WORLD WAR II SERVICE PLAQUES IN WHITING Frank Vargo January 2020

This year marks the 75th anniversary of the end of World War II. With the death of Adolf Hitler and the surrender of Nazi Germany (V-E Day) in May of 1945, the war in Europe was over. That left the Allies with the task of defeating the Empire of Japan. The Japanese, under the orders of their emperor, Hirohito, vowed to never give up and fight to the death if need be. It took the dropping of two atomic bombs by the United States for Japan to realize that they could not be victorious. The representatives of the emperor signed the documents of surrender on board the battleship Missouri on September 2, 1945, thus ending WW II, which had started on September 1, 1939, with the Nazi invasion of Poland.

Like cities, towns and villages all over America, Whiting did its part to help the war effort. From scrap drives, rationing of everyday products like gas and sugar, to the purchasing of millions of dollars in War Bonds, citizens of Whiting did their best to support our nation. Their most important sacrifices came, however, when their sons and daughters left home to serve their country.

To honor these young men and women, many places erected Service Plaques with the names of these soldiers proudly posted for all to see. Some of these plaques were simple, some very ornate. Research in the archives of our historical society as well as reviewing editions of The Whiting Times, has led to the discovery of 7 such plaques in the city of Whiting.

A Service Plaque was located at the corner of John Street and Schrage Avenue. Each display case had the words “Our Boys in Service” above the lists of 80 men and one woman who lived on Schrage and White Oak Avenues as well as John Street. Rev. John J. Lach, pastor of Immaculate Conception Church, delivered the dedicatory address and speeches were given by Mayor James T. McNamara as well as other dignitaries. The committee on arrangements was made up of Paul Demkovich, John Tobias, Andrew Trgovich and John Wagner.

Most of those living in this area were immigrants from Eastern Europe. John Wagner was a good example. He arrived in Whiting in 1909 from Slovakia (ruled at the time by Austria-Hungary) and found work at the Standard Oil refinery. He had four sons, John, Joseph, Paul and Charles. All four of their names are listed in the last column on the left plaque. They all served and returned safely from the war.

A large replica of the United States Capitol Building was part of the Honor Roll Plaque located at the home of the Vidovich family, 1238 West Fred Street. Lawrence, the father, was a Whiting police officer and his sons

Lawrence Jr. and Joseph were in the service. A crowd of hundreds of family members, friends and neighbors gathered for the dedication in June 1944. City officials, clergy and American Legion members took part in the ceremonies.

The April 5, 1945, issue of The Whiting Times carried the sad news that Pvt. Lawrence Vidovich was killed in action on February 13 in France while fighting with the Seventh Army. Pvt. Vidovich had been honorably discharged from the service in late 1943, but re-enlisted in April 1944 and was sent overseas in September. He was 22 years old.

Another plaque was located at the intersection of Community Court and Indianapolis Boulevard. It was dedicated in July 1943. The article in The Whiting Times stated that “Twenty-one young Americans were honored on Friday evening at 7:30 o’clock with the raising of the American flag and the unveiling of a Service Plaque. Whiting Mayor James T. McNamara was the main speaker.”

Judge Dewey Kelly of the Whiting City Court served as master of ceremonies. In charge of the program were Emil Grcevich, Joseph Ondrejko and Nate Saltzman.

Also in July of 1943, the residents of Euclid Avenue had a flag raising and plaque dedication ceremony. The Rev. John Lefko of St. John the Baptist Catholic Church gave the invocation. Speeches were given by Mayor James T. McNamara and Mrs. Peter Demas, president of the World War II Mothers’ club. Home on leave, Cpl. William Ciesar had the honor of unveiling the service plaque.

Neighbors on Davidson Place gathered to dedicate the plaque and flag which they located between two homes on their block. We could not find any information as to the date or exact location.

The only information we have about the dedication of an Honor Roll Service Plaque and flag pole at the corner of Steiber Street and New York Avenue is found in the program from November 21, 1943. We could not find an article about it in The Whiting Times.

In September of 1944, another Service Plaque and flag were dedicated at the corner of Fischrupp Avenue and Clark Street, across from the Community House. The plaque contained the names of 78 men and women then in service, all of whom resided on Fischrupp Avenue between Schrage Avenue and Clark Street.

Forty-one families are represented and four gold stars are on the plaque in honor of those who have made the supreme sacrifice for their country.

The 1946 edition of the Whiting High School Reflector printed a page dedicated to those Whiting High School alumni who died in World War II.

Perhaps there were other Service Plaques or Honor Rolls that were located in Whiting during WW II, but the Whiting/Robertsdale Historical Society has no knowledge of their existence. If anyone does have any information or pictures about them, please email me at fjvargo48@gmail.com. Likewise, any other WW II pictures and information would be welcomed additions to our collections.

The article next month will cover the Robertsdale area Service Plaques, including the large Honor Roll display at Clark High School.