Summer 2003

Vol. 4, Issue 2

What’s Inside

• Eagles in the News

• Saluting Alumni in the Service

• Hall of Champions & Hall of Fame induction

• "Fowl" Shooting Contest Report

• Veteran's Graduation Ceremony

• 3rd Annual Golf Outing & Picnic

• By-law Revisions

• Buy a Brick

• New members

Fifth WWII Vet Receives Diploma

 by Jen Clemente, ‘98

Editor’s Note:  In June 2001 an amendment to the School Code was signed by the Governor permitting School Boards to grant a high school diploma to honorably discharged World War II veterans who did not graduate due to entry into the military.  To date, Norristown has awarded five diplomas.

John DiCarlo

Even as a young student in the Norristown Area School District, John DiCarlo knew that he wanted to enlist in the Navy.  In June 1943, at the age of 17, he realized that dream and made a commitment to the United States Navy.

Mr. DiCarlo was stationed for nineteen months in the South Pacific as a member of the Aviation Repair and Overhaul Unit.  While he was not directly involved in combat during that time, John  was  responsible for supplying parts for the Navy’s airplanes that were in need of repair during the war.  He spent much of his time driving the trucks that moved the supplies to the areas in which they were needed.

When the war ended, Mr. DiCarlo was sent to Norfolk, Virginia to finish his tour of duty.  From there he worked as an apprentice steamfitter and remained in the plumbing, heating, and air conditioning industry for over 45 years.  John worked as a plumbing inspector for the Borough of Norristown before retiring.

Recently, Mr. DiCarlo was invited to attend the Class of 1943’s 60^th reunion, which is being held this fall.  Although he was not able to graduate with his classmates, he is looking forward to being reunited with them once again.

Winter 2003

Vol. 4, Issue 1

What’s Inside

• Eagles in the News

• Saluting Alumni in the Service

• It’s A Garden Party!

• Spinelli Award winner Eleanor Cresswell

• New Alumni Association President’s Letter

• Ray’s Restaurant supports Alumni programs

• Alumni Association Treasurer’s  Report

• Golf Outing Results

• Memory Garden “Wish List”

• New members

Alumni Veterans Receive Diplomas

In June 2001 an amendment to the School Code was signed by the Governor permitting School Boards to grant a high school diploma to honorably discharged World War II veterans who did not graduate due to entry into the military.  To date, Norristown has awarded four diplomas.  Two are profiled here.

Ernest N. Webb

In 1944 Ernie Webb saw many of his teachers at Eisenhower High School drafted to fight in World War II and felt that he was wasting his time staying in school.

He enlisted in the Navy that year, but an eye injury kept the Navy from accepting him.  He tried the Marines and the Coast Guard with the similar results.

Drafted in 1946, Ernie served in the Army in the Pacific theatre.  Although he spent time in both Japan and Okinawa, Ernie spent a year in the jungles about 80 miles east of Manila in the Philippines running a carpenter shop.

The Japanese were still on the island, as were growing numbers of communist guerillas fighters.

Discharged in 1947, Ernie returned to Norristown.  He had worked in hardwood flooring prior to being drafted, but upon his return decided to switch to tile work.

Eventually, Ernie started his own successful tile business, Webb Craft Tile & Carpet, which is now run by his sons.

James Joseph Granger

Before the start of his senior year at Eisenhower High School, James Joseph (Jim) Granger enlisted in the US Coast Guard.  During the war, the Coast Guard manned many Navy vessels.

Jim was sent to the South Pacific where he manned Attack Cargo Ships.  He would pilot the landing barges that delivered troops and supplies to various islands in the Pacific, covering the area from Hawaii to Japan to the Philippines.

Jim was in one of the landing craft that delivered the first wave of troops to the beaches of Okinawa and saw plenty of action in the Pacific.  He also spent a short time at Ellis Island guarding Japanese prisoners.

With his enlistment up in 1946, Jim returned to Norristown where he learned the plumbing and heating trade.  He next worked for the Norristown Fire Department for 7 or 8 years.  He went on to work for Philadelphia Electric Company, from which he retired in 1986.

Jim said it felt good to finally receive his Norristown High School Diploma.

Reception Planned

The Alumni Association will  be hosting a reception in honor of World War II veterans who have received diplomas on Sunday, May 18 at 2 pm.  A short ceremony will be followed by a reception at the Norristown Area High School Memory Garden.  Family, friends, and former classmates are invited to attend the ceremony and reception.

The Veterans will also be invited to participate with the graduating seniors in Unity Day ceremonies on Sunday, June 22 at 1 pm in the NAHS Auditorium.  Unity Day has replaced Baccalaureate for graduating seniors and gives seniors a chance to celebrate their graduation through performance or speech.