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Veteran Banners
The Lyons Chamber of Commerce along with the City of Lyons are proud to offer the opportunity to honor our hometown heroes (Veteran or currently active) with the purchase of a banner. These banners hang downtown in May for Memorial Day and fly again during the month of November in observance of Veterans Day. Click on a picture to read each hero's story.
Earl F. Showalter
Earl Showalter served in the United States Army from 1951-1953 as a PFC.
Vincent George Bliss
Vincent George Bliss was born to Paul & Wanda Bliss on May 28, 1958, in Lyons, KS and died in a car accident on November 12, 1988 in Lyons. He has two sisters, Paula Bieberle and Sherry Cole, and one brother, Paul Bliss Jr. He was married to Jill Dietrich on March 11, 1988 in Lyons. To this union a daughter was born, Jessa Bliss Moore. At this time he has two granddaughters, Marlee Pellerin and Cora Moore.
He enlisted in the United States Air Force on August 18, 1976 and was honorably discharged on August 17, 1980 reaching the rank of SrA. In August 1976, Vince went through basic training for six weeks at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX. In September 1976, he was stationed at Travis AFB in Fairfield, CA for approximately two years, then transferred to McConnell AFB in Wichita, KS. He worked in administration in the Supply Service while in the Air Force.
He enlisted in the United States Air Force on August 18, 1976 and was honorably discharged on August 17, 1980 reaching the rank of SrA. In August 1976, Vince went through basic training for six weeks at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, TX. In September 1976, he was stationed at Travis AFB in Fairfield, CA for approximately two years, then transferred to McConnell AFB in Wichita, KS. He worked in administration in the Supply Service while in the Air Force.
Earl Battershell
Earl Battershell served in the United States Navy from 1942 to 1945, as a PO 2nd Cl.
Laurence L. Archer
Laurence Leon Archer left Lyons, Kansas for an amazing adventure at West Point, New York, in June of 1965. He spent four years at the United States Military Academy and graduated 4 June 1969, with a commission of 2nd Lieutenant in the United States Army.
Upon graduation from West Point, Lt. Archer attended Infantry Officers Basic Course, Airborne School and Ranger Training at Ft. Benning, Georgia.
His first active duty assignment was with the 1st Infantry Division at Ft. Riley, Kansas. Lt. Archer was Executive Officer of C Company, 1st Battalion 18th Infantry. While with the C Company, Lt. Archer participated in the operation "Re-forger" in Germany.
After Ft. Riley, Captain Archer was assigned duty in the Republic of Vietnam. In Vietnam, Captain Archer was Company Commander of Headquarters Company of the support battalion of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. He served in this capactiy for six months and then served the following six months as a Security Detachment Commander.
Upon returning from duty in Vietnam, he attended the Infantry Officers Advanced Course in Ft. benning, Georgia. Then Captain Archer was assigned to Ft. Lee, Virginia. He resigned his commission and became a civilian. He then joined Kansas National Guard with the 69th Infantry Brigade at Topeka, KS, while attending the College of Veterinary Medicine. Upon graduation from Veterinary College, Dr. Archer resigned from the reserves.
Upon graduation from West Point, Lt. Archer attended Infantry Officers Basic Course, Airborne School and Ranger Training at Ft. Benning, Georgia.
His first active duty assignment was with the 1st Infantry Division at Ft. Riley, Kansas. Lt. Archer was Executive Officer of C Company, 1st Battalion 18th Infantry. While with the C Company, Lt. Archer participated in the operation "Re-forger" in Germany.
After Ft. Riley, Captain Archer was assigned duty in the Republic of Vietnam. In Vietnam, Captain Archer was Company Commander of Headquarters Company of the support battalion of the 3rd Brigade, 1st Cavalry Division. He served in this capactiy for six months and then served the following six months as a Security Detachment Commander.
Upon returning from duty in Vietnam, he attended the Infantry Officers Advanced Course in Ft. benning, Georgia. Then Captain Archer was assigned to Ft. Lee, Virginia. He resigned his commission and became a civilian. He then joined Kansas National Guard with the 69th Infantry Brigade at Topeka, KS, while attending the College of Veterinary Medicine. Upon graduation from Veterinary College, Dr. Archer resigned from the reserves.
