2020 Veterans Day

2020 Veterans Day

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SALUTE TO VETERANS

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2020

Thank you for your service

Service in the family Tim Johnson / The North Platte Telegraph Bob Perlinger sits outside his home in Paxton as he holds a photo taken af- ter he was drafted into the Army in 1945. He is one of seven Perlinger brothers who served in the military and among the three who were active during World War II.

Bob Perlinger was 3rd of 7 brothers from Paxton to serve

est brother, Joe, was stationed in California and received a medical discharge. His oth- er older brother, Joe, spent two years sta- tioned over in France and Germany as a sup- ply truck driver. “One time he backed up and hit a bomb and it turned the truck upside down,” said Perlinger, who was an Artillery Division member and worked as a cook. “That big-ol’ metal railings and box (fastened) on the top of (the vehicle) didn’t cave in or else he might have been in trouble. He was pretty lucky to get out of that.” Perlinger never got to go overseas. The war ended while he was sta- tioned at Fort Knox, Kentucky. “(The sergeants) sat all (the cadets) down and said, ‘We have some good news for you

Street in Paxton.

By TIM JOHNSON tim.johnson@ nptelegraph.com

Bob was the third-

oldest of the seven Perlinger boys — all who served in the mil- itary and all but one in the Army. That brother joined the Air Force. Perlinger was called into service on June 25, 1945, the third member of the fami- ly to be drafted during World War II. His old-

Bob Perlinger will tell you stories of his and his brothers’ mil- itary experiences. He will recite one key fact as well. “We all made it through alive,” the 95-year-old recently said as he sat outside his house on East Fourth

HONORING ALLWHO SERVED

Please see FAMILY, Page D7

Member FDIC

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SALUTE TO VETERANS

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2020

‘Dakota’ served in both theaters in WWII

Radio operator Fleck relayed coded messages, sports scores

Fleck was able to get sports scores in Morse code from the main- land United States. “When I was aboard ship, I did the sports scores for the troops,” Fleck said. “I’m not bragging, but I could copy Morse code very fast.” He copied the sports news from San Francisco and made a rough copy that the troops passed around the ship. “After they dropped the bomb on Hiroshima, the war ended,” Fleck said. “I asked for my discharge, but an officer on my ship at the time, the USS Knox, asked me to accompany him back to the Philippines to bring back the American troops.” After that trip, Fleck was discharged and

and thought I’d bet- ter get to North Dakota and sign up,” Fleck said of his war service. “I really didn’t want to be in the Army, so I signed up for the Navy.” He did his basic training at Great Lakes Training Station in Illinois and then was sent to Northwestern University for radio training. He followed that up with fur- ther radio training in California and finally New York. “Before I was put aboard a ship, I was in New York City and that’s where I got the nickname ‘Dakota,’” Fleck said. “The ser- vice people put on a dance for our service- men. I met a girl there and she said, ‘I’ll just call you Dakota,’ be- cause I’m from North Dakota.” Fleck said he was kind of a flirt and one of his fondest memories of that time was when he was in New York City and saw all the pretty girls. He loved to dance, especially pol- kas, and found ready dancing partners while he was there. “Then they put me aboard a ship — the

By JOB VIGIL [email protected] Veteran Steve Fleck enlisted in the U.S. Navy in 1942 when he was 21 years old and served until Dec. 6, 1945. On Nov. 16, the North Platte resident will celebrate his 100th birthday. “I was working in Torrington, Wyoming,

Job Vigil / The North Platte Telegraph Steve Fleck served as a radio operator in the U.S. Navy during World War II. On Nov. 16 he will celebrate his 100th birthday.

the American pris- oners back to Japan, and one of my cousins, Tony Fleck, was aboard that ship that was sunk down in Manila Bay.” As the radio operator,

Germans stayed in the United States after the war. “They didn’t want to go back,” Fleck said. “Some of them worked in North Dakota, South Dakota, Nebraska. One of them worked for my uncle up there in North Dakota.” Fleck served in both the European and the Pacific theaters during World War II. “I talked to oth- er ships, but it was all coded messag- es,” Fleck said. “I was in Guam for a while, then they took us to the Philippines. The Japanese were taking

USS Dorothea L. Dix,” Fleck said, “where I was the radio opera- tor.” Fleck said the ship was a troop carrier. “We took a load of troops to Cairo, Egypt,” Fleck said. “We made one invasion from Cairo to Sicily.” The ship was assigned to bring cap- tured German troops back to the United States. “Since I could speak German, I spoke German to them,” Fleck said. “They didn’t want that war. They hated Hitler.” He said many of the

Please see DAKOTA, Page D7

Photo courtesy of Steve Fleck Steve Fleck poses in his naval uniform as he awaits departure across the Atlantic to do his job as a radio operator dur- ing World War II.

