Ranger Hall Of Fame Inductees Include Man From Kirkland -- His Heroic Efforts In Wwii Recognized

FORT BENNING, Ga. - When more than 500 Allied troops, mostly Americans, were imprisoned by Japanese troops behind enemy lines, Capt. Robert Prince and other Rangers went to their rescue.

Prince, of Kirkland, was among a band of more than 100 Rangers and others given the World War II mission of sneaking their way to the camp and freeing the prisoners behind 10-foot-high barbed-wire fences.

Prince's heroic efforts were recognized Tuesday as he and 13 others were inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame at Fort Benning's Ranger Memorial.

"The adrenaline was pumping, for sure. But we were just trying to do everything right and not get anybody hurt," Prince said before being inducted.

Membership in the hall is limited to those who have served in a Ranger unit in combat or have graduated from the U.S. Army Ranger School. Nominations are based on valor, service and extraordinary achievement.

Others inducted into the Ranger Hall of Fame on Tuesday:

-- Col. Edmond Abood, who received a Distinguished Service Cross after saving numerous lives in combat in Vietnam.

-- Capt. Paul Bucha, who trained a top-notch unit in Vietnam.

-- Col. Joseph Clemons Jr., whose unit defended "Pork Chop Hill" during the Korean War.

-- Sgt. Maj. Joseph Cournoyer, who fought during D-Day in Normandy, France, and at "Bloody Nose Ridge" in Korea.

-- Lt. Col. John Daniel Jr., who was severely wounded in Vietnam and should have been medically retired but recovered to

serve another tour in Vietnam.

-- Chief Warrant Officer William "Doc" Donovan, who was a medic during Operation Desert One, the attempted rescue of Americans held hostage in Iran.

-- Gen. Wayne Downing, a special-operations commander known for "leading the way" whenever his unit engaged the enemy.

-- Lt. Col. Caifson Johnson, who fought in 35 battles as a member of Merrill's Marauders in Burma.

-- Sgt. 1st Class Donald Lehew, who earned two Purple Hearts in Vietnam.

-- Sgt. Maj. Santos Matos Jr., who fought in Vietnam, Grenada and Panama.

-- Sgt. 1st Class John McCoy, who began his military career in the Canadian army and fought during the defense of Hong Kong. He was killed in Vietnam.

-- Warrant Officer Arthur "Robbie" Robinson, a member of the Australian army who fought during Korea and Vietnam, including multiple assignments with U.S. forces.

-- Sgt. Maj. Arthur Werner, who enlisted in the Army at age 16 and was at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese attacked and would later fight at Guadalcanal. He fought in Korea and served three tours in Vietnam.