Two Cape Girardeau men added to Wall of Valor

POPLAR BLUFF, Mo. -- The newest people inducted Monday into the Wall of Valor at John J. Pershing VA Medical Center span three generations of combat veterans.

The wars in which the six men fought were separated by decades and continents, yet many of the honorees share a humility when talking about the actions that earned each a Medal of Valor.

Honored were Joel Smith and William Glosemyer, both of Cape Girardeau; World War II veteran W.C. Hogland of Patton, Missouri; Vietnam veteran Jonathan Cook of Wappapello, Missouri; Danny Faulk of Paragould, Arkansas; and Operation Enduring Freedom veteran Eric Summers.

Smith is a recipient of the Navy and Marine Corps Achievement Medal with "V" Device.

In May 1969, in Vietnam, he displayed "outstanding professionalism and initiative despite extremely adverse conditions and the difficulties of a combat environment."

His unit provided "outstanding support" for maneuvering infantry units during 20 major combat operations, according to the award.

Glosemyer is a recipient of the Army Commendation Medal with "V" Device.

On July 15, 1968, he took up an exposed position under enemy fire to "direct affective artillery fire on the enemy positions," contributing to the success of his force, according to VA documents.

Cook was a 20-year-old specialist serving in the Republic of Vietnam when the 27th Infantry came under attack Feb. 4, 1969.

"With complete disregard for his own safety," Cook advanced through enemy fire in search of ammunition.

What meant the most to Cook on Monday was not the commendation he earned in 1969 or his newest recognition, but the friends and family who traveled from far away to attend the ceremony.

"I don't really think much about the awards because people had to get hurt or die for the awards," said Cook, who also received two Bronze Stars during his service.

The night of Feb. 4 was so hectic and everything happened so quickly, Cook said, he didn't have time to think about what he was doing.

"We had been under fire for quite a while," he said. "The ammunition was all the way across the camp. I knew I had to have something.

"I don't think anybody was brave. You did things because they had to be done."

Cook doesn't believe he is any braver than anyone else who served.

"You're there to save the next man in line," said Cook, who came home and farmed in Kennett, Missouri, for more than 30 years before retiring to Wappapello.

Hogland preferred not to talk about the actions June 19, 1945, that earned the private first class a Silver Star.

Surrounded by his daughter, grandson and other family members, Hogland said simply, "I can't imagine how blessed I am."

Originally reluctant to participate in Monday's ceremony, Hogland said he was glad he came with his family.

The 90-year-old had little to say about his time on the Philippine Island of Mindanao.

Hogland was a lead scout for a platoon leading an infantry company through enemy territory. He was recognized for "outstanding courage and initiative under enemy fire."

As his platoon withdrew under heavy machine gun and mortar fire, Hogland moved forward.

He fired on the source of the enemy machine gun fire, attacking three Japanese soldiers hidden within concrete pillbox fortifications. The platoon was able to advance and successfully complete its mission, according to Hogland's award.

Hogland said climbing that hill "wasn't much fun" and that he "just happened to get under" the machine gun.

Faulk, a first lieutenant, received the Bronze Star and Gallantry Cross. He ignored all jeopardy during fighting Aug. 17, 1969, in Vietnam, while commanding his platoon as it captured enemy targets.

Summers didn't discuss his awards, his wife, Andrea, said. A Marine staff sergeant, Summers was killed in a training exercise in 2013.

Andrea Summers accepted the award on behalf of her late husband during a ceremony attended by more than 200 people in the VA's lobby.

Summers had a stack of red folders at home, she said. The folders contained his awards, but Andrea Summers didn't learn until after her husband's death of what the Marines described as an "unswerving determination, wise judgment and complete dedication to duty."

"He didn't like to tell me about things that put him in danger," said Andrea Summers, who cried as she accepted her husband's newest award. "It was a shock, but it doesn't surprise me. It was in his character."

The commendation recognized Monday by the VA was earned by Summers on Feb. 17, 2010, in Afghanistan. He had dismantled several improvised explosive devices to assist with two emergency medical evacuations.

In 2011, Summers also carried two wounded servicemen to help after they were injured in an explosion, said his mother, Melodie Summers of Poplar Bluff. But her son never bragged about what he did, she said.

"He was just humble. He loved his country and he loved his job," Melodie Summers said. "He didn't want to quit because he knew that by doing what he did, he was protecting someone else."

Monday's ceremony opens National Salute to Veteran Patients week, a time dedicated to honoring veterans and increasing community awareness of VA medical centers. Activities will conclude this week with the free Valentine for Veterans concert Friday featuring The Kentucky Headhunters.