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SALUTE TO VETERANS

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2020

Interest in special forces lead Barnum to enlist

Army veteran made 36 plane jumps in 82nd Airborne Division

desk one or whatever. They just said they couldn’t do it. I was disappointed but under- stood.” He had hoped his time in the Airborne Division would lead him to Ranger school and eventually into Special Forces. “There’s no doubt in my mind that had been able to stay (in the military), I would made it into the Special Forces.” He made 36 jumps during his 15 months in the mili- tary, the first when he was training at Fort Benning in southwest Georgia. “I got up in that plane and I thought to myself, ‘What am I doing here? Am I really going to be able to jump out this plane?’ We were jump- ing in alphabetical order and although I had the train- ing, I was shook a little bit. “I didn’t want to be the first one out of the plane. I got lucky. There was a guy whose last name started with an ‘A’ so I was the sec- ond one (to jump).” He said one thing re- mained consistent about all of his jumps. “I always got a laugh out of the pay. Hazardous pay is what they called it,” Barnum said. “The amount was about $80 and I often wondered about was my life worth just that per

By TIM JOHNSON [email protected] Blake Barnum enlisted in the military thanks in part to Chuck Norris. The 57-year-old Stapleton native and North Platte res- ident was a fan of the action movies of Norris and Bruce Lee as well as shows and films that centered on Green Berets and the Army Special Forces. “From an early age I knew I wanted to go into the ser- vice,” said Barnum, who has three sisters and two broth- ers. “I always wanted to be one of those big, tough guys that I watched growing up.” He enlisted in the Army in September 1981 at 18, just out of high school, and became part of the 82nd Airborne Division and stationed at Fort Bragg, North Carolina. He was medically dis- charged just over a year later as a progressively de- clining condition had left him deaf in his right ear. Barnum said he was experi- encing hearing loss over the years before he joined the military. “I wanted to stay (in the military) and maybe make a career of it,” Barnum said. “When I got discharged, I had asked about being as- signed to a different job — a

Tim Johnson / The North Platte Telegraph Blake Barnum holds a photo taken shortly after his enlistment into the Army in 1981 after he graduated from Stapleton High School. Barnum served in the 82nd Airborne Division before he was medically discharged.

said Barnum. “Everybody was watching and they were all quiet. I think that threw me off just enough. But peo- ple tell me it was a pocket ball. I had it in the pock- et, but the seven just didn’t fall.” But he took the positive from the experience. “I was disappointed but yet I was tickled to get a 299 game,” Barnum said. “It gives me something to work toward.”

now, and he has three grandchildren. He volun- teers at the Thrift Center on West Fourth Street and the Salvation Army food pantry. Bowling is a main pas- time. Last year he just missed a perfect game at Wild Bill’s Fun Center in North Platte. The No. 7 pin remained upright on his fi- nal throw. “As I was about halfway (to the foul line) I realized that there was no noise,”

jump. But I had fun with it. I wouldn’t change it. I wouldn’t take it out of my life.” Barnum returned home to Nebraska after he was discharged and worked a number of ranch and feedlot jobs over the years, main- ly in the Valentine and Ainsworth areas. “I was a Nebraska boy all the way and knew I was go- ing home,” Barnum said. The father of two daugh- ters and a stepson is retired

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SALUTE TO VETERANS

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2020

Air Force medal

Army medal

Distinguished Service Cross

H Distinguished Service Crosses are the second highest military decoration awarded for extraordi- nary heroism. H “Actions that merit the Distin- guished Service Cross must be of such high degree that they are above those required of all other U.S. combat decorations but do not merit the Medal of Honor,” according to the U.S. Department of Defense.

Medal of Honor H The Medal of Honor is the highest military honor awarded by the U.S. government. H It is presented by the president and given only to members of U.S. Armed Forces who “distinguish themselves through conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of life above and beyond the call of duty,” according to the U.S. Department of Defense. H The medal, which dates to 1861, takes three forms — one for the Army , one for Air Force and one for the Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard . H The first Medal of Honor action came from Bernard J.D. Irwin , an assistant surgeon in the Army. In 1861, Irwin voluntarily led a command of troops to surround a detachment of the 7th Infantry. He didn’t receive the medal until 30 years later. H The first to receive and wear the medal was Pvt. Jacob Parrott for his actions in “The Great Locomotive Chase” in April 1862. He received the medal the following year. H The most recent medal awarded went to Army Staff Sgt. David Bellavia for conspicuous gallantry while serving in support of Operation Phantom Fury in Fallujah, Iraq. WAR MEDALS A quick look at medals awarded for war service

Navy medal

3,524 TOTALMEDAL OF HONOR RECIPIENTS Includes 19 double recipients

Silver Star H The Silver Star is the third-highest combat decoration that can be awarded to members of the U.S. Armed Forces and is awarded for gallantry in action. Despite its name, the medal mostly is gold.

H Some well-known recipients of this medal are Gens. George S. Patton and Douglas MacArthur and former Sens. John Kerry and John McCain . A controversial recipient was Pat Tillman , the Arizona Cardinals football player who became an Army Ranger. He died as a result of friendly fire in Afghanistan. H The medal first was awarded in 1932 , replacing the Citation Star, given for gallantry from the Spanish-American War to World War I. H It’s estimated more than 100,000 people have been awarded a Silver Star.

Bronze Star H The Bronze Star has been awarded since 1941 to any person in the Armed Forces who dis- tinguishes themselved by heroic or meritorious achievement or service, not involving participa- tion in aerial flight. There are three types of this medal — achievement, merit or valor. H Civilians also can earn a Bronze Star. Joe Galloway , a photojournalist for United Press In- ternational News, was awarded a Bronze Star for valor for rescuing a badly injured soldier during the Battle of Ia Drang Valley in Vietnam in 1965. H There were 395,380 Bronze Stars awarded

PURPLE HEART HISTORY H In 1942, President Franklin Roosevelt signed an ex- ecutive order allowing Navy, Marine Corps and Coast Guard personnel to receive the Purple Heart. The order also allowed the medal to be awarded posthumously to those killed on or after Dec. 7, 1941, and about a decade later, it was extended to April 5, 1917.

