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HONOR ROLL

A remembrance of the Men of Ogden, Pennsylvania that served in World War II

Courtesy of American Legion Post 951 9 October 2010

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The Honor Roll Memorial that stood in front of the old Ogden Baptist Church listed the names of those local men who served in World War II on brass plates. The Ogden American Legion Post 951 recently found 80 brass plates that had been mounted on the Memorial. The Legion is formulating plans to prepare a display of those brass name plates. Additionally, it is planned to prepare a booklet with information on the individuals that were listed on the Honor Roll Memorial. Three brothers, 2 of them local, are in the process of gathering information for the booklet. Information such as photos (in or out of uniform), newspaper clippings, family stories/remembrances, DD214s, medals or any other information related to the service of those listed is being collected If you have information you would like to contribute, contact one of the following: James Holland (610-497-4070) David Holland (610-485-3018) Ed Holland (609-654-5605) Any material provided can be returned after copying. 1. Baxter Arnold 21. G D Grunwell 41. Robert Meekam 61. Wm G Rue 2. R L Arnold 22. P H Grunwell 42. Robert J Meekam 62. Lester Rutter 3. Ronald Bailey 23. J Hesketh 43. Wm D Miller 63. C A Schott 4. G L Baldwin 24. J F Holland 44. Geo L Neeld 64. Paul Somers 5. John Barry 25. Carmen Johnson 45. Jas O’Connell 65. L K Soutter 6. James A Boone 26. F. P Keanon 46. Lewis Parks 66. Mason Sutton 7. John Boulden 27. Francis Lally 47. Alex Palovitch 67. J A Swavey 8. W R Boulden 28. Harry Larkin 48. John Palovitch 68. George Thomas 9. C. Brosnaham 29. Robert Larkin 49. Geo Palovitch 69. J H Turley 10. R A Bryant 30. S. F. Larkin 50. C W Peters 70. Frank Voshell 11. C F Burns 31. Charles T Lee 51. Frank C Peters 71. Harry Voshell 12. James Coates 32. J. H. Lilley 52. George Peters 72. Edward Ward 13. W F Coates 33. R T Lunger 53. F N Pilling 73. George B Ward 14. Robert Corbett 34. W M Lunger 54. Jos L Pilling 74. Harry Whitby 15. William Davis 35. H M Lythgoe 55. Henri D Pote 75. H. R. Whitby Jr 16. Andrew Di Luco 36. John Lythgoe 56. Charles W Rhea 76. B. Wildermuth 17. Earl Ferguson 37. T Mc Cain 57. Forrest A Rhea 77. K. Wildermuth 18. L W Ferguson 38. T. Mc Donald 58. Edward Richle 78. James Willis 19. W J Ferrell 39. James Maitland 59. Paul Richle 79. Ralph Worrell 20. George Gibson 40. Jas C Meekam 60. James L Rue 80. James Young

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INTRODUCTION

This document contains information about the men whose nameplates were mounted on the original Memorial that stood in front of the Ogden Baptist Church on the corner of Naamans Creek Road and Mill Road. It is divided into two sections. Each section is in alphabetical order. The 1st section contains photographs and information provided by the families. The 2nd section is the remainder of the men and has articles from the Chester Times newspaper* or any other information that could be found. While others from Ogden may have served, this booklet is limited to those whose nameplates were found. * On-line copies of the Chester Times can be found at http://delawarecolib.newspaperarchive.com/. The year 1943 is not on-line.

During World War II, in March 1942, the Blue Star Mothers of America, Inc. organization was formed in the United States to provide support for mothers who had sons or daughters in active service in the war. The name came from the custom of families of servicemen hanging a banne,r called a Service Flag, in a window of their homes. The Service Flag had a star for each family member in the military. Living servicemen were represented by a Blue Star and those who had lost their lives were represented by a Gold Star.

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CHESTER (PA) TIMES THURSDAY, JUNE 22, 1944 OGDEN OPENS BIBLE SCHOOL Ogden Correspondent Mrs Howard R Whitby Telephone Chester 5-1414 The Daily Vacation Bible School of the First Baptist Church of Ogden opened on Monday, June 18, with an enrollment of 25. The teachers are Mrs. Faulkner, Mrs. Walters and Mrs. Fuesht. Besides the memory work, the children are having studies in Genesis and life of Christ, in flannelgraph pictures. An unusually large number attended dedicatory service held at Ogden. The invocation was made by Rev. Calvin Harrah, pastor of the Bible Presbyterian Church. James Steward led in the singing of the National Anthem, accompanied by the Marcus Hook Band. Greetings and appreciation were extended to the various organizations present, by the Rev. Louis Feusht, chairman of the memorial committee. Judge Henry G. Sweney gave a very stirring patriotic address. In it he emphasized the source of our privilege, the importance of our having the right attitude and the responsibilities that rest upon us. The John McKenna Post No. 660 presented a beautiful flag for the occasion. The presentation was by Commander Gibson. Appreciation was expressed not only for the gift but for his splendid cooperation. He in turn

gave the honor to his men in the post. The presentation of the flag was by Mrs. Howard Whitby, only local Gold Star Mother of World War I, who also has two sons in World War II. As the flag was being raised, “America” was played by the Marcus Hook Band. There were two participants in the unveiling of the memorial: Mrs Sarah Miller, mother of William Miller, and Mrs Viola Meekeen, the widow of Robert Meekeen. On the plaque there is a gold star after the names of these two men, they having lost their lives in service of our country. In speaking of the efforts on the part of the people of Ogden in the construction of the memorial the chairman remarked: “That which has been most commendable has been your willingness, your splendid co-operation and your faithful service.” “I commend you and congratulate you and in behalf of our boys in the armed forces in whose honor the memorial has been erected. I wish to thank each one most heartily for that which you have done.” Taps were played by the Boothwyn band. The exercises were concluded by the benediction pronounced by the Rev. Merlyn Rood, pastor of the Boothwyn Presbyterian Church.

