Pictured is where the new WW II Memorial Area in the Climax Village Park has been developed. It is hopeful a large plaque recognizing 8 local WW II veterans will be installed by Memorial Day.
(Photos by Bruce Rolfe)
Pictured is one of the two Buddy Benches that have been installed in the Climax Village Park in the area where the new WW II Memorial area.
Area in Climax Village Park nearly completed
By Bruce Rolfe
An area in the northwest corner of the Climax Village Park where a marker recognizing eight World War II Climax area veterans who lost their lives during the war, has received significant enhancements thanks to the Climax Village Council and a Climax resident who has a passion for helping veterans.
The old marker contains the names of Max Bailey, Amos Force, Wilfred Gibson, Dallas Malone, Loyd Puffer, Wesley Simmonds, Carroll Smoke and Fred Trubey.
An idea brought to the Council’s attention by Library, Parks and Cemetery Chairperson Janet Sutherland to make the marker more visible has turned into an impressive project.
Two bushes surrounding the old memorial marker have been removed. The Council approved purchases totaling $3,815.93 for other improvements.
The area was expanded by the Department of Public Works. Pea stone was installed, three dwarf shrubs were planted and a new light pole has been installed to light up the area.
Former Climax Village Council President Jim Cummings asked Climax resident Roger Smith, a member of the American Legion Riders for many years, if he would be interested in helping with the project.
Because there is a large number of veterans who commit suicide each year, Smith requested two Buddy Benches be a part of the area. The Buddy Benches contain a suicide prevention phone number.
“They (Buddy Benches) are a perfect way to reach people that are in need of help but don’t know where to go for help. Not only will they serve the veterans, but they will also serve non-service folks. There are also way too many non-service connected children and adult folks ending their lives way too soon,” said Smith, who said there are 22 current or veteran service men and women that commit suicide each day.
“I am trusting if someone that is having doubts about their life, walks upon these benches, they will use the phone number given to help save their life. At the very least, realize that someone cares. We will probably never know if they help someone, but it is worth the effort. If they save just one life, then they were placed in the right location,” continued Smith.
It is hopeful a 36-inch by 24-inch soldier plaque that will contain the names and some information about the eight Climax WW II veterans, will be installed by Memorial Day. It is also hopeful a three foot soldier plaque base, five service logo plaques for each branch of the military, one service logo plaque base and steel boarder rails will be installed by Memorial Day.
Smith said if the plaques cannot be delivered and installed by Memorial Day, a temporary marker containing information about the eight local veterans will be installed and removed when the permanent markers arrive.
Some information about 8 local WW II veterans on memorial plaque
The Climax Crescent obtained some information about the eight local WW II veterans on the new soldier plaque that will be installed in the Climax Village Park from Climax Crescent archives, the website honorstates.org and a website Smith located information on.
Corporal Loyd M. Puffer
According to a website Smith located, Corporal Loyd M. Puffer was killed in non-battle action in an auto accident, in Italy August 19, 1945. He was an Army Technician 5th Grade Corporal. He was born Jan. 31, 1920. Puffer, who appointed as the minister of the Climax United Methodist Church in 1941, was minister at the local church for about two years.
According to the website honorstates.org, Commendations and Awards Puffer received include the World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, and Army Good Conduct Medal.
Max Robinson Bailey
Army/Technician 5th Grade Max R. Bailey, was killed in action November 8, 1944. He was born November 29, 1920 the son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Bailey, of Climax. According to the March 9, 1945 Climax Crescent he graduated from Galesburg High School in June, 1938. He entered the service November 2, 1942 and went overseas in February, 1944, serving as T/5 in Field Artillery with the Armed service in the European area.
According to the website honorstates.org, Commendations and Awards Bailey received include the World War II Victory Medal, Purple Heart Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, and Army Good Conduct Medal.
Amos “Bing” Laddie Force
According to the August 4, 1944 Climax Crescent Lt. Amos L. Force was killed in action in England, July 19, 1944. According to the website Smith used for research, Amos and his crew were on the B-17 Flying Fortress #42-30851 “Little Boy Blue’ when they departed from Knettishall, Suffolk for a mission to Schweinfurt, Germany. During assembly they had a supercharger malfunction and they crashed near Thurston. Two on the crew survived.
The son of Glady Coburn, Amos was a bombadier on an Eighth A.A.F. B-17 Flying Fortress. He received his 2nd Lieutenant Commission upon graduation from the bombadier school at Kirkland Field, New Mexico on December 4, 1943 according to the August 4, 1944 Climax Crescent.
The January 7, 1944 Climax Crescent notes Amos is credited with receiving the highest scholastic record ever held at Kirtland Field.
The August 4, 1944 Climax Crescent adds, “Bing,” as he was known by his friends, graduated from Climax High School in 1933.
According to the website honorstates.org, Commendations and Awards Force received include the Air Force Medal, Purple Heart, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, and European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign.
Dallas Leroy Malone
According to the website honorstates.org, on October 3, 1944, Petty Second Class Dallas Leroy Malone, of Climax, was killed in action. The website notes Dallas was declared missing in action, lost at sea, sunk in error by the USS Rowell between the Philippines and Indonesia.
