Oregon Military Hall of Fame Annual Induction Ceremony

All Oregon ex-POWs; 7 Individuals to Be Inducted - Presenters include Governor Vic Atiyeh, Doug LaMear, and Jim Willis, ODVA.

Courtesy: rahusa.us.

(PORTLAND, Ore.) - On Saturday, April 18, the Oregon Military Hall of Fame will hold its 3rd annual induction ceremony and luncheon at 12:00 p.m. at the Red Lion Hotel on the River-Jantzen Beach.

Seven individuals and all ex-POWs from the State of Oregon are slated to be inducted; over 650 people will be in attendance, including 75 ex-POWs and 21 ex-POW representatives.

The Oregon Military Hall of Fame (OMHOF) is a program run by the non-profit organization Remembering America's Heroes (RAH) based in Milwaukie, OR. Oregon is only one of seven states to have a Military Hall of Fame. The OMHOF inducts Veterans into two distinct categories – "Service to Country & Community" and "Above & Beyond the Call of Duty."

Service to County & Community

The recipient in the "Service to Country & Community" category is Sergeant Ernest Argo of Albany, OR. This award is conferred upon individuals who, through their ongoing efforts on behalf of their country or to Veterans, have made significant contributions to the community. Service to Country & Community recognizes that it is dedicated individuals, who through their daily service, honor our great nation. Jim Willis, Executive Director of the Oregon Department of Veterans Affairs, will present Mr. Argo with this award.

Above & Beyond the Call of Duty:

In the category "Above & Beyond the Call of Duty," six individuals will be inducted, as well as all ex-POWs from the State of Oregon. In the great duty and privilege that is the service and protection of the United States, there have been millions of individuals who, through actions both routine and extraordinary, have made a difference.

Individual Inductees:

• Captain Edward C. Allworth (July 6, 1895 – June 24, 1966) – US Army, WW I, Congressional Medal of Honor. Accepting on his behalf is his grandson, Clark Allworth, of Hillsboro, OR.

• Colonel Rex T. Barber (May 6, 1917 – July 26, 2001) – US Air Force, WW II, Navy Cross & Two Silver Stars. Accepting on his behalf is his son, Rex Barber, Jr. of Redmond, OR.

• Sergeant John Noble Holcomb (June 11, 1946 – December 3, 1968) – US Army, Vietnam, Congressional Medal of Honor. Accepting on his behalf is his mother, Wadean Holcomb, of Richland, OR.

• Petty Officer 2nd Class Marc A. Lee (March 28, 1978 – August 2, 2006) – US Navy, Operation Iraqi Freedom, Silver Star. Accepting on his behalf is his mother, Debbie Lee, of Surprize, AZ.

• Sergeant Harry H.W. Niehoff (March 22, 1923 – July 30, 2008) – US Marine Corps, WW II, Silver Star. Accepting on his behalf is his son, Jeff Niehoff, of Milwaukie, OR.

• Private First Class Stuart S. Stryker (October 30, 1924 – March 24, 1945) – US Army, WW II, Congressional Medal of Honor.

Group Inductee:

Ex-Prisoners of War from the State of Oregon. A Prisoner of War (POW) is a combatant who is held in continuing custody by an enemy power during or immediately after an armed conflict. Today, over 250 Oregonians are ex-POWs. On Saturday, approximately 75 ex-POWs and 21 representatives of deceased POWs will be in attendance.

Former Oregon Governor Vic Atiyeh, whose two brothers were held captive during WW II and will be in attendance, will present the ex-POWs with their plaques.

About Remembering America's Heroes:

Remembering America's Heroes (RAH) is a 501(c)(3) non-profit organization based in Milwaukie, OR. Founded in 2002, RAH's mission is to educate students and the community about the service and sacrifice of our country's Veterans. RAH sponsors Living History Day events at 14 schools throughout the state of Oregon, as well as hosts a Tribute to Veterans at the Oregon State Fair and provides displays to various community events.

For More Information contact Remembering America's Heroes at 503.659.5157 or via e-mail at katy@rahusa.us. You can also visit their website at rahusa.us.