Veterans salute as the ceremonial bell is rung and taps is played Friday at the Veterans Memorial Wall of Honor in Brawley¿s Plaza Park. (Joselito Villero) |
BRAWLEY — World War II veteran Bob Merrill is no longer around to tell of his military exploits but his close friend Ray Downs is, and he spoke of one involving Merrill 66 years ago.
Merrill, a private first class who Downs said was “the most highly decorated soldier in the Imperial Valley,” was a gunner protecting the left flank of a unit dug in on a ridge above the town of Asa, Zamani Shima, Ryuku Islands in Japan.
On March 27, 1945, the enemy opened fire on the unit, forcing Merrill and other members to hold the Japanese back with only two machine guns at their disposal, Downs said, reading from a statement before a large crowd Friday at the Veterans Memorial Wall.
Merrill was wounded in the exchange “but refused medical aid and remained at his post,” continuing the fight until he used an entrenching tool during a struggle and killed a Japanese officer, said Downs, a Korean War vet.
“He continued to fight until the enemy fled,” said Downs, who added that his friend played a vital role in preventing the enemy from breaching the company defense.
Merrill’s deed earned him the Distinguished Service Cross, which was among many honors he received during his military career with the exception of the good conduct medal, Downs said.
Downs recalled Merrill saying: “I never could get that damn thing.”
Merrill was among the many veterans, living and deceased, from all the wars fought who supporters praised with gratitude for their service during the second annual Veterans Day tribute.
Brawley City Council members and other civil dignitaries attended the festive event in the company of British soldiers who’re training at Naval Air Facility El Centro.
Pearl Harbor survivor and World War II veteran Frank Garcia, a 90-year-old Brawley resident, was also there and spoke after the ceremony of how past conflicts are now a distant memory to people in his generation.
“It’s like past history to me,” Garcia said.
But it wasn’t forgotten by many of those who spoke highly of the veterans, especially Brawley City Councilman Sam Couchman.
Couchman told the audience that the names of his grandfather, father and his son are among the 900 names that appear on the Memorial Wall.
“This has a very special significance for me,” Couchman said.
The occasion was also significant to Brawley Mayor Don Campbell, who reminded the audience that freedom isn’t cheap.
“Freedom comes at a real heavy price for those who lost loved ones and are serving,” Campbell said.
Local residents weren’t the only people drawn to the Veterans Day tribute. Joe Ortiz Cardona woke at 2 a.m. to drive about six hours from the Kern County city of Delano to attend the festivities in Brawley.
“You think about all the guys that didn’t make it,” said Cardona of the ceremony.
Cardona, a 78-year-old native of Arizona who was raised in Brawley, served in the Korea War and spoke of his good fortune in meeting many people like he did during Friday’s tribute.
Cardona isn’t poor, he said in Spanish, because he’s “enriched by the people I meet.”
Staff Writer Silvio J. Panta can be reached at 760-337-3442 or at spanta@ivpressonline.com
Merrill, a private first class who Downs said was “the most highly decorated soldier in the Imperial Valley,” was a gunner protecting the left flank of a unit dug in on a ridge above the town of Asa, Zamani Shima, Ryuku Islands in Japan.
On March 27, 1945, the enemy opened fire on the unit, forcing Merrill and other members to hold the Japanese back with only two machine guns at their disposal, Downs said, reading from a statement before a large crowd Friday at the Veterans Memorial Wall.
Merrill was wounded in the exchange “but refused medical aid and remained at his post,” continuing the fight until he used an entrenching tool during a struggle and killed a Japanese officer, said Downs, a Korean War vet.
“He continued to fight until the enemy fled,” said Downs, who added that his friend played a vital role in preventing the enemy from breaching the company defense.
Merrill’s deed earned him the Distinguished Service Cross, which was among many honors he received during his military career with the exception of the good conduct medal, Downs said.
Downs recalled Merrill saying: “I never could get that damn thing.”
Merrill was among the many veterans, living and deceased, from all the wars fought who supporters praised with gratitude for their service during the second annual Veterans Day tribute.
Brawley City Council members and other civil dignitaries attended the festive event in the company of British soldiers who’re training at Naval Air Facility El Centro.
Pearl Harbor survivor and World War II veteran Frank Garcia, a 90-year-old Brawley resident, was also there and spoke after the ceremony of how past conflicts are now a distant memory to people in his generation.
“It’s like past history to me,” Garcia said.
But it wasn’t forgotten by many of those who spoke highly of the veterans, especially Brawley City Councilman Sam Couchman.
Couchman told the audience that the names of his grandfather, father and his son are among the 900 names that appear on the Memorial Wall.
“This has a very special significance for me,” Couchman said.
The occasion was also significant to Brawley Mayor Don Campbell, who reminded the audience that freedom isn’t cheap.
“Freedom comes at a real heavy price for those who lost loved ones and are serving,” Campbell said.
Local residents weren’t the only people drawn to the Veterans Day tribute. Joe Ortiz Cardona woke at 2 a.m. to drive about six hours from the Kern County city of Delano to attend the festivities in Brawley.
“You think about all the guys that didn’t make it,” said Cardona of the ceremony.
Cardona, a 78-year-old native of Arizona who was raised in Brawley, served in the Korea War and spoke of his good fortune in meeting many people like he did during Friday’s tribute.
Cardona isn’t poor, he said in Spanish, because he’s “enriched by the people I meet.”
Staff Writer Silvio J. Panta can be reached at 760-337-3442 or at spanta@ivpressonline.com
