Hall of Fame

2015 Nominees

Senator Patty Ritchie

May 14, 2015

Dear Friends:
From Americas founding, citizens from all walks of
life answered our nations call to stand and defend
liberty, freedom, and all we cherish.
Brave men and women fought and died, and many
more returned home to build communities and a
nation that is more just and right. Tonight, we
honor just a few of these heroes, we celebrate their
service and we remember their sacrifice.
Its a small way of saying Thank You for all you
have done--and all you continue to do.
Congratulations to all of our honorees.
Sincerely,

G ROV E R B R I T TO N
Grover Britton proudly served in the Navy during World War
II. He has been a dedicated member of the American Legion
for the past 52 years, and is the longest standing member of
the Hastings-Gorski American Legion.
After leaving the Navy, he joined the Williamstown American
Legion, where he served as the Post Commander. In addition,
Grover has also served as the Oswego County American Legion
Commander.

Hall of Fame

DONALD BUSKE
Donald Buske was born in Oswego and was a graduate of
Oswego High School. He joined the US Army and served in the
European Theater during World War II.
Wounded in action in Luxembourg, Germany, Donald was
awarded a Purple Heart, as well as the Medal of Honor for
personal acts of valor that went above and beyond the call of
duty.

Hall of Fame

B R I A N AW CA M P B E L L
Brian Campbell retired from the US Army after serving in Vietnam,
where he was injured. After his time spent serving his country, Brian
served his community as a member of the Fulton Police Department. In
addition, he also worked with fellow former service members as assistant
director and director of the Oswego County Veterans Agency in Fulton.
In this role, he took great pride in assisting veterans and as a result,
came to be known across the United States for his excellent knowledge
and understanding of legislation affecting current and former members
of our military. In addition, Brian was appointed by the nations first
Secretary of Veterans Affairs, Secretary Edward Derwinski, to serve on
an advisory council in Washington, DC that worked to address issues
facing wartime veterans. He also served his fellow veterans as a member
of the Fort Drum Retiree Council and Dean of New York States American
Legion Service Officers School.

Hall of Fame

JACK COT T E T
After graduation from college, Jack Cottet enlisted in the Air
National Guard Air Crash Rescue and Fire Department and
served in the Air Force from 1966 to 1972. Jack has continued
to stay active in the community and serves on the Board of
Directors for the Cleveland Historical Society. He is one of
the pillars of the Village, known for his keen memory, wit and
ability to think quickly. He has been an institutional member
for the Cleveland Fire Department, and was recognized in 1975
as the Citizen of the Year for the Northshore Ambulance. Jack
is known for always making the best of every situation, and
continues his public service by donating his time and mowing
the lawns of many people in the community.

Hall of Fame

DA LTO N FO S T E R
Although Dalton Foster earned a Cornell University scholarship to help
him pursue a career in science, he decided to take a leave of absence
from his studies as well as ease the financial burden placed on his
parentsby enlisting in the Marines in 1957. Dalton was deployed to
Rota, Spain, where the US Marines played an active role in assisting
and training the Spanish Military against Communist insurgency and
serving as the ultimate deterrent when necessary. After several years of
serving overseas, and being awarded the Good Conduct Medal, Dalton
was honorably discharged in 1960. He returned to his studies at Cornell
University, where he graduated with a Bachelor of Science in Biochemistry
in 1963. Although he retired after a 30 year career with Bristol-Myers
Squibb, Dalton never slowed down. Following his retirement, he helped
the Massena Marine Corps League Detachment #685 collect donations
for Toys for Tots and served as an honor guard at Marine wakes and
funerals. Dalton was also a tireless advocate for the preservation of St.
Lawrence River water levels and was instrumental in helping the town of
Louisville expand its initial public water district.