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Men Listed on the Memorial NAME BRANCH OF

SERVICE NAME BRANCH OF

SERVICE 1. Baxter Arnold 41. Robert Meekam NOTE: Actual name may

be Meekeen

2. R L Arnold 42. Robert J Meekam Army 3. Ronald Bailey Navy 43. Wm D Miller Navy 4. G L Baldwin Army 44. Geo L Neeld 5. John Barry Army 45. Jas O’Connell 6. James A Boone 46. Lewis Parks Army 7. John Boulden Navy 47. Alex Palovitch 8. W R Boulden Army 48. Geo Palovitch 9. C. Brosnaham 49. John Palovitch 10. R A Bryant Army 50. C W Peters Navy 11. C F Burns Army 51. Frank C Peters Army 12. James Coates 52. George Peters Navy 13. W F Coates 53. F N Pilling Army Air Corps 13. Robert Corbett Navy 54. Jos L Pilling 15. William S Davis 55. Henri D Pote Army 16. Andrew Di Luco Army Air Corps 56. Charles W Rhea 17. Earl Ferguson 57. Forrest A Rhea Army Air Corps 18. L W Ferguson Army Air Corps 58. Edward Richle Navy 19. W J Ferrell Army 59. Paul Richle Army 20. George Gibson Navy 60. James L Rue 21. G D Grunwell 61. Wm G Rue Navy 22. P H Grunwell Army Air Corps 62. Lester Rutter Navy 23. J Hesketh Navy 63. C A Schott 24. J F Holland Army Air Corps 64. Paul Somers 25. Carmen Johnson 65. L K Soutter 26. F. P Keanon Army 66. Mason Sutton 27. Francis Lally 67. J A Swavy Army 28. Harry Larkin Navy 68. George Thomas 29. Robert Larkin 69. J H Turley 30. S. F. Larkin 70. Frank Voshell Army 31. Charles T Lee Army Air Corps 71. Harry Voshell Army 32. J. H. Lilley Army 72. Edward Ward 33. R T Lunger 73. George B Ward Army 34. W M Lunger Army 74. Harry Whitby Army 35. H M Lythgoe Army 75. H. R. Whitby Jr Army 36. John Lythgoe Navy 76. B. Wildermuth 37. T Mc Cain 77. K. Wildermuth 38. T. Mc Donald 78. James Willis 39. James Maitland 79. Ralph Worrell 40. Jas C Meekam Army 80. James Young Army Air Corps

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Ogden Avenue

Chester Times: September 1, 1942 Roland Bailey has returned to the Naval Training Station at Newport R. I. after spending a week with parents, Mr and Mrs Fred Bailey of Ogden avenue.

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Naamans Creek Road

Chester Times September 30, 1942: John S Boulden, U.S.N. of Naamans Creek road has graduated from the Hospital Corps at Portsmouth, Val and is now stationed at Port Deposit, Md.

John S. Boulden, aka: Jack, grew up in Ogden, Pa., and attended Boothwyn High School. He enlisted in the U.S. Navy in the summer of 1940 in Ogden. Boulden first served in submarines as a sonar man and was stationed at the Panama Canal Submarine base at the start of WWII. He left the submarine service in 1942 and attended the Navy Hospital Corpsman School. Boulden was eventually assigned to the LST 72 in England. They participated in the D-Day landings at Normandy and subsequent support of the landings. In late 1944 Boulden was transferred back to the states for a short period. In early 1945 he was assigned to the USS Rogers, a DDR destroyer, stationed in the Pacific. Boulden was transferred back to the states in December 1945. John Boulden continued to serve on active duty as a Hospital Corpsman in the U.S. Navy for 22 years. Boulden is married with two children. They served and lived at various Naval Bases in the states and overseas. Boulden also served with a U.S. Marine Unit as a Naval Corpsman He retired from the Navy in 1962. He currently resides in Arizona.

LST-72 & LST-325 unloading onto trucks. Sept 1944

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1917- 2004

Company E 346th Engineer General Service Regiment - 6 NOV 46

Walter R. Boulden was born in Chester and moved to Ogden when he was 2 years old. He attended Ogden School and Boothwyn High School. He was the son of George and Elna Boulden living on Naamans Creek Road. He was drafted in April of 1945 and enlisted in the U.S. Army attaining the rank of sergeant while being stationed in Germany.

Walter Boulden spent his two years in the army stationed in Germany with the 7th Army and the 3rd Army working with the Red Cross and German civilians during the occupation. He returned from overseas in 1946 and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Army continuing his employment with Sinclair Refining Company working until age 62. He was married to Virginia Frances Grube and had two children, Marie F. Boulden and Walter R. Boulden, Jr. (Sandy). He and Virginia left Ogden in 1972 and moved to Florida and then to Williamsburg, VA in 2001. Walter passed away Feb. 4, 2004 and Virginia Sept. 2006.

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October 4, 1917 - August 11, 1953

Euclid Avenue Headquarters Detachment 306th Medical Battalion 1st Infantry Division

24 AUG 44 – 15 JAN 46

Richard A. Bryant enlisted on August 24, 1944.