Presentation and text by The (Lynchburg) News & Advance

Purple Heart H The origins of the Purple Heart date to George Washington and the Revolutionary War . Washington, wanting a way to bolster morale, created the Badge of Military Merit. It was described as a heart in purple cloth given to soldiers in instances of unusual gallantry, extraordinary fidelity and essential service. H It fell into disuse after the revolution, only to be revived on the 200th anniversary of Washington’s birth . On May 28, 1932, 137 World War I veterans were conferred Purple Heart medals in a ceremony in New York. H Over the years, the criteria for receiving the medal has expanded to include people injured in acts of terror and those wounded or killed when acting as part of a peacekeeping force outside the U.S.; wounded or killed in friendly fire; prisoners of war wounded in capture or captivity; and those wounded or killed by certain kinds of domestic terrorism. H An estimated 1.8 million Purple Hearts have been awarded since 1932.

to World War II veterans; 30,359 for Korea ; 170,626 for valor and 549,343 for achievement/ service for Vietnam (the first time valor medals were tracked separately); and 2,459 for valor and 99,886 for achievement/service for Operation Iraqi Freedom .

SOURCES: WOMEN’S MEMORIAL FOUNDATION; NATIONAL PURPLE HEART HALL OF HONOR; THE MILITARY ORDER OF THE PURPLE HEART; THE INSTITUTE OF HERALDRY; THE CONGRESSIONAL MEDAL OF HONOR SOCIETY; RALLY POINT; STARS AND STRIPES; AND THE U.S. DEPARTMENT OF DEFENSE

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SALUTE TO VETERANS

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2020

From Casablanca to Tunis for Merle Cheek

By JOB VIGIL [email protected] In the fall of 1941, Merle Cheek worked for his dad on the farm south of Steamboat Springs, Colorado. He was 22 years old and had been clas- sified 1A, so he knew he was likely going to be called into military service. “I thought since I was clas- sified 1A I should enlist,” Cheek said. He was sworn in on Nov. 7, 1941, and was sent to Fort Bliss, Texas. The soldiers were given an aptitude test that determined wheth- er they would go to an Air Corps tech school. Cheek had a score of 99, which qual- ified him for the tech school. Cheek will turn 101 on Dec. 8. He lives at Maranatha Bible Camp with his wife, Stella. Stella has written down some of the steps in Merle’s journey into and through the military. “He went to Rantoul Tech School in Illinois where Merle had a 5½ months long text book course in airplane mechanics,” Stella wrote. “He took two more weeks of carburetor and ignition training that winter.” Following his training, Cheek left Brooklyn Pier in October or November Plane mechanic helped squadrons in North Africa

Job Vigil / The North Platte Telegraph When Merle Cheek first went to North Africa, this map shows the progression as the planes he repaired protected American convoys in the Mediterranean during World War II. Cheek’s company moved forward with each victory as the Allies defeated the Germans along the way.

invasion of North Africa happened when Merle began his stint in Morocco. “Then in February, they moved the air force oper- ations by train over to the Seneca air field, where they were from February to June of 1943,” George said. “His job in the Army Air Corps was mechanic and their spe- cialty was the P-39. Merle’s mission was to keep them flying as they were pro- tecting convoys in the Mediterranean.” Merle’s unit moved for- ward every few months as the Allies began to push the Germans back.

1942 for assignment to Casablanca, Morocco, in North Africa. “When we arrived at Casablanca, it still wasn’t safe for them to bring the ship into the harbor,” Cheek said. “So we circled for a couple of days.” He was assigned to the 34th Fighter Squadron of the 350th Fighter Group. His unit’s job was to repair the P-39 fighter planes who were engaging the Germans in North Africa and then later in Italy and over the Mediterranean. His son George explained the process as Cheek’s unit

In June 1943, they went by truck to Algeria (Algiers) and set up base again. From June to November of ’43 they were servicing the planes from there. “Then in November of ’43, they went by truck across to Tunis — Tunisia,” George said. “Then they jumped on a boat in Tunis and in November 1943 went across to the island of Sardinia.” At that time, the island was a part of Italy. “In Sardinia, they didn’t care for us,” Merle said. “The Germans were actually

moved along the African coast following the battles. “They were behind the lines with the Army Air Corps,” George said. “As this was pushed forward, they followed it.” On Nov. 8, 1942, the Allied Merle Cheek after he enlist- ed, left, and today at 101

Please see CHEEK, Page D9

Thank You,

Veterans

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SALUTE TO VETERANS

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2020

FAMILY from Page D2

DAKOTA from Page D3

ly as 4 a.m. or end as late as midnight depending on what shift he worked. Perlinger said as he was among troops moved from basic training in Denver to advanced training in North Carolina; the two options for jobs were ei- ther a clerk or a cook. Those cadets who had experience with typewrit- ers in high school ended up as clerks. Perlinger grew up work- ing on his parents’ farm in Paxton and never went to high school. He enjoyed his time as a cook but ad- mitted he didn’t really use his culinary skills much after his time in the Army. “My wife is a better cook,” Perlinger said of Maxine, whom he has been married to since 1950. Perlinger returned to Nebraska after his mili- tary service and worked on a handful of farms, in- cluding his parents’.