Zenas Evans "Z.E" Boroughs
Zenas Evans, also known as "Zeke" or "Z.E." to friends and family, was drafted in 1944 to the United States Army. He served as a front-line medic and returned to Lyons where he married Constance Maxine and raised 5 boys while carrying on the family business.
A.L. "Linc" Branson
A.L. "Linc" Branson served in the the Merchant Marines for two years as Bosun.
Paul Raymond Bliss Sr
Paul Raymond Bliss Sr. Was born to Edward & Elva Conrad Bliss on June 7, 1924, at Gaylord, KS and died on May 6, 1998 in Lyons, KS. He had two brothers, Ivan Bliss and Wayne Bliss, and four sisters, Dorothy Smith Gates, Adelia Grieve, Corrina Seaman and Cleora Smith. On February 8, 1943, he married Wanda Louise DeBey in Salina, KS. To this union four children were born, Paula Bieberle, Sherry Cole, Paul Bliss Jr. and Vince Bliss. He has six grandchildren, Melanie Zink, Ron Paul Bieberle, Brannon Cole, Christy Richards, Kimberly Bliss & Jessa Moore and at this time thirteen great-grandchildren: Kyle Zink, Stacy Zink, Lindsey Zink, Clint Bieberle, Brett Bieberle, Bordy Cole, Braden Cole, Brock Cole, Tia Cole, Katelyn Richards, Trey Richards, Marlee Pellerin & Cora Moore, and two great-great-grandchildren, Harper Bieberle & Kindle Bieberle. In his life a few of his occupations were: truck driver, car salesman, owned Chase Auto Sales, Night Marshall in Chase, KS and was on the force in Lyons, KS.
He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on March 4, 1943, and was honorably discharged November 2, 1945. While in the service he reached the rank of Sergeant. He served the Southwest Pacific Area from February 12, 1944, to June 30, 1945. He also participated in the Consolidation of Nothern Solomon Islands. His weapon qualification was Rifle Sharpshooter, score of 298 on April 22, 1942. His special military qualification was listed as Truck Driver, Heavy - SSN 245 and the job description was, Drove 13 Ton Truck hauling materials, gas and made minor repairs.
He enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on March 4, 1943, and was honorably discharged November 2, 1945. While in the service he reached the rank of Sergeant. He served the Southwest Pacific Area from February 12, 1944, to June 30, 1945. He also participated in the Consolidation of Nothern Solomon Islands. His weapon qualification was Rifle Sharpshooter, score of 298 on April 22, 1942. His special military qualification was listed as Truck Driver, Heavy - SSN 245 and the job description was, Drove 13 Ton Truck hauling materials, gas and made minor repairs.
Patrick M. Briggs
In April 1968, Patrick M. Briggs entered the US Navy and went through boot camp in San Diego, CA, in the Kansas All State Company. Completing boot camp in July 1968, he was then assigned to the following ships in the West Pacific: USS Galveston (CLG-3), USS Saint Paul (CA-73) and the USS Samuel Gompers (AD-37) which included three tours in Vietnam and was a Petty Officer Second Class (E-6) at that time. He was then eligible for shore duty and took the assignment to the US Navy Recruiting Command in Omaha, Nebraska and was promoted to Chief Petty Officer (E-7).
At the end of his shore duty, he was then assigned to the following ships on the East Coast: USS Wainwright (CG-28) and the USS Hunley (AS-31). Once again, he returned to the Navy Recruiting Command in Omaha, NE. While at the Navy Recruiting Command he requested and accepted to the Navy Counselor Rate (Navy Recruiter). In August 1984, he was selected to be an instructor/trainer and was assigned to the Naval Recruiting Orientation Unit in Orlando, FL. While there, he was assigned to the Recruiter Mobile Training Team. In January of 1988 he was eligible for retirement from the US Navy and after 20 years of active duty he resigned as a Navy Counselor Senior Chief (E-8).
