OUR DEPARTED POST 68 COMRADES

Harold L. Hande 1927-2018 Sergeant, US Army Air Force, WWII

Dr. Steven Towle 1937-2018 Airman Third Class, US Air Force, Korea

Clifford L. Samuels 1926-2018 Motor Machinist Mate Third Class, US Navy, WWII

Albert B. Treat 1924- 2018 Seaman First Class, US Navy, WWII

William Lantz 1936-2018 Specialist Third Class, US Army, Korea

William H. Woodman 1923-2018 Second Lieutenant, US Army Air Force, WWII

Thomas E. Baran 1942-2018, Machinist Mate Third Class, US Army, Vietnam

William Grevelding 1927- 2018, Private First Class, US Army, WWII

George Siskaninetz 1935-2018, Air First Class, USAF, Korea 

Robert C. Tolhurst 1939-2017 Specialist Fifth Class, US Army, Vietnam

John A. Owsainy 1930-2017 Corporal, US Army, Korea

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Victor W. Schultz - was born March 19, 1921. He entered the U.S. Army on May 29, 1940 as an aviation cadet. Upon completion of training he was discharged on August 4th, 1942. On August 5th, 1942 he re-entered active duty into the Army Air Corp with the rank of Captain as a P-51 Fighter Pilot. His battles and campaigns were Naples-Foggia and the Sicilian Campaigns. His medals include the Air Medal with 4 Bronze Oak Leaf Clusters, American Defense Service Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 2 Bronze Battle Stars, 1 over Seas Service Bar. He received his Certificate of Service on October 28, 1945. He was promoted from Captain to Major in the Air Force Reserves on February 3, 1955. His legion record shows 10 years continuous service in the American Legion. Passed away February 2, 2002. 

Harry W. Conant – was born May 2, 1914. He entered the service on April 13, 1943 into the U.S. Army Air Corp during World War II. He obtained the rank of Private serving in the 507th Training Group of the Army Air Force Training Center. He was discharged on July 19, 1943. His legion record shows 14 years continuous service in the American Legion. Passed away on March 17, 2002.

Robert C. Hickok – was born May 12, 1921. He entered the service on August 3, 1942 during World War II serving in the U.S. Navy. He obtained the rank of Aviation Machinist Mate Third Class serving on the USS Lexington in the Pacific Theater. His medals include the Asiatic-Pacific Theater Ribbon with 11 Battle Stars, the Philippine Liberation Ribbon with 2 Battle Stars, the American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Bob was discharged on December 30, 1945. His legion record shows 8 years continuous service in the American Legion and dedicated his free time to help maintain our veterans park. Passed away April 24, 2001.

Frank V. Kalanj – was born June 5, 1930. He entered the service on November 15, 1948 at the end of World War II into the U.S. Army. He obtained the rank of Sergeant serving with the 903rd Ordnance Heavy Armored Maintenance Company with the Army of Occupation Force in Germany. His medals include the Army of Occupation Medal Germany and the Good Conduct Medal. He was discharged on June 21, 1952. His legion record shows 32 years continuous service in the American Legion. Passed away May 31, 2001. 

Robert L. Bricker – was born January 9, 1936. He entered the service on April 20, 1954 during the Korean War. He obtained the rank of Specialist 4th Class serving with Battery “A”, 504th AAA Missile Battalion as a Nike IFC Operator in the U.S. Army. His medals include the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He was discharged on April 19, 1956. His legion record shows 14 years continuous service in the American Legion. Passed away June 9, 2001.

Harry B. Mearing – was born December 31, 1923. He entered the service on April 1, 1943 during World War II serving in the U.S. Army. He obtained the rank of Sergeant serving with Company “K”, 137th Infantry as a rifleman and assistant squad leader. His battles and campaigns include Normandy, Northern France, and the Rhineland of which he became a prisoner of war. His medals include the American Theater Ribbon, European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 3 Bronze Battle Stars, the Bronze Star Medal for Bravery above and beyond the call of duty, Combat Infantryman Badge, Good Conduct Medal, and One Overseas Service Bar. Harry was discharged on December 5, 1945. His legion record shows 14 years continuous service in the American Legion. Passed away June 30, 2001.

Steven Mihelich – was born May 10, 1915. He entered the service on November 26, 1940 as his number (58) was the first number picked for the military draft. He obtained the rank of Private in the U.S. Army serving in the Quartermaster Corps at Fort Cook, Nebraska as a mechanic. He was discharged on October 27, 1941. His medals include the American Campaign Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. His legion record shows 48 years continuous service in the American Legion. Passed away July 2, 21001. 

