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Greencastle museum spotlights those who served in World War II

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Greencastle museum spotlights those who served in World War II

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Heavy wool coats, crisp Army uniforms, still-bright Navy whites and even a pair of long johns can be found in the rotating exhibit room German Bank Barn at Allison-Antrim Museum in Greencastle.

Clothes worn by Greencastle-Antrim men and women who served in World War II and other mementoes of their service are featured in the museum’s fall display.

See the pictures: Greencastle-Antrim World War II veterans collection on display at Allison-Antrim Museum

It is accompanied by the stories of some of the veterans in their own words – videos recorded during Old Home Week Reminiscing sessions and at museum meetings.

‘What they did affected the whole world’

“This needs to be seen by as many people as possible,” said Bonnie Shockey, museum president. “It’s becoming a forgotten generation and what they did affected the whole world. They fought for our freedom today in 2024.”

She is putting together a three-ring binder on each person whose WWII items are part of the museum’s collection.

The servicemen include Richard Gingrich, Richard Robinson, John Kinney, Glen Cump, Ramer Shrader, unknown U.S. Marine, George F. Gearhart, Charles A. Fetterhoff, Richard H. Werder, David Earl Reichard, Master Sgt. Wilbur G. Sell, John L. Acker Jr., Harold Hoffman, Harold M. Zimmerman Sr., William A. Diehl, Charles Fetterhoff Sr., William Max Izer, Ramer Shrader, Myriale Stover, William B. Kline, William C. Woller and three brothers, Earl Harbaugh, Paul Harbaugh and Clarence Harbaugh.

Greencastle servicewomen highlighted in the exhibit are U.S. Navy Capt. Lois Elliott Harrel, who also served in the U.S. Army Nurses Corps, and Col. Lorraine Pensinger Phillips, a nurse who served in the Army Medical Corps, the Navy and the U.S. Air Force.

A sampling of what can be found at the museum

“Bill Diehl’s story is riveting,” said Shockey’s husband, Ken.

Held captive by the Germans, Diehl would share his story in the book “Kriegegefangener 312598” or “Prisoner of War 312598,” which is part of the exhibit.

Also on display are Howard B. High’s Purple Heart, the first one given to the museum, and documents concerning his death on Sept. 10, 1944. The medal was given posthumously, and a Purple Heart certificate was signed by Harry S. Truman when he was secretary of war.

There is a brown bomber jacket worn by Richard Gingrich, who would become superintendent of Greencastle-Antrim schools.

There are photos of many of those featured in their uniforms and in their later years, including John Kinney. An Army pilot who once had to ditch at sea and was reported as dead, Kinney lived to be 103.

“It was called the Greatest Generation. These are our fathers, our uncles, my children’s grandparents,” Bonnie Shockey said.

That statement is true for Shockey herself and the three Harbaugh brothers – her father, Earl, who served in the U.S. Army, and uncles Clarence and Paul, who served in the U.S. Navy.

Her father was an ambulance driver and medic in Reyjavik, Iceland, the first stop for wounded soldiers being airlifted for care.

The exhibit also features a host of print materials, including a magazine photo of the sinking of the USS Lexington in which Harry D. Zeigler, for whom the local VFW post is named, lost his life.

“No other place in Franklin County has a collection like this,” Shockey said.

Allison-Antrim Museum is open Tuesday to Friday, noon to 4 p.m., and Saturday, 11 a.m. to 1 p.m. During the week of Thanksgiving, it will be closed on Thursday, Friday and Saturday, then preparations will begin for is Heritage Christmas exhibits.

For more information, visit the website www.greencastlemuseum.org, follow Allison-Antrim Museum on Facebook or 717-597-9010.

There is no charge for admission, but donations are accepted.

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