At the end of his shore duty, he was then assigned to the following ships on the East Coast: USS Wainwright (CG-28) and the USS Hunley (AS-31). Once again, he returned to the Navy Recruiting Command in Omaha, NE. While at the Navy Recruiting Command he requested and accepted to the Navy Counselor Rate (Navy Recruiter). In August 1984, he was selected to be an instructor/trainer and was assigned to the Naval Recruiting Orientation Unit in Orlando, FL. While there, he was assigned to the Recruiter Mobile Training Team. In January of 1988 he was eligible for retirement from the US Navy and after 20 years of active duty he resigned as a Navy Counselor Senior Chief (E-8).
Hugh Phillip K. Brubaker
As a Rice County draftee, Hugh Phillip K. Brubaker first went to Ft. Leavenworth. From there, he went to basic training in Ft. Warren, Wyomin. He caught the measles and was in quarantine so he missed all the running and shooting practice. After he was better, they checked his shooting skills. He thought he'd missed the target until they realized he had a bull's eye, so they made him a marksman. He was then sent to Ft. Crook, Nebraska for automotive training and then to Seattle, Washington to join his company. Because of his high IQ scores (157) he was placed in the engineering program but without having had chemistry or physics, he was unable to complete the program. On the way to Camp Shanks, NY, he stopped in St. Louis and saw the Cardinals play. He left for Green Oaks, Scotland on the Isle de France with 10,000 other troops. After moving on to Stoke-on-Trent, England, he happened to run into Bob Hackenberger, his next door neighbor from Lyons! In July 1944, he was shipped across to France. They were moving all the time as front-line mechanics until March of 1945. Just before he was to be shipped home, Hugh had an appendicitis attack. Fortunately his ship was unable to arrive on schedule and three days later he was able to return to the states as planned.
Rodney Y. Brubaker
Rodney T. Brubaker was born in Lyons, Kansas on May 9, 1920. His parents were Charles and Alberta Brubaker. He had two brothers and three sisters and they lived on a farm east of Lyons. He attended school in Lyons and graduated from LHS in 1939. He remained in Lyons until 1940, at which time he joined the Army. At the beginning of WWII he transferred to the Army Air Corp. He was commissioned a 2nd Lieutenant flying a Martin B-26 Bomber. During the war he flew 65 missions, and flew bombing missions during the D-Day invasion. His two younger brothers also joined the armed forces during WWII and their mother received a three star pin for having three sons serving our country during WWII.
Wendell Ebright
Wendell Ebright of Lyons piloted the C-47 "Dottie B" in World War II, flying numerous missions throught Europe He was with the 96th Squadron of the 440th Troop Carrier Group. His duties included dropping paratroopers and towing gliders, with supplies and ammunition, behind enemy lines. Missions included those in France, Holland, and Belgium. At the end of the war he flew the Dottie B home to the states. He returned to Lyons to farm with his wife, Georgia May. He received the Air Medal with the four oak leaf clusters from the Air Force for his outstanding service
Chase, Kansas Veterans
The Chase High School Alumni Association honors all the Veterans from Chase, Kansas.
Dr. Marshall Christmann
Dr. Marshall Christmann served in the United States Army from 1942 to 1946, with an ending rank of Lieutenant.
Travis Johannsen
Travis Johannsen is currently serving in the Army at Fort Hood, Texas. He attended boot camp at Ft. Benning, Georgia. First stationed at Fort Carson in Colorado Springs, Colorado, he has been deployed four different times, to places like Iraq, Afghanistan, Kuwait, and most recently, South Korea.
Robert A. Johannsen
In 1943 at the age of 17, Robert Arnold Johannsen enlisted in the United States Navy. He was in the F Division, stationed in Hawaii aboard the USS North Carolina battleship.
After going to school for training, Robert's job aboard the USS North Carolina was Fire Control of the guns (to see depth).
Robert fought in WWII in 1945. He served in the United States Navy from 1943 - 1949 for six years, his ending rank as Seaman 1st Class.
