caledonia, and the Philippines. He landed at Luzon in the liberation of the Philippines, and was injured twice.
Ernest Edwards, Navy: MMM 3/c Edwards was in the submarine service and saw action in the Atlantic, Pacific, and Caribbean Sea. As a diesel mechanic, he served on the submarines R-20; Sturgeon, Angler, and Corporal.
Joh Fleck, Air Corps: 2LT Fleck was assigned to the Central Flying Training Command as a flight instructor for the B-25.
Everett Hodgin, Army: Tech SGT Hodgin served with the 113th Medical Regiment, 38th Infantry Division which was from Indiana. He was stationed in New Guinea and the Philippines where he was responsible fro providing medical supplies to the soldiers of the 49th, 50th, 51st, & 52nd Divisions.
Ken Hoge, Army: Cpt. Hoge was a platoon leader and Supply Officer in the 25th Infantry Division. As a platoon leader, he saw combat in several areas in the Pacific Theatre, to include fighting at Luzon in the Philippines during the Philippine Liberation. Deceased
John Kerr, Army: Tech SGT John Kerr was assigned to the 78th Infantry Division in Europe. He was a member of an Intelligence & Reconnaissance team. He patrolled ahead of the front lines and gathered information on the Germans. He also saw action in the Ardennes (Battle of the Bulge).
Harold Jackson, Navy: Radioman 2/c Jackson served with the Air Support Control Unit in Hawaii.
Neil King, Army: SGT King served with an artillery battalion of the 14th Armored Division, 7th Army. Later the unit was transfered to the 3rd Army.
Max Mitchell, Army: SSG Mitchell was stationed in the Philippines from from 1945 - 46 and was assigned to the U.S. Training Group which trained the Philippine Army.
William Nelson, Navy: MMM 2/c Nelson was trained as a mechanic for PT boats. For 18 months he was stationed at Espiritu Santos in the New Hebrides Islands in the South Pacific where he repaired PT boats and their engines.
Omer O'Connor, Navy: Aviation Machinist 3/c O'Connor trained as a flight engineer, aerial gunner, and Radar Operator. He flew in bombers in the Southwest Pacific for two tours.
Charles Powell, Army: Tech SGT Powell was a member of the 40th Infantry Division, stationed in the Southwest Pacific. He was assigned to the Adjutant General Section of Division HQ, where he handled classified documents and other admin duties.
Ken Rash, Navy: MMM 2/c Rash served aboard the submarines USS Plunger & USS Barbero in the Pacific. His submarines were credited with sinking several Japanese ships. The Plunger was part of a group that was the first to enter the sea of Japan.
Richard Ryder, Army: Tech 5th Grade Ryder saw action in the European Theatre while assigned to the 1st, 29th, and 30th Divisions. He was both a medic and infantryman. In '44, he was captured by the Germans and had to treat their wounded captain. He was released him when the 30th counterattacked. (D: 4-30-07)
Jim Suth, Marine Corps, (Mrs. Suth attended in his honor.): PFC Suth knew six different languages and served as an interpreter on Iwo Jima.
Thomas Tsareff, Army & Marine Corps: During WWII, Mr. Tsareff was in the Army from 44-46 and was a Japanese interpreter assigned to the 5th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cav Division in Japan. After the war, he joined the Marine Corps and retired in 1986.