A War Fought by Unknown Heroes
Winston Churchill once said of World War Two that it was not a war of princes or chieftains, but of peoples and causes; a war fought by unknown heroes. Here we acknowledge the unknown heroes that Churchill was referring to as well; our fallen heroes as well as those that fought for our freedoms and returned with their memories. We remember and honour in our hearts the Allied heroes, war veterans and all the affected people, who valued freedom in their life above all else.
Click on the buttons below to view an alphabetical listing of Honorees, both living and passed. If you know of someone who should be recognized here, from any country, please contact us today!
Robert L. Vetter
Private, US Army, Company C, 1st Battalion, 134th Infantry Regiment, 35th Infantry Division
Purple Heart, Bronze Star, Combat Infantry Badge . A professional baseball pitcher, Robert entered military service July 14, 1943 at Buffalo, NY at 18 years of age. He departed for Europe on May 11, 1944 aboard the USS General A.E. Anderson, and arrived at the Post of Bristol, England May 25, 1944, landing on Omaha Beach D+30, July 6, 1944.
He was engaged in heavy action as his battalion, along with the 2nd battalion, led the charge for Hill 122 in St. Lo, France. He was severely injured on July 15, 1944 in this attack, receiving shrapnel injuries to the skull, brain, and chest. The 134th suffered 35% casualties in two days, including 102 men killed, 589 wounded, and 102 missing. His battalion was awarded the Presidential Unit Citation.
Robert returned from Europe and was discharged November 17, 1944 from Ashford General Hospital in White Sulfur Springs, West Virginia. He returned to baseball, pitching for various minor league teams, including the Auburn Cayugas. On July 22, 1946, he pitched against a young Jackie Robinson, who has just been signed by the Brooklyn Dodgers, and was playing for their Triple A team, the Montreal Royals.
Robert's injuries from the war ultimately forced his early retirement from baseball. He passed away 27 July 2016 at 96 years of age. He is predeceased by his wife, Ruth and survived by his sister, Lillian, his 5 children, Steven, Cheryl, Gary, oanne, and James; 7 grandchildren and 5 great-grandchildren. ~ Submitted by Garrett Smith, Grandson
Patrick J. Viger
Tech 4 Sgt, 32-236-579, 5th Army 143rd Infantry Regiment, 36th Division, Company K, II Corps, III Battalion
Purple Heart, WWII Victory Medal, N Africa Mid Eastern Campaign Medal, American Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Combat Infantry Badge, Army Commendation Medal. . Patrick Viger fought in North Africa (Algeria and Morocco) Italy (Rome, Faggio, Naples and Arno). ~ Submitted by Proud Son of Patrick Viger, Billy Viger
Ed Wareck
314th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division
Purple Heart. Wounded in Action, 19 December 1944 near Haguenau, France.
Loyce M. White
PFC, HQ Company, 315th Infantry Regiment, 79th Division
Purple Heart, WWII Victory Medal 3 Overseas Service Bars, American Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Euorpeon Middle Eastern Theatre Ribbon w/4 Bronze Battle Stars . Loyce M. White served with the 315th Infantry Regiment, 79th Infantry Division in Normandy, Northern France Rhineland, Central Europe
Paul Needham Whitley
PFC, 314th Infantry Regiment, 79th Division
PFC Paul Whitley. July 18, 1918 - January 23, 1961. From Georgia.
Theodore Wisvari
Private, 315th Infantry Regiment, 79th Division
Purple Heart . 23 November 1914 - 24 October 1944. KIA near Emberemil, France.
View Death Notice.
Frederick D. Wood
Private First Class, 313th Infantry Regiment, G. Company, 79th Division
Purple Heart . Enlisted 10 June 1942. Frederick was MIA after his unit attacked pillboxes near the Siegfried in Germany. His remains were found and disinterred from a mass grave containing 18 bodies. The fighting took place around 13 December 1944, when the 313th was attacking pillboxes near Berg, Germany. One identification tag was found around the deceased's neck. Frederick's remains were brought to the cemetary of Neuville en Condroz on 5 December 1945. His 3 brother also fought in WWII.
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