Indian River County Historical Society interviews veterans on video for posterity
VERO BEACH − The Indian River County Historical Society is working alongside former mayor and retired Army Col. Tony Young on a video project portraying the stories of four local World War II veterans.
The project, about local veterans' experiences in past wars, is focusing its second episode on WWII veterans. The collection will be part of the Society’s mini historical video series and is its contribution to Young’s proposed WWII memorial on Veteran’s Memorial Island Sanctuary.
“The opportunity to recognize the WWII veterans is important because on the island, you have a memorial for the Korean War, the Vietnam War, and now you have one for World War I, but there is nothing for World War II,” Young said during a video session Tuesday.
The WWII video is in memory of Pvt. Clifford Barnwell; Cpl. Ernest Osceola Sheffield; Cpl. Edward Richard Ochylsky Jr.; and Hazel Metz Gerbhardt, a member of the U.S. Navy WAVES (Women Accepted for Volunteer Services).
The video features sons, daughters and a nephew of the WWII veterans, as well as Cpl. Lloyd A. Pickard, a veteran of the WWII Pacific Theater who defended the 4th Marine Division battlegrounds; and Pfc. William (Bill) Keegan, a medic who saw the horrors of war in Europe.
Leaving a legacy in Vero Beach
The history shared through these veterans and their families will leave a legacy for younger generations to understand not only what people in Vero Beach sacrificed, but also what took place here.
“The project is to create a film that will be available with the World War II tribute that will be given to the city of Vero Beach on Memorial Island,” said Young.
The tribute, he said, which is a stage for ceremonies, will be to recognize the World War II generation. A part of that will be a kiosk that will have a marker from the historical society. On that marker, will be the story of the tribute, what it’s about and also a link and QR code, so if you want to know more of the stories of the men and women that sacrificed in World War II, you can go there.
The meaning of this video, and ultimately the memorial, may be different to each veteran and their families. But one theme runs strong: legacy.
First Black man from Indian River County killed in WWII
To Michael Gerbhardt, son of Hazel Metz Gerbhardt, a Navy WAVE, the Vero Beach Naval Air Station (now Piper Aircraft) and WWII is a reflection of his family heritage. Hazel worked in the Air Control Center tracking flight operations.
Unbeknownst to her children, what she did during WWII at the Air Control Center was classified, and she held that secret for many years.
“It’s vindication for the stories that my mom only told to us kids,” said Gerbhardt. “When they had their first 40-year WAVE reunion in Vero in 1986, that was the first time all the stories came out and I saw my mom amongst her friends. It was like a high school reunion. But they were in life and death situations, training men that they knew might not come home. It was different, a much tighter bond.”
Hazel Metz Gerbhardt was among the group of off-duty workers who ran from the Naval Air Station to 14th Avenue spreading the news of victory in Japan.
Leon Barnwell, son of Pvt. Clifford Barnwell, brought Vietnam veteran Cpl. Sylvester McIntosh, Pastor Jack White and Alphonso Davis along to support spreading awareness for his father.
“This means a whole lot, because too many people don't know about Clifford Barnwell and what he did overseas, so this was a good thing,” said McIntosh. “They are getting it out in the open and getting it where everybody knows about him.”
Clifford Barnwell was killed during harbor operations in Hawaii preparing for the invasion of Saipan. At the time, news of “The West Loch Disaster,” a maritime accident at Pearl Harbor, was kept secret to avoid enemy knowledge. The incident in 1944 began following an explosion in a staging area for landing ships, tanks and other amphibious assault ships in West Loch. Barnwell was aboard LST 353, and his remains were never recovered.
During the video interview, Leon Barnwell said Clifford was the first Black man from Indian River County killed in WWII.
“It’s part of our Black history and telling the story of what is being done here in our local community and in Indian River County,” said White.
Sheffield, an Army corporal, was shipped out in 1944 as a 630th Tank Destroyer soldier. While fighting the German offensive through the Ardennes, he was captured. He was killed on Christmas Day 1944 from allied bombing of Bitburg as a POW. His remains were never accounted for.
Ochylski was trained as a heavy weapons non-commissioned officer and was wounded in action twice. He was recognized with awards including two Purple Hearts, the Bronze Star, the Comat Infantry Badge and the European Campaign Medal with bronze service stars for the Northern France, Ardennes and Rhineland Battles. He died last year in Vero Beach at age 98.
How you can help
Young and members of the Historical Society said they are fighting hard to memorialize WWII veterans, but need help from the community.
“We’re hoping that people who watch the video ... will also come forth with funds to help this very worthwhile project,” said Ruth Stanbridge, president of the Indian River Historical Society.
Young told the Vero Beach City Council in early October his group had collected about $300,000.
Potential donors can go to the website of the Cultural Council of Indian River County, which is collecting money for the memorial, and make a donation on its home page through PayPal. Also, people can send a check to the Cultural Council at World War II Memorial, 1216 21st St., Suite 1, Vero Beach, FL 32960.
This article originally appeared on Treasure Coast Newspapers: Video project portrays stories of 4 Vero Beach World War II veterans
