READING, Pa. – The Berks County Board of Commissioners voted Thursday to approve the induction of seven new members into the Berks County Military Hall of Fame.
Jay Ostrich, director of the Berks County Department of Veterans Affairs, noted that the inductees will be formally presented into the hall of fame at the 23rd Annual Veterans Appreciation Dinner Dance on Nov. 8.
Ostrich offered a brief description of each of the inductees during the commissioners meeting.
Private First-Class Lawrence James Deisher, U.S. Army, Vietnam War
“He was born July 9, 1947, and died on June 9, 1966 at the age of 19 years old and just 28 days in the country of Vietnam. He was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for unparalleled bravery and tactical prowess which resulted in the neutralization of an enemy threat. When his squad was engaged by a numerically superior enemy, Deisher was able to dispose of two enemy insurgents. He continued his suppressive fire, allowing his squad to reposition into a more defensible area. With complete disregard for his own safety, he assaulted forward within 15 meters of an enemy machine gun. There he disposed of two more enemies with a well-placed grenade. He was mortally wounded by a burst of enemy machine gunfire.”
Private First Class William W Weitzel, U.S. Marine Corps, Korean War
“Weitzel was awarded the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and agility while serving as an automatic rifleman with Company G, 3rd Battalion, First Marine Division. Private First Class Weitzel, during a six-man recon patrol, was met with a company-sized attack. Very outnumbered and painfully wounded during the initial engagement, he continued to deliver devastating and accurate fire to assist with the withdrawal of the patrol to a nearby outpost. After clearing a path through the protective wire, he carried a wounded Marine to a friendly trench and then continued to deliver suppressive fire. After his weapon became inoperative, he then engaged in hand-to-hand combat. To protect his wounded comrade after the enemy had withdrawn, he refused medical aid and walked to the main resistance and walked to get himself to the other casualties so they could be carried onto stretchers.”
Specialist 4 Kenneth L Wunder, U.S. Army, Vietnam War
“Specialist Kenneth Wunder served in the US Army from July 3, 1968, until his honorable discharge on January 1, 1974. During that time, he served two tours in Vietnam. When he came back home, he noticed a shortage of resources and camaraderie here in Berks County, so in 1980, Wunder became an advocate for veterans in our area. He first started a veteran suicide hotline right from his home at his own expense. In 1983, he and his wife Marcella started Chapter 131 of the Vietnam Veterans of America. He was then the first delegate sent to the National Convention in 1983, and at that convention he received certification for Chapter 131, where he served later as president for five years. The chapter that he had started with just 25 members is now thriving as the largest veteran’s community here in Berks County.”
Lance Corporal Larry D. Hoch, U.S. Marine Corps, Vietnam War
“Lance Corporal Hoch was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in action while serving as a squad leader in Company G, Second Battalion, First Marine Division with combat operations all throughout Vietnam. On May 5th, 1967, the platoon was preparing a night defensive position when his Marines came under attack by a North Vietnamese platoon. With complete disregard to his own safety, Lance Corporal Hoch moved from one Marine position to the other, controlling and directing his squad’s fire. Corporal Hoch was seriously injured during the mortar attack and when he saw his assistant squad leader exposed to the mortar attack, he threw the Marine to the ground and covered him to shield him from more mortar fragments. While engaged in this action, Corporal Hoch was mortally wounded. His heroic actions saved the life of his fellow Marine.”
Tech 5 Arnold O. Blattel, U.S. Army, World War II
“Tech 5 Arnold Blattell was assigned as a tank driver to Company A, and what a journey he had. They landed on Omaha Beach on June 11, 1944, and they got right into it. The official record of Omaha reports that the tanks were leading a hard life. And then according to a second battalion commander, the tanks saved the day. Blattel subsequently saw action in northern France, the Ardennes, Rhineland and Central Europe campaigns. His unit was heavily involved in the advance in determining crossing the Rhine River to capture Cologne and liberating two concentration camps. In 231 days in combat, his parent unit, the Third Armored Division, lost 2,650 men, with another 7,331 wounded.”
Staff Sergeant Richard J Palsgrove, U.S. Army, World War II
“Staff Sergeant Palsgrove served in World War II as a heavy mortar crewman. He fought in Algeria, France, Morocco, Tunisia, and Sicily before landing in the second wave on Omaha Beach. Once on the European continent, he fought in Normandy, Northern France and the Rhineland, Ardennes and Central Europe campaigns. He was awarded a Bronze Star with V device for his heroic actions in connection with enemy actions. After his honorable discharge from the army, he then joined the Pennsylvania Air National Guard in 1980. After a career of service since 1942, then Master Sergeant Palsgrove retired with nearly. 37 years of military experience.”
First Lieutenant Edward Zglenski, U.S. Army, Vietnam War
“First Lieutenant Edward Zglenski was awarded the Bronze Star Medal with V device and a Silver Star for his actions in Vietnam. The Silver Star was awarded to him for gallantry in action. On Nov. 30, 1968, while serving as a platoon leader with Company C, First Battalion, 27th Infantry, on a recon force operation, elements of his unit encountered a numerically superior enemy force. In the initial exchange of fire, the unit sustained several casualties which included a platoon leader and a point squad leader. Immediately, First Lieutenant Zglenski maneuvered his platoon into position where he could direct fire from both platoons. With complete disregard of his own safety, First Lieutenant Zglenski organized a carrying party to evacuate his fellow soldiers when the enemy attempted to outflank, he shifted his unit to suppress the attack warning. The Bronze Star came from actions on March 7, 1969 for actions under fire where he again exposed himself to hostile enemy fire, ensuring his men were amply supplied with ammunition.”
Board Chair Christian Y. Leinbach said the annual event is meant to honor those veterans that have gone above and beyond their call of duty. “They put their lives in jeopardy and in some cases, giving their lives in exchange for the lives of their comrades,” Leinbach said.
Commissioner Dante Santoni Jr. said it is heartwarming to hear the stories of the seven men.
“And they so justly deserve to be inducted into our Hall of Fame,” Santoni said. “And thank you to these gentlemen for making this country the greatest country on the face of the earth.”
Commissioner Michael S. Rivera expressed similar sentiments.
Leinbach further noted that the public should understand that there is no mandate for counties to provide veterans services or to even have a veteran’s department.
“Berks County not only has a Veterans Affairs department, but I believe it’s one of the best you’ll find in the entire country,” Leinbach said. “And when you look at the results of what your team does, there’s no question about the service to our veteran’s community.”