Arthur Lyle Postance • Air Force • 1938 – 2005 • Cold War • My Dad was not only a USAF veteran but served in the Merchant Marines. He worked as a civilian for the Army until his retirement in 1994. He was patriotic til the end and always supported his fellow servicemen.
James D Smith
James D Smith • Air Force • 1963 • James enlisted in the Air Force right after graduating high school. During his tour of duty he was fortunate to travel to several countries while serving his own.
Richard Francis Thompson
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.
Russell A. Bender
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.
Cory Evans
Cory Evans • Air Force • 1984 – • Integrity First, Service Before Self, Excellence In All We Do
Jack Kimberlin
Jack Kimberlin • Air Force • 1921-2012 • WWII • As a pilot of a B-17 Aircraft, Jack made 35 successful bombing missions in Europe. Later in the War, he became a flight instructor of B-17 pilots. He was instrumental in construction of many business structures and homes in the Clifton Forge area. He was owner of Kim-Stan Incorporated, owner and operator of Virginia Coal and Supply in Clifton Forge, and was former owner and operator of the Valley Ridge Water System.
