Iowa State University honored fallen students who have given their lives while serving in the military during the Gold Star Hall Ceremony on Monday at the Memorial Union.
Lt. Junior Grade Thomas Smith, 1st Lt. Eugene Armstrong, Capt. David Myers and Capt. Myron Poock were honored at the event, and all were former students at ISU.
Located in the Memorial Union, the Gold Star Hall serves as a living memorial honoring nearly 600 Iowa State students who lost their lives in World War I, World War II, Korea, Vietnam, Somalia and the Global War on Terrorism.
The military tradition of presenting a coin symbolizes belonging and connection. Iowa State created its own coin to honor this tradition, presenting it to the families of the honorees as a lasting token of remembrance.
Iowa State President Wendy Wintersteen was unable to attend in person but greeted families and guests through a recorded video message.
“Today, we gather to honor the Iowa Staters who made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our country,” Wintersteen said. “Their courage, dedication and cyclone spirit continues to inspire our community and live on within the walls of the Memorial Union.”
Former ISU Athletics Director of Communications, Tom Kroeschell, read a remembrance for honoree Smith.
Smith was born on April 16, 1919, to Arthur and Alice Smith and raised in Boone, Iowa. He began studying horticulture at Iowa State College in 1938.
Smith graduated in spring of 1942 with his degree in horticulture and joined the U.S. Navy. He enlisted as an ensign in the Naval Reserve.
“He was stationed in California, where his blimp went on a nighttime training mission over the ocean but unknowingly flew into a hillside near Catalina Island,” Kroeschell said. “Though all seven members survived the crash, moments after the blimp exploded, causing all but one member of the crew to get killed.”
After Smith’s passing, his remains were transported to Boone for his funeral, and he was laid to rest in Linwood Park Cemetery near his mother and father.
Olivia Lyons, Navy Reservist, then honored Armstrong.
Armstrong was born on May 19, 1919, in Jefferson, Iowa, to Dr. William and Ruth Armstrong.
Armstrong was an active student at ISU. He was a member of the Sigma Alpha Epsilon fraternity, Varsity 1 Athletics Club, Porpoise Club, the rifle team and worked in advertising with the student newspaper.
In 1940, Armstrong graduated with a Bachelor of Science degree in history, and then he began working on his graduate degree at Iowa State when he enlisted in the military May 20, 1941.
“His battalion reached Italy in January 1944 and joined the Battle of Anzio. As a field artillery observation pilot, Armstrong’s plane was shot down over the beachhead in late March, which killed him at age 25,” Lyons said.
After Armstrong’s passing, he was awarded the Air Medal for completing 35 field artillery observation flights in Italy from January to March 1944.
Originally buried in an overseas cemetery, Armstrong’s remains were returned to Greene County in 1948. The year before, without his family’s knowledge, Army barracks in Büdingen, Germany, were named in his honor.
Retired Marine Corps Lt. Col. Daniel Divine honored Myers.
On July 7, 1938, Myers was born to Dean and Marion Gwendolyn Myers. From Albion, Nebraska, he was a top student, athlete and active church member known for his leadership and love of the outdoors.
He graduated from Iowa State in 1961 with a degree in fish and wildlife management and served in the Navy ROTC.
“Captain Myers went on his final mission on Nov. 20, 1968 in Guangdong, Vietnam,” Divine said. “He was on a helicopter mission to land assault troops for Operation Meade River. Five members died in that crash, including Myers.”
After his passing, Myers received a Purple Heart for his bravery. He was also awarded a Combat Action Ribbon, Marksmanship Badge, National Defense Service Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation and Vietnam Gallantry Cross for his years of service and dedication.
Retired Veteran Sgt. Jeremy A. Jacobsen honored Pook.
Pook, born May 21, 1943, son of Walter and Alita Pook, was raised in Sumner, Iowa. Pook was on the Sumner High School honor roll, play crew and was a reporter for the Future Farmers of America.
After graduating from high school in 1961, he attended ISU, majoring in sociology, and joined the ROTC.
“The Military Assistance Command was a special operations unit conducting missions across Vietnam, Laos, and Cambodia,” Jacobsen said. “On July 21, while attending a cultural program in a nearby village, Myron was injured when enemy forces threw a grenade into the crowd. He was airlifted to an Army hospital but died from his injuries the next day.”
After Pook’s passing, he was laid to rest in St. John’s Lutheran Cemetery, and his memory lives on through his siblings and extended family.
Upcoming Veterans Day events in Ames include the Veterans Day Assembly at 1:30 p.m. Nov. 11 in the Ames Gymnasium, followed by a reception in the games multipurpose room from 2:45 to 3:15 p.m.
