Hometown Heroes
The Louisburg Hometown Heroes program is a heartfelt tribute to the brave men and women who have served our country with honor and courage. Proudly brought to you by the American Legion John P. Hand Post 250, the Louisburg Chamber of Commerce, and the City of Louisburg, this initiative celebrates the sacrifices and dedication of our local veterans.
Banners honoring both current and past members of the military are displayed on light poles throughout historic Downtown Louisburg, serving as a powerful reminder of their service. These banners are showcased during the weeks leading up to Veterans Day and Memorial Day, ensuring their stories are celebrated and remembered.
Meet Our Local Heroes
Click on an image to learn more about their incredible journeys.
John Adams
In the Olathe News on Memorial Day 1969 a letter written by him was published when he was near Pleiku in the Central Highlands in which he said:
“I’ll have seen a lot, but I don’t think there is any place in the world to compare with the good old world of home in Kansas in the USA. I guess that is the reason a G.I. can stand it over here a year. Home is worth a year. I don’t know if this war is worth fighting but I know the U.S. A. is worth fighting for.”
Banner sponsored by Heather Adams- Vincent and family.
Jake Allen
Banner sponsored by the Allen Family.
Kenny Barnes
Banner sponsored by the Family of Kenny Barnes
Leonard Bauer
Leonard Bauer, born in 1918 and raised in Louisburg, served in the Army Air Force from September 19, 1941 through September 9, 1945. He was assigned to the 446th Army Air Force Base Unit at McChord Field Washington and attended school for airplane mechanics at Kessler Field in Mississippi. Leonard achieved the rank of Staff Sargent in his role as an Airplane Mechanic Crew Chief. He received the Conduct Medal, Distinguished Unit Badge, and American Defense Service Ribbon. As a lifelong Louisburg resident, Leonard was a member of the American Legion John P Hand Post 250. Leonard was a carpenter for many years and later an insurance salesman before passing away in 1978.
Banner sponsored by Gary Bauer, Karen (Bauer) Flournoy, and Paula Bauer.
Eddie Bauer
Corporal Lawrence Edward “Eddie” Bauer was a Louisburg native and the first man from Louisburg to be killed in Vietnam just 14 days after his 23rd birthday on April 16, 1969. He proudly served in Gun Section 4, B BTRY, 3rd BN, 18th Artillery, Americal Div, USARV Army of the United States. Eddie was a graduate of Louisburg High School and was employed at Taylor Forge in Paola until his National Guard unit was called to active service. He was a member of the Immaculate Conception Church in Louisburg and of the John P. Hand Post #250 of the American Legion.
Eddie entered the service in May 1968 and was stationed at Fort Carson, Colo., before leaving for Vietnam on Jan. 24, 1969. On the afternoon of April 30, 1969, Corporal Bauer was serving as a gunner on a self-propelled howitzer, which was moving to a new location near the village of Phuoc Nich, northeast of Tam Ky City, in Quang Nam Province, Republic of South Vietnam. Eddie received a fatal wound when the howitzer detonated a concealed enemy land mine. Eddie was an exemplary soldier who gave his life assisting his fellow man and in the service of his country. Eddie was awarded the Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Good Conduct Medal, National Defense Ribbon, Vietnam Service Ribbon, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Expert Badge with Rifle Bar, and Marksmanship Badge with Automatic Rifle Bar. He served three tours in Vietnam. Information was provided by Trish Ward, American Legion Auxiliary and former Louisburg resident.
Banner sponsored by the American Legion John P. Hand Post 250.
Art Beasley
Banner sponsored by the Beasley Family.
Dean Carpenter
Louisburg native Dean Carpenter served in the Army from 1942-1946
Theodore M. Cook
He entered the U.S. Army on Aug. 4, 1942, in Leavenworth, Kansas. He was stationed at Camp Sibert, Alabama; Camp Pickett, Virginia; and Fort Dix, New Jersey. On Nov. 5, 1943, he left New York Harbor on the U.S.S. Fredrick Lykes and arrived in Glasgow, Scotland, on Nov. 17 at which time he boarded a train and arrived in Gloucester, England. On July 17, 1944, he left Gloucester and 5 days later landed on Omaha Beach, Normandy. They were force marched to Monteberg, France (34 miles). He left France on July 26, 1945 aboard the U.S.S. Admiral E.E. Eberle and landed in Manila on September 2, 1945. He left Manila on November 30, 1945, aboard the landing craft carrier Effingham heading home. He arrived home Dec. 30, 1945. He spent much of his time as a cook while he was in the service. He was a Technician Fourth Class when he was discharged.
