Fallen Heroes Tributes

Specialist Five John Harvey Feezer

John Harvey Feezer, 21, of Marriottsville, Maryland died in Thua Thien, Vietnam. He was assigned to 18th Engineer Brigade, 14th Engineer Battalion, Headquarters Company. His awards include Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross and Army Good Conduct Medal. John is buried at Springfield Presbyterian Church Cemetery, Sykesville, MD.

Private First Class Robert E. Ferron

Robert, 21, while serving in the 309th Infantry Regiment, 78th Infantry Division, U.S. Army, was killed in action and awarded a Purple Heart.

Private First Class Harry Samuel Friez Jr

Harry, 20, of Ellicott City, died in Kotum Province, Vietnam. He served with Company D, 3rd Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division. His awards include Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, Marksmanship Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and Army Good Conduct Medal.

Private First Class Robert L. Gerwig

Robert, 19, while serving in the 22nd Infantry, U.S. Army, was killed In action and awarded a Purple Heart.

Corporal Thomas Owen Green

Thomas, 21, of Jessup, Maryland died in Thua Thien, Vietnam. He served with Company I, 3rd Battalion, 4th Marine Regiment, 3rd Marine Division, Third Marine Amphibious Force. His awards include Bronze Star with V device, Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Navy Presidential Unit Citation, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation, Vietnam Civil Actions Unit Citation and Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal. Thomas is buried at Baltimore National Cemetery, Baltimore, Maryland.

Private Charles E. Hall

Hall was killed as a POW at the Malmedy Massacre.

Warrant Officer Gary W Hanna

Gary,19, of Ellicott City, Maryland died in Thua Thien, Vietnam. He served with the 1st Cavalry Division, 1st Squadron, 9th Cavalry, Troop B. His awards include Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and Army Good Conduct Medal. He is buried at Saint Johns Cemetery, Howard County, Maryland. Adams, Hanna, Moore Memorial American Legion Post 156 is named in his honor.

Staff Sergeant Martin B. Hilton

Martin served in Company D, 38th Engineers, U.S. Army. He died in the line of duty as part of a non-battle related incident.

Private First Class Stanley Hood

Stanley, 29, served in the U.S. Army. He died in the line of duty as part of a non-battle related incident.

Private First Class William Hood

William served in the 145th Infantry Regiment, 37th Infantry Division, U.S. Army. He died of wounds received in battle and was awarded a Purple Heart with one Oak Leaf Cluster.

Private Edward Isaacs

Edward, 29, served in the 115th Infantry, U.S. Army. He died of wounds received in battle and was awarded a Purple Heart.

Private First Class Frank King

Frank served in the 597th Port Company, U.S. Army. He died in the line of duty of a non-battle related incident.

Staff Sergeant Frank George Kisasonak

Frank, while serving in the 453rd Truck Company, U.S. Army. was killed in action in the D-Day Invasion of France. He was awarded the Purple Heart.

Captain Fr. Ignatius Maternowski

Fr. Ignatius Maternowski, OFM Conv., was born on March 28, 1912, in Holyoke, MA. His elementary education was in the Parish School of Mater Dolorosa, Holyoke. His secondary training was at St. Francis High School, Athol Springs, NY. While at St. Francis, Fr. Ignatius was further impressed by the life of the Friars that he had first some to know in his home parish, and he expressed his intention of entering the Conventual Franciscans. He was sent to St. Joseph Cupertino Novitiate, Ellicott City, MD, for his novitiate, professing his simple vows of obedience, chastity and poverty on August 18, 1932. For his philosophical and theological studies he was sent to St. Hyacinth Chapel, and there he was ordained to the priesthood on July 3, 1938 by Bishop Thomas M. O'Leary of Springfield. Fr. Ignatius received his first assignment as an assistant in the Parish of Corpus Christi, Buffalo, NY. His gift for preaching being noticed by the Minister Provincial, in 1939 Fr. Ignatius was assigned as a preacher/missionary in the Friary of St. Anthony of Padua, Ellicott City, MD. For three years he conducted his missionary apostolate with fruitful and laudable success. From the outbreak of World War II Fr. Ignatius thought of rendering his service as a military chaplain. He was given permission and in July 1942 he enlisted in the Armed Forces. Having served his country for 23 months, Fr. Ignatius lost his life during the D-Day invasion of Normandy, France, on June 13, 1944, in the 32nd year of his age, 11th of his religious Profession and 5th of his Priesthood. The Province Jubilee Book of 1956 noted: "This former member of our Mission band was truly an apostle and friend of the soldiers entrusted to his spiritual care." Fr. Ignatius's remains were laid to rest in Mater Dolorosa Cemetery, South Hadley, MA (Friars' Plot, No. 3).

Addendum: Father Maternowski was the Catholic Chaplain for the 508th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division and held the rank of Captain at the time of his death. He jumped into Normandy at about 1:30 am on D-Day June 6, 1944 and ministered to the wounded and dead in heavy hedgerow fighting thereafter. On June 13th he was trying to find a doctor to treat a wounded man in Ste. Mere Eglise when he was killed by a sniper.