Maurice V. Burns – was born August 30, 1911. He entered the service on May 8, 1942 during World War II into the U.S. Army Air Corp. He obtained the rank of Corporal serving as a Photo Lab Technician with the 20th Recon Squadron, LR P RCM in the Pacific Theater of operations. His medals include the World War II Victory Medal, American Theater Ribbon, Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, one service Stripe and the Good Conduct Medal. He was discharged on February 3, 1946. His legion record shows 41 years continuous service in the American Legion. Passed away on July 6, 2001.

Emmett Labadie – was born October 8, 1916. He entered the service on December 12, 1942 during World War II in to the U.S. Army. He obtained the rank of Sergeant as a demolition Specialist serving with Headquarters Company, 2ndBattalion, 410th Infantry, 103rd Infantry Division. His battles and campaigns include the Rhineland Campaign. His medals include the European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge and the Good Conduct Medal. He was discharged on September 3, 1945. His legion record shows 38 years continuous service in the American Legion. Passed away August 28, 2001.

 John S. Spiech – was born December 26, 1916. He entered the service on January 1, 1943 during World War II serving in the U.S. Army. He obtained the rank of Private First Class serving as a Rigger with Company “A”, 243rd Engineer Construction Battalion. His battles and campaigns include the Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe. His medals include the European African Middle Eastern Theater Ribbon with 3 Bronze Battle Stars, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Good Conduct Medal, and 2 Overseas Service Bars. He was discharged on December 8, 1945. His legion record shows 36 years continuous service in the American Legion. Passed away on October 7, 2001.

Lyle Reits Jr. – was born May 25, 1932. He entered the service on August 31, 1950 at the beginning of the Korean War in the U.S. Air Force. He obtained the rank of Airman First Class as a Supply Technician serving with the 801st Supply Squadron at Lockbourne Air Force Base, Columbus, Ohio. His medals include the National Defense Service Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. He was discharged on August 30, 1954. His legion record shows 27 years continuous service in the American Legion. Passed away October 13, 2001.

Luther I. Daines – was born September 6, 1914. He was inducted on September 28, 1942 and served in a Medical Battalion of the U.S. army at Chanute Field, Illinois until discharged as a Sergeant on September 25, 1944 when the branch was disbanded. He was re-inducted March 22, 1945 and served in the Chemical Warfare Service of the Army until he was Commissioned 2nd Lieutenant on January 25, 1946 after which he served in the Chemical Warfare Service Security and Guard Division of the U.S. Army until discharged on June 30, 1946. His medals include the American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Luther was discharged on June 13, 1946. His legion record shows 52 years continuous service in the American Legion. Passed away October 24, 2001.

Leonard G. Babin - was born November 6, 1920. He entered the service on November 28, 1942 during World War II serving in the U.S. Army. He obtained the rank of Private First Class serving in the south pacific as a light Tank Crewman. His battles and campaigns include New Guinea. His medals include the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon with one Bronze Battle Star, World War II Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Leonard was discharged on August 23, 1945. His legion record shows 46 years continuous service in the American Legion. He was a dedicated Legionnaire always working for the betterment of the post. Leonard was Commander of McGowan-Johnson Post # 68 in 1963 and 1964, Past Commander of the Fourth District Association of The American Legion, and Past Chef de Gare of Kalamazoo County Voiture #161 40/8. Leonard passed away December 3, 2001.

Willard C. Daines – was born December 6, 1916. He entered the service on February 10, 1944 during World War II. He obtained the rank of Seaman First Class serving in the U.S. Navy as an Armed Guard. His medals include the European Theater of Operations Medal, the American Campaign Medal, World war II Victory Medal and the Good Conduct Medal. Willard was discharged on October 31, 1945. His legion record shows 43 years continuous service in the American Legion. Passed away December 11, 2001.

Robert T. Harrison - was born December 16, 1916. He entered the service on May 6, 1943 during World War II serving in the U.S. Navy. He obtained the rank of Storekeeper First Class serving in New Guinea in the South Pacific. His medals include the Asiatic Pacific Theater Ribbon, World War II Victory Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal. He was discharged on November 4, 1945. His legion record shows 44 years continuous service in the American Legion. Passed away December 21, 2001