Hall of Fame

T H O M A S H A N K H E N RY
In 1982 Thomas Hank Henry enlisted as a heavy equipment operator
at West Point, New York with the 528th Engineer Detachment. He then
graduated from the Reclass/Basic Noncommissioned Officer Course, and
went on to the 51st Chemical Company where his platoon conducted the
first decontamination of the Apache attack helicopter in the European
Theater. In 1989, he was assigned to the Fort Drum 10th Medical
Battalion, Charlie Company as NBC NCO, and took part in the worldwide
exercise REFORGER 90. He volunteered to deploy to Iraq in support of
Operation Desert Shield/Storm, before enlisting with the New York State
National Guard, which was activated in support of the Ice Storm of 1998
to assist the community with clean up following the major weather event.
In 2000, Hank enlisted with the Army Reserves, 479th Engineer Battalion
as the Battalion NBC NCO, which was activated in 2003 in support of
Operation Enduring Freedom. Hank followed this with deployments
to Doha, Quatar, in support of CENTCOM operations, and Bagdad, Iraq
twice. He retired in 2014 with 32 years of military service, 28 of it in the
Chemical Corps/Regiment and he has been inducted into The Honorable
Order of the Dragon.

Hall of Fame

W I L L I A M H O GA N
Corporal William Hogan was part of the C Battery 639th in
World War II, where he served as part of an Anti-Aircraft
Artillery and an Automatic Weapons Battalion.
Wounded in action on December 16, 1944 during the Battle of
the Bulge, William received the Purple Heart in recognition of
his service. His battalion helped to liberate the Buchenwald
Concentration Camp, and one of its survivorsLeopald Lowy
has remained friends with William to this day.

Hall of Fame

DONALD KEENEY
Leaving high school early to fight for our freedom, Donald Keeney proudly
joined the US Marine Corps, where he served in the 3rd Amphibious
Marine Division from January 29, 1943 to December 2, 1945, when he
was honorably discharged as a Sergeant. As a Marine, he qualified as an
Expert M-1 Rifle and Amphtrac mechanic. Donald served in the Pacific,
including stints in Guam and Iwo Jima. After returning from the war,
he continued to serve his community in many ways, as a trustee of the
Granby School District, Justice of the Peace in the Town of Granby for 16
years, and Mayor and Trustee of the Village of Fair Haven. After raising
his family, Donald went back to school, earning his high school diploma
from the Fulton City School District in a ceremony that his entire family
attended. A dedicated family man, Donald married his high school
sweetheart, and the couple have been married for 69 years, and have
four children, nine grandchildren, and eight great-grandchildren. While
he has accomplished many things, its often said that one of Donalds
greatest achievements is teaching his family what it means to serve ones
country and be a proud American.

Hall of Fame

J O S E P H M C CA R T H Y
Joseph McCarthy was assigned to Camp Drum as the HQ Company
Commander before volunteering for duty in Vietnam. His military
awards include the Bronze Star for Heroism, two Army commendation
medals, Combat Air Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, and the
New York State Conspicuous Service Medal. Honorably discharged
in 1969, he is currently part of the Ogdensburg AM Vets and local
VFW. Joseph is extremely active in his local community and is the
founder of Ducks Unlimited in Ogdensburg, where he served as
its first president. In addition, he also served as a past president
of the Ogdensburg Minor Hockey Association, and as a volunteer
assistant coach for the Ogdensburg Free Academy Junior Varsity
Football team. In addition, for two decades, Joseph has served as
assistant General Parade Chairman for the Ogdensburg Seaway
Festival.

Hall of Fame

M I CH A E L M C CA R T H Y
After attending Ogdensburg Free Academy and SUNY Canton,
Michael McCarthy enlisted in the US Army Reserves. He is
assigned to Company C, 479 Eng. BN. In honor of his service,
MSG Michael McCarthy has been awarded the 2013 Bronze
Level DeFlurey Medal, presented by the US Army Engineer
Association.
This highly prestigious award recognizes outstanding
leadership and achievement on a national level. Michael is a
member of the Ogdensburg VFW as well as a lifetime member of
the Heuvelton Amvets, where he has volunteered in numerous
youth celebrations.

Hall of Fame

F R E D E R I CK M I L L A R D
Frederick Millard is someone who would let nothing stop him
from serving his country. Having to obtain a special waiver
from his parents, Frederick joined the Navy during WWII.
He was an engineer, and legend has it that his crew made the
longest open ocean voyage on his PT boat.
While out to sea on the Pacific Ocean, his boat faced Kamikaze
raids for two weeks straight. After the war, they rescued
prisoners at a POW camp, many whom had been there since
the beginning of the war. A man who is humble about all he
has done for his fellow service member, Frederick has said we
had a job to do, and that was it.

