The flag site exits because of the vision and dedication of prior Committees with the generosity of the citizens of Somerset County, PA.
The current Committee is committed to the long-term maintenance of the flag site,
which is dedicated to all Somerset County veterans and to the flag pole which is dedicated to the Flight 93 heroes
If successful, our work will never be finished.

Beyond The Call of Duty

The Flag Site is dedicated to all veterans of Somerset County, PA

Extraordinary courage is very rare; but, found everywhere.
In 2010 we started a project to remember the Somerset County veterans that received our country's highest honors.
The following veterans were born in or lived in Somerset County, PA.

Click on a name to view the citation.

Medal of Honor

The Medal of Honor is the highest award for valor in action against an enemy force which can be bestowed upon an individual serving in the Armed Service of the United States.

CIVIL WAR

FRANCIS MARION CUNNINGHAM
Military records state he was
born 31 DEC 1837, Somerset, PA.
Research confirms 21 DEC 1837,
Upper Turkeyfoot Twp., Somerset Co., PA. Other sources, including his tombstone, list 12 DEC 1837.
Cunningham Only
JOHN WILLIAM MOSTOLLER
born 14 JAN 1843, Stoystown, PA
Mostoller Only

KOREAN WAR

GEORGE HENRY RAMER
born 27 MAR 1927, Meyersdale, PA,
Home of Record, Lewisburg, PA
Ramer Only
CLIFTON T. SPEICHER
born 25 MAR 1931, Gray, PA
Speicher Only

Distinguished Service Cross

The Distinguished Service Cross is the second highest military decoration that can be awarded to a member of the United States Army for gallantry and risk of life in actual combat with an armed enemy force.

WALTER B. JONES  born Somerset, PA

ALVEY C. MARTZ  Home of record: Glencoe, PA

FRANKLIN D. McVICKER  born Somerset, PA

Silver Star

Per the Home of Heroes web site, the Silver Star is the third highest military award exclusively for combat valor, and ranks fifth in precedence of military awards behind the Medal of Honor, the Crosses (DSC/NC/AFC), the Defense Distinguished Service Medal (awarded by DOD) and the Distinguished Service Medals of the various branches of service. It is the highest award for combat valor that is not unique to any specific branch; it has been bestowed by the Army, Navy, Marine Corps, Air Force, Coast Guard and Merchant Marines. 

Jason H. Barron, born 1920 in Somerset, PA, KIA 17 Aug 1944

Awarded the Silver Star "For gallantry in action .... on 31 July 1944. When Lieutenant Barron's platoon received the brunt of a vicious enemy counter-attack he succeeded in locating a mortar squad to lend support to his platoon. He also borrowed a .50 cal. machine gun from friendly troops and directed the fire of mortar and the machine gun on the advancing enemy. His action immediately stopped the counter-attack and forced the enemy to withdrawal to the positions they had previously held. The superior leadership and personal bravery displayed by Lieutenant Barron was an inspiration to his men and reflects great credit upon himself and the Armed Forces.

More can be read about Jason's story at:

www.jasonshelmet.com		 Jason's Helmet

 

 

 

A summary of the above information is available here in pdf format.

 

Please contact the Web Master to recommend additions

We are being supported by the following organizations for the engraving of paving stones to honor the Somerset County Metal of Honor and Distinguished Service Cross winners. To date we recognize the following:

  • VFW Post 7565, Hooversville, PA
  • VFW Post 7295, Berlin, PA
  • VFW Post 8861, Hollsopple, PA
  • American Legion Post 459, Salisbury, PA
  • American Legion Post 445, Berlin, PA
  • American Legion Post 181, Somerset, PA
  • American Legion Post 257, Stoystown, PA

Congressional Medal of Honor Recipients
Somerset County, Pennsylvania
The complete book is available here in PDF format -
Requires Adobe Acrobat.
CLICK on the picture below

THANKS to the veterans organizations above the following permanent memorials were added to the flag site August 2011.