He received the Asiatic Pacific Service Medal; European African Middle Eastern Service Medal; Good Conduct Medal; World War II Victory Medal; Philippine Liberation Ribbon; and American Service Medal.
He married Betty Stephenson on May 16, 1949. They made their home in Louisburg and raised 5 children – Steve, Jan, Dennis, Lori and Paul. He enjoyed carpentry, gardening and music.
Ted worked at Panhandle Eastern Pipeline Company for 28 years. He was a member of the First Baptist Church and also a member of John P. Hand Post No. 250 of the American Legion. He passed away on Sept. 22, 1987, at the young age of 67.
Banner sponsored by Steve Cook, Jan Vohs, Dennis Cook, Lori Cook & Paul Cook
Richard Chandlee
Richard Kenneth Chandlee joined the Navy in 1941 at the age of 17. He served on the USS Minneapolis for the entire six years he spent in the Navy. By the end of the war, the Minneapolis was tied for second place with its sister ship, the USS San Francisco, for most World War II battle stars, with 17. Only the carrier USS Enterprise had more. Richard was just leaving Pearl Harbor on his carrier when the bombing started. He observed the enemy planes flying over. On Dec. 10, he entered Pearl Harbor to take on supplies. He always said it was a sight he would not forget. He obtained the rank of Chief Petty Officer.
He is the husband of Lorraine Chandlee and father of Denise German, Donna Casement, and Debbie Chandlee. He and his family have called Louisburg home since 1971. Richard passed away in 2005.
Banner sponsored by the Chandlee Family
Dustin Crawford
After receiving his commission, he served onboard USS Farragut as the Strike Officer where he made two deployments and earned his Surface Warfare Officer pin. The first deployment was in support of Counter-Narcotics Operations in the Caribbean and South America and the second was with the Eisenhower Strike Group where he conducted Anti-Piracy Operations as the flagship for Combined Task Force-151. He then became the Navigator onboard USS Robert G. Bradley where he navigated the ship to numerous West African and Mediterranean ports during an African Partnership Station deployment. As a department head, LCDR Crawford served as the Combat Systems Officer and Operations Officer for LCS Crew 213 onboard USS Omaha and USS Jackson.
LCDR Crawford attended the Defense Language Institute earning an associate degree in Spanish and attended Navel Postgraduate School where he earned a master’s in Operations Research.
LCDR Crawford’s awards include three Navy Commendation medals, four Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medals, the Outstanding Volunteer Service medal as well as various unit and campaign awards. A 1995 graduate of Louisburg High School, he is married to Angie Crawford, a physical therapist.
Banner sponsored by his mother Becky Berg.
Bill Dodson
Banner sponsored by Connie Dodson
Brandon Drew
Brandon deployed to the 5th fleet on USS Iwo Jima (LHD-7) during Operations Enduring Freedom. During this deployment he received a Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal (NAM) for outstanding professional achievement in the superior performance of his duties, acknowledging that he demonstrated outstanding leadership and management abilities along with technical knowledge.
His next deployment was to the 5th fleet on the USNS Arctic (T-AOE-8). During this sea duty, he earned three Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medals.
In 2016, he was selected for HSC-2 Naval Aircrewman Instructor duty. While serving in this position from 2016-2019, he developed the HSC-2 Fire Scout (UAV) program for aircrew payload operations and earned two more Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medals.
Brandon has spent the last 4 ½ years continuing to serve as a Search and Rescue Swimmer (SARS) in Norfolk, Va., in Helicopter Sea Combat Squadron 9 “Tridents”. HSC-9 is attached to Carrier Air Wing Eight and deploys aboard USS Gerald R. Ford.
Brandon’s great-grandfather, Walter Fred Barnes, served in the Army Air Force during WWII.
Banner sponsored by Dan & Susan Drew
Jeremy George
Banner sponsored by Sarah George
Charles Golba
He was given leave to go home for 30 days in November 1966 before being sent to Bien Hoa AB at Bien Hoa, South Vietnam. He handled thousands of tons of munitions that were loaded onto aircraft for bombing and air support missions after arriving in Bien Hoa in December.