“I could pick 50 bushels of corn in half a day, come in and unload it, eat my dinner and then go back out,” Perlinger said. “We are talking about dry land, but I would pick 50 bushels twice a day.” Eventually he took a friend’s suggestion to get a job with the Nebraska Public Power District. He started as a truck driv- er hauling cement to work sites and spent the next 30 years in various capacities. He added his time in the military matured him physically and mentally. “I really learned how to take orders (in the Army)” Perlinger said. “You were told to do something and it that was it. That is what you did. “I just had the thought of ‘I am going to do the best I can here.’ I just wanted to do my part to help be- cause we were fighting this war.”

They starting going out and Ruth took him to meet her parents. “Her dad told her to bring me down to the farm, so I went to the farm to meet her par- ents,” Fleck said. “Guess what the first thing he had me do- ing — milking cows. He put me right to work.” Fleck asked Ruth to marry him and they were married in Kansas City. From there, Fleck con- tinued to work for the FAA, earning promotions along the way until he eventually ended up in North Platte. Steve and Ruth had six chil- dren together. She died in 2013 on their anniversary. Their children are Linda Toll, Mick Fleck, Duane Fleck, Cindy Huntsman, Marsha Sedlacek and Madonna Madsen. His daughter Cindy said there are a “flock of Flecks.” Steve has 21 grandchildren, 51 great-grandchildren and sev- en great-great-grandchildren.

— the war is over.’ Well, that was really a relief for us,” Perlinger said. Perlinger said the cadets were given a 10-day break and initially expected to then be deployed overseas as part of the American troop support for the occu- pation of Japan at the end of the war. “We all got back and were told, ‘The orders have changed. You are not going overseas.’” Perlinger said. “I was looking for- ward to going overseas and seeing some of the oth- er countries. I never got the chance to do it.” Perlinger spent the rest of his roughly year-and- a-half military career in Kentucky. He was part of a crew that fed 250 indi- viduals three times a day. His day could begin as ear-

moved to Kansas City because he didn’t want to go back and work on the farm. “I worked for the Ford Motor Company in Kansas City,” Fleck said. “I looked in the paper and saw a job opening for a radio operator. I applied for the job and the guy that hired me was a pro- fessor at Rockhurst College in Kansas City. “He said, ‘We’ve been wait- ing for you.’” That was when Fleck started his long career with the Federal Aviation Administration. “I met my wife, Ruth, in Kansas City when she was working in a cafeteria,” Fleck said. “She was sitting up there in a chair and I was sitting with another girl. I looked over at her and went over and sat down with her. I was a flirt.”

This Veterans Day, we’d like to thank you for your service and dedication to our country.

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SALUTE TO VETERANS

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2020

Veteran recalls years driving supply trucks Sandhills native faced constant danger in WWII’s Pacific theater

ger. The Japanese sent high- altitude bombers over the islands, as well as kamikaze pilots bent on suicide runs. When the bombers dropped their loads over the islands, Howe said there was no place to hide. Luck kept him alive, he said. “We didn’t have any shelter of any kind. Sometimes we’d have sandbag shelters, but the ground was so rocky, you couldn’t dig much,” he said. “When the bombs hit, there would be a big ‘Whomp.’ We’d get a big concussion where we were standing. Our shirts would puff out and our pants would puff out. That was close enough.” Troops didn’t have ear pro- tection, and as a result of the bombing, Howe lost his hear- ing and was declared 100% disabled by the Veterans Administration. Howe said there were about 100 trucks in each convoy, and they traveled and camped as a group. To reach the ships moored at sea, they drove over floating, wooden deck- type roads. There wasn’t a port because the ships were too large to come in. Their greatest danger while accept- ing loads from ships were the dreaded kamikaze pilots. “They were after the ships; that was their deal,” he said. “They were a pain.” When Howe’s group reached the Philippines, they found themselves under threat of snipers and others as they traveled narrow roads deep into canyons. Although the military equipped truck drivers with rifles, their weapons were hung in the back of their cabs and would have been of little use in a sudden confrontation. Howe and other drivers turned to the black market to buy .45 caliber automatic handguns that had belonged

By NANCY GAARDER Omaha World-Herald

The memories come easier, now that so many years have passed. Wes Howe, 98, was a 21-year-old ranch kid from the Sandhills of Nebraska when he enlisted in the Army in 1943. He would spend two-plus years away from home, and during most of that time he ferried bombs, airplane fuel and ammunition along the rugged roads of islands in the western Pacific Ocean. His resourceful ranching background and familiar- ity with vehicles meant he was the ideal candidate, in the Army’s mind, to drive a supply truck in the island- hopping battles in the Pacific theater. Howe was assigned to Quartermaster Supply Company 2079 attached to the 5th Air Force. Under the cover of dark- ness, but also during the day, Howe and dozens of other drivers took their loads from ships at sea to air bases on the islands that the Allies took over as they fought their way to the Japanese mainland. They also stashed caches of bombs and fuel in the island jungles. “The Allies paid a heavy price in the island-hopping maneuvers to retake all the islands in the Pacific,” said Howe, who witnessed the re- lease of Allied prisoners in Japan. “Some could not even walk.” Across all nations, the civil- ian and military losses in the Pacific theater were stagger- ing, totaling in the millions. For the U.S., 111,606 personnel were killed or went missing, 253,142 were wounded and 27,000 were captured, accord- ing to The Pacific War Online Encyclopedia. Howe’s work at war was in the face of ever-present dan-

Courtesy of NYE Square At nearly 99, WWII veteran Wesley Howe still adds to his scrapbook by making notes on clip- pings of published photos and stories relating to his time in the military.

to American pilots whose planes had crashed in the Philippines mountains. Howe said he drove the rugged Philippines terrain with one hand on his steer- ing wheel and the other on his gun in his lap. “I never had to use it, thank God,” he said.

