By TED POTTS
The Cambria County Military Hall of Fame will enshrine eight new members on Saturday.
The Hall of Fame is inside Cambria County War Memorial Arena on Napoleon Street in downtown Johnstown.
The latest inductions will boost the Hall’s membership to 32.
Saturday’s ceremony will take place at 11 a.m. in the arena’s main lobby, said Martin J. Kuhar, chairman of the War Memorial Veterans Committee.
The new inductees are:
• Army Gen. Jacob M. Campbell, Civil War, Johnstown.
• Army Staff Sgt. Joseph P. Perehinec, World War II, Gallitzin.
• Navy Seaman 1st Class Herman J. Teeter, World War II, Conemaugh.
• Army 1st Lt. Gervase E. Eckenrod, World War II, Cresson.
• Army Air Force Maj. John R. Hoover, World War II, Cresson.
• Marine Corps Sgt. Earl J. Mowery, World War II, Johns-town.
• Army Sgt. Joseph W. Urish, World War II, Revloc.
• Army Capt. John B. Zanin, Korean War, Blacklick Township.
The ranks listed are those the honorees held at the time in their military service for which their enshrinement into the hall of fame is predicated on.
Zanin is the only one of the new inductees still living, now making his home in Virginia, Kuhar said.
He said the public is encouraged to attend Saturday’s enshrinement ceremonies.
“And I extend a special invitation to any relatives of the inductees to come to the arena for the ceremonies,” Kuhar said.
Those wanting more information may call Kuhar at 255-7209.
Members of the Veterans Committee will read the citations accompanying each man’s induction. Each inductee also will receive a proclamation from State Sen. John Wozniak, D-Westmont, that will be read by the committee members.
Members of Geistown Veterans of Foreign Wars Post 155 Ritual Team will post and retire the colors and play Taps.
Stephanie Keklak will sing the national anthem.
The Rev. Julius Porcher, a member of the Veterans Committee, will ask the invocation and pronounce the benediction.
Kuhar will be master of ceremonies and offer welcoming remarks.
Those selected for the hall must have been awarded the Medal of Honor, a distinguished service cross, achieved a rare high position of leadership in the armed forces or brought national recognition to Cambria County by their participation in a historical event for the U.S. while in the military.
The first inductees were enshrined in 2006.
Why they were chosen
• Army Gen. Jacob M. Campbell. He commanded the famed 54th Regiment Volunteer Infantry from 1862 to 1865, always holding front lines during numerous Civil War engagements throughout Pennsylvania, Maryland, Virginia and West Virginia. After returning to civilian life, he was elected in 1876 to the U.S. Congress. He is buried in Grandview Cemetery.
• Army Staff Sgt. Joseph P. Perehinec. While with the Army’s 9th Division in World War II, he was killed in action June 16, 1944, while showing extraordinary heroism in military operations in France. He received the Army’s Distinguished Service Cross.
• Navy Seaman 1st Class Herman J. Teeter. While with the Normandy Invasion Forces in World War II, he was serving aboard a Naval landing craft during the D-Day amphibious assault on June 6, 1944. When the craft exploded after hitting a mine, Teeter directed the evacuation of the wounded who were clinging to nets and rafts until help arrived. He received the Navy Cross.
• Army 1st Lt. Gervase E. Eckenrod. While with the Army’s 26th Division in World War II, he was a company commander in Germany on Nov. 29, 1944, when he was wounded twice while leading his unit through a series of assaults, showing disregard for his life and holding his position, inflicting heavy casualties until overrun by enemy forces. He received the Distinguished Service Cross.
• Army Air Force Maj. John R. Hoover. While with the 8th Air Force, he exhibited extraordinary heroism as a photographic reconnaissance pilot against enemy forces on D-Day, June 6, 1944, flying exceptionally low to obtain vital photographs of enemy forces. He also volunteered to fly the first shuttle mission to Russia in spite of hazardous weather and then to Italy, returning with important photos from deep in enemy
territory June 16-19, 1944. He received the Distinguished Service Cross.
• Marine Sgt. Earl J. Mowery. While with the 1st Marine Division, he displayed extraordinary heroism at Guadalcanal on Aug. 21, 1942. When his platoon leader’s tank became stranded in a ditch, he drove up and – despite heavy enemy fire – climbed from his own tank and saved the entire crew with a disregard for his own safety. He received the Navy Cross.
• Army Sgt. Joseph W. Urish. While with the 5th Ranger Battalion he showed extraordinary heroism against enemy forces in France on June 10, 1944. Leading a patrol just before an attack on a shore battery, he persuaded all 167 battery members to lay down their arms and surrender from the position they could have held for days. He received the Distinguished Service Cross.
• Army Capt. John B. Zanin. While with the 25th Division during the Korean War, he exhibited extraordinary heroism near Wonsan on Aug. 11 and 12, 1950. He voluntarily exposed himself to constant heavy fire to personally develop the battalion’s left flank while adjusting supporting fire against enemy superior forces. He later was seriously wounded in the action. He received the Distinguished Service Cross.
