Oct. 9, 2015

DEKALB, Ill. -- A fully-restored plaque honoring eight Northern Illinois University student athletes who made the supreme sacrifice during World War II was rededicated at the NIU Convocation Center on Friday, Oct. 9.

The 25-inch by 34-inch walnut plaque with brass nameplates is believed to have been removed from the north lobby of Chick Evans Fieldhouse, where it had been displayed for many years, and delivered to the new Convocation Center in 2002. In disrepair from more than 50 years of display, the plaque was placed in storage where it remained until the restoration project began in 2014.

Though no documentation of the date of its original dedication has been found, a university inventory number for the plaque – entered in 1950 – provides speculation that it may have been displayed prior to the opening of the Fieldhouse (1957), likely in Still Gym. A folder in the Founders Library labeled “War Memorial Committee, 1948” also suggests that the plaque dates back further than the Fieldhouse.

“These eight individuals, each of them a former student athlete at NIU, made the ultimate sacrifice for their nation,” said Sean T. Frazier, NIU Associate Vice President and Director of Athletics. “Like others from this great institution in the service of their country over the years, they gave their lives to insure the freedoms we all enjoy today. These brave men should never be forgotten and we are honored to rededicate this tribute to them.”

The restoration of the plaque, coordinated by NIU Athletics, was a joint effort between NIU’s Architectural and Engineering Services Department, the Furniture Repair Shop and NIU’s School of Visual Arts.

“It was truly an honor to participate in this special project,” said Tom Wroblewski, Director of NIU’s Architectural and Engineering Services Department. “We assembled, and then worked with a great team of dedicated and talented NIU craftsmen, artists and professionals in the restoration of this historic memorial plaque.  Each member of the team played an integral role in the successful completion of the project.    

The restoration project was underwritten by a donation by Joseph F. Cerrone, a World War II and Korean War U.S. Navy veteran. Mr. Cerrone is the father of NIU alum, Rick Cerrone, Class of 1976, who serves NIU Athletics as Senior Advisor for Branding and Marketing.

The Memorial reads:

IN MEMORIAM

WORLD WAR II

NORTHEN ILLINOIS STATE COLLEGE
VARSITY CLUB REVERES ITS MEMBERS
WHO MADE THE SUPREME SACRIFICE

The following are the former student athletes of Northern Illinois University State Teachers College whose names were included on the World War II Memorial.

Biographical information from various sources is also included.

Edwin C. Behan Crystal Lake, IL Football (End), Track, 1938-42 B.S., Physical Education, 1942 Detroit Lions, NFL, 1942 First Lieutenant, U.S. Marine Corps (1943-45), Sixth Marine Division Killed in Action (Battle of Okinawa): May 18, 1945 Posthumously awarded the Navy Cross for extraordinary heroism Posthumously inducted into the NIU Athletics Hall of Fame, 1987

Harold C. Cook             Illinois Football, 1936 (Manager) B.S., Industry and Technology, 1939 Second Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps 44th Bomber Group, Heavy, 67th Bomber Squadron Declared dead: February 16, 1943 Circumstances of casualty were attributed to "Missing in Action or lost or buried at sea." Awards: Air Medal, Purple Heart, American Campaign Medal, World War II Victory Medal

Merle C. Eby             Kane County, Illinois Football, 1937-40 (Quarterback-Halfback) Did not earn a degree Captain, U.S. Army Corps 56th Fighter Group, 61st Fighter Squadron Declared dead: June 27, 1944 Circumstances of casualty were attributed to "Missing in Action or lost or buried at sea." Awards: Air Medal with Oak Leaf Cluster

Marsh W. Hemenway DeKalb, Illinois         Track, 1938 B.S., Social Sciences, 1940 DeKalb High School, 1936 Lieutenant, U.S. Army Air Corps Lost at Sea: February 16, 1942 (between Miami and Key West) Awards: American Defense Medal, American Campaign Medal, Pilot Wings, World War II Victory Medal

William S. Johnson         Football, 1937 (Guard) B.S., Industry and Technology, 1939 No military information found

Harold E. Lewis Marseilles, Illinois Football, 1937-39 (Halfback)         B.S., Mathematics, 1940 Captain, U.S. Army Air Corps 14th Fighter Group, 49th Fighter Squadron Declared dead: December 5, 1942 Circumstances of casualty were attributed to "Missing in Action or lost or buried at sea." Awards: Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal, Purple Heart

John H. Olhaber Elgin, Illinois B.S., Applied Mathematics, 1937 No military information found

Robert M. Varty             Sycamore, Illinois Northern Illinois State Teachers College, 1932 Staff Sergeant, Radio Operator, U. S. Army Air Corps Killed in action: May 17, 1944 (reported to have been shot while being held by German soldiers in Arras, France, after his B-24 crashed)

Restoration Team

Project Coordinator
Tom Wroblewski – Director, Architectural and Engineering Services
Gerald “Butch” Bonnell – Foreman, Furniture Repair Shop
Phil Manno – Carpenter, Physical Plant
Rolf Oxnevad – Paint Shop Foreman, Physical Plant
Ben Ritter – Architect, Architectural and Engineering Services
Dave Rodgers – Furniture Repair Shop
Lee Sido – Art Department
Brian Timms – Carpenter Shop Foreman, Physical Plant