Military Footstone:
WAYNE M. UNWIN
COX US NAVY
WORLD WAR II
JUL 16, 1913 - JUL 3, 1989
################################
(this is a blog entry for SSK HR Consulting's 2010 Veteran's Day Tribute found at sskhrconsulting.com)
Thank you, Grandpa Tony November 10, 2010:
Grandpa Tony was a rather unassuming man. In many ways he was probably an average specimen of a mid 20th-century American Man; but to me, he has always been a beacon of how to live my life.
Tony, wasn't even his real name. He grew up in a sleepy town, where people ran their lives and drama was whispered from hair dresser to patron, from back porch stoops and by listening in over party-lines. His real name, was virtually discarded for anything other than public record in the days of the American Gangster and Speakeasy's, when upon seeing him in a fedora hat jauntily pulled down to one side, one of his buddies commented that he looked "like a Tony." In small town, where everyone was from there, the nickname must have seemed exciting, was a hit and it stuck.
Tony was a god-loving, fun-loving, duty-driven, family-loving man. Not always in that order. He relished times of silence when he could go and read a good book in a quiet corner. He wasn't the type of guy to be at the center of the crowd telling a funny story in the loudest voice; instead, he was the guy that would quip a one-liner that conveyed all you needed to know and feel. And, then he would go back to what he was doing before, which in my day was typically chopping or grating something for one of his family-famous, couldn't-be-beat home cooked meals.
I remember when I was first learning about Prohibition, he must have found my interpretation of it amusing. After listening to my regurgitation of Prohibition a la 1980's school text; he gave me his own account. I was aghast, "Grandpa, you ran rum?! But, why? Wasn't it illegal? Wouldn't the police have arrested you if you were caught?" He paused, and chuckled a bit and said, "Yes, but we were thirsty." And, there I had one of the greatest history lessons of all times – the political dynamic of Prohibition whittled down to its simplest element for the common man.
One day, while he was explaining the value of continuing education, he told me about his time spent in technical school in Chicago in the 1920's. I was intrigued, "Grandpa, did you know Al Capone?!" Because, certainly everyone in 1920's Chicago must have, yes? He looked at me with a slight quiver on his lips and not wanting to disappoint my romanticized thoughts of the Roaring 20's said, "Oh, sure, we went to different schools together." That took a bit of mulling through, but left me happy enough in the moment.
A man of deep-abiding faith, he was saddened that people would turn their back on God. And once told my mother, "I don't care that [your husband] doesn't want to go to my church. But, he needs to go to his church." It wasn't until I was an adult and Grandpa Tony and I had said our last Goodbye, that I could comprehend the magnitude of his fervent belief.
You see, he wasn't just a great, loving, normal man-of-his times. Grandpa Tony was also a USN Petty Officer and an operator for a LCVP craft during the Invasion of Okinawa one of the bloodiest military and humanitarian encounters of WWII. Huh? Ok, think of the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan – those boats driving up to shore to plop soldiers in the heat of battle on the beachfront if they were lucky enough to make it that far. What Saving Private Ryan doesn't show, is the second part of the job for the LCVP operators. Collecting bodies from the shore of those who didn't complete the landing mission either due to death or injury. While I can watch Saving Private Ryan a thousand times over and understand the mechanics of what he did, I will never be able to understand how he was able to do it and endure physically or mentally. I question myself, if I had to do endure the worst imaginable horror because it was necessary for a greater good, could I?
And, then in 1945, he came home. He never bragged, boasted or lamented his duty. In fact, in those rare, post-war times when he did speak of it, it was with a tone of respect and graciousness for having had the honor to serve his country. He had done what needed to be done. He had fought the Good Fight. He came home to a loving wife who had written him a boxful of letters cataloging life on the home-front, her love for him and their mutual agreement to never separate again (they didn't until he passed). He came home to three young children who he had left behind and a baby girl born while he was away. He came home to live a life of going to work, buying groceries, radio-listening, making three more babies, and just doing what-it-is-that American's do (or maybe did back then?).