Aomori, Japan 2 Oct 1945 Pollack (South Bend), Hammocker (Utah), Doer (Wheeling)

Bryant (Boothwyn Dick was born in Heathsville, VA. the son of Richard and Myrtle Bryant. He had 3 brothers and 1 sister. Dick enlisted in August 1944. One of his brothers (Ernie) was also in the war. Dick served in Japan for 6 months. He was discharged in January 1946. After the war he worked at the Sun Oil Company. He was married to Lillian Robertson and had 5 children (Richard, Sandra, Dolores, Kathryn and Gilbert). He died in a home accident in 1953. Dick Bryant was one of the original members of Post 951. His wife’s brother William Robertson, was also an original member and the Post’s First Commander. Bill used money from his GI bill to purchase the Post’s building at the corner of Larkin and Boothwyn Road (Chichester Avenue). Some of the other original Members were: Nick DiShullo, Elmore Dwyer, Arthur Ervingham, Oliver Founds, Murrel Inman, Clarence King, George McVeigh, Forrest Rhea, and Lloyd Theoemke,

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Mill Road

In March 1945, in his senior year at Upper Chichester High School, Robert E. (Ned) Corbett enlisted in the U. S. Navy Reserves. After graduation in June 1945, he reenlisted in the regular Navy and was sent to Camp Perry, VA for recruit training. At completion of “Boot Camp”, he was scheduled to attend college under the Navy “V-6” program. While waiting for orders, he became ill with scarlet fever. This caused him to miss the college deployment and resulted in assignment to the Amphibious Forces Atlantic Fleet at Little Creek, VA where he served in Base Security and duty on the U.S.S. LST 601 where he obtained the rank of Quartermaster, 3rd Class. He participated in the athletic programs for COMPHIBLANT. Near the end of 1947, while awaiting transfer to the U.S.S. Elokomin, AO-55, he was on loan to the Battleship Wisconsin to upgrade the chart portfolio and allow the Wisconsin Quartermaster to take leave In late December 1947, he was transferred to the U.S.S. Elokomin, a Fleet Oiler assigned to the Service Forces Atlantic Fleet. While on the Elokomin, the ship participated underway refueling of the Atlantic Fleet followed by deployment to the Sixth Fleet in the Mediterranean Sea for underway refueling. During this deployment, many ports were visited along the west and north coast of Africa, Gibraltar, Southern France, Italy, Malta and trips thru the Suez Canal, The Red Sea , Persian Gulf and ports in Saudi Arabia and Bahrain. After his Honorable Discharge in 1949, he completed his electrician apprenticeship and then attended college to study Electrical Engineering. He worked in hs Father’s electrical contacting business for many years followed by a position as a project manager for a Philadelphia contactor and for the past 16 years he was as an electrical design engineer for a Phoenixville Architectural firm specializing in communications.. He is a member of the Concord Masonic Lodge #625 and the Valley of Danville, Ill consistory. A life member of Ogden Fire Company having served as Recording Secretary, assistant Engineer, Chief Engineer and President. He is a past president of the Delaware County Aviation Association. He served on the Upper Chichester Township Planning Commission for 20 years and as Chairman for 17 years. He served on the Upper Chichester Board of Commissioners for18 months, completing the term of a previous Commissioner who resigned and moved from the area. He has his Private Pilot license with multi engine and instrument rating. He has owned 2 airplanes but is no longer able to fly because of lapse of his medical certificate. However, the desire is still strong to once again fly. In April 1954, he married Anna Mayer and they built their home on Mill Road in Ogden where they continue to live today. They raised 3 Daughters and 1 Son and have 6 grandchildren

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Naamans Creek Road

Chester Times January 1, 1946: Mr and Mrs William Davis of Naamans Creek road entertained at dinner for their son, William L. Davis, who has received his discharge from the service.

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Earl Ferguson

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December 7, 1923 – May 30, 1945

Euclid Avenue 916th Ordnance Ammunition, Army Air Force

Service 1941 – 30 MAY 1945

Chester Times July 20, 1945 Military Rites Saturday For Pfc Lee Ferguson. Pfc. Lee W. “Buddy” Ferguson, Ogden youth who gave his life to save the members of his company, little more than a month after VE-Day, will be buried Saturday at Mount Hope Cemetery with full military honors. Pallbearers for the local hero will be his former school mates. The military rites will be performed by members of the Upper Chichester American Legion Post 951. Pfc. Ferguson, a member of the 918th Ordinance Ammunition, Army Air Corps, was 21 when he met his death at an ammunition depot in England. He was killed when noticing a fuse pin had worked from a bomb, he warned everyone in the building, then grasped the bomb and raced outside with it. He went only 10 yards according to reports his mother received, when the missile exploded. Working in the building at the time the danger was noted were some 450 other American soldiers. Pfc. Ferguson was buried in Cambridge Cemetery. His body was returned to this country on the Lawrence Victory. The son of Joseph and Rhoda Ferguson of Euclid avenue, Ogden, Ferguson attended Ogden grammar school and Upper Chichester High School. For more that a year before enlisting in the Army, he worked at Sun Oil Company. He was one of the 1000 18-year-olds who were sworn into the Army in Philadelphia in 1941. His basic training was taken at Ft. Meade, Md. From there he attended training schools in Miami, Fla. Savannah, Ill. and Camp Jackson, Miss. He went overseas from Camp Kilmore, N.J. Killed on May 30, 1945, the Ogden soldier would have been 22 on Dec. 7. He was presented, posthumously, a plaque in honor of his courageous deed, on which is inscribed his name in 14-k gold. In addition he received the Soldiers Medal and Presidential Citation. In addition to his parents, he is survived by two sisters, Mrs William Giamboy of Ogden, and Mrs James Fitrer of Green Ridge and four brothers Joseph Jr. of Boothwyn, Earl, of Twin Oaks, and Robert and Walter at home. Pallbearers will be Harry Voshell and Roland Bailey of Chester, Harry and Robert Larkin, Andrew DeLuca, Paul Grunwell, Frank Holland, and Frank and Clarence Peters of Ogden . Funeral services will be held Saturday at 2 p.m. from the George W. Maxwell Funeral Home, 938 Market street, Marcus Hook. Friends may call Friday evening.

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Mill Road

Chester Times December 15, 1945 Servicemen from the European theater who arrived at Boston aboard the SS General Anderson included T/5 Joseph M. Cashman, Upper Darby, Pfc. William J. Ferrell, Chester; Walter L. Dutton, Chester, and Private John H. Oeschger, Chester.