Howe’s wife, Katheryn Wood Howe, was a U.S. Navy WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Emergency Service). She came from a Sandhills ranching fami- ly, too, and they got to know each other by corresponding during the war. Their letters were sparked by a Sandhills

initiative to keep its service- members connected to people back home. Wood enlisted in 1944 and served in San Diego, doing dental work for soldiers re- covering from facial damage from the war. She was honor- ably discharged in 1946.

Please see TRUCKS, Page D9

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SALUTE TO VETERANS

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

WEDNESDAY, NOVEMBER 11, 2020

CHEEK from Page D6

Wes and Katheryn married after the war, in 1948, and set- tled in Fremont. She died four years ago at age 94. The couple had two daughters, Peggy Wolverton of Omaha and Mary Jo Howe of California, and a son, Charles Howe of Norfolk, Nebraska. Howe worked in paint and autobody repair, and his wife worked as a dental hy- gienist in Fremont before staying home to raise their kids. According to the fam- ily, she was the second person to be a licensed dental hygienist in Nebraska. Later, she did bookkeeping for the family’s busi- ness, Fremont Body & Frame. Wes Howe was first stationed on the is- land of Papua New Guinea, just north of Australia, and by the time the war ended, he TRUCKS from Page D8

was stationed in Japan helping to set up air strips for the occupa- tion. He was among the first American soldiers to set foot on Japanese soil at the end of the war and wit- nessed the surrender ceremony. When Howe came home in 1945, he put away his uniform and got on with life, rarely talking about the war. That changed when he was interviewed for “Forever Heroes,” a book on Nebraska’s World War II veterans by Fremont author Joyce Winfield. Daughter Peggy said learning about her dad’s experiences at war and those of his comrades has deep- ened her appreciation of their sacrifices. (Her mother, she said, had talked more freely of her experiences in San Diego.) “I have this big feel- ing of respect for their level of patriotism and dedication to free- dom,” she said.

in Sardinia at the time.” His group was in Alghero, Sardinia, from November 1943 to March 1944, then were taken across to the island of Corsica. “Rome was liberated in June 1944, and in June, knowing that was happening, they moved the air base to Naples, where they repaired planes until they went up to Rome,” George said. Merle said it was just weeks after Rome was liberated that his unit worked in Salina, near the beach. “We had to lay down met- al sheets on the beach so the planes could land, because it was so sandy,” Merle said. Finally, Merle’s group moved up to Pisa from October 1944 to May 1945. “At the time, the Germans still had the town of La Spezia, so they were quite close to the fighting,” George said. George said that winter through intelligence Merle found out his brother was on the front lines in Italy. “Merle caught a ride up and visited his brother,” George said. “They were living in tents and he spent a day with his brother. May 7, 1945, was Victory in Europe Day. “Merle said they found out the day before that the Germans had signed, but it wasn’t an- nounced until May 7,” George said. “Amazingly, when it was over, it was over, because two days later, he was on a plane back down to Naples.” Since they weren’t flying the planes anymore, they didn’t need the mechanics, George said.

Job Vigil / The North Platte Telegraph This map of Italy shows where Merle Cheek served as the Allied troops moved the Germans out until the surrender.

Christian college — Colorado Rockmont Christian College” now Colorado Christian University, Merle said. Merle’s future wife, Stella, starting attending Rockmont where they met and got married in their senior year. “I got my degree in biblical studies,” Merle said. “I was a senior in high school when I re- ceived Jesus as Savior.” Merle said he has seen a lot in his nearly 101 years. “I never thought I’d live this long,” Merle said. “The world has changed a lot over my life- time and there’s a lot of changes we could have done without.”

“He had to wait six weeks in Naples to catch a boat in June of 1945,” George said. “They went back to Newport News beach and took a train back to Denver and got mustered out of the ser- vice.” Merle was riding the bus from Denver to Steamboat when the bus broke down. “The bus driver said, ‘Merle, get up here,’” George said, “and he got the bus fixed that night.” He got in at 5 a.m. and called his parents to come pick him up on July 3. On the Fourth of July, he was at the parade in Steamboat. “I worked on the ranch and used the GI bill and went to a

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SALUTE TO VETERANS

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

Charley Johnson U.S. Navy Naval Security Group CT2 1957-1961 Alaska, Japan Tribute: I am proud of your service to our country.

Cody McSparren U.S. Marine Corps First Sargeant Bravo LCPL 2011-2015 2 overseas deployments

Shelly Drenkow Aust U.S. Air Force 2002-2006 Iraq AWARDS & MEDALS: Air Force Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal

Ralph “Joe” Conger U.S. Navy & Naval Reserve Submarine Sargeant 1st Class

1946 - 1953 Pacific Fleet Tribute: Always so proud of your service

Robert D. Stoldorf

U.S. Army 1964-1969 Specialist 4 Germany

Illo Gene Mitchem U.S. Army 184th Infantry PFC 1st Class 1944-1946 Saipan, Okinawa Medals & Awards:

Ben Schumacher U.S. Marine Corps Corporal 1992-1996 Japan Tribute: I appreciate all of the sacrifices you made to serve your country and your family. You are an inspiration to me every day and I love you for that. Thank you, Papa, and to all veterans for continuing to make this country great!

