Three Veterans Honored In Road Dedication Ceremony

Judge Executive Wil Cannon (L) unveils road signs dedicated to fallen soldiers along with B.J. Honeycutt.

Darren Doyle, story and photos:
Three Edmonson County servicemen that were killed in action were honored today as three local roadways were dedicated in their names in a ceremony under the pavilion at Cedar Springs United Baptist Church.

Silent Grove Church Road was dedicated to Pvt. James E. Dawes, killed WWII; Stice Road was dedicated to Pvt. James A. Cole, also killed in WWII; and Knobs Road was dedicated to Pfc. Ernest W. Rutherford, who was killed in Vietnam.

The ceremony was organized and hosted by former Edmonson County Sheriff B.J. Honeycutt, who is also an Army National Guard Veteran who served in Operation Desert Shield and Desert Storm.

B.J. Honeycutt reads the bios of the men honored at the ceremony today.

Several huddled under the shelter behind the church as the cool rain blew in; many family members of those honored, friends, and several community and church members were quiet in sincerity during today's event.

Brother Junior Cook was asked to deliver the invocation while Kentucky VFW State Commander and county resident Edwin Vincent led the crowd in the Pledge of Allegiance. Vincent reminded the crowd why ceremonies like these were important.

"As long as there is one veteran, we will continue to give honor," he said.

Honeycutt read the bios of each of the fallen service members, beginning with James Elmer Dawes, who grew up in Silent Grove. He was the son of James and Maud Dawes and the brother to Joe, Nadean, and Anna Louise Dawes.

The bios of the fallen were provided to those in attendance and read as follows:

Pvt. Dawes was a member of the U.S. Army Air Forces and was assigned to the 570th Bomber Squadron, 390th Bomber Group in France during World War II. He was the turret ball gunner on the popular B-17 Flying Fortress. His unit gained fame as a member of The Stork Club because it was said they could deliver bombs like a stork could deliver babies. 

On March 16th, 1944 the Unit was given a critical strategic mission to bomb an industrial area where enemy bombs and bombers were staged In Augsburg, Germany. While en route to the target area they encountered numerous fighter planes. Pvt. Dawes was able to defend his B-17 by shooting down several fighter planes before his B-17 was hit and exploded in mid-air. 

Pvt James Elmer Dawes is buried at the Lorraine American Cemetery in St. Avold France. He was awarded the Purple Heart, Air Medal, WWII Victory Medal, European Campaign Medal and the American Campaign Medal. 

James Albert Cole grew up in the Cedar Springs Community and was the son of James David and Josie Louisia Cole, and the brother of Aleene, Paul, Violet, Le Roy, and Charles Cole. 

Pvt. Cole was a member of the U.S. Army and was assigned to the 28th Infantry Regiment, 8th infantry Division during WW II. Pvt. Cole's unit soon became known as the Bloody Bucket division because of all the blood shed during their battles. The Bloody Bucket became a name associated with pride for the men who fought in their division. They served in two of the toughest battles in which the Americans were engaged in the European Theatre; Hurtgen Forest and the Battle of the Bulge. Pvt. Cole was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge and received the Purple Heart. 

Later that same year Pvt Coles unit landed on Utah beach into some of the harshest fighting known to American Troops. Pvt Coles unit was to lead the way to clear a path for the armored divisions to launch an attack into Brittany and Northern France. On August 29th, 1944 Pvt Cole died from combat wounds he had received during this gruesome battle. 

Pvt James Albert Cole is buried at the Brittany American Cemetery in Montjoie Saint Martin, France. He was awarded the Purple Heart, WW II Victory Medal, American Campaign Medal, Army Presidential Unit Citation, Army Good Conduct Medal and Expert Marksmanship Badge.

Ernest Wayne Rutherford grew up in the Cedar Springs Community. He was the son of Julius Clayton and Mildred Rutherford and the brother of Joe, Dennis (Wormy), Jannell, Glenda, and Phyllis Rutherford. 

PFC Rutherford was a member of the U.S. Marine Corps and was assigned to the 1st Marine Division, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, G Company as a rifleman during the Vietnam War. The 1st Marine Division is an adaptable expeditionary Force in readiness, generating and deploying forces in support of global force management in just a few hours. PFC Rutherford's unit was deployed to the Thua Thien province in South Vietnam in defense of the TET Offensive. Basically the TET Offensive was a movement from North Vietnam to arm every man, woman and child big enough to carry a weapon to invade South Vietnam to take over the country. Many US and Allied Forces were deployed to the Thua Thien area to stop the invasion. On July 6th, 1968 PFC Rutherford's unit arrived in Thua Thien and were engaged in some of the fiercest fighting of the Vietnam War. On July 11th, 1968 ( five days after arriving ) PFC Rutherford was killed in action. 

Some say he might have been killed by friendly fire but those of us who have seen battle know there is no such thing as friendly fire. When you're in the thick of battle and bullets are firing and people are getting killed everywhere all you want to do is survive. During Desert Storm due to the high concentration of Coalition Troops, we had more people killed by friendly fire than by the enemy. 

PFC Rutherford was awarded the Purple Heart, Combat Action Ribbon, National Defense Medal, Vietnam Campaign Medal, Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation, Vietnam Gallantry Cross, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal, and Expert Marksmanship Medal. 

Honeycutt also presented "The Missing Man Table," which is a common practice at many veteran programs. It symbolizes those commonly called KIAs, MIAs, or POWs and represents those lost not able to be in attendance.

The ceremony was concluded with a 21-gun salute from the VFW Chapter 6937 Honor Guard and the playing of "Taps."

Honeycutt, who's voice trembled at times while he read the bios, thanked the crowd for their attendance and support of local veterans.

"There are several more roads we are going to dedicate," he told the Edmonson Voice. "If you know of a county resident that was killed in action, please let us know. We want to continue this so we'll never forget those who gave the ultimate sacrifice."

Those with any information regarding an Edmonson County resident that was killed in action that wish to honor them with road dedications may contact the Edmonson County Judge Executive's Office at 270-597-2819.