He enlisted in the Navy and was a member of the USS Seawolf (SS-197) as a Torpedoman’s Mate Second Class.
According to the website honorstates.org, Malone was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, American Campaign Medal, Navy Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Asian-Pacific Campaign Medal, and Navy Expeditionary Medal.
Wilfred A. Gibson
According to the March 24, 1944 Climax Crescent, a war department telegram received by Mrs. Gertrude Gibson, of Scotts, noted her son, Wilfred A. Gibson, had been missing in action over Austria since February 25, 1944. The March 24, 1944 Climax Crescent notes Wilfred was a tail gunner on a B-24 flying from a base in Italy and had been overseas only a month or two. He enlisted at Fort Custer March 5, 1942.
The website Smith used for research said Wilfred was an Army Air Force sergeant in the 739 Bomb Squad. The website adds Wilfred is buried at Lorraine American Cemetery, Avenue De Fayetteville St. Avold, France.
The March 24, 1944 Climax Crescent notes Wilfred attending Climax Public School, graduating in 1935. He was born Dec. 27, 1914.
According to the website honorstates.org, commendations and awards Gibson received include the World War II Victory Medal, Air Medal, Purple Heart, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, and European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign.
Wesley P. Simmonds
According to the October 16, 1942 Climax Crescent, Private Wesley Simmonds, age 26, and son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Simmonds of Hickory Corners, formerly of Climax, was killed in action in the Solomon Islands.
He enlisted in the Marine Corps in October, 1941.
According to the October 16, 1942 Climax Crescent Wesley was a graduate of Richland High School.
According to the website Smith used for research, Simmonds was a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. The website lists him as missing in action with a casualty date of September 2, 1942.
According to the website honorstates.org, commendations and awards Simmonds received include the World War II Victory Medal, Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, American Campaign Medal, Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Asian-Pacific Campaign Medal, and Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal.
Carroll Lesly Smoke
According to the website Smith used for research, Army Private Carroll Lesly Smoke, died in action in France, June 19, 1944. He was a member of the Medical Battalion. He was born June 20, 1920 and enlisted in the Army April 19, 1943.
According to the website honorstates.org, commendations and awards Smoke received include the World War II Victory Medal, Purple Heart, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, and Army Good Conduct Medal.
Fred Herbert Trubey
According to the website Smith used for research, Army Private Fred Herbert Trubey, was killed in action December 22, 1942. He enlisted in the Army August 26, 1942.
According to the website honorstates.org, commendations and awards Trubey received include the World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, and Army Good Conduct Medal.
An area in the northwest corner of the Climax Village Park where a marker recognizing eight World War II Climax area veterans who lost their lives during the war, has received significant enhancements thanks to the Climax Village Council and a Climax resident who has a passion for helping veterans.
The old marker contains the names of Max Bailey, Amos Force, Wilfred Gibson, Dallas Malone, Loyd Puffer, Wesley Simmonds, Carroll Smoke and Fred Trubey.
An idea brought to the Council’s attention by Library, Parks and Cemetery Chairperson Janet Sutherland to make the marker more visible has turned into an impressive project.
Two bushes surrounding the old memorial marker have been removed. The Council approved purchases totaling $3,815.93 for other improvements.
The area was expanded by the Department of Public Works. Pea stone was installed, three dwarf shrubs were planted and a new light pole has been installed to light up the area.
Former Climax Village Council President Jim Cummings asked Climax resident Roger Smith, a member of the American Legion Riders for many years, if he would be interested in helping with the project.
Because there is a large number of veterans who commit suicide each year, Smith requested two Buddy Benches be a part of the area. The Buddy Benches contain a suicide prevention phone number.
“They (Buddy Benches) are a perfect way to reach people that are in need of help but don’t know where to go for help. Not only will they serve the veterans, but they will also serve non-service folks. There are also way too many non-service connected children and adult folks ending their lives way too soon,” said Smith, who said there are 22 current or veteran service men and women that commit suicide each day.
“I am trusting if someone that is having doubts about their life, walks upon these benches, they will use the phone number given to help save their life. At the very least, realize that someone cares. We will probably never know if they help someone, but it is worth the effort. If they save just one life, then they were placed in the right location,” continued Smith.
It is hopeful a 36-inch by 24-inch soldier plaque that will contain the names and some information about the eight Climax WW II veterans, will be installed by Memorial Day. It is also hopeful a three foot soldier plaque base, five service logo plaques for each branch of the military, one service logo plaque base and steel boarder rails will be installed by Memorial Day.
Smith said if the plaques cannot be delivered and installed by Memorial Day, a temporary marker containing information about the eight local veterans will be installed and removed when the permanent markers arrive.
Some information about 8 local WW II veterans on memorial plaque
The Climax Crescent obtained some information about the eight local WW II veterans on the new soldier plaque that will be installed in the Climax Village Park from Climax Crescent archives, the website honorstates.org and a website Smith located information on.