I can't be more thankful that he came home, because selfishly, I don't know if I would have the necessary moral compass to help me navigate life's trials without the gift of his one-lined quips and his example of steadfast selflessness.
So, Thank You Grandpa Tony.
And, Thank You to all the other men and women out there just like him who have given up time, limb and lives to protect and ensure our future.
******************************************
WAYNE M. UNWIN , WHIPPLEVILLE RESIDENT AND WW II VETERAN, DIES MONDAY AT AT AGE 75
Watertown Daily Times (NY) - Thursday, July 6, 1989
Wayne M. Unwin , 75, Whippleville, died Monday at the Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, Plattsburgh, after a long illness.
The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Notre Dame Church, Malone. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery.
Surviving are his wife, Velma; seven children, David, Summerville, S.C., Mrs. Victor (Judith) Stress, Syracuse, Paul, Slidell, La., Mrs. Leland (Barbara) Rivers, Newport News, Va., Toni Patricia Unwin , Villa Grande, Calif., Michael, Whippleville, and Peter, Kingsland, Ga.; seven grandchildren; a great-grandchild, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A brother, Philip, died in July 1976.
Born in Rockingham, Vt., on July 16, 1913, a son of Wayne E. and Marian Morris Unwin , he attended Vermont schools and was graduated from Franklin Academy, Malone.
He married Velma Greene on April 7, 1937, in Notre Dame Church, Malone, with the Rev. Charles A. Desrosiers officiating.
Mr. Unwin completed electrical courses at Coyne Electric, Chicago, Ill., and was employed at Pond Electric and Battery Service Inc. from 1936 to 1968, Malone. He was also employed by Dufrane Motors, Malone, and by the VanNess Co., Potsdam, until retiring in February 1976.
In 1929, he enlisted in Company I, 105th Infantry of the New York National Guard, serving from May 1931 to November 1932. He reenlisted in November 1941, serving with Company G of the 6th Regiment, New York Guard, until 1943. In June 1944, he enlisted in the Navy for basic training at the U.S. Naval Training Center, Camp Sampson, attended landing craft school in Coronado, Calif. and was initially assigned to the USS Burleson, APA 67. He served on many ships and various squadrons during military service, participating in the invasion of Okinawa and the occupation landing in Korea and China.
Mr. Unwin was decorated with the American Theater of Operations Ribbon and the Asiatic-Pacific Medal, with one battle star and the victory medal.
He was a communicant of Notre Dame Church and a member of the American Legion Post 219, Malone. He was a past member of the Malone Elks Lodge 1303 and Holy Name Society of Notre Dame Church.
He was honored in February as a charter member of Cub Scout Pack 61.
WAYNE M. UNWIN
COX US NAVY
WORLD WAR II
JUL 16, 1913 - JUL 3, 1989
################################
(this is a blog entry for SSK HR Consulting's 2010 Veteran's Day Tribute found at sskhrconsulting.com)
Thank you, Grandpa Tony November 10, 2010:
Grandpa Tony was a rather unassuming man. In many ways he was probably an average specimen of a mid 20th-century American Man; but to me, he has always been a beacon of how to live my life.
Tony, wasn't even his real name. He grew up in a sleepy town, where people ran their lives and drama was whispered from hair dresser to patron, from back porch stoops and by listening in over party-lines. His real name, was virtually discarded for anything other than public record in the days of the American Gangster and Speakeasy's, when upon seeing him in a fedora hat jauntily pulled down to one side, one of his buddies commented that he looked "like a Tony." In small town, where everyone was from there, the nickname must have seemed exciting, was a hit and it stuck.
Tony was a god-loving, fun-loving, duty-driven, family-loving man. Not always in that order. He relished times of silence when he could go and read a good book in a quiet corner. He wasn't the type of guy to be at the center of the crowd telling a funny story in the loudest voice; instead, he was the guy that would quip a one-liner that conveyed all you needed to know and feel. And, then he would go back to what he was doing before, which in my day was typically chopping or grating something for one of his family-famous, couldn't-be-beat home cooked meals.