Milton (Mac) McConahay

Neil McConahay U.S. Air Force 1966-1968 Sergeant E-4 Clerk/Typist

Mack McConahay U.S. Air Force 1971-1975 Sergeant Security Police

U.S. Navy 1945-1947 World War II Seaman 1st Class Signalman, USS Shenandoah

Good Conduct Medal, Purple Heart, Combat Infantry Badge Tribute: Thank you for showing us how to be an American true to this country.

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SALUTE TO VETERANS

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

E. William Sall U.S. Army WWI

Robert Sall U.S. Navy WWII

Larry Harm U.S. Army SGT 1966-1967 Korea

Robert Harm U.S. Army SPC 1984-1993 Korea

Jesse Lira U.S. Army 1957-1963

Everett Mattox United States Navy

Cecil Mattox United States Army Korea 1953-1955

Lyle Mattox United States Army England 1954-1956

Jack Mattox United States Navy 1954-1958

Steve Mattox United States Navy 1955-1957 DAV Admiral, Great Navy of the State of Nebraska

Korea War 1950-1954

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SALUTE TO VETERANS

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

CPL Buckley Deterding U.S. Marine Corps Anti-Tank Division 1983-1987 Hawaii & Thailand AWARDS & MEDALS: Meritorious Award

SGT Dalton Deterding U.S. Army Reserves 45th MP Det. 2011-2012 Afghanistan Being Deployed to 2nd Tour in Afghanistan

SPC Denon Deterding U.S. Army Reserves 629th Eng Det.

Duane K. Deterding U.S. Marine Corps 1959-1965

Donald W. Fleecs U.S. Army Corporal First Calvary 1953-1955

Now Serving in Kuwait AWARDS & MEDALS: Army Commendation Medal

California, Hawaii, Vietnam, Phillipines Pistol, Rifle Expert, Various Ribbons AWARDS & MEDALS: Meritorious PFC-CPL E3, CPL E4

Served 18 months in Far East Command

James Ivan Miller U.S. Army Served 1918 - 1919 WWI Vernon M. Rayburn United States Army World War I

Arthur Lyle Smith SGT United States Army 1967-1969 173rd Airborne Brigade (Sky Soldiers) VIETNAM AM - ARCOM

Richard Joe Rayburn United States Army 1966-1967

Thomas K. Rayburn United States Navy

Oliver K. Rayburn United States Navy 1942-1947 San Diego, Hawaii,

Thomas K. Rayburn, Jr. United States Marine Corps 1996-2001 Air Framer-Sgt. KC-130 Ft. Worth, TX, Pensacola

1967-1972 USS Proteus

2nd Bt, 27th Inf, 25th Div Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Combat Inf. Badge Good Conduct

USS Westchester County LST Guam, San Diego, Coronado

New Hebrides, Corpus Christi

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SALUTE TO VETERANS

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

SGT Kevin P. Kennedy U.S. Marines 1964-1970 Vietnam AWARDS & MEDALS: Purple Heart, Defense Meritorius Medal, Good Conduct, Marine Expeditionary Medal, National Defense, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam

Cross Gallantry, RVN Campaign Medal, RVN

Received Purple Heart from General Cushman Jr.

Honor Medal Armed Forces

Grant L. Remus CPL INF U.S. Army 232nd Infantry, 42nd Division 1944-1946 2 years Rhineland, Central Europe MEDALS & HONORS: WWII Medal, POW Medal, Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Good Conduct Meitorious Unit Award American Theater, Victory Ribbon, EAMET Ribbon Combat Infantry Badge

Ronald L. Bourne Captain U.S. Army 1966-1969 Vietnam April 1968 - April 1969

3rd Surgical Hospital Must Unit - Dong Tam 9th Infantry Division

Featured with Marine buddy in action.

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SALUTE TO VETERANS

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

Ronald L. Malandrini U.S. Navy

Leland M. (Bud) Warner U.S. Navy April 1948 - March 1953

1st Lieutenant Donald Wayne Johnson Army Air Corps 1939-1942 United States England served in RAF MEDALS & HONORS: Purple Heart - Air Medal Flying Officer, Royal Air Force Bomber Command

Zachary W. Koch United States Navy Hospital Corpsman, 2nd Class FMF 1999-2008

Eugene Horst U.S. Marines July 1939 - Aug 1945 Iceland, New Zealand, Guadacanal, Saipan, Tenian, Tarawa MEDALS & HONORS: Good Conduct, 3 Presidential Citations

1974-1994 San Diego, CA, Groton, CT, USS Gudgeon, NAVMARCORESCEN, Tucson, AZ, USS Whale, USS Drum, Submarine Squadron Eleven 3 Naval Achievement Awards 5 Good Conduct Awards

Korea, Japan, China MEDALS & HONORS:

Japan Occupation, China Service, United Nations National Defense Korean Service with 3 stars for the Invasion of Korea, Invasion of Inchon, Evacuation of Pusan and Good Conduct Medal

2nd Marine Div, Camp LeJeune Okinawa Cardiovascular Tech School, San Diego Naval Med Center, Bethesda, MD

2 Meritorious Awards 1 National Defense 1 Arctic Deployment

101 years old and still great!

