Pilot’s heroism is lauded in Hall of Valor ceremony

of their relatives were read to an audience of about 100 people.

The Hall of Valor program recognizes Pennsylvania veterans who have received medals for bravery and heroism during times of military conflict. Some qualifying medals include the Medal of Honor, Distinguished Service Cross, Silver Star and Distinguished Flying Cross.

Induction into the Hall of Valor is open to eligible veterans who were born, enlisted or lived most of their lives in Pennsylvania. More than 700 veterans that have been inductedinto the Hall of Valor.

Other inductees who were honored Sunday include: Army Sgt. John G. Belko, who was killed in action in WWI; Army Capt. Jon M. Corey, who served in Vietnam; Army Pfc. George T. Duda, who served in WWII; Army Air Corps Capt. Alexander R. Duncan, who served in WWII; Army Air Corps Capt. William Greenwald, who served inWWII; Army Maj. Robert P. Hase, who served in Vietnam; Army Air Corps Capt. Marshall L. Keller, who served in WWII; Army Air Corps Capt. David Kerr, who served in WWII; Army Pfc.Walter Schwartz, who served in WWII; Navy Lt. Cmdr. Dain V. Scott, who was killed in action in Vietnam; and Army Technical Sgt. Robert G. Slade,who served in WWII.

Following the ceremony, a plaque for each inductee will be hung in the Hall of Valor for two years before it is scanned into a computer kiosk for future viewing.

Col. Harding, a native of Brookville, Jefferson County, now lives in Jackson, Tenn., where he frequently shares his vivid memories of combat asa speaker.

“The reason I do a lot of public speaking is to make sure people know what the past was so we don’t have face the same situation again,” he said.