Corporal Loyd M. Puffer
According to a website Smith located, Corporal Loyd M. Puffer was killed in non-battle action in an auto accident, in Italy August 19, 1945. He was an Army Technician 5th Grade Corporal. He was born Jan. 31, 1920. Puffer, who appointed as the minister of the Climax United Methodist Church in 1941, was minister at the local church for about two years.
According to the website honorstates.org, Commendations and Awards Puffer received include the World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, and Army Good Conduct Medal.
Max Robinson Bailey
Army/Technician 5th Grade Max R. Bailey, was killed in action November 8, 1944. He was born November 29, 1920 the son of Mr. and Mrs. Walter Bailey, of Climax. According to the March 9, 1945 Climax Crescent he graduated from Galesburg High School in June, 1938. He entered the service November 2, 1942 and went overseas in February, 1944, serving as T/5 in Field Artillery with the Armed service in the European area.
According to the website honorstates.org, Commendations and Awards Bailey received include the World War II Victory Medal, Purple Heart Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, and Army Good Conduct Medal.
Amos “Bing” Laddie Force
According to the August 4, 1944 Climax Crescent Lt. Amos L. Force was killed in action in England, July 19, 1944. According to the website Smith used for research, Amos and his crew were on the B-17 Flying Fortress #42-30851 “Little Boy Blue’ when they departed from Knettishall, Suffolk for a mission to Schweinfurt, Germany. During assembly they had a supercharger malfunction and they crashed near Thurston. Two on the crew survived.
The son of Glady Coburn, Amos was a bombadier on an Eighth A.A.F. B-17 Flying Fortress. He received his 2nd Lieutenant Commission upon graduation from the bombadier school at Kirkland Field, New Mexico on December 4, 1943 according to the August 4, 1944 Climax Crescent.
The January 7, 1944 Climax Crescent notes Amos is credited with receiving the highest scholastic record ever held at Kirtland Field.
The August 4, 1944 Climax Crescent adds, “Bing,” as he was known by his friends, graduated from Climax High School in 1933.
According to the website honorstates.org, Commendations and Awards Force received include the Air Force Medal, Purple Heart, World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, and European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign.
Dallas Leroy Malone
According to the website honorstates.org, on October 3, 1944, Petty Second Class Dallas Leroy Malone, of Climax, was killed in action. The website notes Dallas was declared missing in action, lost at sea, sunk in error by the USS Rowell between the Philippines and Indonesia.
He enlisted in the Navy and was a member of the USS Seawolf (SS-197) as a Torpedoman’s Mate Second Class.
According to the website honorstates.org, Malone was awarded the World War II Victory Medal, Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, American Campaign Medal, Navy Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Good Conduct Medal, Asian-Pacific Campaign Medal, and Navy Expeditionary Medal.
Wilfred A. Gibson
According to the March 24, 1944 Climax Crescent, a war department telegram received by Mrs. Gertrude Gibson, of Scotts, noted her son, Wilfred A. Gibson, had been missing in action over Austria since February 25, 1944. The March 24, 1944 Climax Crescent notes Wilfred was a tail gunner on a B-24 flying from a base in Italy and had been overseas only a month or two. He enlisted at Fort Custer March 5, 1942.
The website Smith used for research said Wilfred was an Army Air Force sergeant in the 739 Bomb Squad. The website adds Wilfred is buried at Lorraine American Cemetery, Avenue De Fayetteville St. Avold, France.
The March 24, 1944 Climax Crescent notes Wilfred attending Climax Public School, graduating in 1935. He was born Dec. 27, 1914.
According to the website honorstates.org, commendations and awards Gibson received include the World War II Victory Medal, Air Medal, Purple Heart, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal, and European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign.
Wesley P. Simmonds
According to the October 16, 1942 Climax Crescent, Private Wesley Simmonds, age 26, and son of Mr. and Mrs. Fred Simmonds of Hickory Corners, formerly of Climax, was killed in action in the Solomon Islands.
He enlisted in the Marine Corps in October, 1941.
According to the October 16, 1942 Climax Crescent Wesley was a graduate of Richland High School.
According to the website Smith used for research, Simmonds was a member of Company B, 1st Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division. The website lists him as missing in action with a casualty date of September 2, 1942.
According to the website honorstates.org, commendations and awards Simmonds received include the World War II Victory Medal, Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, American Campaign Medal, Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Asian-Pacific Campaign Medal, and Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal.
Carroll Lesly Smoke
According to the website Smith used for research, Army Private Carroll Lesly Smoke, died in action in France, June 19, 1944. He was a member of the Medical Battalion. He was born June 20, 1920 and enlisted in the Army April 19, 1943.
According to the website honorstates.org, commendations and awards Smoke received include the World War II Victory Medal, Purple Heart, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, and Army Good Conduct Medal.
Fred Herbert Trubey
According to the website Smith used for research, Army Private Fred Herbert Trubey, was killed in action December 22, 1942. He enlisted in the Army August 26, 1942.
According to the website honorstates.org, commendations and awards Trubey received include the World War II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, and Army Good Conduct Medal.
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