One of those names though will be of special significance since it is going to be the only Henryettan to receive the Congressional Medal of Honor.
Edward A. DeVore, jr., was awarded the nation's highest honor posthumously after he died in 1968 in a firefight south of what was then known as Saigon in Vietnam.
Bill Goodner is spearheading the effort to make sure all local servicemen and women killed in action from the various overseas battles are represented on the plaques.
He has been researching obituary card files at the library and came across DeVore's name listed as a "former resident." Goodner folioed up in an Internet search and discovered the 20-year-old Army man received the Congressional Medal of Honor for his sacrifice.
"We were not expecting to find something like this," Goodner said. "This young man commands our deepest respect and admiration."
DeVore, the son of Mr. and Mrs. Edward DeVore, was born June 15, 1947 in Torrance, Calif. He and his family moved to Henryetta in the 1950s when his father worked at the Eagle-Pitcher smelter.
He joined the Army in 1967 then was sent to Vietnam in December of that year.
In March, 1968, he was assigned to B Company, Fourth Battalion, 39th Infantry, 9th Infantry Division. That organization was conducting combat operations in the swampy areas around the Mekong Delta south of Saigon.
His platoon was leading the company on a reconnaissance in force mission when they started receiving intense automative weapons fire as well as mines, rocket and grenades.
Almost immediately one of his comrades was killed and three more wounded. Carrying an M60 machine gun, the former Henryettan braved the hail of fire and started laying down covering fire. That enabled the wounded to be moved back to safety.
The rest of the official citation says:"After supporting artillery, gunships and air strikes had been employed on enemy positions, a squad was sent forward to retrieve their fallen comrades. Intense enemy weapons fire pinned down this element in the kill zone. With complete disregard for his safety, Sp4 DeVore assaulted the enemy positions. Hit in the shoulder and knocked down 35 meters short of his objectives, he ignored his pain and the warnings of his fellow soldiers, jumped to his feet and continued his assault. Although mortally wounded, he continued to place suppressive fire upon the entrenched insurgents. By drawing the enemy fire upon himself he enabled the trapped squad to rejoin the platoon in safety."
DeVore's body was recovered and returned to the United States. He is buried in San Pedro, Calif., with a head stone bearing his photo and proclaiming him as a recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor.
The obituary from 1968 listed his parents as well as grandparents, Mr. and Mrs. L.L. DeVore and aunts and uncles, Mr. and Mrs. Elbert DeVore, Mr. and Mrs. Albert DeVore and Mr. and Mrs. Alfred DeVore.
"He was a true hero," said Goodner. "This young man gave up everything to help his fellow soldiers come back. It will be an honor to add his name to our roll of heroes."
Originally only two names from the Vietnam war were on the plaque. To date, 19 more have been added. They include: Vencen Ackerman, Paul Boguski, Merle Carter, Rudy Chalakee, Michael Crawford, Dennis Cullum, Robert Davis, Edward DeVore, Frank Gonderman, Wilbert Gresham, Anthony Grundy, Billy C. Jones, Russell Keck, George McCleary, James McElhannon, Michael McNeill, David Powell, jr., Herman Ritchie, Jimmy Scrogum, Richard Tarkington and Frankie Vassaur.
Through the research this past summer, the overall number of names to be eventually inscribed on two plaques has doubled from 85 to 190.