Veterans Interred in the Avenue Archives

Claude G. Johnson

Canfield, OH

U.S. Army – Korea

During the Korean War, wiremen were essential. Phones were the most secure way to communicate because the enemy could intercept radio transmissions, but not phone conversations. Wiremen were the soldiers responsible for constructing, operating, and maintaining the phone networks among various headquarters, outposts, and sometimes forward observers.

In addition to laying wire, they installed telephones and switchboards, operated the switchboards, kept the communications equipment working properly, and recovered the wire whenever possible. It was a challenging and dangerous job.

After being drafted in July, 1952, Claude Johnson completed basic training, then went to Fort Riley, Kansas, to be trained by the 10th Infantry Division as a wireman. He served with an artillery unit, which can involve the hazardous job of running wire from the artillery pieces to forward observers.

Claude was awarded the Korean Service Ribbon, the National Defense Service Medal, and the United Nations Service Medal.

National Defense Service Medal

Korean Service Medal

United Nations Service Medal

Born: 18 March 1932, Detroit Michigan
Entered Military Service: 14 July 1952
Released from active service: 13 April 1954
Died: 27 September 1985

James Howley Briggs

Brooklyn, New York

US Army – Vietnam Era – Europe

James Howley Briggs was born in Brooklyn, New York, on February 27, 1940. After joining the army on January 4, 1963, he was assigned to the Signal Corps and trained as a switchboard operator.

He served in the Allied Forces Central Command in Fontainebleu, France. He received an honorable discharge, early release upon return from overseas service on December 17, 1965.

James was the son of James H. Briggs, Sr. and Ruth L. Briggs. After leaving the army, he worked at Bloomingdale’s Department Store. He liked to travel, and enjoyed being a special uncle to all his nieces and nephews.

SP4 Briggs was interred in the Avenue of 444 Flags during the ossuary dedication on Veterans Day, November 11, 2012.

Allied Forces Central Europe Headquarters in the Palace of Fontainebleu, France, at the time James Briggs was assigned there.

Jerry Lee Reed

Reed, Jerry Lee

Youngstown, Ohio

U.S. Army – Youngstown, Ohio

Jerry Lee Reed was born on 7 December 1928 in Youngstown, Ohio. After joining the army on 29 September 1948 in Youngstown, he was assigned to the 421st Medical Collecting Company as a Medical Aidman.

Jerry was honorably discharged at Oliver General Hospital in Augusta, Georgia, on 3 april 1950, a little less than three months before North Korea invaded the South on 25 June 1950.

This is all we know about Jerry Lee Reed. We would appreciate any additional information you can give us.

Leonard Maro Smith

Smith, Leonard

Smith, Leonard Maro

US Marine Corps, World War II Pacific

The most enduring image of World War II is the raising of the flag on the top of Mt. Suribachi. Leonard Smith, a young Marine who had fought through the invasion of Iwo Jima, was on the mountain when that flag was raised.

That wasn’t his first battle. He arrived in the Pacific area as a rifleman with the 4th Marine Division, the first division to go directly into combat from the United States. That was the battle on the twin islands of Roi-Namur in the Kwajalein Atoll of the Marshall Islands, from 1 February to 14 February 1944. From there, they continued on to fight on Saipan from 15 June to 9 July, then on Tinian from 25 July to 1 August. The battle of Iwo Jima lasted from 19 February t0 16 March, 1945.

Leonard was the first veteran interred in the Avenue of 444 Flags during the ossuary dedication on Veterans Day, November 11, 2012.

Robert J. Gessner

Youngstown, Ohio

U.S. Army – Between Wars (late 1940s)

Robert Joseph Gessner joined the Army on 12 October 1948 in Youngstown, Ohio. He attended the Sheet Metal Work school at the Ordnance School in Atlanta, Georgia. He was honorably discharged on 16 February at the Transportation School in Fort Eustis, Virginia.

After his military service, he worked as a bricklayer apprentice for Russell Pfaff Construction in Youngstown.

Robert was interred in the Avenue of 444 Flags during the ossuary dedication on Veterans Day, November 11, 2012.

He was born in McKeesport, PA, on 25 May 1930.

This is all we know about Robert. We would appreciate any information about him that you could supply (see below).

Sykes Clarence Earl

Sykes, Clarence Earl

Grove City, Ohio

U.S. Army – Post-Korean War

The army has help many people overcome early-life setbacks. Clarence Sykes left school after the seventh grade. On 21 March 1955, at the age of 17, he enlisted in the army. A little over a year later, he completed a GED (General Educational Development) course, thus earning the equivalent of a high school diploma. That was at age 18, about the time he probably would have graduated had he stayed in school.

The GED program was instituted during World War II not as a recruiting tool, but as a program to help to those who were leaving military service. Many soldiers had enlisted while in high school. When their service was coming to an end, they were faced with the problem of re-entering civilian life without the diploma required for enrolling in college. The military developed the GED to overcome this obstacle. There was, at that time, no equivalent program outside the military. That only came after the military program proved to be successful.

Since World War II, a high school diploma has become a requirement for enlistment. At times, when there weren’t enough high school graduates willing to serve, the military made exceptions to allow young people to enlist without a high school diploma if they were willing to complete the GED program while they served their country. It was revived in 2008 when it became to fill shortages caused by the Iraq and Afghanistan conflicts. However, the program was suspended in 2010 when that problem dissipated.

Clarence served pretty close to home. He was assigned as a General Warehouseman at the U.S. Army Garrison, Lordstown Military Reservation, Warren, Ohio. That was Nike Missile Site CL-69 for the defense of Cleveland and nearby cities.

Nikes were ground-to-air missiles that were widely deployed throughout the United States and in other countries.

Clarence was discharged from active duty on 26 March 1958. His home of record at that time was Grove City, Ohio.

If you know more about Clarence Sykes and/or the Lordstown Military Reservation, please contact the webmaster.