2007 Bios and Photos
2007 Honorees
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.
Edgar Arnn, Navy: EMT 3/c Arnn was an Electronic Material Technician and was stationed in California where he trained new recruits in Navy.
Overton Barbour, Navy: Fireman 1/cBarbour served aboard the U.S.S. John Port and Leyte. He was attached to a Seabee unit that built and cleared roads on islands in the Pacific. He also worked in the engine and boiler room. He would go on to serve during the Korean War.
Judson Conner, Marine Corps: Pvt. Jusdon joined the Marines in 1943. He was sent to Parris Island for Boot Camp, and Officer Candidate School in Quantico, Virginia. After the war, he went and graduated from West Point. He retired from the Army in 1979.
Charles Cooper, Navy, (Mrs. Cooper attended to honor her husband.): Hospital Apprentice 2/c Cooper was in the Medical Corps and served at the U.S. Naval Hospitals in Memphis and Philadelphia.
Max Crowder, Army: 2LT Crowder was in the Transportation Corp and served aboard vessels that transported U.S. troops from the United States to various European destinations. His unit also escorted German and Italian POWs back to the United States.
Marion Dininger, Navy: MM 2/c Dininger served aboard the U.S.S. Haynsworth; a destroyer with the 3rd and 5th Fleets. The Haynsworth saw action at the Philippines, Iwo Jima, and Okinawa. In 1945, the destroyer was hit by a Kamikazi and suffered serious damage.
Julian Dixon, Air Corps: Tech SGT Dixon was a top turret gunner and radio operator aboard a B-24 with the 8th Air Force, 446th Bomb Group. On June 6, 1944, he participated in the aerial operation of the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France. He completed 30 bombing missions over Europe.
Sarah Hale Dixon, WAVE: Specialist X 1/c Dixon was stationed Alameta Island Army Air Station in California. In the Navigation Section, she updated maps and charts of airfields across the United States.
Bob Dunphy, Air Corps: 1LT Dunphy piloted a C47 with the 51st Troop Carrier Wing, 317th Group in the South West Pacific Theatre. He saw action in New Guinea, Philippines, Okinawa, and Japan. Mr. Dunphy is also here to honor his wife, the late Pearl Dunphy. She was a corporal in the WACs and was stationed in Georgia as an Occupational Therapist.
Dan Gates, Army: Corporal Gates was stationed in the China-Burma-India Theatre where he was assigned to a Signal Construction Battalion. He built and maintained communication lines along the Burma Road from Lido, India to Kuning, China.
Ted Jacobs, Army: Tech SGT Jacobs was a Combat Engineer with the 271st and 275th Combat Engineer Battalions in France, Germany, and Austria.
Pat Kilbury, Home Front: She worked summers during high school in Dayton, Ohio at the NCR plant. After the war, she attended The Ohio State University where she met her late husband, William Kilbury. He piloted the B-24, “Slightly Dangerous”, in the South Pacific.
Lawrence Konger, Army, (Mrs. Nicodemus attended for her brother.): He served in a combat engineer unit and served in the European Theatre. He saw action during the Battle of the Bulge.
Dohy Lawhorn, Navy: Master Chief Lawhorn served aboard the U.S.S. Terror.
Gadi Lawton, Marine Corps: Cpt Lawton joined the Marines in 1941 and served with the 5th Regiment, 1st Marine Division. He saw action in four major battles in the Pacific Theatre. At Guadalcanal, he was the company commander during the five months his unit was in combat. He received a Silver Star for his actions.
Robert Moorman, Navy: Aviation Cadet Moorman was in the Navy Air Corps. He received training in the V-5 Air Program at Iowa City and Norman Oklahoma.
Corporal Leo Parton, Army:
Phil Reidenbach, Air Corps: SSG Reidenbach served with the 20th Air Force Group. He served aboard a B-29 where he ensured all guns were in operating condition, and he assigned gun turrets and stations to the crew members.
Robert Rodenbeck, Army: PFC Rodenbeck served with the 17th Artillery Observation Battalion in the 5th Core in Europe. He conducted surveillance on enemy positions so coordinates could be determined for the shelling of enemy positions.
Eugene Roeschlein, Navy: Supply Officer Roeschlein was the Supply and Disbursing Officer aboard the U.S.S. John R Craig; a destroyer serving in the South Pacific. He had the responsibility of feeding, clothing, and paying the crew of 230 sailors and 15 officers.
Merle Shinneman, Navy: Radioman 3/c Shinneman served aboard the convoy escorts U.S.S. Wyoming and Biloxi in the Pacific. He saw action in the Marshall Island Campaigns.
John Stilwell, Air Corps: 2LT Stilwell served with the 8th Air Force, 351st Bomb Group, aboard a B-17G bomber and flew 10 combat missions over Germany. He also removed POWs out of Poland, Germany, and France.
Glenn Sparks, Army: Warrant Officer served with the 63rd Infantry Division in Europe. He was a scout and a German Translator. His unit was one of the first to arrive at the Dachau Concentration Camp.
Ed Thomas, Army: Sergeant Thomas was an anti-aircraft gunner with the 199th Anti-Aircraft Battalion with the 6th Army. He saw action in the Northern Solomon Islands and the Philippines.
Carroll West, Army, (Mr. West’s daughter attended for her father.): PFC West was a medic in the 9th Medical Battalion, 9th Infantry Division, 15th Army in the European Theatre. He saw action in the Battle of the Ardennes.
Norman Wolf, Air Corps, (Mrs. Wolf attended for her husband): Lt. Wolf was a bombardier aboard a B-24 Liberator. In July 1944, his plane was shot down over France. He parachuted out and landed inside German lines. He and two others were taken prisoners, and after eight days they over took their captors and escaped. The French Underground helped them return to an American unit.
Photos 2007
Forward March
The veterans enter the gymnasium to a ticker tape parade, waving flags, and applause.
USO Camp Show with Jack Benny
Jack Benny and his USO Camp Show entertain the troops.
