Photo by Eric Ayres Gerald "Wally" McMasters of VFW Post 4442 plays taps during a ceremony honoring a World War II veteran from Warwood who was killed in action while fighting on Iwo Jima.

WHEELING — Two different U.S. Marines from Warwood — both of whom were killed in action during World War II while fighting on Iwo Jima — were honored with ceremonies by the Wheeling Military Banner Program.

City leaders, local officials from veterans associations and family members of the fallen soldiers attended the two separate ceremonies and banner dedications on Friday. Honored were U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Robert Fred Seitz, who died Feb. 25, 1945, and U.S. Marine Corps Cpl. Jacob Vossen, who died less than a week later on March 2, 1945.

The banner for Seitz was placed on a utility pole on W.Va. 2 not far from Garden Park, positioned alongside a banner that had already been placed for his brother, U.S. Navy SN Roy William Seitz, who served in the Atlantic Theatre during WWII.

Robert Seitz’s nephew, Roy Edmond Seitz, spoke on behalf of family members on hand during the ceremony.

“I was born 10 years after he was killed on Iwo Jima,” Roy E. Seitz said, noting that while his father came home from the war, his uncle made the ultimate sacrifice. “From what my dad told me, years ago he and my uncle Robert played football right here at Warwood High School. Anytime a football player would rough my dad up, my uncle would go after them.”

The younger Seitz said family stories described Robert as a tough character who protected others in his family, never shying from a scuffle. Second-hand tales about his service in Iwo Jima indicated that he was saving the lives of his fellow soldiers when he was hit by a sniper’s gunfire.

Members of the family thanked those behind the Wheeling Military Banner Program for their ongoing work to salute military men and women — not just those killed in action, but also any living veterans or active duty military personnel. More than 370 banners have been placed throughout the city since the program launched less than two years ago.

“This is something you don’t see all of the time,” said Roy E. Seitz, who is a veteran of the U.S. Navy. “This is some way to really represent this state, this county, the area … it’s really nice. It’s one of those things that everyone can be proud of.”

The younger Seitz wore a patriotic T-shirt with the famous image of the U.S. Marines raising the flag on Iwo Jima, noting that it was one of the most iconic and recognizable photos taken during WWII. He showed his pride in the fact that his uncle fought there alongside many other brave soldiers, and although thousands gave their lives on that island, the U.S. not only won the battle, but also won the war.

Just north of Garden Park and also along W. Va. 2, a banner honoring Vossen is now posted for everyone passing through Warwood to see. Another ceremony took place at this site later on Friday, when Vossen’s sister, Martin, and his nephew, Gary Martin, took part in the tribute.

“I didn’t know my uncle,” Gary Martin said. “I was born in 1961. He died, of course, before I was born.”

The Vossen family was truly part of the Warwood neighborhood, Martin noted, and while there were many members of the family at that time, Jacob Vossen was an only son. He had two sisters. Eileen, who has since passed away, and Loretta Vossen Martin, who was 16 when Jacob or “Jake” was killed. Loretta Vossen Martin was on hand during the ceremony.

Gary Martin said the members of the Vossen family back then knew the Seitz family.

“When word came to Warwood that (Robert) Seitz had been killed in action on Iwo Jima, my mother said it was very hard for the Vossen family, knowing that her brother was there,” he said. “She was worried. She remembers being across the street on the neighbor’s porch when she saw the telegram being delivered, and she just had a gut feeling that her brother, Jake, had been killed. She remembered seeing him off the last time he was on leave at — I call it West Virginia Northern — the old B&O Building, on the train.”

A certificate honoring Vossen from President Franklin D. Roosevelt hangs on his wall at home, Gary Martin noted, adding that he thinks of his uncle’s life and service to the country often. The banner program helps others in the community remember the heroes that gave everything, as well, he noted.

“I think of people like him and all of these people on all these banners – it’s just amazing. Our family is very appreciative, and everybody should be. He like so many others, when the call came, gave the ultimate sacrifice.”

Wheeling Military Banner Program volunteer John Larch noted that U.S. soldiers fighting in WWII on Iwo Jima against the Imperial Japanese Army were involved in one of the most intense conflicts of the Pacific Theatre.

“This five-week battle saw some of the fiercest and bloodiest fighting of the Pacific war,” Larch said. “The Battle of Iwo Jima resulted in 5,931 Marines killed in action, died of wounds or missing in action and presumed dead.”

Larch said the service these soldiers gave must never be forgotten, and this is the driving purpose behind the banner program.

Wheeling Mayor Denny Magruder encouraged others interested in honoring a friend or a loved one for their military service with a banner to seek information on the city’s website and fill out an application.

“We’re here to offer a symbol to our remembrance,” the mayor said. “Wheeling has nearly 400 banners in less than two years. It is an amazing program, and you can see it throughout our city.”