In December 1967 he was assigned to Peterson Field, which is currently Peterson AFB, where he delivered supplies to the Cheyenne Mountain Complex in Colorado Springs.
He left the “regular” Air Force in January 1969 and joined the Air Force Reserves where he served for two years at Richards Gebauer AFB in Kansas City, Mo.
Chuck has a couple of memories that stand out during his time in service. “About four days before I left Vietnam, I was able to see the Bob Hope USO Show at Bear Cat, South Vietnam, on Christmas Day. Bob Hope, along with Raquel Welch, Phil Crosby, Barbara McNair, and Miss World Reita Faria of India, were guests. They brought a lot of joy and great entertainment for a couple of hours to the troops.
“Prior to that, in November 1967 during Thanksgiving, I was able to take an R&R trip to Hawaii. It helped that I had cousins living there who gave wonderful tours. The best memory was I finally was able to call my parents for the first time in 11 months!”
Banner sponsored by the Golba family.
Oren Goldstein
It was while at the 547th that Oren volunteered to deploy to Iraq in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom, serving for 9 months at Balad AB, Iraq as a Surveillance and Reconnaissance Collection Manager supporting Special Operations Command.
After serving at the 547th from 2009-2015, Oren, having moved to Kansas, transferred to the Air National Guard, serving at the 131st Bomb Wing at Whiteman AFB in Missouri, serving at the command headquarters in the Plans and Programs section, designing vital training exercises to prepare the Wing for state and national emergencies.
Oren retired from service in July of 2020 and still currently supports the military by serving in an active Army unit at Fort Leavenworth as a contractor and works on efforts to design the Army’s Command Posts 30 years in the future to prepare for any future fights.
Oren’s fondest memories and experiences during his time in uniform were the ability to visit many European countries while in the Navy, meeting his wife while in San Antonio, serving as the flying unit executive officer, which earned him the ability to take a flight in an F-15, which he described as “blissfully violent”. He was proud to have volunteered for his tour in Iraq. He felt it was extremely important to take his turn in harm’s way, after so many had gone before him with some not making it home to their families. Most of all, he appreciated how the military helped shape his love of country and understanding of how precious it is to live in America.
Banner sponsored by the Goldstein family
Chuck Golladay
Banner sponsored by Suellen Golladay.
James Gray
The 6/27 consisted of 6 Batteries of artillery using a combination of 155mm and 175mm Howitzers and M115 8-inch Guns. The 6/27 had several fire bases in the RVN, including one outside the village of Quan Loi, where Jim was sent. Quan Loi was in Binh Loc province, 60 miles north of Saigon and just 10 miles from the Cambodian border. The Fire Base was created at the site of a former rubber plantation owned by the Michelin tire company before the war, when Vietnam was a French colony. The massive buildings and other amenities built by Michelin came into use by the 6/27, including an outdoor swimming pool and even a tennis court. As the occupation of the plantation ensued, eventually an airstrip was constructed for use by cargo aircraft loaded with ammunition and other supplies. The airstrip was also home to a variety of small reconnaissance aircraft and a rest stop for helicopter crews evacuating wounded from nearby battlefields.
Jim’s Military Occupation Specialty (MOS), or essentially his job classification with the 6/27, was 13E. This designation is formally entitled “Cannon Fire Direction Specialist”. Jim also had training as an RTO, or Radio Telephone Operator. A soldier with this training would be able to receive requests over the radio from units under attack on the ground or from in-flight Forward Air Controllers observing groundbased combat. The map coordinates where artillery fire would be needed along with the range and elevation calculations needed to adjust each cannon were communicated to the men in each Battery that fired the cannons. Jim’s position could be likened to a civilian 9-1-1 operator today. If you were in command of soldiers under fire, you radioed for artillery or an air strike. In Jim’s case, these soldiers in need would receive help in the form of an artillery barrage on the attacking enemy.
Jim’s tour of duty at Quan Loi and the RVN overall came to an end after 10 months and 1 day. Jim’s National Guard unit was returned from federal service back to control of the State of Kansas on December 12, 1969. When Jim returned to Kansas, he was still obligated to continue his military service with the National Guard for another 2 years, 3 months and 3 days, with his obligation coming to an end on March 14, 1972.
