SOUTH PARK
HIGH SCHOOL
ALUMNI ASSOCATION

     In May 2014, we found an aged scrapbook in the Alumni Room bookcase, labeled “War Years.” It contained pages and news articles beginning to crumble, reporting South Park’s loss during WWII. We found that the 1919 DIAL held a page titled, “Our Boys in the Service of their Country.” One of the names listed, Alex Mallion, had an asterisk, denoting that he had been killed in action. It occurred to us that his sacrifice deserved more than an asterisk. 
 

     We started with the 121 names on a granite memorial outside the school from WWII, seven names on a plaque from Vietnam, and one name from an OIF plaque inside South Park High School, with the basic question, “Who were they?”

     Research began in 2014 and was paused in June 2021.  We began with 129 names, and research identified 3 from WWI, an additional 33 from WWII, 22 from Korea, an additional 8 from Vietnam, and 11 non-combat. 206 total.

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     We know their names, what most of them look like, where they lived, when they attended South Park, how old they were, their service branch, when they entered service, how long they were in service, how they lost their lives, where they died, when they died, and where most are interred, and more.  This information is available to the entire South Park High School family.

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     In retrospect, we had no idea what we were getting into in 2014. It was a busy, humbling, eye-opening, eye-watering, informative, poignant, gratifying experience researching these extraordinary men and woman; our classmates.  Words like harrowing, intrepid, resolute, courageous, selfless, valor, and others consistently came to mind.  We are honored to know each of their names.

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     Along the way, we have met many wonderful people who were willing to share information on their husbands, fathers, uncles, brothers, cousins, and friends. Some shared family letters and pictures. We are grateful for their trust.