Four inducted into Cambria County Military Hall of Fame

Oct. 29—JOHNSTOWN, Pa. — Navy Capt. Lawrence Brandon Jr., the only living member of the Cambria County Military Hall of Fame Class of 2023, not only reflected upon his own career during Saturday's induction ceremony, but he also took time to appreciate the contributions of the other individuals who were no longer here to accept their recognitions.

Brandon was the first Black man to serve as chief engineer aboard a nuclear-powered Navy aircraft carrier.

Steve Ditko spent time with the U.S, Army in post-World War II Germany before returning to the United States, taking art classes, and becoming the co-creator of superhero Spider-Man and creator of Doctor Strange. Emory Fisher, a U.S. Army Colored Troops company commander, died during a Civil War battle in Petersburg, Virginia, on June 15, 1864. Joseph Rizza held numerous positions on the way from being a new member of the Merchant Marines to a Navy rear admiral.

All four of them lived in Johnstown.

"As I stand before you today, I do so not on my own behalf, but as a representative of all those who have served our nation with honor and distinction," Brandon said during the induction ceremony inside 1st Summit Arena @ Cambria County War Memorial. "The collective contributions of Cambria County from my groundbreaking opportunity to the sacrifices of Emory Fisher, the inspiring leadership of Joseph Rizza and the creative genius of Steve Ditko exemplify the profound impact of our community in our nation's military history."

Brandon looked back upon his ongoing 30-year military career which includes currently serving as an operations officer at the Norfolk Naval Shipyard and his historic accomplishment.

"I would like to share an achievement that holds significant meaning for me and I believe reflects the progress our nation ... has made promoting diversity and inclusivity within our military," he said.

"I'm proud to have become the first African-American chief engineer on a nuclear-powered aircraft carrier in our nation's Navy. Aircraft carriers sailed to sea on nuclear power starting in 1961. This 56-year milestone in the making, achieved through dedication and hard work, is a testament to the opportunities that our great nation offers all who serve with honor and distinction."

Veteran Community Initiatives community operations director Josh Hauser, a former combat correspondent with the Marine Corps, inducted Ditko, recounting his military service and the global impact of his artistic work.

"I'm pretty sure that I've seen an image of Spider-Man in every country I've ever been to," Hauser said. "I really do. You'll see kids walking around, going down the street in Fallujah, (Iraq) with a little Spider-Man shirt on. You'll see them in Haiti, you'll see them in Thailand, Sri Lanka, Japan, just everywhere. I've seen Spider-Man everywhere."

Members of Ditko's family attended the ceremony.

"It's awesome," said his nephew, Patrick Ditko. "We really appreciate all the acknowledgment that Steve has gotten as part of Johnstown history."

Ditko recalled his uncle as a man who "came from a generation where duty and obligation was not only to your family, but also to your country."

No family members of Rizza or Fisher could be found to attend.

Fisher has already long been honored locally with his name being attached to the Grand Army of the Republic fraternal organization chapter.

"The naming of the post was important to the GAR and thus the Johnstown post was named for Emory Fisher," said veterans advocate Marlin Plymette when inducting Fisher. "It's the Emory Fisher GAR Post 30, a graceful tribute to his legacy and his sterling soldierly qualities and evidence of the high esteem in which he is held by his brothers in arms."

Rizza survived Kamikaze attacks in the Pacific Theatre of WWII, served during the Korean War, spent time as the chief of staff for all naval forces in South Vietnam, met the likes of Princess Grace Kelly of Monaco and President of Uganda Idi Amin, and revitalized the once-struggling California Maritime Academy.

"For Joe, the Merchant Marines and U.S. Navy provided him with opportunities no other field could come close to," his hall of fame inductor, Marty Brezovic, said.

Brezovic said "Rizza had a reputation worldwide for his unbiased and objective work, and for integrity, and honesty and credibility consistently brought to the table. During his wartime service, he was the epitome of leadership, ethical comportment and complete grace under fire."