The 6/27 overall had 14 members Killed-In-Action during the 6-year period it fought in the RVN. As an example of the harrowing level of activity the 6/27 endured, during seven of the 10 months Jim was at Quan Loi, a total of 87,233 artillery shells were fired to support 26,355 fire missions. That averages out to every day getting 125 calls for help and every day 413 shells were fired. The damage caused by this artillery fire included 192 confirmed enemy killed with 92 possible dead. Over 614 bunkers and other enemy structures were destroyed. During this same seven-month stretch, Quan Loi endured 194 mortar and rocket attacks on the base, killing 3 U.S. soldiers and wounding 95.
Jim survived his tour of duty in the RVN with decorations including the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal and the Vietnam Campaign Medal. His tour of duty on earth ended on Oct. 10, 2022, with the titles of Vietnam Veteran, husband of 55 years, father and grandfather.
Banner sponsored by the Family of James Gray
John W. Hahn
Banner sponsored by the John Hahn Family
John P. Hand
John enlisted in the Army on June 5, 1917. In April 1918, John along with a Louisburg buddy, Lawrence B. Connor, left for training at Camp Funston, located at Ft. Riley. John and his buddy were separated shortly after arriving at the camp. John soon received his orders and went to New York, where he transferred to Company A of the 49th Infantry and was then shipped out to the European front. The soldiers landed in France in August 1918. He fought in the Meuse-Argonne offensive which took place Sept. 26, 1918, under the command of Gen. John J. Pershing. Troops attacked German soldiers along the Meuse River and the Argonne forest.
John was born April 5, 1892, on the family farm near Louisburg the only son of C.E. and Belle (Cole) Hand. He had seven sisters. He was a 1911 graduate of Louisburg Rural High School. The local American Legion Post is named in Private Hand’s honor: The John P. Hand Post 250.
Lois Rosner, who would be John’s niece, traveled to France to the cemetery in 1999 following in the steps of her grandmother Belle Hand who traveled to France as a Gold Star Mother in 1930 to see where her son was buried. Lois kept records of her preparation for the trip and noted that 116,000 Americans died in France during WW1 and more than 14,000 of them are buried in the Meuse-Argonne Cemetery.
Information was provided by his great-niece Sharon Rosner Wise. John was a brother to Sharon’s grandmother Nelle Hand Jones.
Banner sponsored by Louisburg American Legion John P. Hand Post 250.
Robert Heck
Banner sponsored by the Heck Family
Earl Eugene (Gene) Kern
After his Air Force service, he attended TWA commercial aircraft school in Kansas City but he decided to work at General Motors, then for the Boilermakers Union, and later, Behm Corporation.
In 1974 he enlisted in the US Army Reserve Unit at Olathe Naval Base as an aircraft mechanic for Chinook and Hewey helicopters. He was also employed as an Army civilian aircraft mechanic full-time at the base. He traveled extensively for training, prepping helicopters for shipment overseas, and flew on new Chinooks to Panama for model upgrades during the Noriega siege. Gene served for 26 years until 1996 when he retired.
Banner sponsored by his wife Linda and their children.
Eddie Kircher
Eddie was a member of the Louisburg American Legion Post 250 and enjoyed gardening and going to dirt track races.
Eddie passed away in June 2016 and was interred at Arlington National Cemetery in May 2017.
Banner sponsored by his daughter Penny Kueser and grandson Jacob Diaz.
Henry Kircher
Banner sponsored by Dennis Kircher and Lisa Mincks.
Arthur Knop
Banner sponsored by the Knop Family.
Walter Knop
Banner sponsored by the Knop Family.
Wayne Knop
(Arthur) Wayne Knop was a Specialist 4 with the 155th Tras. Co and was a 62M20 equipment operator and 11B20 infantry training. He trained at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo., and Ft. Polk, La. He served in Vietnam from January 1970 to April 1971. He was awarded the Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal 2/0S Bars. His grandfather Arther served in WWI and his father served in WWII. He is a lifetime member of the Louisburg American Legion John P. Hand Post 250.
Banner sponsored by the Knop Family.
Welby Knop
Banner sponsored by the Knop Family.