Hall of Fame

B E R N A R D E . PA LU M B O
A lifelong resident of Watertown, Bernard E. Palumbo put his high school
career on hold to serve his country. Enlisting in the US Navy, Bernard served
in the European Theater of World War II. Most of his time was spent aboard
minesweepers, namely, the USS Chickadee. One of the highlights of his service
was fighting in the Invasion of Normandy one of the largest amphibious
military assaults in history. Bernard was honorably discharged at the rank of
SO 3. Upon his leaving the service, Bernard returned to Watertown to complete
his high school education at Immaculate Heart Academy. It was then, also,
that he rekindled his romance with Sarah Flynnthe classmate whom he
wrote to during his time away, who soon after returning home would become
his wife. Sarah and Bernard married in June of 1949, and the couple had three
children, Jack, Judy and Janet. Bernard worked for more than three decades
in the planning department of Niagara Mohawk, and was also involved in a
number of local organizations, including the American Legion, the Watertown
Elks Lodge and others. An avid outdoorsmen, Bernard also loved to fish and
huntespecially on land he owned on the Tug Hill Plateau. Above all else
though, Bernard was dedicated to his family, who enjoyed spending time with
his wife, children, grand children and many nieces and nephews.

Hall of Fame

G I L B E R T P E A R SA L L
Retiring from the US Army after 22 years as an Infantry Officer,
Gilbert Pearsall served two assignments at Fort Drum, before
retiring. He served overseas on assignments and deployments
to Germany, Somalia and Haiti. His awards and decorations
include the Army Meritorious Service Medal, the Army
Commendation Medal, the Army Achievement Medal, the Joint
Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Commendations,
Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Army Superior
Unit Award, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Humanitarian
Service Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, United National
Medal, Expert Infantryman Badge, Parachutist Badge,
and Ranger Tab. Following his Army career, Gil worked as
the Director of Human Resources for Johnson Newspaper
Corporation in Watertown, New York.

Hall of Fame

DR. EUGENE RENZI

Dr. Eugene Renzi graduated from Watertown High School and Cornell
University, where he was ROTC commissioned as a 2nd LT. He deferred
to finish Medical School and graduated Cornell Medical College in
1957, before doing an internship at Albany Medical and a residency at
Washington Universitys Barnes Hospital. As a Captain in the US Army,
he was then assigned to Wurzburg, Germany 10th Field Hospital as the
Chief of Staff. Upon completion, he returned to Watertown, where he
practiced Obstetrics and Gynecology He also practiced at Wilcox Clinic
on Fort Drum. He was the Chief of Staff of both Mercy Hospital and
Samaritan Medical Center. Outside of his career, Dr. Renzi is extremely
active in his community, serving as the 1980 President of the Medical
Society, and on the Presidents Board of Trustees for Jefferson Community
College for more than a decade. He also served as Chairman of the IHC
Building Athletic Complex, and is a member of the American Legion,
Elks, and the Italian American Club.

Hall of Fame

JACK RU C Y N S K I
Jack Rucynski served as the 7th Command Sergeant Major of the
United States Army Reserve and retired with over 35 years military
experience. In 1962, he enlisted in the United States Army Reseves
and returned to active duty in the Active Guard Reserve Program. He
served in the Republic of Vietnam as a Corporal with the Ninth Marine
Corps Expeditionary Brigade, Third Marine Division.

In between

active duty assignments, he served with the New York State Police as
a Trooper and Investigator with the Bureau of Criminal Investigation.
He received numerous commendations, including three Superintendent
Commendations for undercover drug assignments in the early 1970s.
His awards and decorations include the Distinguished Service Medal,
Legion of Merit, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation
Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Navy Unit Commendation, among
many others. He is a life member of the American Legion, VFW, DAV
and many other organizations.

Hall of Fame

W I L L I A M VO LCKO
William Volcko entered the service on January 11, 1943 in the
204th Engineering Construction Battalion. He retired 40 years
later after having served in both the Army and Army National
Guard. He is an active member of the Sandy Pond Sportsmans
Association, Mexico VFW and Pulaski WFW.
He regularly plays a key role in the Sandy Pond Sportsmans
Associations Memorial Day Ceremony, and still wears the
uniform from the day he retired.

Hall of Fame

Honor to the soldier and sailor everywhere, who

bravely bears his countrys cause.
Abraham Lincoln

New York State Senate

Veterans Hall of Fame
2015