Phillips Hometown Heroes

James Janak

US Army

SP4

James Anthony Janak was born on December 13, 1946 in Phillips, WI, the son of Anton and Lillian June (Mayer) Janak. He was a 1965 graduate of Phillips High School. Following high school he attended Northcentral Technical Institute in Wausau where he earned a degree in machine shop technology. On March 23, 1971 he was inducted, to serve his country, in the U.S. Army. He completed his basic training at St. Louis, Missouri. He also completed 8 weeks of Military Police training and was then transferred to Vietnam. He was discharged from the Army on April 9, 1972 with the rank of SP4. He was married to Toni Petri in 1979. They had two children Brady and Karen. They later divorced. He was a 41 year employee of Prentice Hydralics- Omark Industries- Blount- Caterpillar Forest Products Inc. of Prentice, where he worked until his passing on December 22, 2008.

Jerry Schmeiser

Jon Brumet

Navy

E-4

Karl T.A. Moravek

USAF

LtCol

Kurth Prochnow

Navy / Army National Gaurd

SFC / E-7

Kurth left school and enlisted in the United States Navy on May 30, 1944 at the age of 17. Kurth served on the following Vessels and Stations during his 2 years and 21 day enlistment.

USNTC Great Lake, Ill

NTSCH Navy Pier, Chicago, Ill

Cub 16

USNABPD San Bruno, CA

COM PHIB SEA FRON RS Navy 3149

USN OPER BASE SAMAR P.I.

USS YMS 101

Kurth was awarded the 

American Area Ribbon

World War II Victory Ribbon

Philippine Liberation Ribbon

Asiatic Pacific Area Ribbon

Kurth was honorably discharged from the Navy with the rank of Ship’s Cook Third Class USNR. Upon returning from WWII, Kurth returned to Phillips High School to complete his education and earn his high school diploma. Kurth later joined the Army National Guard and served as Master Sergeant until September, 1961. Kurth currently resides in Phillips, Wisconsin.

Laddie W. Holoubek

Army

Sergeant

Laddie joined the Army at the age of 17, but only after Mom signed for him, against his Dad’s wishes. He was assigned an artillery gunner in Patton’s Third Army. He later was promoted to Sergeant and participated in the Battle of the Bulge. He returned home at the age of 19. He said when he talks about war, he leaves a lot out, but it’s important for people to remember.

Lorry J. Hanish

USAF

Sergeant

Merton E Gronlund

Army

Technician 5th Grade

Communications Clerk 524

Owen Hainy

Army Air Corp

Staff Sergeant

Owen was drafted into the army in 1942. On February 4, 1942 he left with five other men from the Emery area. He was in the Transportation Unit at the Drew Field Air Force Base and labeled a mechanic. Owen worked at Tampa, Florida for over a year. Then, in mid-October, he traveled up to a base in New York (Fort Kilmer). On October 26, 1943 Owen left New York for England on the Queen Mary. Owen was stationed at the 802 Air Base with the 9^th Air Force, where they were building a new air base at Dynton Railroad Station. Owen became Staff Sergeant in the fall of 1944. He met General Eisenhower approximately six times during his time at Southampton, England. He said that General Eisenhower acted just like any other officer, not like he was more important than someone else. Owen came back to the United States in December 1945 on the Queen Mary. The first thing he did was order his favorite beer and couldn’t believe how bad it tasted after being used to the drinks in England. He traveled to Chicago and was officially discharged on December 23, 1945.

Raymond W. Bolton

Army

Sergeant 1st Class

Robert J. Foster

Army

SP5 Medic

Roger Meier

Army