Ralph Kueser
Most assignments were for 5 days: 1 day for delivery, 3 days at the destination, and 1 day to return home. He usually had one assignment per week. That year of escort duty was one of the most learning experiences of his life. He served as an escort for one year in 1948-1949. Shortie was a proud veteran and a member of the Louisburg American Legion for many years. He served as a Chaplain for Post 250 as long as he could.
Banner sponsored by the Ralph Kueser Family
Clarence Lewis
First Lt. Lewis’ plane, from the 21st Tactical Airlift Squadron, 374th Tactical Airlift Wing, 7th Air Force, was struck by an enemy rocket while on a resupply mission at the Kontum Airfield. Three of Clarence’s fellow crewmen died in the crash on May 17, 1972. Co-pilot Lewis was rescued and evacuated to a U.S. Army hospital in Japan where he died of his injuries on May 21, 1972. Information is taken from The Wall of Faces from the Vietnam Veterans Memorial Fund website.
Banner sponsored by the Louisburg American Legion John P. Hand Post 250.
William McClintock
Banner sponsored by his granddaughter Olivia Clark.
John Paul McEwen
Banner sponsored by the McEwen Family.
Sarah McMullen
Banner sponsored by the McMullen Family.
Bill Murphy
Banner sponsored by Charles and Kathy Lewis.
Stephen Pierce
After leaving active duty, Colonel Pierce joined the Kansas Army National Guard where he served until his retirement in 2001. While in the Kansas Guard, his key assignments included Executive Officer and Battalion Commander in the 169th Support Battalion, Plans Officer in the 35th Infantry Division, Executive Officer in the 69th Infantry Brigade, and, finally, as the 35th Infantry Division Chief of Staff until his retirement.
Colonel Pierce attended multiple military schools including Command and General Staff College at Fort Leavenworth, KS, and the US Naval War College for senior military officers in Newport, RI.
He was promoted to Second Lieutenant, on July 30, 1971; First Lieutenant, on July 31, 1974; Captain, on July 31, 1976; Major, on March 29, 1984; Lt. Colonel, on Oct. 17, 1991; and Colonel, on Sept. 26, 1997.
Col. Pierce and his wife Sue retired to Louisburg to enjoy small-town living.
Banner sponsored by Stephanie Anglin
Bud Pope
His banner is sponsored by Virginia Pope and girls, Jenny, Amy and Beth.
Ron Pope
Ron Pope moved to Louisburg in 1958. He graduated from LHS in 1966. He received his draft notice and was inducted into the Army on March 19, 1968. He did his basic and advance training at “Tiger Land” at Ft. Polk, Louisiana. He often said training was done there to get troops used to the heat, swamps, and mosquitoes.
After a month leave, he headed to Vietnam on Aug. 29,1968, his wife Virginia’s birthday. He was in the 199 LIB, Company B, Battalion 3. He served in Vietnam until October 21, 1968. By staying two extra months in Vietnam, he was eligible to discharge immediately on return to the states instead of staying in the service for six additional months. Ron was a sergeant when he was discharged.
Ron received the National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal; Vietnam Campaign Medal; Combat Infantryman Badge; and the Army Commendation Medal while serving in Vietnam.
Ron passed away in February 2013 from kidney and liver failure, both side effects from Agent Orange used in Vietnam.
Banner sponsored by his girls, Virginia, Jenny, Amy, and Beth.
Billy Dean Pottorff
Billy Dean Pottorff, born July 5, 1951, was a life-long native son of Louisburg. Ks. graduating from LHS in 1969. In December 1968, at the young age of 17, he volunteered to serve in the U.S. Army. Billy served 2 tours in Vietnam with the 162nd Aviation Helicopter Co. known as “The Copperheads.”
On April 26, 1970, Billy suffered 2nd and 3rd degree burns on over 25% of his body when the helicopter he was aboard crashed near the Mekong Delta over the capital Province of Ben-Tre, South Vietnam. In June 1971, after a year’s recovery state-side, Billy deployed for his 2nd tour in Vietnam where he once again courageously and heroically served his country. During his two tours, Billy served as Door Gunner, proceeding to Maintenance Repair before his advancement to Crew Chief. During the span of his two tours, Billy was awarded 2 Purple Hearts, numerous “Awards of the Air Medal” and Bronze Stars.