Jerald P. Glanzer U.S. Air Force Airman 3rd Class 4 years

Russell Needham U.S. Army PFC 101st Airborne Division 1966-1967 AWARDS & MEDALS: Silver Star, Purple Heart, Bronze Star

Cherry Lee Needham U.S. Army SFC E7 1965-1987 Fort Levenworth, Kansas

Clay Bruce Needham

Bert Edwin Twidwell U.S. Army 40th Tanker Division

Brad Edwin Twidwell U.S. Marine Corps

Randy Bruce Twidwell U.S. Marine Corps

U.S. Air Force Staff Sargeant 4 years

Artillary 4 years

Infantry 4 years

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SALUTE TO VETERANS

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

Larry Jesse U.S. Coast Guard DC1 1989-2013 Tribute:

Dwight Livingston Jr. U.S. Air Force Sgt., Military Police 1968-1972 Vietnam 1970-1971 Gunfighters of Da Nang, 366th Tactical Fighter Wing 1971-1972 Colorado Springs: NORAD

Dwight Livingston Sr. U.S. Navy/Seabees Sept 1944 - Oct 1947 WWII Asiatic Pacific Campaign

Marvin L. Danielson United States Air Force Airman 1st Class 1951-1955 Korea

Ryan Thompson U.S. Marine Corps Sergeant 2002-2007 Southeast Asia Tribute: To our favorite veteran- we love you and are so very proud of you!

Your selfless dedication to country, Coast Guard and family is an inspiration to all who know you. Thank you

Good Conduct Medal, Korean Service Medal, UN Service Medal & National Defense Service Medal

for 24 years service. A very proud family.

Harold H. Christiansen

Clarence (Chris) Christiansen United States Army Air Force 2nd Lieutenant Served 30 years Retired as Major B-29 Bombardier during WWII in SE Asia

Raymond Chrisman S 1/c U.S. Navy 1942-1946 Pacific China Sea

S/Sgt. James E. Chrisman U.S. Air Force 1942-1946 England Air Medal w/Oak Leaf Cluster Belly Gunner on B17 Flying Night Bombing Raids Over Germany

Cpl. Pete Chrisman

United States Navy Electrician’s Mate Class 2 on the USS Concord during WWII in the Pacific

U.S. Army 1944-1946 Germany

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SALUTE TO VETERANS

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

Ernest H. Friesell SPC. 4th Class U.S. Army Infantry 2007 - 2010 Ft. Sill, Ft. Benning, Ft. Drum Kabul, Afghanistan MEDALS & HONORS: Marksman - Rifle

William H. Friesell SSGT-USAF United States Air Force 1969-1973 Korea, Danang S. Vietnam, Korat Thailand MEDALS & HONORS: National Defense Service Medal Vietnam Service Expeditionary Overseas Forces

SGT Lester Walter von Holt

Andrew Hatfield U.S. Marine Corps First Sargeant Bravo CP1 2011-2015 2 oversea deployments

Rod Murrish U.S. Army 1969-1972 Vietnam 1970

U.S. Army 1951-1954 Naples, Italy

Expeditionary Forces Good Conduct Medal

Air Force Good Conduct Crew Chief of the month NCO Leadership Academy

Carroll O. Johnson United States Army Air Core WWII England Gunner Bombing, Runs over Germany

Frank E. Rhoden United States Army

John T. Rhoden

John W. Rhoden

James Carter Rhoden Sr. United States Navy WWII U.S.S. West Virginia

United States Navy Chief Petty Officer Dec. 1961-June 1981 7 Vietnam Campaign Medals

United States Navy Chief Petty Officer Jan 1991-Feb 2012 Navy Achievement Medal X6 Iraq Campaign Medal X3

101st Airborne Division Fort Cambell, Kentucky

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SALUTE TO VETERANS

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

Ronald R. Perrin U. S. NAVY - ACTIVE DUTY 06 SEP 1967-03 NOV 1971 PETTY OFFICER 2nd CLASS

20 JULY 1970 - 29 OCTOBER 1971 INCOUNTRY SOUTH VIET NAM USMACV - CICV AND SOG AWARDS: JOINT SERVICE COMMENDATION

James Ruffing U.S. Army 1966-1986 20 Years 7th, 2nd & 5th Infantry 1st Calvary Division MEDALS & HONORS: Vietnam Campaign Medal, 2 Meritous Service AWARDS: 6 Good Conduct, National Defense Medal, Korean Service Medal, Expeditionary, Vietnam Presidential Unit Citation Medal, Korean Presidental Unit Citation, Vietnamese Service Medal, 2 Meritous Service Medals

Ronald L. Jacobs U.S. Army 20 Years, 6 Years Germany, 2½ Year Korea MEDALS & HONORS: National Defense, Korea Defense, Army Ac. Good Conduct 6 Awards, Armed Forces Expeditionary

Donald D. Jacobs U.S. Army - PSGE7 1955-1975 20 Years, 9 Years Germany, 2½ Year Korea MEDALS & HONORS: National Defense, Korea Defense, Arcom, Good Conduct 6 Awards, Armed Forces Expeditionary

NAVY ACHIEVEMENT MEDAL NAVY UNIT COMMENDATION NAVY GOOD CONDUCT MEDAL NATIONAL DEFENSE MEDAL VIET NAM SERVICE MEDAL (TWO CAMPAIGNS) VIET NAM CAMPAIGN MEDAL

U. S. NAVY RESERVE - 04 NOV 1971 - 31 DEC 1992 CHIEF PETTY OFFICER RESERVE UNITS - NISC, NRCU, AND NIC AWARDS: MERITORIOUS UNIT COMMENDATION NATIONAL DEFENSE MEDAL 2nd AWARD

Donald Jacobs - He spent almost 20 years keeping all of us safe. He had a twin brother in the same troop for awhile & they had trouble telling them apart. He loved being in the service. His other brother was also in the service. I say thank you for keeping us safe. Margaret Jacobs

