Eighty years ago those here on the Homefront anxiously awaited the delivery of the newspaper every day to study the war news. Maps of foreign places like France, the Philippines, England and Germany were thumbtacked to kitchen walls. Local men were still in the thick of fighting on both the European and Pacific fronts. Everyone was so weary of the stress and strain of loved ones in danger as well as the sacrifices that war shortages had brought. The end of the war was near …
At one time, this large Veterans roster was in the old Jamestown City Hall on Third Street. It is now featured in the Fenton History Center’s Homefront Exhibit. The names are all City employees who served in World War II. Two names on the board are followed by gold stars: Elmer R. Berry and Kenneth A. Beebe.
Elmer Romanzo Berry was born in New Hampshire in 1910. He came to Western New York in the 1930s and worked as an inspector at Marlin Rockwell before being appointed to the Jamestown Fire Department.
He joined the Army in February 1944 (Service #42085471) and went overseas in October 1944, being promoted to Sergeant on December 7, 1944. Sgt. Berry was killed in the Battle of the Bulge on January 2, 1945. He is buried at the Luxembourg American Century in Hamm, Luxembourg. Fire Station 3 on Newland Avenue is dedicated in Sgt. Berry’s memory.
Kenneth A. Beebe was born in 1913. He joined the Jamestown Police Department and was a patrolman from 1940-1943. He was drafted into the U.S. Army in October 1943 (Service #6712025), entering service as a military policeman in the Pacific Theater before serving with the 306th Infantry Division. He was killed in action by Japanese sniper fire on Okinawa on May 5, 1945.
PFC Beebe is buried in Soldiers Circle at Lakeview Cemetery. His remains, along with two other Jamestown residents, Gunner’s Mate 2nd Class Robert A. Hanson and Lt. Carl F. Carlson, were returned to Jamestown in January 1949.
The Veterans Roster was found several decades ago at City Hall by retired JPD Detective Art Osterdahl. He said the Board was near the trash, possibly being discarded. He took possession of it, and it eventually made its way to the Fenton History Center.
Recently a bronze plaque in memory of PFC Beebe came to light at the Jamestown Police Department. It had been damaged by water several years ago and had not been returned to display. Det. Osterdahl and retired PO Tom Shea had the plaque restored and were able to contact the Beebe family for a photograph of Patrolman Beebe to replace the damaged one. It was rededicated on Nov. 11, 2024, and will again be on display at the Jamestown Police Department.