I remember when I was first learning about Prohibition, he must have found my interpretation of it amusing. After listening to my regurgitation of Prohibition a la 1980's school text; he gave me his own account. I was aghast, "Grandpa, you ran rum?! But, why? Wasn't it illegal? Wouldn't the police have arrested you if you were caught?" He paused, and chuckled a bit and said, "Yes, but we were thirsty." And, there I had one of the greatest history lessons of all times – the political dynamic of Prohibition whittled down to its simplest element for the common man.
One day, while he was explaining the value of continuing education, he told me about his time spent in technical school in Chicago in the 1920's. I was intrigued, "Grandpa, did you know Al Capone?!" Because, certainly everyone in 1920's Chicago must have, yes? He looked at me with a slight quiver on his lips and not wanting to disappoint my romanticized thoughts of the Roaring 20's said, "Oh, sure, we went to different schools together." That took a bit of mulling through, but left me happy enough in the moment.
A man of deep-abiding faith, he was saddened that people would turn their back on God. And once told my mother, "I don't care that [your husband] doesn't want to go to my church. But, he needs to go to his church." It wasn't until I was an adult and Grandpa Tony and I had said our last Goodbye, that I could comprehend the magnitude of his fervent belief.
You see, he wasn't just a great, loving, normal man-of-his times. Grandpa Tony was also a USN Petty Officer and an operator for a LCVP craft during the Invasion of Okinawa one of the bloodiest military and humanitarian encounters of WWII. Huh? Ok, think of the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan – those boats driving up to shore to plop soldiers in the heat of battle on the beachfront if they were lucky enough to make it that far. What Saving Private Ryan doesn't show, is the second part of the job for the LCVP operators. Collecting bodies from the shore of those who didn't complete the landing mission either due to death or injury. While I can watch Saving Private Ryan a thousand times over and understand the mechanics of what he did, I will never be able to understand how he was able to do it and endure physically or mentally. I question myself, if I had to do endure the worst imaginable horror because it was necessary for a greater good, could I?
And, then in 1945, he came home. He never bragged, boasted or lamented his duty. In fact, in those rare, post-war times when he did speak of it, it was with a tone of respect and graciousness for having had the honor to serve his country. He had done what needed to be done. He had fought the Good Fight. He came home to a loving wife who had written him a boxful of letters cataloging life on the home-front, her love for him and their mutual agreement to never separate again (they didn't until he passed). He came home to three young children who he had left behind and a baby girl born while he was away. He came home to live a life of going to work, buying groceries, radio-listening, making three more babies, and just doing what-it-is-that American's do (or maybe did back then?).
I can't be more thankful that he came home, because selfishly, I don't know if I would have the necessary moral compass to help me navigate life's trials without the gift of his one-lined quips and his example of steadfast selflessness.
So, Thank You Grandpa Tony.
And, Thank You to all the other men and women out there just like him who have given up time, limb and lives to protect and ensure our future.
******************************************
WAYNE M. UNWIN , WHIPPLEVILLE RESIDENT AND WW II VETERAN, DIES MONDAY AT AT AGE 75
Watertown Daily Times (NY) - Thursday, July 6, 1989
Wayne M. Unwin , 75, Whippleville, died Monday at the Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, Plattsburgh, after a long illness.
The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Notre Dame Church, Malone. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery.
Surviving are his wife, Velma; seven children, David, Summerville, S.C., Mrs. Victor (Judith) Stress, Syracuse, Paul, Slidell, La., Mrs. Leland (Barbara) Rivers, Newport News, Va., Toni Patricia Unwin , Villa Grande, Calif., Michael, Whippleville, and Peter, Kingsland, Ga.; seven grandchildren; a great-grandchild, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A brother, Philip, died in July 1976.
Born in Rockingham, Vt., on July 16, 1913, a son of Wayne E. and Marian Morris Unwin , he attended Vermont schools and was graduated from Franklin Academy, Malone.
He married Velma Greene on April 7, 1937, in Notre Dame Church, Malone, with the Rev. Charles A. Desrosiers officiating.