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Worn by Army personnel serving in the Chinese/Burma/India Theater of World War II. The left-hand star represents China and is actually the sun surrounded by 12 points for each hour in the traditional Chinese day. The right-hand star symbolizes the "Star of India". The red, white, and blue represent the United States. Worn since 1942 it was officially adopted on 13 November 1944.

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April 13, 1924 – August 2, 1999

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July 15, 1920 - December 14, 1990

Mill Road Army Air Force

5 AUG 42 – 28 JAN 46

J. F. Holland enlisted on August 5, 1942.

Born in Oakdale, PA, James F. Holland, Jr, son of Mr and Mrs J.F. Holland, Mill road, lived in Ogden since 1922. He graduated from Boothwyn High School in June 1941 and was employed at the U.S. Navy Yard, Philadelphia, until inducted into service, Aug. 5 1942. He was sent to the reception center at New Cumberland, Pa. and from there was transferred to Miami Beach, FL., where he was assigned to the Army Air Forces. He was then sent to the Army Air School at Flint, MI., for advanced specialized training at the Buick Motor School. He was attached to the 994th. He served in Italy from September 1944 until January 1946. He eventually began working at the Sun Oil Company retiring in 1982. He had 3 sons with his first wife, Doris Parks :James, William and Robert. He married his second wife, Ruth Ann Porter in 1967. He was a member of the Shiners Club of Delaware, a life member of the Ogden Fire Co., and inducted into the Old Timers Hall of Fame for baseball in 1987.

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1917 – 1994

Charles T. Lee enlisted on August 7, 1943 MSGT Charles T. Lee moved to Ogden, at the age of two and resided there for 74 years until his death in 1994. A veteran of WW II, he served with US Army Air Force, 12th Tactical Reconnaissance Squadron in England and France. He served as Crew Chief on C-47s and P-51s in Europe for 3 years and was presented with the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal with 2 bronze stars, the American Campaign Medal, the Good Conduct Medal, and the World War II Victory Medal.

He continued in the service of his country, joining the Delaware National Guard in 1947. “CT” as he was known by his fellow Guard members, served for 30 years in the 166th Consolidated Aircraft Maintenance Squadron of the 166th Tactical Airlift Group in New Castle Delaware retiring in 1977 as Hydraulic Maintenance Supervisor. “CT” was presented with Air Reserve Forces Meritorious Service Medal and the Air Force Longevity Service Award. “CT” married Anna in 1941 and they had 2 sons. Tom Lee, Jr served 21 years with First Brigade (BCT), 80th Division (TNG) of the Army Reserve attaining the rank of Major. Robert E. Lee served 11 years with 166th Tactical Air Lift Group of the Delaware Air National Guard attaining the rank of Captain.

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Clayton Street

September 7, 1919 – June 23, 1998 Harry M Lythgoe enlisted on October 20, 1941.

Harry Marshall Lythgoe graduated from Williamson Free School of Mechanical Trades in 1940. He enlisted in the Army on 20 OCT 41. He was commissioned a Lieutenant in the Corps of Engineers on 16 SEP 42. He was assigned to the 390th General Services Regiment, an African-American Unit command by white officers. The unit arrived at Omaha Beach 25 JUN 44. They continued eastward thru France attached to the Third Army building railroads. They built a bridge in Vitery le Francois. In DEC 44 they moved to the German border near Sarresbourg. He visited Paris, eventually meeting and marrying Jacqueline de Rocquigy. He was supposed to go on a date with her sister, Alice. Alice asked Jacqueline to go instead, she did. After the war, he moved to Rockford, IL working for Commonwealth Edison, Retiring in 1982. Before and after the war he performed as Shaimar the Magician, a title he later gave to his brother Jack. Chester Times: September 22, 1942 Harry M. Lythgoe, 23, of the U.S. Engineer Corps, son of Peter B. Lythgoe, 1 Clayton Street, Ogden was recently graduated as a Second Lieutenant, at the Officer Candidate School, Fort Belvoir, Va. He has been serving in the armed service for 11 months, having been inducted October 20, 1941. Five months of that time he spent overseas in Ireland and Scotland, as a member of Co. B 107th Combat Engineer Corps. He was sent back to attend the engineer school at Fort Belvoir for advanced training and upon graduation last week was assigned to the 300th Engineer General Service Regiment and transferred to Lamp Clayborn, La. Lieut. Lythgoe graduated from Chester High School, Class of 1937 and from the Williamson School of Free Trades. Williamson, this county Class of 1940. Chester Times: December 2, 1942 Second Lieutenant Harry M. Lythgoe returned to Camp Claiborne, La. Tuesday, after having enjoyed a 10 day furlough with his parents, Mr and Mrs P.B. Lythgoe, 1 Clayton street, Ogden. He is attached to the 390th Engineer General Service Unit.

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Clayton Street

Chester Times: February 22, 1944 Jack Lythgoe, A.O.M. 3/c, son of P.B. Lythgoe, 1 Clayton street, Ogden has been transferred from the Naval air base at Miami, Fla., to Quonset Point, R.I.