Andrew Larasen
Gunnery Sergeant Larsen was born 24 August 1983 and raised in Lyons, KS. His Marine Corps career started on 28 May 2002 when he attended recruit training in San Diego, CA. Upon graduation of basic training he was promoted to Private First Class and shipped to the Aviation Structural Mechanic School in Pensacola, FL. Once he completed "A" school, he was sent to Camp Pendleton, CA for follow-on trai...ning, earning him the Military occupational Specialty 6154 Airframe Mechanic.
During his "C" school graduation he was promoted to Lance Corporal and ordered to report to Helicopter Marine Training Squadron-303 at Camp Pendleton, CA. In July 2004 he was transferred to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron and he deployed with HMLA-367 on three separate occassions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During this time he was promoted to the rank of Corporal and Sergeant, and directly participated in combat missions such as operation "Phantom Fury" and "Steel Rain," among others.
Upon returning from his last Iraqi deployment in November 2008, he received order to HMLA 773 - Naval Air Station in Atlanta, GA, In March 2009 he was prooted to Staff Sergeant and a year later the reserve base he was stationed at underwent a Base Realignment and Closure move, forcing the squadron to relocate south to Robins Air Force Base.
He remained with HMLA-773 until 1-1-2012 when he received orders to the Marine Security Guard School as a student Detachment Commander. Upon graduation from MSG school, Larsen was assigned to the American Embassy Nouakchott, Mauritania, North West Africa. In May 2013, SSgt Larsen received permanent change of station orders to rotate with the 3-13 class to Berlin, Germany as the Detachment Commander. On 1 Oct 2014, he was promoted ot his current rank of Gunnery Sergeant. On 7 Mar 2015, after a successful tour on the MSG program, Gunnery Sergeant Larsen was relocate to HMLA-369, and assigned the billet of Maintenance Controller. He is accompanied by his wife, Nickia, and three children, Kyler, Maklyn and Tucker. He is the son of David and Charlotte Larsen.
During his "C" school graduation he was promoted to Lance Corporal and ordered to report to Helicopter Marine Training Squadron-303 at Camp Pendleton, CA. In July 2004 he was transferred to Marine Light Attack Helicopter Squadron and he deployed with HMLA-367 on three separate occassions in support of Operation Iraqi Freedom. During this time he was promoted to the rank of Corporal and Sergeant, and directly participated in combat missions such as operation "Phantom Fury" and "Steel Rain," among others.
Upon returning from his last Iraqi deployment in November 2008, he received order to HMLA 773 - Naval Air Station in Atlanta, GA, In March 2009 he was prooted to Staff Sergeant and a year later the reserve base he was stationed at underwent a Base Realignment and Closure move, forcing the squadron to relocate south to Robins Air Force Base.
He remained with HMLA-773 until 1-1-2012 when he received orders to the Marine Security Guard School as a student Detachment Commander. Upon graduation from MSG school, Larsen was assigned to the American Embassy Nouakchott, Mauritania, North West Africa. In May 2013, SSgt Larsen received permanent change of station orders to rotate with the 3-13 class to Berlin, Germany as the Detachment Commander. On 1 Oct 2014, he was promoted ot his current rank of Gunnery Sergeant. On 7 Mar 2015, after a successful tour on the MSG program, Gunnery Sergeant Larsen was relocate to HMLA-369, and assigned the billet of Maintenance Controller. He is accompanied by his wife, Nickia, and three children, Kyler, Maklyn and Tucker. He is the son of David and Charlotte Larsen.
Chris Larsen
Christopher K. Larsen graduated from Lyons High School in 2006 and went on to complete Recruit and Marine Combat Training in San Diego later that year. He has served two combat tours: one from March-Oct 2008 and from July 2009-February 2010. He's currently serving as a Staff Sergeant for the 3D Battalion, 12th Marines. He is accompanied by his wife Lacey Larsen, and the son of David and Charlotte Larsen of Lyons.