Mr. Unwin completed electrical courses at Coyne Electric, Chicago, Ill., and was employed at Pond Electric and Battery Service Inc. from 1936 to 1968, Malone. He was also employed by Dufrane Motors, Malone, and by the VanNess Co., Potsdam, until retiring in February 1976.
In 1929, he enlisted in Company I, 105th Infantry of the New York National Guard, serving from May 1931 to November 1932. He reenlisted in November 1941, serving with Company G of the 6th Regiment, New York Guard, until 1943. In June 1944, he enlisted in the Navy for basic training at the U.S. Naval Training Center, Camp Sampson, attended landing craft school in Coronado, Calif. and was initially assigned to the USS Burleson, APA 67. He served on many ships and various squadrons during military service, participating in the invasion of Okinawa and the occupation landing in Korea and China.
Mr. Unwin was decorated with the American Theater of Operations Ribbon and the Asiatic-Pacific Medal, with one battle star and the victory medal.
He was a communicant of Notre Dame Church and a member of the American Legion Post 219, Malone. He was a past member of the Malone Elks Lodge 1303 and Holy Name Society of Notre Dame Church.
He was honored in February as a charter member of Cub Scout Pack 61.
Military Footstone:
WAYNE M. UNWIN
COX US NAVY
WORLD WAR II
JUL 16, 1913 - JUL 3, 1989
################################
(this is a blog entry for SSK HR Consulting's 2010 Veteran's Day Tribute found at sskhrconsulting.com)
Thank you, Grandpa Tony November 10, 2010:
Grandpa Tony was a rather unassuming man. In many ways he was probably an average specimen of a mid 20th-century American Man; but to me, he has always been a beacon of how to live my life.
Tony, wasn't even his real name. He grew up in a sleepy town, where people ran their lives and drama was whispered from hair dresser to patron, from back porch stoops and by listening in over party-lines. His real name, was virtually discarded for anything other than public record in the days of the American Gangster and Speakeasy's, when upon seeing him in a fedora hat jauntily pulled down to one side, one of his buddies commented that he looked "like a Tony." In small town, where everyone was from there, the nickname must have seemed exciting, was a hit and it stuck.
Tony was a god-loving, fun-loving, duty-driven, family-loving man. Not always in that order. He relished times of silence when he could go and read a good book in a quiet corner. He wasn't the type of guy to be at the center of the crowd telling a funny story in the loudest voice; instead, he was the guy that would quip a one-liner that conveyed all you needed to know and feel. And, then he would go back to what he was doing before, which in my day was typically chopping or grating something for one of his family-famous, couldn't-be-beat home cooked meals.
I remember when I was first learning about Prohibition, he must have found my interpretation of it amusing. After listening to my regurgitation of Prohibition a la 1980's school text; he gave me his own account. I was aghast, "Grandpa, you ran rum?! But, why? Wasn't it illegal? Wouldn't the police have arrested you if you were caught?" He paused, and chuckled a bit and said, "Yes, but we were thirsty." And, there I had one of the greatest history lessons of all times – the political dynamic of Prohibition whittled down to its simplest element for the common man.
One day, while he was explaining the value of continuing education, he told me about his time spent in technical school in Chicago in the 1920's. I was intrigued, "Grandpa, did you know Al Capone?!" Because, certainly everyone in 1920's Chicago must have, yes? He looked at me with a slight quiver on his lips and not wanting to disappoint my romanticized thoughts of the Roaring 20's said, "Oh, sure, we went to different schools together." That took a bit of mulling through, but left me happy enough in the moment.
A man of deep-abiding faith, he was saddened that people would turn their back on God. And once told my mother, "I don't care that [your husband] doesn't want to go to my church. But, he needs to go to his church." It wasn't until I was an adult and Grandpa Tony and I had said our last Goodbye, that I could comprehend the magnitude of his fervent belief.