After proudly serving his country in Vietnam from 1969-1972, Billy enlisted in the Kansas National Army Guard. While serving with the 127th Alpha Battery, Billy reached the rank of E-6 Staff Sargent, completing his 12 years of military service to his country.
Banner sponsored by the Billy Dean Pottorff Family
Gilbert Raney
Gilbert Raney was drafted along with many others to serve in the Korean War. His basic Army training was conducted at Fort Chafee near Ft. Smith, Ark. After basic training and additional training school, Gilbert departed San Francisco onboard a troopship and headed to Korea. He served with the 48th Field Artillery Battalion during the war. During his deployment to Korea, he attained the rank of Sergeant. After two years of service in Korea, Gilbert returned to the states and reported to Fort Carson, Colo. It was here he was released from active duty service and placed into the standby reserves as part of the XVI U.S. Army Corps. He was honorably discharged from all service in April 1961. During his service to his country, Gilbert received written commendations from his superiors and the following medals: Korean Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal, United Nations Service Medal, and the Good Conduct Medal.
Banner sponsored by Terry (Raney) Shockey, Sherry (Raney) Manary, and Greg Raney.
Cody Richardson
Cody was deployed to Helmand Province, Afghanistan in 2016 in support of Operation Freedom’s Sentinel.
Banner sponsored by Kelly and Mary Margaret Richardson.
Herman Edwin Rosner
Seaman First Class, U.S.N.R., Ed was killed in action on July 22, 1945, while onboard the USS Marathon when it was hit by a suicide submarine in Buckner Bay, Okinawa, Japan. Ed was the third son of Herman and Anna (Kelly) Rosner of Wea.
Ed was born Feb. 18, 1926, at home in Wea, where he graduated from Wea grade school and attended two years of high school in Bucyrus. He enlisted in the Navy on June 8, 1944, and received his boot training at Great Lakes, Ill. Following boot training, after his only leave home, he was sent to Camp Perry, Va., and then to the base at Seattle, Washinton. Ed was assigned to a troop and cargo ship and saw active duty in Hawaii, Guam, Saipan, Russell Islands and Okinawa Island. He received the Purple Heart posthumously. Information was provided by Sharon Rosner Wise, whose father Francis Rosner was Ed’s brother.
Banner sponsored by Sharon (Rosner) Wise and the Rosner Family.
Terry Rucker
In August 1997, Captain Rucker served as the Assistant Deputy Director of Operations on Operations Team Three in the National Military Command Center for the Joint Staff at the Pentagon. From June 2000 to June 2003, he served as the Executive Officer followed by the Commanding Officer of Navy Recruiting District Kansas City. From September 2003 to January 2006, Captain Rucker was assigned as the Navigator of the USS Ronald Reagan (CVN-76). During the aircraft’s homeport transit from Norfolk, Va., to San Diego, Calif., the USS Ronald Reagan became the first nuclear aircraft carrier in the Naval history to transit the Straits of Magellan.
Captain Rucker was assigned as a Navy Liaison Officer in Colorado Springs, Colo., for Navy Network Warfare Command until his retirement.
Terry is a 1973 graduate of Louisburg High School
Banner sponsored by his mother Dorothy Rucker.
Terry D. Scott
Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy, USN (ret)
Raised in Louisburg, Kans., Master Chief Terry Scott enlisted under the delayed entry program in December 1976. He completed Basic Training in October 1977 and went on to attend Submarine School and Missile Technician “A” and “C” schools. He graduated with academic honors from the U.S. Navy Senior Enlisted Academy in Newport, R.I., in 1990 and has a Bachelor of Science degree from Southern Illinois University.
Master Chief Scott served aboard the submarines USS JOHN ADAMS (SSBN 620) and USS JAMES MADISON (SSBN 627) as Missile Division Leading Chief. Additionally, he served as the Squadron Missile Technician at the forward-deployed base in Holy Loch, Scotland, assigned to Submarine Squadron 14 embarked in USS SIMON LAKE (AS 33). He was “Chief of the Boat” aboard the fast attack submarine, USS JACKSONVILLE (SSN 699), and served as Command Master Chief of Strike Fighter Squadron 192 (VFA 192) based in Atsugi, Japan, deploying aboard USS INDEPENDENCE (CV 62) and USS KITTY HAWK (CV 63). During his career, he completed a total of 15 deployments and patrols to the Arabian Gulf, Indian Ocean, western Pacific, North Atlantic, and the Mediterranean.
