HomeMemorial Plaques Honoring Military Service

Memorial Plaques Honoring Military Service

The Archives, as well as the Department of Rare Books and Special Collections, hold numerous collections relating to the role of UR students and faculty in wartime. The University's publications and photographic files also contain much information about the contributions of these men and women. 

There are plaques commemorating those who lost their lives in battle hanging in Wilson Commons.

  • Civil War
  • World War I
  • World War II
  • Korean War
  • Vietnam War


Civil War

In Defence of the Union during the Civil War, 1861-1865

Civil War plaque in Wilson Commons

About one hundred students and alumni of the University of Rochester served as volunteers in the army and navy during the Civil War. This bronze plaque replaces a marble tablet formerly in Anderson Hall on which were recorded the names of ten of these Rochester soldiers who gave their lives to preserve the Union.

Jeremiah C. Drake Class of 1852
Sidney L. Richardson Class of 1853
William L. Bristol Class of 1856
Theodore E. Baker Class of 1857
Sylvanus S. Wilcox Class of 1860
Charles H. Savage Class of 1861
Joseph Webster Class of 1861
William C. Hall Class of 1863
William E. Orr Class of 1864
J. Harry Pool Class of 1865

Vita enim mortuorum
In memoria vivorum est posita


World War I

In Defense of the Nation during the World War, 1917-1918

World War I plaque in Wilson Commons

Nearly nine hundred graduates, former students and undergraduates of this University entered military service during World War I. This tablet, erected by the mother of Robert K. Dennison, records the names of eleven of these college men who laid down their lives that the cause of liberty and honor might prevail.

Harold C. Kimball, Class of 1911
John H. Lehnen, Class of 1912
Everett C. Case, Class of 1913
Lawrence B. Atkins, Class of 1915
Harry O. Ferguson, Class of 1916
Leon H. Buckler, Class of 1917
Charles H. Evans, Class of 1918
Robert K. Dennison, Class of 1919
Samuel R. McNair, Class of 1919
Jules V. Fish, Class of 1920
G. Barstow Fraley, Class of 1920

Dulce et decorum est
Pro patria mori

World War II

This plaque honors the memory of University of Rochester alumni who gave their lives in World War II to preserve the freedom and liberty we enjoy today.


This plaque honors the memory of University of Rochester alumni who gave their lives in World War II to preserve the freedom and liberty we enjoy today.

Alexander D. Allen '43
Alan Y. Austin '43
Albert H. Baker '42
Bruce Beghold '47
Walter E. Bond, Jr. '39
Philip William Carey '39
Harold Richard Carlson '46
Robert E. Claudius '46
Marvin Cooke
Gordon E. Davis '45
Robert S. Day '44
Robert George Dean '46
James Deming '44
Ronald W. Doll '36
Darwin K. Dunning '39
James E. Elliott '40
Walter T. Enright '30
Jacob Thomas Farris
William H. Frick '44
Robert L. Fritschel '42
Mason C. Gaffney '22
Percival H. Granger '46
Lyman Brinkman Hart '47
John Haruk '39
Allen J. Haupenthal '42
David William Hayes, Jr. '43
John L. Hazen, Jr. '43
Paul Husted '45
Earl W. Krumwiede '46
Gordon K. Lambert '32, '35 (MD)
James C. Lawrence '43
James J. LeClare '37
Marvin E. Lee '42
Bjorn S. Lindboe '45
Armon H. Livermore '44
Arthur E. Loeser '23
Edward W. Maher '43
Ellis Medvin '44
Walter T. Menegazzi '43
Joseph A. Morton '42
Robert A. Neumer '44
Donald T. O'Keefe '41
Franklin R. Parske '41
Robert H. Patchen '43
Earl W. Rubens '35
Paul Schmidt '45
Harold J. Schott, Jr. '46
Norbert Schulz '45
Roger D. Skinner '38
Robert Speas '42
Richard W. Stoll '43
Lee H. Streeter '44
Wilfred N. Tanenbaum '42
Gerald R. Thoman '42
Ralph E. Wersinger '35
Vernon P. Winton
Robert H. Zwierschke '39


A gift from University of Rochester veterans of World War II
Dedicated on October 25, 1996


Korean War

Freedom is not free

Freedom Is Not Free

This plaque honors the memory of University of Rochester alumni who gave their lives in the defense of freedom during the Korean War, 1950-1953

George W. Dykema, Jr. '51
Charles S. Langtry '45
Spiro J. Peters '50
Lester L. Shade '47

A gift from the University of Rochester veterans
Dedicated October 13, 2000 on the occasion of the University's Sesquicentennial

Vietnam War

This plaque honors members of the University of Rochester community who died serving their country during the Vietnam War.


This plaque honors members of the University of Rochester community who died serving their country during the Vietnam War.

Ralph Button '56
James R. Dennison '56
Robert N. Funk '67
Carl Hansen, Jr '60
Gary D. Hopps '61
Thomas G. King '66
Joseph R. Klugg '65E
William Lanham '65
James E. Morse '68
Victor Ohanesian
Lester R. Oonk
Hendrick H. Pruyn '56
Rodney Reed '66
Edward l. Romig '63
Donald C. Thompson '62
Thomas J. Walter '62
Armour D. Wilcox III '68


One of the University of Rochester alums who gave his life in the Vietnam War was 2nd Lt. Thomas G. King, USMC Class of 1966.

Thomas George King was born June 5, 1944 in Penfield, NY. As a midshipman, he was an active participant in both the NROTC and University communities, being the Battalion Commander his senior year 1966. Upon Graduation, he received his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the Marine Corps June 6, 1966 (King was 1 of 13 University of Rochester seniors to receive armed forces commission on commencement day). After completing the Basic School in Quantico, Virginia, King was assigned to Company B, First Battalion, 9th Marines, 3ed Marin Division in the Republic of Vietnam. After taking part in numerous small arms skirmishes (including 6 combat operations in the Quang Tri Province from March 10 - July 2, 1967), Lt. King was killed in action on July 2, 1967 while leading his platoon under enemy small and mortar arms fire.

King's men described him as decisive, courageous under fire, and able to lead in combat even when wounded. His superiors lauded his resourcefulness and quick actions when faced with overwhelming odds and the aggressive and thoughtful manner in which he fought the enemy. His decorations include two Purple Hearts, the Vietnam Service Medal, and the Vietnam Commendation Medal to include gallantry cross with palm. For his bravery, heroism and professionalism under fire, King was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star with Combat "V." He is buried in Arlington National Cemetery with full military honors and his name adorns the Vietnam memorials in Washington D.C.

[This is an amalgam of a short newspaper article and two brief biographies, one of which was written by Captain Daniel A. Wilson.]