Keith Andrew Lasater
Keith Andrew Lasater enlisted in the United States Army on April 4, 2005 at the age of 19. He started his Basic Training and AIT at Ft. Jackson, South Carolina. After graduation he was stationed at Schofield Barracks, HI. Keith's Rank was PV2, his job was 91B10 Wheeled Vehicle Mechanic. He served with the Delta Company BSB, 3rd Brigade, 25th Infantry Division. He served two tours in Iraq; the first from 8-1-2006 to 10-24-2007 and the second from 10-19-2008 to 9-19-2009. He left the Army in December of 2009 as a Specialist.
Raymond Lippelmann
Raymond Lippelmann served as a 1st Lieutenant in the United States Navy from 1942 - 1946.
Joe D. Patterson
Joe D. Patterson was born on 9-6-1933 in Hamilton, KS. He joined the United States Air Force on April 3, 1953 and retired on April 2, 1973, as a Technical Sergeant. He was a gunner on the B-52s and he served during the Korean and Vietnam wars, including four tours of duty in Southeast Asia. The many bases he was at included San Antonio, TX, Denver, Co, Whiteman AFB in Missouri, Loring AFB in Arka...nsas, Ramey AFB in Puerto Rico and Rapid City, South Dakota Ellsworth AFB.
On April 8, 1955, he married Edna Charlene Whitehead. They had two sons, Larry Joe Patterson and Charles E. Patterson, along with three daughters: I. Joene Latiolais, E. Jane Blackburn and Charlotte K. Larsen, 11 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
On April 8, 1955, he married Edna Charlene Whitehead. They had two sons, Larry Joe Patterson and Charles E. Patterson, along with three daughters: I. Joene Latiolais, E. Jane Blackburn and Charlotte K. Larsen, 11 grandchildren and 19 great-grandchildren.
Michael Townsend
Michael Townsen served in the Air Force from 1965 to 1969. He left the Air Force in 1969 as a Staff Sergeant, and currently resides in Lyons, KS.
James Tobias
James (Jim) Tobias grew up on a farm southeast of Lyons. He graduated from Lyons High School in 1939 and helped his parents on their farm until enlisting in the US Navy flight program in early 1943. Upon completion of basic flight training, he was commissioned an Ensign and assigned to fly the Grumman F6F Hellcat fighter. After completing additional flight training on the East Coast, he joined a c...arrier-based Hellcat squadron serving in the South Pacific.
While Jim typically did not talk much about his time at war, he did have one "close call" in his experience as a Navy pilot, a story he shared with his family of a forced gear-up landing due to his Hellcat's engine failure while on a training mission off the East Coast. Because the winter survival time in the Atlantic waters was less than 30 minutes, after his fighter lost power, Jim's only realistc option was to attempt a "belly landing" on a road he spotted leading up to Montauk Point Lighthouse, which is located at the tip of eastern Long Island. Though he sheared off some bridge railings and spun around on the road, he was unharmed and always credited God's protection for the good outcome.
Jim married Mary Weihe, his high school sweetheart, in 1944. In late 1945, following the end of WWII, he was discharged from the Navy and returned to Lyons, where he and Mary raised a family of three children and spent the next nearly 50 years farming northwest of Lyons.
While Jim typically did not talk much about his time at war, he did have one "close call" in his experience as a Navy pilot, a story he shared with his family of a forced gear-up landing due to his Hellcat's engine failure while on a training mission off the East Coast. Because the winter survival time in the Atlantic waters was less than 30 minutes, after his fighter lost power, Jim's only realistc option was to attempt a "belly landing" on a road he spotted leading up to Montauk Point Lighthouse, which is located at the tip of eastern Long Island. Though he sheared off some bridge railings and spun around on the road, he was unharmed and always credited God's protection for the good outcome.
Jim married Mary Weihe, his high school sweetheart, in 1944. In late 1945, following the end of WWII, he was discharged from the Navy and returned to Lyons, where he and Mary raised a family of three children and spent the next nearly 50 years farming northwest of Lyons.
Darrell F. Huffman
Joe Folck
Gean Newman
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