SOUTH PARK
HIGH SCHOOL
ALUMNI ASSOCATION
Honoring Conspicuous Service
In early 2018 SPHS Alumni Association research determined that of the 206 SPARKS known to have fallen between WWI and OIF, only 13 had received the New York State Conspicuous Service Cross (CSC); 2 from World War II and 11 from Vietnam. Why only 13? No doubt, the emergent needs in returning to peacetime as well as challenges in the wartime management of information were among the factors contributing to this unintended oversight.
In April 2018, after discussion with NYS Department of Military and Naval Affairs (DMNA) we met with Ms. Jessica LaFalce, Director of Community Affairs for Senator Tim Kennedy’s Office. Following our briefing, a clear path for submission and review of South Park fallen warriors for medal consideration was identified.
The process was quickly engaged and with the legally required research and documentation, we submitted applications and received 123 medals for fallen SPARKS who met the requirements. 32 medals were presented to families in a wonderful ceremony here in May 2019 honoring the families and next of kin for classmates who fell in WWI, WWII, Korea and Vietnam. The event was attended by several hundred people from the community and was followed by a reception in the Library.
The process continued after May 23, 2019 for a short period and an additional 8 CSC's were obtained, 131 total.
We continued to search for recipient families and presented 71 medals to those we located from 2019 through 2022; 11 by mail throughout the U.S. and the remaining 60 individually, from us to them directly. We met with their sons and daughters, brothers and sisters, nieces and nephews, grandchildren, cousins, a daughter-in-law and a Rector.
Local presentations were nearly all made in public places and included the reading of a letter from the Alumni Association, a Certificate of Recognition from the Buffalo Common Council, the CSC Citation signed by Governor Cuomo, and concluded with the medal presentation.
On May 17, 2025 we honored the remaining 29, 20 whose families have all passed away and 9 whom we couldn’t successfully locate. These men, our classmates, are remembered on a plaque. 7 whose photo’s are bordered in red, remain Missing In Action.
The plaque is posted in the South Park High School Hall of Honor. When you have the opportunity to visit South Park remember our fallen classmates; our 5 Prisoners Of War and the 35 who remain Missing In Action, our brothers and sister; be their family, respect their service and honor their sacrifice.
During this project, query of the NYS DMNA Military Museum (https://dmna.ny.gov/historic) found that nearly all of our fallen warriors were NOT present in their state-wide, searchable data base. As of January 4, 2021, in coordination with the DMNA Museum librarian/archivist, all 206 names of the South Park High School fallen warriors have been included in the State-wide database as a permanent testament of their service to America, our state and our city.
Similarly, each of our WWII fallen have been added to the national Stories Behind The Stars/Together We Served project.