Omega WWII Updates - The Rattle, Sept. 1945
As appeared in The Rattle - Vol. XXXIII No. 1 - September-October 1945
MEMORIALS
Wednesday, April 9, 1947, will remain etched in the memory of the brothers of Omega Chapter. On this date, led by Dr. Francis Doan, alumni adviser, brief memorial services were held in honor of the brothers of the chapter who gave their lives for their country in World War II. The climax of the ceremony was dedication of a bronze plaque, donated by the undergraduate and alumni members of Omega Chapter, which has the names of the five brothers inscribed upon it.
The Elks Lodge at Penn State, Pennsylvania, established the Capt. Bruce Gilliard Memorial Award for essay contest for the Omega Chapter alumnus.
World War II Plaque honoring those brothers that gave their lives during World War II
CHAPTER ETERNAL
Sgt. Alexander A. Dow, ’33 - January 1946 died from physical disability received at Dieppe while in service with Canadian Army
Capt. Bruce S. Gillard, ’35, November 7, 1977, in Metz
Pvt. George Harkness, ’39, 1942, in a plane crash in Trinidad
Lt. (jg) Reed G. Held, ’43, 194 over South Pacific
Lt. Robert Gaerthe Coran, ex-’44, June 29, 1944, one of Chennault’s Flying Tigers, over Japanese territory in China
AWARDS
Cpl. Edward Banyer, Silve Star
Lt. J. Bruce Brooks, ex’44, Air Medal 4
Capt. John H. Genther, ’39, Silver Star
Col. Blair E, Henderson, Bronze Star
Capt. Richard H. Knowles, ’39, Bronze Star
John M. Metzger, ’39 (son of Fritz L. Metzger, Norwich, ’03), Air Medal
Lt. Wayne A. Stover, ’38, Air Medal
S/Sgt. Robert P. Thompson, ’43, Silver Star
When S/Sgt. Robert P. Thompson, Penn State, '43, was awarded the Silver Star, the citation stated that on February 22, 1945, near Pizzo di Campiano, he had led a squad that beat off enemy seeking to infiltrate a defensive position. He directed a covering fire that enabled two men caught in a tight spot to withdraw to covered positions and then cleared the ridge of enemy and forced the latter's withdrawal, killing a number in the action.
Capt. Francis K. Richwine, Penn State, '41, was a prisoner of war in Germany from December 19, 1944, to March 28, 1945.
Capt. John A. Genther '39 - Bronze Star
Col. Blair E. Henderson '28, Bronze Star
Capt. Richard H. Knowles '39, Bronze Star
Brig. Gen. Robinson P. Dugg pins Silver Star on S/Sgt. Robert P. Thompson '43