Honoring Our Veterans

Colonel Stephen Lampo

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Colonel Stephen Lampo • Marines • 1941 – 1991 • Vietnam • Colonel Stephen Lampo, United States Marine Corps

Silver Star Recipient

The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the Silver Star to First Lieutenant Stephen F. Lampo (MCSN: 0-101221), United States Marine Corps, for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as an Assistant Liaison Officer with the First Army of the Republic of Vietnam Division in connection with military operations against the enemy in the Republic of Vietnam. On the morning of 31 January 1968, the Hue Headquarters of the Military Assistance Command Vietnam came under intense hostile rocket and mortar fire supporting an aggressive ground attack by a large North Vietnamese Army force. When his unit sustained several casualties, First Lieutenant Lampo assisted in moving the wounded to a helicopter landing zone and, undaunted by the hostile fire impacting around him, quickly embarked the casualties aboard the medical evacuation helicopter. Later in the day, a convoy of reinforcements was ambushed near his unit’s position. Upon being informed of the situation he rapidly organized a reaction force and led the men to the ambush site. Arriving at the location he ignored the hostile fire and embarked several casualties aboard a vehicle which delivered them to a medical facility. Continuing his determined efforts, he unhesitatingly returned to the hazardous area and transported the remainder of the wounded men to the aid station. On numerous occasions during the period 31 January to 7 February 1968, First Lieutenant Lampo fearlessly exposed himself to hostile fire in order to supervise the evacuation of casualties and the movement of critically needed supplies from the helicopter landing zone to his unit’s position. On one occasion, he skillfully led a six man patrol to retrieve a vast amount of weapons and ammunition which had been abandoned in a building 300 meters from his unit. Arriving at the site, the men came under a heavy volume of hostile fire. Reacting instantly, he directed the delivery of suppressive fire upon the hostile emplacements forcing the enemy to flee. By his courage, superb leadership and unwavering devotion to duty, First Lieutenant Lampo inspired all who served with him and upheld the highest traditions of the Marine Corps and of the United States Naval Service.

Uncommon Valor was a Common Virtue

William Cook

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William Cook • Marines • 1965 – Present • First Gulf War • Years of service: 1989 to 2017

Bill Cook joined the Marine Corps in 1989 and retired as a Lieutenant Colonel in the USMC Reserves in 2017. Bill served with various Marine Corps units to include the Marine Corps Recruiting Command, Echo Company 2/25 in Harrisburg, PA, India Battery 3/14 in Reading, PA, Security Branch for Plans, Policy and Operations in the Pentagon, Combat Service Support Detachment 41 in Marietta, GA, Strategic Weapons Facility Atlantic in Kings Bay, GA, and 9th Motor Transport Battalion in Okinawa, Japan during the Gulf War in 1990.

Bill’s father was Carlton P. Cook, uncle was 2nd Lt. Richard F. Thompson, and Brother-in-law was Colonel Stephen Lampo.

Bill joined the Organic Remedies team in 2019 and is currently the Director of Security and Logistics.

Richard Francis Thompson

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Richard Francis Thompson • Air Force • 1926 – 1945 • World War II • United States Air Force, 2nd Lieutenant Richard F. Thompson was a B-29 Superfortress Bombardier in World War II. On January 3, 1945, this aircraft took off from Isley Field on Saipan armed with incendiary bombs as one of ninety-seven B-29s on a bombing mission against the port facilities and urban areas of Nagoya. On return flight from the bombing mission, the B-29 crashed on Anatahan Island, killing the entire crew on impact. Stranded on Anatahan Island was a group of Japanese shipwreck survivors. After the B-29 crashed, the Japanese survivors used the metal from the aircraft to fashion crude implements such as pots and knives. The oxygen tanks were used to store water, clothing was made from the nylon parachutes, and cords were used as fishing lines. 2nd Lieutenant Richard Thompson is buried at Bethlehem United Methodist Church Cemetery in Thornton, PA.

William W Weibley

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William W Weibley • Army • 1921 – 2010 • WWII • William “Bill” Weibley served as a T5 Army Conductor during WWII from 1943-1946. T5, Technician fifth grade, was a rank of the United States Army from 1942 to 1948. The rank was created to recognize enlisted soldiers with special technical skills, but who were not trained as combat leaders.

Carlton Pechin Cook

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Carlton Pechin Cook • Army • 1918 – 1998 • World War II •

Carlton P. Cook was born May 10, 1918, in Malvern, PA., and died on May 20, 1998, in Coatesville, PA.
PFC Cook enlisted in the United States Army in 1941 and completed combat tours in Italy and North Africa during World War II as part of the 34th Infantry Division of the United States Army.

Brett Schwalm

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Brett Schwalm • Army • 1981 – • Operation Iraqi Freedom 3 & 5 • 3rd Infantry Division, 5/7 cavalry purple heart recipient.
Ft. Stewart, Ga

Harland E. Carney Jr.

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Harland E. Carney Jr. • Army • 1927 – 2010 • Lieutenant Colonel of the United States Army. Pah, my beloved Grandfather.
Happy Veteran’s Day to all who have sacrificed their lives for my freedom.
-Mary

Russell A. Bender

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Russell A. Bender • Army, Air Force • 1924 – 2016 • WWII • Russell A. Bender Served in Europe during WWII as part of the 386th Bomb Group of the 9th Air Force. He was a tail gunner on the B-26 Marauder, and later as a gunner on the A-26 Invader. After the war he worked hard, raised a family, retired and lived out his remaining days toying in his garden and teaching his grandkids wonderful life lessons. Russell was passionate about making sure every veteran who passed in his community received full military honors at their funerals. Russell served in the VFW Post 1599 honor guard for many years until his health could no longer allow. Pap was truly a Hero and is missed dearly.