Local Veterans’ Heroism Honored at Kanell Hall Museum
Poplar Bluff, MO – The sacrifices of local veterans during World War II are vividly showcased at the Kanell Hall Veterans Museum and the Poplar Bluff Museum Hall of Heroes. Notable stories include those of Ted Schalk, Bill Hicks, and Fred Carr, whose experiences underscore the brutality and bravery of war.
Ted Schalk served as a torpedoman on the USS Little, which faced a harrowing attack by 30 kamikaze aircraft. Within minutes, four planes struck his ship, leading to its swift sinking. Schalk was hit and severely wounded, but miraculously survived after being thrown overboard, as 30 crew members tragically perished.
Bill Hicks was aboard the USS Wasp when a Japanese bomb struck its flight deck, resulting in the death of 200 men, including Hicks himself. Fred Carr, with the Army’s 77th Infantry Division, fought fiercely at Hacksaw Ridge. Wounded during combat, he was left behind as his unit retreated, only to be saved by fellow soldier Desmond Doss, who later received the Medal of Honor for rescuing Carr and 75 others.
Four months after these harrowing events, the war concluded following the atomic bombings in August 1945. Veterans like Bill Hogg and Vernon Barwick witnessed the Japanese surrender firsthand, marking the end of a tumultuous chapter.
The museum aims to honor all veterans, including those whose stories remain untold. Located at 1010 N. Main St., the Kanell Hall Veterans Museum is accessible and open free of charge every Sunday from 1 to 4 p.m. Museum officials encourage anyone with information about local heroes to come forward, ensuring their contributions are recognized and remembered.
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