You see, he wasn't just a great, loving, normal man-of-his times. Grandpa Tony was also a USN Petty Officer and an operator for a LCVP craft during the Invasion of Okinawa one of the bloodiest military and humanitarian encounters of WWII. Huh? Ok, think of the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan – those boats driving up to shore to plop soldiers in the heat of battle on the beachfront if they were lucky enough to make it that far. What Saving Private Ryan doesn't show, is the second part of the job for the LCVP operators. Collecting bodies from the shore of those who didn't complete the landing mission either due to death or injury. While I can watch Saving Private Ryan a thousand times over and understand the mechanics of what he did, I will never be able to understand how he was able to do it and endure physically or mentally. I question myself, if I had to do endure the worst imaginable horror because it was necessary for a greater good, could I?
And, then in 1945, he came home. He never bragged, boasted or lamented his duty. In fact, in those rare, post-war times when he did speak of it, it was with a tone of respect and graciousness for having had the honor to serve his country. He had done what needed to be done. He had fought the Good Fight. He came home to a loving wife who had written him a boxful of letters cataloging life on the home-front, her love for him and their mutual agreement to never separate again (they didn't until he passed). He came home to three young children who he had left behind and a baby girl born while he was away. He came home to live a life of going to work, buying groceries, radio-listening, making three more babies, and just doing what-it-is-that American's do (or maybe did back then?).
I can't be more thankful that he came home, because selfishly, I don't know if I would have the necessary moral compass to help me navigate life's trials without the gift of his one-lined quips and his example of steadfast selflessness.
So, Thank You Grandpa Tony.
And, Thank You to all the other men and women out there just like him who have given up time, limb and lives to protect and ensure our future.
******************************************
WAYNE M. UNWIN , WHIPPLEVILLE RESIDENT AND WW II VETERAN, DIES MONDAY AT AT AGE 75
Watertown Daily Times (NY) - Thursday, July 6, 1989
Wayne M. Unwin , 75, Whippleville, died Monday at the Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, Plattsburgh, after a long illness.
The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Notre Dame Church, Malone. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery.
Surviving are his wife, Velma; seven children, David, Summerville, S.C., Mrs. Victor (Judith) Stress, Syracuse, Paul, Slidell, La., Mrs. Leland (Barbara) Rivers, Newport News, Va., Toni Patricia Unwin , Villa Grande, Calif., Michael, Whippleville, and Peter, Kingsland, Ga.; seven grandchildren; a great-grandchild, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A brother, Philip, died in July 1976.
Born in Rockingham, Vt., on July 16, 1913, a son of Wayne E. and Marian Morris Unwin , he attended Vermont schools and was graduated from Franklin Academy, Malone.
He married Velma Greene on April 7, 1937, in Notre Dame Church, Malone, with the Rev. Charles A. Desrosiers officiating.
Mr. Unwin completed electrical courses at Coyne Electric, Chicago, Ill., and was employed at Pond Electric and Battery Service Inc. from 1936 to 1968, Malone. He was also employed by Dufrane Motors, Malone, and by the VanNess Co., Potsdam, until retiring in February 1976.
In 1929, he enlisted in Company I, 105th Infantry of the New York National Guard, serving from May 1931 to November 1932. He reenlisted in November 1941, serving with Company G of the 6th Regiment, New York Guard, until 1943. In June 1944, he enlisted in the Navy for basic training at the U.S. Naval Training Center, Camp Sampson, attended landing craft school in Coronado, Calif. and was initially assigned to the USS Burleson, APA 67. He served on many ships and various squadrons during military service, participating in the invasion of Okinawa and the occupation landing in Korea and China.
Mr. Unwin was decorated with the American Theater of Operations Ribbon and the Asiatic-Pacific Medal, with one battle star and the victory medal.
He was a communicant of Notre Dame Church and a member of the American Legion Post 219, Malone. He was a past member of the Malone Elks Lodge 1303 and Holy Name Society of Notre Dame Church.
He was honored in February as a charter member of Cub Scout Pack 61.