Me, Smitty & Joe I tried to enlist when I was sixteen, but the Navy checked me out and sent me home to grow up a bit more. On my 17th birthday I went back and enlisted in the Navy! Was sent to Sampson, New York for my ‘Boot’ training. Where you are taught Navy rules and regulations, obedience to orders, responsibility, how to do push ups at six in the morning, manual of arms, etc., etc. etc. On my first day there I was fortunate enough to be selected as a platoon leader; so I had fifty five men to train in marching and such when my only experience was as a drummer with the American Legion Drum & Bugle Corps in Chester before relocating to Ogden. We flew cover for Iwo Jima, starting several days before the invasion, then orbited quietly over the invasion fleet waiting for assigned targets from ground control. Most of our time in the Iwo Jima campaign was flying anti sub patrols and protecting the ships which were supplying the material and personnel for the invasion. Returning to a training facility was a bit ‘square’ for most of us, most of whom had already completed two combat tours. Our flight schedules were very lax as we did not need a lot of the ‘practice bombing’, rocket and strafing flights. I was only nineteen, so signed up to attend Pasco High School five mornings a week, and then returned to base and became ‘Navy’ again. Was wanting to get my diploma so’s I could become a commissioned flight officer. I met a very attractive lady who was a great dancer. On the second or third visit to the USO in Pasco, Washington I proposed marriage. She accepted a week or two later, so we got married and applied for Naval Housing on the base. Then the war ended. Very shortly afterward they took away our flight skins. (Premium pay which is earned for hazardous duty.) So I applied for discharge as they were trying to get many of the pilots in our squadron to fill ship board spots. When my discharge finally did come through, my wife, Joanne and I started out for Pennsylvania in an old 36 Ford coupe. We moved in with my parents, who had a couple of extra bedrooms in their large home on Clayton Street until I got my feet on the ground. It was nice having the stability of a comfortable home with real beds instead of the ‘bunks’ of a Navy ship. Not too hard to get used to at all, and of course back to my mother’s fabulous cooking

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Mill Road

Born: 1921 Medical Detachment, 142nd Infantry

James C Meekam enlisted on June 3, 1942 Chester Times October 20, 1942 Private James C. Meekam, Med Det. 142nd Infantry, stationed at Camp Edwards, Massachusetts, is the husband of Mrs. Ethel Meekam, of 2 Mill Road, Boothwyn. He is a graduate of Boothwyn High School and was popular in athletics. Before entering the armed services he was employed by James M. Cohen, local contractor and builder.

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Born: 1923

Robert J Meekam enlisted on February 3, 1943

Chester Times May 7, 1945 Robert J. Meekam, son of Mrs Elizabeth Meekam of Boothwyn, has been promoted to Corporal. A member of Company A, 152nd Infantry, he saw action in his regiment’s 16 day battle for strategic and heavily fortified Zig-Zag Pass, east of Olongapo which opened another route to Manila. Overseas 15 months, Corporal Meekam served previously in Hawaii, New Guinea, Samar and Leyte. Chester Times November 23, 1945 Delaware county men discharged from the Army at Indiantown Gap on Monday were: Staff Sgt. Robert J. Meekam, 2 Mill road, Boothwyn.

THE SECRETARY OF WAR DESIRES ME TO EXPRESS HIS DEEP REGRET THAT YOUR SON PFC MEEKAM ROBERT J WAS SLIGHTLY WOUNDED ON LUZON 1 FEB 45 YOU WILL BE ADVISED AS FURTHER DETAILS ARE RECEIVED

Robert J Meekam, 3rd from left.

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April 20, 1927 – January 3, 2009

Louis A Parks Military Police 88th Division

18 JUN 45 – 19 MAR 47

Troop ship SS Mariposa

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Naamans Creek Road

1946 George, Frank, Clarence 1987

1947

Clarence N. Peters was the youngest son of Frank W. and Rachel E. (Anderson) Peters of 2403 Naaman’s Creek Road, Ogden, PA.

Clarence graduated from the Upper Chichester High School on June 9, 1944. He went to work at Sun Oil Company, Marcus Hook, as a Mechanic Helper until December 28, 1944, when he enlisted in the Navy and was inducted on January 8, 1945. Clarence’s training: NATTC – Memphis, TN

NATTC – Aviation Machinist Mate School – Norman, OK Naval Air Gunner School – Jacksonville, FL NAS – Miami, Fl

NAAS –Pensacola, FL Clarence received the American Theatre Ribbon and the Victory Medal, and received an Honorable Discharge on July 18, 1946 as a Seaman’s First Class.

After his military service, Clarence enrolled at Penn State College (now Penn State University), Ogontz Campus, through the GI Bill. Following his freshman year, Clarence transferred to Penn State’s Main Campus, State College, PA. He graduated with a B.S. Degree in Industrial Engineering on June 11, 1951.

After his graduation from college, Clarence was employed at Sun Oil Company until April 1954. He and his wife then purchased a farm in Pennsylvania Furnace, PA, which they successfully operated as a dairy enterprise until November 1964.

In the Fall of 1964, Clarence enrolled in several classes in the College of Engineering at Penn State University and became employed with the Herb Imbt Construction Company as Project Supervisor in 1965. In April 1975, Clarence was hired with the State Correctional Institution at Rockview, Bellefonte, PA as a Labor Foreman. Clarence received several promotions and at the time of his death on October 7, 1988 he was employed as Maintenance Superintendent.

Clarence is survived by his wife, Anna “Mickey” Peters; one daughter, Ruth Anna; four sons, William, Norman, Steven, and Kenneth; four grandsons, Robert, Nicholas, Samuel and George; and three granddaughters, Kathryn, Danielle, and Claire.

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Naamans Creek Road

Born May 13, 1924 in Ogden Pennsylvania

Frank and Wife (Anna)

Frank Peters graduated from Upper Chichester Township High School June 16, 1943. He enlisted in the Army April 3, 1943. He was Honorably Discharged February 23, 1946. He received the Good Conduct medal, American Theater Ribbon, and Victory Ribbon during his time in the Army He was an automotive mechanic. He married Jeanette Markland Peters on November 6, 1944

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Naamans Creek Road

Chester Times December 2, 1942 : A star has been added to the service flag of the Ogden Fire Co. for George W. Peters, son of Mr and Mrs Frank Peters of Naamans Creek Road who is in the U.S. Navy.

