Dedicated to the 137 Minneapolis Edison Tommie alumni that died in service to the country during World War 2, the Korean War, and the Vietnam War
Remember Richard Humenick today. Richard is the youngest Edison Hero to die in combat during World War 2. He was only 17 years 10 months old when he was killed in action during the Battle of Okinawa. Lear more about Richard here.
Richard is 1 of 134 Edison Heroes who died in service to the country. Learn about the others here.
Today is the 80th anniversary of V-J day. The day that Japan offered their unconditional surrender to the Allies, and the end of World War 2.
Japan surrendered after the Allies conducted a months long conventional bombing campaign of 64 Japanese cities, and dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima (August 6, 1945) and Nagasaki (August 9, 1945).
Starting with the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor, over 111,600 US service members were killed in the war with Japan. 26 Edison Heroes are included in that total.
It is estimated that over 36 million people (civilian and military) died in the war with Japan.
Had Japan not surrendered, a planned land invasion of Japan would have likely extended the war by over a year, and resulted in up to 800,000 additional deaths of US personnel.
Remember Joseph Olejarka today. Joseph was killed in action near Seoul, Korea on 30Sep1950. He was the first Edison Hero to be killed in the Korean War. Learn more about Joseph here.
Joseph is the 2nd of 7 Edison Heroes from the Korean War to be features on this site.
Remember William Mueller today. William was a highly decorated fighter pilot who was killed in action 81 years ago today.
Previously featured on this site, new pictures and information have been added to his page.
Learn more about William here.
Remember Irving Knealing today. Irving died of wounds from German artillery fire while fighting in France on 19July1944.
Learn more about Irving here.
Irving is the 64th Edison Hero featured on this site.
Learn about the others here.
Remember Warren Hendrickson today. Warren was a Fireman 2nd Class aboard the USS McKean. Warren was killed on 17Nov1943 when his ship was sunk in a Japanese torpedo attack. Learn about Warren here.
Warren is the 63rd Edison Hero (of 134) profiled on this site.
Learn about the others here.
Remember Robert Borchardt today. Robert was with a medical detachment of the 71st Infantry Regiment when he was wounded in action on 13Nov1944. He succumbed to his wounds the following day.
Learn more about Robert here.
Robert is the 62nd Edison Hero (of 134) profiled on this site.
Learn about the others here.
Remember Richard Davis today. Richard was a 1961 graduate of the United States Military Academy at West Point. He was killed in action by sniper fire on 10May 1967 while serving with the Army in Vietnam.
Learn more about Richard here.
Richard is the first of 11 Edison Heroes who died in service during the Vietnam War to be featured on this site.
He is the 61st of 134 Edison Heroes profiled to date.
Learn about the others here.
Today is a good day to remember the 134 Edison Heroes who gave their lives in service to our country. It is also a good day to think about the thousands of Edison men and women who have served in the armed forces since 1922. Whether drafted, or enlisted voluntarily, they’ve all answered the call to serve our nation. They put their lives on hold, and at risk, so that we can enjoy the holiday weekend, spending time with friends and family, and celebrating the 249th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independance.
The Silver Star Medal (SSM) is the United States Armed Forces’ third-highest military decoration for valor in combat. The Silver Star Medal is awarded primarily to members of the United States Armed Forces for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States.
The Silver Star Medal is awarded for gallantry. The gallantry displayed must have taken place while in action against an enemy of the United States, while engaged in military operations involving conflict with an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly foreign forces engaged in an armed conflict against an opposing armed force in which the United States is not a belligerent party.
The Silver Star Medal is awarded for singular acts of valor or heroism over a brief period, such as one or two days of a battle.
Edison Hero Lucien Houle was awarded the Silver Star for actions in Tunisia in 1943. While other Edison Heroes are reported to have won the Silver Star, Lucien’s award is the first that has been confirmed.
Lucien’s Silver Star citation has been added to his page.
Read the citation here.
Edison Heroes 