Lieutenant Henry L. Miller

Henry, 23, served as a First Lieutenant & Bombardier on B-29 "Shillalah" #42-63519, 869th Bomber Squadron, 497th Bomber Group, Very Heavy, U.S. Army Air Force. Henry was part of Mission 76-81. This mission included 112 B-29's tasked to attack Izumi airfield on Honshu and Kanoya, Kokubu, Nittagahara and Tachiarai airdromes on Kyushu. Henry's B-29 was one of two B-29's lost on this mission. The other was B-29 #42-65231. Henry was declared as missing In action during the war when his B-29 was rammed by multiple Japanese fighters and lost one engine. They survived that attack and were heading back to their base when the B-29 lost a second engine and broke in two by the bomb bay doors over the ocean. He was awarded the Air Medal with 2 Oak Leaf Clusters and the Purple Heart with 1 Oak Leaf Cluster.

Private Phillip L. Moore

Phillip, 22, was killed in action near Barby, Germany while serving as a Technician Fifth Class, 783rd Ordnance Company, 83rd Infantry Division, U.S. Army. He was awarded a Bronze Star and the Purple Heart.

Private Ralph Moore

Ralph, 23, while serving in the 365th Infantry, U.S. Army, died in the line of duty as part of a non-battle related incident during the war.

Sergeant Thomas Woodrow Moore

Thomas, 20, of Ellicott City, Maryland died in Dinh Tuong, Vietnam. He served with 1st Aviation Brigade, 13th Aviation Battalion, 175th Aviation Company. His awards include Purple Heart, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross and Army Good Conduct Medal. Adams, Hannah, Moore Memorial American Legion Post 156 is named in his honor.

Private First Class Owen M. Norris

Owen, while serving with 29th Chemical Decontamination Company, U.S. Army, died in the line of duty as part of what was known as the West Loch Tragedy. of a non-battle related incident during the war. Prior to his enlistment, he was employed as a Skilled Miner.

Corporal Raymond Oritiz Novosod

Raymond, 19, of Ellicott City, Maryland died in Phuoc Long, Vietnam. He served with 1st Cavalry Division, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry, D Company. His awards include Purple Heart, Combat Infantryman Badge, Marksmanship Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and Army Good Conduct Medal.

Tech Corporal John Hall Owings Jr.

John, 24, died while serving with the 23rd Bomb Squadron as a United States Army Air Force Tech 5. John was captured at Clark Field, Philippine Islands in 1941 by the Japanese. After the Bataan Death March, he died in prison.

Private First Class Edward T. Palmer

Edward, 22, while serving, was killed in action and awarded a Purple Heart.

Radio Officer Robert Emett Payne

Robert, 38, of Elkridge, Maryland, served as a Radio Officer in the Merchant Marines, on the S.S. Coloradan. The S.S. Coloradan was hit by a torpedo from German submarine U-159 off the coast of Capetown and sank. The survivors, which included Robert, were picked by by two other merchant ships. The one that picked up Robert was the M.V. Zaandam a Dutch merchant ship. He was declared missing In action when the M.V. Zaandam was hit by a torpedo from German submarine U-174 and sunk in the South Atlantic during the war. He was awarded the Mariner's Medal. His remains were not recovered.

Private First Class David Burton Pegg

David, 18, of Ellicott City, Maryland died Quang Tin, Vietnam. He served with 1st Marine Division, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, D Company. His awards include Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Marksmanship Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, and Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal.

Corporal Grady R. Pipes

Grady, 23, while serving in the 817th Engineer Battalion, U.S. Army, died in the line of duty of a non-battle related incident during the war.

Private First Class Alphonso H. Plonk

Alphonso Plonk, 22, while assigned to the Army’s 38th Infantry Regiment in the 2nd Infantry Division died in South Korea on September 27, 1952. He is remembered a the Baltimore National Cemetery.

Lieutenant Darin Pontell

Darin graduated from the US Naval Academy in 1998. He became an Intelligence Officer and was deployed aboard the USS Eisenhower aircraft carrier in 2000. He was working for the Office of Naval Intelligence, Chief of Naval Operations Intelligence Plot in the Pentagon on 9/11/01 when terrorists attacked the Pentagon and killed him and 7 of his shipmates. Darin moved to Howard County when he was in elementary school, attending Clemons Crossing Elementary School, Clarksville Middle School, and Atholton High School. His mother and late father have resided in Howard County since they moved to Maryland in the late 80s.

Sergeant Robert Lee Posey Jr.

Robert, 22, of Savage, Maryland died in Quang Ngai, Vietnam. He served with 1st Marine Division, 3rd Battalion, 7th Marines, I Company. His awards include Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, Marksmanship Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal.

Private Robert Frank Redd

Robert, 18, of Jessup, Maryland, while serving in the U.S. Marine Corps on board the U.S.S. Indianapolis (CA-35), was declared missing in action when the Indianapolis was torpedoed and sunk by Japanese submarine I-58 in the Philippine Sea. He was awarded a Purple Heart.

