Township to Honor Korean War Hero

Of the millions of American military service members who have served in combat since the start of the Civil War, only about 3,400 have received the Medal of Honor -- a roll call of heroes that includes one Belleville native.

Now the township Henry Svehla once called home is planning its own tribute.

Local officials are planning a number of events around Veterans Day to commemorate Svehla. Plans are also in the works to erect memorials at Town Hall and the campus of Belleville High School, Chief of Police Joseph Rotonda said.

“The mayor asked me to head up a committee to honor him with some kind of memorial,” Rotonda said. “Right now it’s in the planning stages. We’re going to do it in conjunction with the board of education and the library.”

On June 12, 1952, the 19-year-old Svehla, an Army private, was seriously injured while leading troops against Chinese soldiers at Pyongony, Korea, during the Korean War. Refusing medical attention, Svehla was later killed when he smothered a grenade with his body, protecting the men around him.  

Nearly six decades later -- and after a long campaign by family members and the office of Rep. Bill Pascrell (D-8th) -- Svehla was posthumously awarded the nation’s highest military honor during a White House ceremony attended by President Obama. The ceremony was held May 2, the day after Obama announced that a team of Navy SEALS had killed the world’s most-wanted terrorist, Osama bin Laden.

Immediately after news of Svehla’s honor became public several weeks ago, officials began talking about ways to recognize the man who is believed to be the only township native to receive the Medal of Honor. Board of Education member Joseph Longo suggested erecting a memorial at the high school a few weeks ago.

Also planned, Rotonda said, is a week-long celebration around Veteran’s Day which might coincide with an unveiling of the memorials. Rotonda will also speak with family members -- some of whom still reside in the township --  about the possibility of temporarily displaying memorabilia at the Belleville Public Library as part of the celebration.

Information about making donations and other specifics will “be forthcoming”, Rotonda added.