LAST SALUTE SUPPORTS NJ RUN FOR THE FALLEN AT TOM’S RETREAT
Category: In Memory
Bell Haven Memorial Rock Garden Ceremony 2023
Harry Hartmann Korean War POW Died in Action
MANY MORE PHOTOS TO BE UPLOADED PLEASE CHECK BACK
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency (DPAA) announced that U.S. Army Pfc. Harry J. Hartmann, Jr., 19, of Mays Landing, New Jersey, who died as a prisoner of war during the Korean War, was accounted for July 13, 2022.
In the fall of 1950, Hartmann was a member of E Company, 2nd Battalion, 8th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. He was reported missing in action on Nov. 2 during fighting near Unsan, North Korea. Repatriated POWs reported he had been captured and held as a prisoner of war at Camp #5, Pyoktang, North Korea, where he died on or around March 31, 1951.
During Operation GLORY in the fall of 1954, 495 sets of remains from burial grounds around Camp #5 were returned to United Nations Command. All but 38 were identified. Those remains were buried as Unknowns at the National Memorial Cemetery of the Pacific, also known as the Punchbowl, in Honolulu, Hawaii, in 1956.
In September 2019, during Phase 2 of DPAA’s Korean War Disinterment Project, X-14617 Operation GLORY was disinterred from the Punchbowl as part of the planned exhumation of Operation GLORY burials originating from Camp #5, and transferred to the DPAA Laboratory at Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam, Hawaii for analysis.
To identify Hartmann’s remains, scientists from DPAA used dental and anthropological analysis, as well as circumstantial evidence. Additionally, scientists from the Armed Forces Medical Examiner System used mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) analysis.
Hartmann’s name is recorded on the Courts of the Missing at the Punchbowl, along with the others who are still missing from the Korean War. A rosette will be placed next to his name to indicate he has been accounted for.
A procession for PFC. Hartmann will begin, 10:30am, June 10th, 2023, at 6101 Thirteenth St., Mays Landing, proceeding down Route 50 south, making a left onto Main St; passing the War Memorial Park, where those who would like to pay tribute may view the procession, and then continuing onto Holy Cross Cemetery.
Memorial Day 2023 – 21 Klick Combat Load Road March From Absecon To Brigantine Carrying The Prayer Box To Honor The Fallen
Coast Guard Helicopter Squadron Atlantic City Memorial 5K
MEMORIAL PRAYER BOX HONOR TOUR OF 3 MILITARY BASES April 2023
Christopher Bland
THERE WERE TWO (2) SERVICES FOR CHRIS. PLEASE NOTICE THAT THERE ARE TWO(2) IMAGE GALERRIES. YOU WILL HAVE TO SCROLL DOWN ALL THE WAY TO SEE THE SECOND.
There are over 350 images uploaded here and MORE video will follow soon. Please check back.
THE SECOND GALLERY FROM THE SECOND SERVICE IS BELOW. NOTICE THAT BOTH GALLERIES HAVE TWO (2) PAGES.
Jack and James McGreevey at Governor’s Mansion
Multiple cameras were used so photos are not in order.
William Whitworth
Hershel “Woody” Williams Medal of Honor WWII
Funeral photos and much more below. Some videos are still in editing. Check back for new uploads.
A true American hero. Hershel “Woody” Williams has passed. The last remaining WWII Medal of Honor recipient. A legend in the United States Marine Corps. Woody received the nation’s highest honor for his selfless and incredibly brave acts on Iwo Jima. He was awarded the Medal of Honor by then President, Harry S. Truman.
Last Salute was extremely honored to know Woody. He worked tirelessly to help his fellow veterans. He helped Last Salute honor those we carry in our “Prayer Box” and fired the cannon in their honor.
Here are photos from Woody’s memorial funeral service on July 3rd 2022
Below, is the citation detailing why Hershel “Woody” Williams was awarded the Medal of Honor
For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty as demolition sergeant serving with the 21st Marines, 3d Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Iwo Jima, Volcano Islands, 23 February 1945. Quick to volunteer his services when our tanks were maneuvering vainly to open a lane for the infantry through the network of reinforced concrete pillboxes, buried mines, and black volcanic sands, Cpl. Williams daringly went forward alone to attempt the reduction of devastating machine-gun fire from the unyielding positions. Covered only by four riflemen, he fought desperately for four hours under terrific enemy small-arms fire and repeatedly returned to his own lines to prepare demolition charges and obtain serviced flamethrowers, struggling back, frequently to the rear of hostile emplacements, to wipe out one position after another. On one occasion, he daringly mounted a pillbox to insert the nozzle of his flamethrower through the air vent, killing the occupants, and silencing the gun; on another he grimly charged enemy riflemen who attempted to stop him with bayonets and destroyed them with a burst of flame from his weapon. His unyielding determination and extraordinary heroism in the face of ruthless enemy resistance were directly instrumental in neutralizing one of the most fanatically defended Japanese strongpoints encountered by his regiment and aided vitally in enabling his company to reach its objective. Cpl. Williams’ aggressive fighting spirit and valiant devotion to duty throughout this fiercely contested action sustain and enhance the highest traditions of the U.S. Naval Service.
