In Memoriam
CARLOS SHOWALTER, WWII VETERAN
Carlos L. Showalter was born on May 22nd, 1925 in Page County Virginia. At the age of 17, he requested permission from his parents to join the U.S. Navy. His mother refused to sign for the Navy because of the threat that Submarines were causing to surface ships. However, she did agree for him to sign up for the Marines.
After completing basic training in 1942, Mr. Showalter was dispatched with the Marines 4th Division, 23rd Regiment, Company C, which was stationed in Maui, Hawaii.
November 1943 - February 1944: One of the first missions was to take the Marshall Islands and the Japanese air bases that were located there. This was one of the first steps to take control of the Pacific providing air and naval support for future battles.
June 15th 1944 - July 9th 1944: Saipan, another important strategic location and very important moral victory. After American forces take Saipan, the Japanese Prime Minister and the entire Japanese war cabinet resigned, marking what many believe to have been the beginning of the end of the war in the Pacific. Saipan was the first captured air base from which U.S. B-29 Super Fortress bombers could reach mainland Japan.
July 1944 – August 1944: Tinian, yet another important strategic location for troops and airfields.
February 1945 – March 1945: Iwo Jima, one of the fiercest battles in the Pacific. Of the 238 original men in Company C, only 16 of the 38 that returned to the United States were not casualties; one of which was Mr. Showalter. He was involved in the taking of Hill 382 which was one of the most costly battles on Iwo Jima, losing close to 1/3 of the company in that battle alone. The U.S. Air Force dedicated one of its B-29 bombers to the Marines 4th division; it was estimated that nearly 100 planes per month were saved with the closer air fields captured by the Marines.
After returning home in 1945 as Sergeant, Mr. Showalter remained in the Marine Reserves until completing the 4 year enlisting requirement.
He married Jeanne Rosenberger Showalter, had three children, and enjoyed a career selling power equipment while both he and his wife completed mission trips to many different countries with Shenandoah Baptist Church. His family includes several grand children, great grand children, and great-great grandchildren; many who called him “Go-Gran” because he was always “on the go”. In recent years, Mr. Showalter gave speeches and presentations to various groups and organizations about his experiences as a Marine in World War II. He passed away peacefully at his home near Fincastle, VA on the afternoon of July 9th, 2019; the same day as the 75th anniversary of end of the battle of Saipan which he was a part of.
Psalms 91:7 - A thousand may fall at your side, ten thousand at your right hand, but it will not come near you.
Steve Goodwin
aka "Slacker"/Board Holder
Steve was a veteran of the U.S. Army. He originally was a member of the 6th Military Police Co. of the 11th Lt. Infantry Brigade Scholfield Barracks Hawaii in 1966 then went to Viet Nam in 1967-68 where he was promoted to Sgt. E-5 with the 148th Military Police Platoon. Upon returning home, he spent countless hours over the next 50 years dedicated to veterans through personal interaction as well as through Vietnam Veterans of America (Chapter 81), Roanoke Valley Veterans Council, and was instrumental in the ground work for having the Virginia Veterans Care Center built in the Roanoke Valley. His working career placed him with the Vinton Police Dept., American Red Cross Blood Services as product manager, and for 26 years with the Transportation Safety Office through DMV where he was awarded the J. Stannard Baker lifetime achievement award as a pioneer in traffic safety and crash prevention.
Steve was a true family man who doted on his daughter, Alisa, spoiled his wife and loved his four-legged kids Lefty, Lucy, and Ouizer. He loved working around his home, camping with Lefty in the Captain America Mobile Retirement Command Center and spending time at New Freedom Farm with Maury the Mule (and the people). Steve dedicated himself wholeheartedly to any task undertaken and was greatly admired for his work ethics. Most of all, he will be remembered for his sense of humor and ability to always leave everyone laughing. He was a “once in a lifetime, never be another one like him” kind of person.
LINDA A. PIKE
Linda A. Pike, of Phillipsburg, NJ, died on her 58th birthday, December 9, 2016. Born in Orange, NJ, she was a daughter of George W. Pike of Forks Township, Pa. and the late Elizabeth Anginoli Pike. Linda graduated South River High School in 1977; Glassboro State College in 1981 with a Bachelor's Degree in Psychology and from John Jay College of Criminal Justice in 1983 with a Master's Degree in Forensic Psychology. She worked for the State of New Jersey as a social worker at the Edna Mahon Women's Correctional Facility in Clinton, NJ and retired from the Division of Family Youth Services in Warren County in 2013. After her retirement, Linda worked as a substitute teacher in various schools throughout Warren County. Linda was also involved with Alcoholics Anonymous in Washington, NJ.