Enlisted in the U.S. Navy July 1942. Went through basic training as an apprentice seaman in Newport, Rhode Island. Served on the destroyer USS Tillman DD641 which escorted high speed troop convoys between New York and North Africa. During this period participated in two invasions: Casablanca, Morocco and Sicily, Italy. Started officer training by attending the University of Pennsylvania pre-midshipmen school and graduated from Northwestern University in Chicago, IL a commissioned officer. Returned to the sea on the USS Mason DE 520 until honorably discharged in December 1945

. USS Tillman After discharge from the Navy, returned to employment at Sun Oil Company as a process engineer in the technical service division. Retired in 1982 and now married to Doris and living in a retirement village in Elizabethtown, PA.

USS Mason

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Naamans Creek Road Born October 15, 1924

Henri D. Pote enlisted on May 26, 1944.

Henri DeVeries Pote graduated from Washington College, Chestertown, MD in January of 1944 and was taken into the Army in May 1944. He served in Europe, was wounded and sent back to England in January 1945, returning to the front to help in the mopping up after the Battle of the Bulge.

Leaving the Army in April 1946, he went on to earn a Master of Divinity from Faith Theological Seminary in Wilmington, DE and married Cora Elizabeth Mitchell in December 1948, in the Ogden Baptist Church. Fourteen children were born to them and two more were adopted, with 58 grandchildren and 44 great-grandchildren at this time. Those children have been blessed in their marriages and lives, with many University degrees of all sorts, four with doctorates, a couple specialized after that, 10 nurses, many Master’s degrees, several in counseling, among them all.

Henri went to work for the Army at the Pine Bluff Arsenal as an

administrative assistant for 26 years and was awarded the civilian Medal of Honor when he retired.

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Mill Road

17 JUL 18 - Airplane Armor Gunner, 246th AAF BU SQD M-1

1 NOV 1941 – 13 MAR 1942 8 NOV 1943 – 19 FEB 1946 Forrest A Rhea re-enlisted on November 8, 1941

Chester Times August 30, 1944 The marriage of Miss Mildred Crummett of Staunton, Va. and Pfc. Forrest Arlow Rhea of Alamogordo, N.M., son of Mr and Mrs Forrest H. Rhea of Mill road, Ogden took place on Saturday afternoon, Aug 19 at 4 o’clock in the main post chapel at Alamogordo. The wedding party consisted of several classmates of Private Rhea and their wives. The bridegroom is now a student gunner at B-29 Army Air Base.

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Naamans Creek Road

Chester Times: September 27, 1944

S1/C Lester Rutter, Jr. is enjoying a 27 day leave at the home of his parents Mr and Mrs Lester Rutter of Naamans Creek road,

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B: 1910

Ogden Avenue

Alexander J Swavy enlisted on June 9, 1941 Chester Times: September 18, 1941 The first Delaware County selectees, six in number, have been discharged from the army under a recent congressional action releasing all men over 28 who applied for discharge. The men all from Camp Croft S.C., are --- Alexander J. Swavy, of Ogden avenue, Ogden all members of Company A, 27th Battalion, --- The men were given complete uniforms and five cents a mile for transportation to their homes. They have been transferred to the enlisted reserve roles and are subject to recall to duty at the direction of the President, but only for a length of time which will make their aggregate service 30 months. Chester Times: September 12, 1942 Anthony Swavy of Boothwyn, has received word that his brother, Pvt 1st Class Alexander Swavy, of Boothwyn, has reached his destination overseas. Pvt. Swavy has a brother, Pvt Joseph Swavy of Marcus Hook,

stationed at Camp Chaffee, Ark. His wife is the former Miss Dorothy Duffy of Marcus Hook. She states her husband receives the Chester Times and fully appreciates reading the home town news.

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December 17, 1917 - February 17, 1973

Frank Leo Voshell Served in Music/Entertainment Division in Germany. Recalls driving

around Munich, Germany playing a piano on the back of a truck.

18 JUN 45

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July 14, 1923 – August 1977

Headquarters Company 1st Tank Battalion, 1st Armored Division, 5th Army 3 JAN 1943 – 16 JAN 1946

Harry A. Voshell enlisted on January 3, 1943 Chester Times November 25, 1944 Ogden Private Uninjured as Shell Hits Truck With the Fifth Army in Italy – Pvt Harry Voshell of Ogden, escaped injury recently when an enemy shell hit a truck 20 yards away and set its load of ammunition afire. Voshell, jeep driver with a tank battalion of the First Armored Division on the Fifth Army front in Italy, said shells had been falling in the area all day, but that he hadn’t quite made up his mind to take cover until the truck was hit. “That” he said made up my mind. When the truck started burning so close to me, I knew everything was going to pop very soon, so I took off for a ditch a quarter of a mile away.” Voshell, son of Mrs Catherine Voshell of Naamans Creek road, Ogden was a star basketball player at Boothwyn High School, before entering the Army, he was employed as a machinist by the A. H. Wirz Company, Fourth and Engle streets, this city.

Chester Times November 29, 1944 Pvt Harry A. Voshell, son of Mrs Catherine Voshell of Boothwyn, a Army truck drive and Cpl Patrick H. Morris, son of Mrs Maude Morris, Paxon Hollow road, Wallingford, an Army truck driver are members of the historic First Tank Battalion currently fighting as part of Fifth Army in Italy.

Harry

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Naamans Creek Road

B; 1921 -

Harry F Whitby enlisted July 6, 1942 Chester Times: May 23, 1946: Pvt Harry Whitby who has been stationed at Fort Monmouth, N. J. spent the week end with his grandparents, Mr and Mrs George Lewis of Market street. Pvt John Ryan, of Troy, N. Y., a buddy of Whitby, spent the week-end with Mr. and Mrs. Lewis.