Prayer Box at Parris Island
On May 3rd 2022 at 0400 hours members of Last Salute military funeral honor guard were picked up at the honor guards headquarters by the United States Marine Corps and flown to Parris Island South Carolina, the legendary location of the Marine Corps “Boot Camp”.
Last Salute and the Marine Corps joined together on a mission to honor all the fallen heroes placed into Last Salute’s Prayer Box by their families.
Each and every prayer card, photo and keepsake including many dog tags were carefully placed into an “assault pack” (military back pack). The pack was carried for the next 5 days by a member of Last Salute.
This was no ordinary simple visit to Parris Island. Last Salute and the Marine Corps wanted to honor the heroes from within the prayer box in a special way.
The assault pack and prayer box heroes were carried for recruit receiving, standing on the infamous “yellow foot prints”, morning colors at the depot’s headquarters, participation in rifle fire simulation with the new technology system, participation in live fire rifle qualification on “A” range, present at swim qualification instruction, carried over and though obstacles on the obstacle course, carried over or through more obstacles at the “crucible”, carried through the gas chamber, present for “chow” at recruit training and Fleet Marine chow halls, present for honors at the officers club on Parris Island and the officers club aboard Marine Corps Air Station Beaufort South Carolina, carried across the flight deck and through hangars at the air station, present at the rappelling tower on Paris Island for instruction and display, walked through a number of recruit squad bays and barracks, both depot houses of worship and was even “knife handed” by a Marine Drill instructor. There were other events and exercises in which the assault pack was carried including the much dreaded “I.T.” session (AKA “quarterdecked”, “rose garden”, “the pit”, “intensive training”). The drill instructor showed little mercy as he yelled for more pushups, sit ups, jumping jacks (side straddle hops”) and mountain climbers.
The visit to Parris Island concluded with attendance at a recruit graduation ceremony.
During the visit those within the prayer box were photographed and honored by many including the Commanding General and head chaplain.
Last Salute has made a solemn promise to carry forward and honor the many heroes which loved ones have placed into our prayer box. This visit to Parris Island and the air station are part of that commitment.
MICHAEL D. DIFRANCESCO
Mike was a great and giving man and it was our extreme honor to conduct a military funeral ceremony for him and his family.
2 photographers took over 500 photographs which are displayed in 2 separate galleries below. There is also a slideshow video as well as a copy of the ceremonies complete uncut video which was live streamed and viewed by many people as it happened.
Last Salute Fires a Mountain Howitzer 12 Pounder Civil War Cannon At Every Ceremony.
We have been Honored to have our cannon fired by Medal of Honor recipients,
Senators, Congressmen, The Attorney General of The United States, Mayors,
Police Chiefs, Fire Chiefs and uniformed family members of the Heroes we honor
In July of 2021 Dr. Ira Trocki made a donation to Last Salute
so that the Honor Guard could get a second cannon to expand its service
to other areas. The cannon was completed and delivered 8 November 2021
The museum quality cannon built by the contractor for the National Park Service
was about to be named and christened. Upon hearing of Mike’s passing
Dr. Trocki called Last Salute and asked us if we could name the new cannon
after Mike…. We could not think of a better way to honor Mike’s legacy.
The new cannon will be christened the “Mike D” and will be fired by Medal of
Honor recipients each year at The MCLEF event as well as many future ceremonies.
Jake “Red Stripe” Frederick
On October 9, 2021, Last Salute conducted a memorial service for United States Marine Corps Fighter Pilot, Captain Jake “Red Stripe” Frederick at Galloway’s Veterans Park on Route 9. Jake died on December 8, 2016, right before Christmas, when his F-18 Hornet went down during a mission. Jake left behind 2 small children and a wife that continue to mourn his loss and honor his life.
The family, originally from Texas, has recently moved to Galloway and we are honored to have them join our community. We also want to help them honor and remember their father and husband Jake.
To do this, we have planted a Pecan tree at the park which was dedicated on October 9, 2021 at 9:00 AM. The Pecan tree is the official state tree of Texas. Jake’s children helped plant the tree and will continue to maintain it.
On October 9, 2021 at 0900, Last Salute performed a complete memorial funeral service including cannon volleys, memorial bell, rifle volleys, Taps and the presentation of 2 flags. One to each of the children.
Additionally, the township of Galloway and Congressman Jeff Van Drew have each issued a proclamation declaring their father, Jake, a National Hero which were presented as part of the ceremony.
We would like to thank all of those who attended to support the family and honor the memory and service of Jake.
Below are photos from the tree planting and memorial service. There are multiple galleries.
James Oneill
Anthony Barile