Ashore, Master Chief Scott served as Advanced Missile Flight Theory and Checkout instructor for Poseidon and Trident at the Submarine Training Center, Charleston, S.C.; Senior Enlisted Nuclear Weapons Technical Inspector for Commander Submarine Force U.S. Atlantic Fleet; and Command Master Chief at Naval Security Group Activity, Winter Harbor, Maine. In November 2000, he was selected to serve as the CNO-Directed Command Master Chief for Naval Forces Central Command and Fifth Fleet in Manama, Bahrain (an assignment which included Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan). He served as the 10th Master Chief Petty Officer of the Navy from April 22, 2002, until July 10, 2006 (a timeframe which included Operation Enduring Freedom – Afghanistan and Operation Iraqi Freedom – Iraq)
His personal awards include the Navy Distinguished Service Medal, Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Navy Commendation Medal (five), Navy Achievement Medal (four), and various service and campaign awards.
Banner sponsored by Doreen Scott
Wayne Scott
Banner sponsored by Dina Kircher and Diane Jordan.
Harry Truman
Banner sponsored by Nathan and Cindy Apple.
Mike Waite
Banner sponsored by Pam Waite
Chester Watrous
Chester reported for duty on May 24, 1943, at the age of 18 at the U.S. Navy Training Station (USNTS) in Farragut, Idaho, for basic training. Upon graduation, he attained the rank of Apprentice Seaman (AS) and was sent to the Naval Air Technical Training Center (NATTC) in Norman, Okla., for training to become an Aviation Ordnanceman (AOM). Upon completion of this training, Chester attained the rank of Seaman First Class with the AOM designation (S1cAOM) and was transferred to Naval Air Station (NAS) Vero Beach, Fla. Chester’s duties at NAS Vero Beach, as well as at all of his future postings, was to load bombs, torpedoes and install belts of machine gun ammunition on a wide variety of U.S. Navy carrier-based combat aircraft. Chester was promoted to Aviation Ordnanceman Third Class (AOM3c) and was transferred to NAS Hutchinson, Kan., to await orders for transfer to the Central Pacific Theater of Operations. He was eventually assigned to Carrier Air Service Unit (CASU) 32. The members of CASU 32 consisted of a wide variety of sailors with the specialties needed to maintain and arm combat aircraft of the U.S. Navy. CASU 32 was activated on Sept. 1, 1943, and was garrisoned at NAS 27 near the then village of Kahului on the Hawaiian island of Maui. NAS 27 became Kahului Airport after the war with the airport code of OGG. Millions of post-war tourists have flown into this airport not knowing its vital importance during WWII. Chester was still at NAS 27 when the surrender of Japan was announced by President Harry S. Truman on Aug. 15, 1945.
Chester remained at NAS 27 until he had enough points to be mustered out of the Navy, attaining his final rank of Aviation Ordnanceman Second Class (AOM2c). Chester was honorably discharged on April 2, 1946, at the U.S. Navy Personnel Separation Center (USNPSC) in Norman, Oklahoma. Chester was given final separation pay of $87.37 along with a travel allowance of $16.05 for a total of just more than $100.00 to pay for his trip home. Chester’s final service ribbons included the Victory Medal, the American Campaign Medal, and the Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal.
Banner sponsored by his daughters: Cheryl, Debby, Pat, Tammy, Chris & Michelle
Ron Weers
Banner sponsored by Heather Burch.
Clarence Whitaker
He was recognized as a lifetime member of the Louisburg American Legion Post #250. His decades of membership in the VFW, NARF, and ALB were flanked by his unwavering reverence as an Honor Guard and Color Guard whether honoring the passing of his fellow War Veterans by firing volleys into the heavenly blue skies or marching down his hometown Labor Day parades carrying our country’s “Old Glory,” he did so with the deepest devotion, respect, and love of his country.
Banner sponsored by Family of Clarence Whitaker
Karl White
Banner sponsored by the Nick White Family.
Keith White
Banner sponsored by the Keith White Family.
Dale Wise
Banner sponsored by the Wise Family
Earl Wood
Banner sponsored by the Wood Family.
Max Wood
Banner sponsored by the Max Wood Family
Junior York
Banner sponsored by his sons: Jim, Tom & Jack
