PIECES OF OUR PAST - SILVER STAR AWARDEES - LAURENS COUNTY, GEORGIA

LAURENS COUNTY’S 
SILVER STAR RECIPIENTS


The Silver Star is awarded for gallantry in action against an enemy of the United States, which does not justify being included in a higher award.  The award, the third highest honor in the Armed Forces, may be awarded to a member of the Armed Forces who distinguishes himself by extraordinary heroism in action against an enemy of the United States, military operations involving conflict without an opposing foreign force, or while serving with friendly forces in an armed conflict against an opposing force in which the United States is not a belligerent party. 

Over the last century, Twenty-eight native Laurens Countians or residents have received the Silver Star for their extraordinary heroism.  With three multiple award recipients, the total number of Silver Stars awarded to Laurens Countians remains at the phenomenal number of thirty. Six of these men lost their lives in action. 


WORLD WAR I


Lt. Ossie F. Keen, USA

Sgt. James L. Weddington, Jr. USMC


WORLD WAR II


Lt. Robert T. Adams, USAAF

Corporal James W. Bedingfield, USMC, also awarded Gold Star. 

Captain Walter Bedingfield, USA

Lt. Cary Braddy, USA (posthumously awarded) 

Captain Bobbie E. Brown, USA  (2 awards), was also awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor. 

Lamar Hogan, USA 

Dr. Milo Holden, USA 

Captain Will Henry Jones, USMC (posthumously awarded)

Tech Sgt. Johnnie Rowland, USA

Lt. Paul Jimmy Scarboro, USAAF (posthumously awarded)

Lt. William L. Sheftall, USAAF

Capt. Raymond Talbird, USA (2 awards)

Captain William C. Thompson, (2 awards) USN

Master Sergeant George Walker, Jr. USA

Tech Sgt. Luther Word, USA (posthumously awarded)

Tech Sgt. Thurman Wyatt, USA

Sgt. Frank Zetterower, Jr., USA (posthumously awarded)


KOREAN WAR 

Lt. Col. Robert L. Hawkins, USA

Sgt Wesley L. Hodges, USA 

Lt. Col. George Alton O’Neal, Jr., USA



VIETNAM WAR


R. Benny Andrews, Jr. USA

Jerry Wayne Gurka, USN

Col. Addison Hogan, USA

Lt. Col. Clyde Stinson, USA  (2 awards, one posthumously awarded)

Capt. Fred M. Stuckey, USA

Major James F. Wilkes, USAF 



By their branches of service, the highest decorated veterans are; Capt. Bobbie E. Brown, US Army, Major James F. Wilkes, United States Air Force,  Corp James L. Weddington, US Marine Corps, Captain William C. Thompson, United States Navy. 


Let us not forget the selfless contributions that these Laurens County men gave so freely.  Their heroism in times of need affirms that when the times demand, Laurens Countians step forward to do what is right and just.  If you research these awards among those of Georgians from similar size counties to Laurens, you will find those lists are much shorter than those of Laurens County, the land I love. 

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