Son of Howard R and Anna L Whitby. Born in Trainer, PA and grew up in Ogden on the corner of Naamans Creek Rd and Mill Rd. Attended Boothwyn High School. Drafted into the 78th Infantry Division of the Army on 7/6/1942. Inducted in Harrisburg, PA then went to boot camp at Camp Thuler, GA. Served as a MP at Aberdeen Proving Ground before being transferred to Fort Hales, TX for advance training. Served overseas with the 3rd Division from 3/1945 to 3/1946 in Berlin and Austria during World War II. Medals received were American Campaign Medal, European-African-Middle-Eastern Campaign, Good Conduct Medal, and World War II Victory Medal. Discharged 3/27/1946.

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Rockhurst Avenue

1919 – 2008

Howard R. Whitby Jr married Priscilla F. Davis (1920-2009) and together they raised five children in the Ogden area. He was employed by the Scott Paper Company and filled his life with his family. In March of 1944, Howard was drafted into the United States Army and was sent overseas. His military occupation specialty was Heavy Machine Gunner. During the War, Howard received the Good Conduct Medal, a Distinguished Unit Badge and a Victory Medal for the European-African-Middle-Eastern Campaign with three stars and other medals. Howard was honorably discharged as a Private First Class in December of 1945 and returned home to his family with great pride for his country.

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Central Avenue

Chester Times: October 14, 1944: Baxter Arnold Jr., son of Mr and Mrs Baxter Arnold, of Central avenue has arrived in France.

Naamans Creek Road

Chester Times: August 31, 1942 : Private George Baldwin, who is stationed as Fort Dix, N.J. spent the week-end with his parents, Mr and Mrs William Baldwin of Naamans Creek road. Chester Times: October 8, 1942: George Baldwin, son of Mr and Mrs William Baldwin of Naamans Creek, stationed at Camp Hamilton, N.Y. has been promoted from a Corporal to Sergeant. He visited his parents recently. Chester Times: December 4, 1944: Mr and Mrs William Baldwin received a letter from their son, Sergeant George Baldwin, who has served in the Armed Forces overseas two years. George stated he had met his cousin Pvt Harry Lentz in France.

B: 1919 -

Larkin Road 84th Infantry Division

Chester Times: July 21, 1945: Pvt John Barry, 32, son of Mr and Mrs Stephen Barry Larkin road, Boothwyn, is serving with the 84th (Rail-splitters) Infantry Division in Germany. He entered the Army 17 months ago and has been overseas for 5 months. His outfit was cited for breaching the Siegfried line at Geilenkirchen, Beek, Wurm and Lindern. He fought in the Battle of the “Bulge” participated in the Roer crossing and the break-through to the Rhine in the race to the Elbe. The division aided in the capture of Hanover, took 70,000 prisoners and met the Russians on the west. Pvt. Barry is now serving with the occupational army.

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Mill Road

Ogden, Avenue

Chester Times September 30, 1942: Charles Burns, son of Mrs Willimina Burns, of Ogden avenue, has enlisted in the Army.

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Ogden Avenue

Andrew married Phyllis Murphy (deceased). They had 2 daughters Phyllis “Dee” DiLuco and Janice DiLuco Marley and 4 grandchildren. Chester Times November 27, 1944: Pfc. Andrew DiLuco, Ogden avenue, Boothwyn, and fellow soldier technicians at an Air Service Command Depot in England, were recently commended by Lieut. Carl A Spatz, commanding general, U.S. strategic Air Forces in Europe, for pre-invasion product on efforts. The base’s output figures are among world records. The soldiers were lauded in the British press for their part in keeping America’s planes in control of the skies over Western Europe. “It’s good to know that other people think we’re doing a good job” commented DiLuco, “ and just to prove that praise hasn’t gone to our heads, we’re going to keep those production figure high.”

Clayton Street

Chester Times July 1, 1944: George Gibson, son of Mr and Mrs W. Floyd Gibson, of Clayton street, will leave for the armed services on Saturday, July 1.

Naamans Creek Road

Chester Times: April 18, 1944: John T. Hesketh John Thomas Hesketh, of Naamans Creek road, Ogden, proprietor of a meat store in Linwood for the past fifteen years, died suddenly on Monday of a heart attack in his home. Mr Hesketh, who was 54 years old, was born in England and came to America in 1918. He had resided in Ogden for fifteen years and was a member of Linwood Heights Methodist Church. His survivors are his widow, Mrs. Alice Hesketh, a son John, a seaman serving in the U.S. Navy, and a daughter, Mrs. Basil Claire, of Salt lake City, Utah. One grandchild also survives. Funeral arrangements have not been completed.

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Meeting House Road

Chester Times: February 2, 1944: Second to First Lieutenant – Francis Paul Keanon, Sr., CE. Boothwyn Chester Times: November 20, 1950: Capt. and Mrs. Francis P. Keanon announce the birth of a son, Eugene Thomas, at the 97th General Hospital, in Frankfurt, Germany. Capt. Keanon, son of Leopold Keanon, Route 1, Boothwyn, received his promotion from First Lieutenant recently. He is chief of operations branch equipment section 80th Engineer Base Depot Co., at Hanau, Germany. Frank Keanon stayed in the Army for 25 years and retired as a Major. He has 5 sons, Francis, David, Eugene, John and Leon in order. He was 90 years old on Easter of 2010. His second wife's name is Eileen. He has 4 grandchildren and 2 great grandchildren. He still put in a garden every year, cuts the grass with the tractor and splits his own firewood.

June 28, 1922 – April 22, 1987

Naamans Creek Road Harry Larkin enlisted September 21, 1942 Chester Times September 25, 1942: Harry Larkin, of the U.S. Navy, son of Mr and Mrs W. Larkin, of Naamans Creek road is visiting his parents for several days.