Private First Class Emerson M. Ridgely

Emerson, 20, died of wounds received in battle, while serving his country. He is buried at Good Shepherd Cemetery in Ellicott City, MD. Yingling-Ridgely VFW & Auxiliary Post 7472 is named in his honor.

Sergeant Ollie C. Ridgely

Ollie, 26, while serving in the 3rd Battalion, 175th Infantry Regiment, 29th Infantry Division, U.S. Army, was killed in action" during the war and was awarded a Purple Heart.

Private First Class Perry F. Ridgely

Perry, 24, while serving in Infantry, U.S. Army, was killed in action and awarded a Purple Heart. His brother, Sgt. Ollie C. Ridgley, was also killed in action during the war. They are interred next to each other at Baltimore National Cemetery.

Private First Class James Leo Schatz Jr.

James, 20, or "Lee" as he was known, went to Boot Camp at Parris Island, then served in L Company, 3rd Battalion, 1st Regiment, 1st Marine Division, U.S. Marine Corps. He served with his unit on Guadalcanal, Cape Gloucester, and Peleliu. He was declared missing in action on Peleliu on Sep 21 during Operation Stalemate II. Subsequently, Lee was confirmed as killed in action by a sniper on Bloody Nose Ridge, but his remains were not recovered during hotly contested action on that portion of the battlefield. Lee was posthumously awarded a Purple Heart for Peleliu in addition to other awards for this and other actions during his service.

Staff Sergeant James S. Spiker

James, 20, while serving in the 570th Bomber Squadron, 390th Bomber Group, Heavy, U.S. Army Air Forces, was declared missing in action during the war and was awarded an Air Medal and a Purple Heart.

Private First Class Victor J. Stanfill (aka Rakkasans)

Victor, 19, native of Fulton, MD, was an infantryman with Company A, 2nd Battalion, 506th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team. He enlisted into the U.S. Army Sept. 22, 2015, completing one-station unit training at Fort Benning, Ga., as an infantryman. After graduating from training, he was assigned as an infantryman in Co. A, 2nd Bn., 506th Inf. Regt., in Jan. 2016. On May 10, he died from injuries sustained during a live-fire training exercise at the Joint Readiness Training Center at Fort Polk, La while assigned to 101st Airborne Division (Air Assault) sold . His awards and decorations include the National Defense Service Medal, the Global War of Terrorism Service Medal, and the Army Service Ribbon.

First Lieutenant Paul Griffith Stromberg Jr.

Paul, 24, while serving in 2nd Troop Carrier Squadron, 443rd Troop Carrier Group, U.S. Army Air Force, died in the line of duty of a non-battle related incident.

Corporal Bryant A. Terry

Bryant Terry, 27, while assigned to Co D, 1st Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division, was killed in action in North Korea on September 19, 1951. Bryant is remembered at the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, DC.

Private David H. Vane

David, 21, while serving as a paratrooper, died in WWII and is buried at Meadowridge Memorial Park in Elkridge, Maryland.

Private First Class Ernest H. Volckman

Ernest, 22, while serving in the 110th Infantry Regiment, 28th Infantry Division, died of wounds received in battle and was awarded a Purple Heart.

Private First Class William H. Wehland

William Wehland, 22, while assigned to the Army’s 8th Ranger Regiment, died while serving in North Korea on April 23, 1951.

Private First Class Charles Lindberg White

Charles, 18, while serving in Company L 180th Regt. 45th Division Thunderbirds, was killed in action in the capture of the German fortress at Nuremberg. He is buried at Savage Cemetery in Savage, Maryland.

Sergeant Reed Stanwood Wilburn

Reed, 31, served as a Sergeant & Gunner on B-25D Mitchell #42-87295, 17th Squadron, 71st Reconnaissance Group, U.S. Army Air Forces. He was declared missing in action when his B-25 during the Battle of Cape Waios was hit by enemy flak and crashed in the sea during the war. He was awarded a "Distinguished Flying Cross", Air Medal, and a Purple Heart.

First Lieutenant Samuel F. Wilderson

Samuel, 27, served as a Right Waist Gunner on B-17F "Spook III" #42-5882, 336th Bomber Squadron, 95th Bomber Group, Heavy, U.S. Army Air Forces. It was highly unusual for a First Lieutenant to serve as a Waist Gunner. He may have been trying to get points to come home or volunteered when they had no one for the position.

Private Joseph E. Wilson

Joseph, 27, died in the line of Duty of a non-battle related incident during the war.

Private James W. Yingling Jr.

James, 21, while serving in the U.S. Army, was declared missing in action when the U.S.A.T. Dorchester was sunk by torpedo in the Atlantic. He was awarded a Purple Heart. He was noted as being employed as a Firemen prior to the War.

Sergeant John Young

John, 26, of Elkridge, Maryland, while serving in the 124th Infantry Regiment, Infantry Division, U.S. Army was killed in action. He was drafted into the Army and reported for duty on May 29, 1942 in Baltimore, Maryland. He attended his training at Camp Polk, LA. After training he was sent to the South Pacific. Island hopped to take Japanese held islands. John was awarded a Purple Heart with one Oak Leaf Clusters for being wounded in the Solomons Islands.