NAVYRESERVE GOOD CONDUCTMEDAL 4AWARDS ARMED FORCES EXPENDITIONARY MEDAL NAVY "E" (EFFICIENCY) UNIT AWARD FOR (U.S.S RANGER CV 61 -1992 OPERATIONS: SOUTHERN WATCH AND RESTORE HOPE). SOUTHWEST ASIA SERVICE MEDAL KUWAIT LIBERATION MEDAL ARMED FORCES RESERVE MEDAL

I APRECIATED THE OPPORTUNITY TO SERVE OUR COUNTRY AND I ENJOYED SERVING IN THE U.S. NAVY. I SUCCESSFULLY ACCOMPLISHED WHAT I WAS ASKED TO DO BY THE CITIZENS OF THE UNITED STATES OF AMERICA.

Daniel H. Agler 1st LT U.S. Air Force 1942-1947- Philippines WWII 1952-Korea

Daniel V. Agler U.S. Marines 1968-1972 Airwings Iwakuni, Japan and Cubic Point Philippines

James C. Agler U.S. Marines 1972-1976 Aviation VM203 North Carolina, US

John A. Agler LT Col U.S. Army

Wilbert L. Agler U.S. Army 1917-1919 - Germany 34 Div. WWI Signal Battalion 34th Division

1980-2008 Germany, US,Afghanistan Bronze Star for NATO-US Coalition

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SALUTE TO VETERANS

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

Charles John Tilford U.S. Navy March 1949 - November 1953

Robert E. Winchell U.S. Navy 1942 - 1944 PT Tender UPT8 ‘Wachapreague’ Pacific

Chuck McCarty United States Army Wrecker Driver Nov. 1966 - Aug. 1968 Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam National Defense Service Medal Vietnam, Vietnam Service Medal, Geneva Convention Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Geneva Convention

Jim Carman 101st Army Airborne 1956-1959 Ft. Campball, KY MEDALS & HONORS:

Phil K. Martin U.S. Army 1963-1967 Korea

Korea Conflict Ship: Destroyer

Parachute Wings, Expert Rifleman,

Good Conduct Medal, 15 Parachute Jumps

Larry Stone Active Duty United States Air Force

Amy Kylar Lt. Col. Active Duty

Rhonda Sinclair United States Navy 1990’s

Edwin Howe United States Navy WWII Seabee

Don Staroska Nebraska National Guard 1960’s

Joe Staroska Nebraska National Guard 1990’s

Ed Staroska United States Navy USS Saratoga

United States Medical Corps

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SALUTE TO VETERANS

THE NORTH PLATTE TELEGRAPH

Charles Stuart Bachmann U.S. Army Air Corps Tail Gunner in WWII WWII Lavenham, England 1943-1945 Flew 26 missions over Europe WWII as a tail gunner. Has some fabulous stories that we are just begining to hear. He will be 94 in October Dad was selected last year...such an honor... Explanation of pictures...war picture in his flight gear; current picture of him standing on what's left of the runway on the base in England 75 years later. So glad we went in 2019 before his bomb group planned to go in 2020...didn't happen because of Covid-19!

SP4 Lester Keith Taylor U.S. Army Company D, 3rd Battalion 22nd Infantry Regiment 25th Infantry Division. Died March 17, 1970 in the 24th Evacuation Hospital

Jeffrey Miller U.S. Marines E5 Sergeant 1997-2001 Camp Lejuene, North Carolina MEDALS & HONORS:

Dennis Miller U.S. Navy E4 Petty Officer 3rd Class 1966 - 1970 USS Franklin D. Roosevelt & Taipei,Taiwan Vietnam, Mediterranean & Taipei MEDALS & HONORS: National Defense; Vietnam Service & Republic of Vietnam

in Long Binh, Tay Ninh Providence Republic of

National Defense; Navy Achievement; Good Conduct & Meritorious Service

Vietnam, as results of wounds received on Feb. 27th when Tay Ninh Base Camp received enemy mortar fire

Jim Smith U.S. Air Force 1971-1974

Ryan Smith U.S. Navy Chief 1995-Present

James Smith U.S. Navy Sea Cadet 2012-2015

Onanong Smith U.S. Navy Academy Class of 2016

Warren Smith U.S. Army WW II 2nd Armored Div Europe

Larry Smith U.S. Marines 1970-1971 Vietnam

Claude See U.S. Navy WW II

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Great Plains Health supports our veterans WE OFFER REWARDING CAREERS WITH UNIQUE BENEFITS.

At Great Plains Health , you’ll find a team that works together in the interest of unmatched patient care. You’ll find positive attitudes, advanced technology and a collegial culture. You’ll find an appreciation for each and every role and a commitment

to professional growth. Here, you’ll find purpose and connection in an independent hospital driven to inspire health and healing by putting our patients first – always. If you have a positive attitude, a smile and a passion to help people, apply at gphealth.org/careers .

Build your future at Great Plains Health • An excellent benefits package • A supportive team

• A leading healthcare system • A beautiful work environment • Opportunity for advancement • Unmatched culture

• State-of-the-art technology • On-site cafe and coffee bar • Employee recognition and engagement

Current opportunities • Registered Nurse • Respiratory Therapist • Home Health and hospice RN

• CT technologist • House supervisor

• Ultrasound Technologist • Sleep Lab Technologist • Nutrition Service Worker

gphealth.org/careers