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September 15, 1926 – April 21, 2003

Robert Larkin enlisted May 1, 1943

Naamans Creek Road

Chester Times: November 15, 1944 : Betty Louise Lovelace is Bride of Ogden Soldier in Ceremony at Columbia, S. C. The marriage of Miss Betty Louise Lovelace, daughter of Mr and Mrs Lloyd Lovelace, of 1203 Yates avenue, Marcus Hook and Pvt.James H. Lilley, son of Mr. and Mrs. L. B. Lilley, of Naamans Creek road, Ogden, took place in Columbia, S. C.on Friday afternoon, Nov. 10, at 1 o'clock. Joan M. Caughman, a notary public, performed the ceremony. The bride, who was unattended, wore a blue traveling suit. Following the ceremony, Private Lilley and his bride returned to Marcus Hook, where Mrs. Lilley will reside with her parents. Private Lilley left Tuesday for New Cumberland, Pa. Chester Times: November 18, 1944: James Lilley, of Naamans Creek road, left for New Cumberland Tuesday to join the Army.

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B: 1924 -

Naamans Creek Road William M Lunger enlisted on March 2, 1943 Chester Times: May 30, 1944 : Pvt. William Lunger, son of Mr and Mrs Walter Lunger, of Naamans Creek road, Ogden, who is stationed at Camp Pickett, VA., spent the week-end visiting at the home of his parents.

Naamans Creek Road

Raymond Lunger enlisted November 8, 1943

Mill Road

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NOTE: Actual name may be Meekeen.

\ Carpenter Road

CASUALTY LIST 7 DEC 44

B: 1907 -

Naamans Creek Road

George L Neeld enlisted on September 25, 1942

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B: 1923

George Palovitch enlisted November 2, 1943

Naamans Creek Road

Chester Times September 30, 1942: Felton Pilling, of Naamans Creek road, who enlisted in the Army Air Corps, is stationed at New Cumberland. He reported for duty on Friday at Philadelphia.

B: 1918

Joseph L Pilling enlisted on December 10, 1941,

B; 1900 - Mill Road

Charles W. Rhea enlisted on May 13, 1940 Chester Times: July 1, 1944: S’Sgt Charles Wilson Rhea, son of Mr and Mrs Forrest Rhea, of Mill Road arrived in Charleston, S.C., Wednesday. He has been in a hospital in England for several weeks.

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Naamans Creek Road

Navy Seaman, 2nd Class

Naamans Creek Road

Army 6 JUN 41 - 14 DEC 45

Chester Times January 2, 1945 Crum Lynne Man Killed, 2 Missing and One Wounded. Paul Richle, husband of Josephine Richle of 509 Maddock street, Crum Lynne and son of Mr and Mrs Joseph Richle, of Naamans Creek road was today reported killed in action on Dec 14 in France. The War Department in its announcement did not give any details of the account. Richle, who entered the Army June 9, 1941, six months before the Pearl Harbor disaster, received his training at Fort Meade, Md. and then participated in maneuvers for three months. He spent a short while in Washington, D.C. on guard duty and in April 1943, was sent to Fort Benning, Ga., for his specialized infantry tactics. His last encampment in this country before embarking for the European theater of operations was at Fort Meade, Md. He went overseas in June. Married three and a half years ago, his wife is the former Josephine Wsocki of Crum Lynne. Besides his wife and parents, he is survived by two brothers in the Armed Forces, Seaman second class Edward Richle of 105 Booth Street, Chester and Private Stanley Richle, now training at Indiantown Gap, Pa.

Chester Times: November 18, 1944: William Rue, USN, was the guest of Mrs. Robert Webster of Larkin road,

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B: 1915

Ogden Avenue

Lawrence K. Soutter enlisted on May 5, 1942.

Naamans Creek Road

B: 1915 -

?Clayton Street or Mill Road?

George E Thomas, Jr. enlisted on April 19, 1944

Clayton Street

J H Turley enlisted October 16, 1944

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Boothwyn Road

Chester Times: October 8, 1942: Mrs. B. G, Ward of Bethel road, visited her son, George Ward at Fort Slocum, N.Y. Chester Times: January 18, 1945: Mr and Mrs Benjamin Ward of Boothwyn road, have received a letter from their son Pvt. George Ward, who is on active duty in Belgium. This is the first word they have heard from their son in two months. Chester Times: December 17, 1945: Mrs B. G. Ward, of Bethel, received a letter from her son B. George Ward Jr., who is in Africa.

B: 1928 -

Clayton Street

Bruce C Wildermuth enlisted April 12, 1946

Naamans Creek Road

Clayton Street

Parents were Mr and Mrs Raymond Henry.

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Naamans Creek Road

B; 1905 Ralph O Worrell enlisted April 1, 1942 Chester Times: September 17, 1942: The supper given by the Ogden Fire Company in the Ogden fire house on Ogden avenue, was well attended. It was served by the fireman assisted by their friends. A service flag was hung in the firehouse for the members of the company who are in the service. They are Jack Boulden, Ralph Worrell and Harry F. Whitby, of Naamans Creek Road; Ronald Bailey, of Ogden avenue and Frank Holland, of Mill road.

Naamans Creek Road

Army Air Force James J. Young enlisted on October 10, 1942 Chester Times: April 8, 1944: Pfc James E. Young, of the United States Air Corps, is spending a 15 day furlough with his parents, Mr and Mrs Vaughn Young of Naamans Creek Road. Mr and Mrs Vaughn Young of Naamans Creek road, entertained at dinner in honor of their son, Pfc James E. Young when the guests were Mr and Mrs James Young, Miss Eugenia Young, of Bethlehem; Joseph Barlow of Linwood: Mr and Mrs Frank Peters and George Helms, of Naamans Creek road.

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NEW MEMORIAL COMMITTEE

POST 951 RESEARCH TEAM Post Commander-Ed Keegan Jim Holland Mike Hafich David Holland Brian Quinney Ed Holland