Radnor Middle School 8th-Grader Helps to Honor a Local World War II Hero

Who knew grabbing a slice of pizza could lead to honoring a hero? 

Jax Norman, an 8th-grader at Radnor Middle School, was doing just that at a local eatery a few months ago when she ran into Marty Costello, Commander of Delaware County for the American Legion - and the restaurant's owner.  

"I go to Joe's [Place] every week and we got to talking about Mr. Whiteman," Jax said.  

That's Staff Sergeant James Montgomery Whiteman, a former Radnor Junior High School student and 1939 graduate of Radnor High School who served in General George S. Patton's 3rd Army in World War II. In addition to making pizza pies, Costello is involved in the local Saving Hallowed Ground project, which seeks to restore and preserve America's war monuments. An extension of this effort is his - and the American Legion's - mission to celebrate local war heroes who died in action and were never properly recognized. Mr. Whiteman lost his life in battle on May 5, 1945 and was awarded the Silver Star Medal - the third highest military decoration for valor.

And so began the course of events that would bring six members of Staff Sergeant Whiteman's surviving family, Field Representative Andrew Colket of the Office of Congressman Patrick Meehan, commanders of the local American Legion, and several other dignitaries to Radnor Middle School 68 years and two days after Whiteman's death to honor the man who gave the ultimate sacrifice for his country.

All with the help of a dedicated 13-year-old.

"Jax was the missing piece of the puzzle," Costello said. "She was the key. If it wasn't for her, we'd still be figuring out how to do this." 

"I've always wanted to be in the Army ever since I was a little kid," Jax said. "I thought it was important to do this since Mr. Whiteman had never been remembered and was such a great hero."

Jax brought the idea of Radnor Middle School hosting a ceremony to honor Staff Sergeant Whiteman to principal Anthony Stevenson, who gave her the go-ahead. From there, she worked with Costello to plan the event and reach out to the family. That's when she got the biggest surprise of the whole process.

"The family had no idea of Mr. Whiteman's history," she said. "I was shocked."

While the family knew a relative had died in World War II nearly 70 years ago, the details of Staff Sargeant Whiteman's bravery were lost with time. This fact further underscored the need to being attention to the war hero.

"You can't forget those who died for our freedoms," Costello said. "If we do that, we'd be living in a nation of nobodies."

On May 7, Staff Sergeant Whiteman's legacy was restored in heartwarming fashion. With members of the student body in the audience supporting Jax's effort, Field Rep. Colket handed her and Staff Sergeant Whiteman's family certificates of appreciation. American Legion Commanders Costello and Bill Madden then presented the family a 48-star memorial flag and the Silver Star Medal. The American Legion also offered Jax and Radnor Middle School commemorative gifts. The family showed their appreciation by giving Jax a bouquet of flowers, and, of course, hugs.

"Seeing the family when they were being presented with the medal and flag, that was the most satisfying part," Jax said. "Seeing their happy faces."

Photos from the ceremony on RTSD.org.