WAYNE M. UNWIN
COX US NAVY
WORLD WAR II
JUL 16, 1913 - JUL 3, 1989
################################
(this is a blog entry for SSK HR Consulting's 2010 Veteran's Day Tribute found at sskhrconsulting.com)
Thank you, Grandpa Tony November 10, 2010:
Grandpa Tony was a rather unassuming man. In many ways he was probably an average specimen of a mid 20th-century American Man; but to me, he has always been a beacon of how to live my life.
Tony, wasn't even his real name. He grew up in a sleepy town, where people ran their lives and drama was whispered from hair dresser to patron, from back porch stoops and by listening in over party-lines. His real name, was virtually discarded for anything other than public record in the days of the American Gangster and Speakeasy's, when upon seeing him in a fedora hat jauntily pulled down to one side, one of his buddies commented that he looked "like a Tony." In small town, where everyone was from there, the nickname must have seemed exciting, was a hit and it stuck.
Tony was a god-loving, fun-loving, duty-driven, family-loving man. Not always in that order. He relished times of silence when he could go and read a good book in a quiet corner. He wasn't the type of guy to be at the center of the crowd telling a funny story in the loudest voice; instead, he was the guy that would quip a one-liner that conveyed all you needed to know and feel. And, then he would go back to what he was doing before, which in my day was typically chopping or grating something for one of his family-famous, couldn't-be-beat home cooked meals.
I remember when I was first learning about Prohibition, he must have found my interpretation of it amusing. After listening to my regurgitation of Prohibition a la 1980's school text; he gave me his own account. I was aghast, "Grandpa, you ran rum?! But, why? Wasn't it illegal? Wouldn't the police have arrested you if you were caught?" He paused, and chuckled a bit and said, "Yes, but we were thirsty." And, there I had one of the greatest history lessons of all times – the political dynamic of Prohibition whittled down to its simplest element for the common man.
One day, while he was explaining the value of continuing education, he told me about his time spent in technical school in Chicago in the 1920's. I was intrigued, "Grandpa, did you know Al Capone?!" Because, certainly everyone in 1920's Chicago must have, yes? He looked at me with a slight quiver on his lips and not wanting to disappoint my romanticized thoughts of the Roaring 20's said, "Oh, sure, we went to different schools together." That took a bit of mulling through, but left me happy enough in the moment.
A man of deep-abiding faith, he was saddened that people would turn their back on God. And once told my mother, "I don't care that [your husband] doesn't want to go to my church. But, he needs to go to his church." It wasn't until I was an adult and Grandpa Tony and I had said our last Goodbye, that I could comprehend the magnitude of his fervent belief.
You see, he wasn't just a great, loving, normal man-of-his times. Grandpa Tony was also a USN Petty Officer and an operator for a LCVP craft during the Invasion of Okinawa one of the bloodiest military and humanitarian encounters of WWII. Huh? Ok, think of the opening scene of Saving Private Ryan – those boats driving up to shore to plop soldiers in the heat of battle on the beachfront if they were lucky enough to make it that far. What Saving Private Ryan doesn't show, is the second part of the job for the LCVP operators. Collecting bodies from the shore of those who didn't complete the landing mission either due to death or injury. While I can watch Saving Private Ryan a thousand times over and understand the mechanics of what he did, I will never be able to understand how he was able to do it and endure physically or mentally. I question myself, if I had to do endure the worst imaginable horror because it was necessary for a greater good, could I?
And, then in 1945, he came home. He never bragged, boasted or lamented his duty. In fact, in those rare, post-war times when he did speak of it, it was with a tone of respect and graciousness for having had the honor to serve his country. He had done what needed to be done. He had fought the Good Fight. He came home to a loving wife who had written him a boxful of letters cataloging life on the home-front, her love for him and their mutual agreement to never separate again (they didn't until he passed). He came home to three young children who he had left behind and a baby girl born while he was away. He came home to live a life of going to work, buying groceries, radio-listening, making three more babies, and just doing what-it-is-that American's do (or maybe did back then?).
I can't be more thankful that he came home, because selfishly, I don't know if I would have the necessary moral compass to help me navigate life's trials without the gift of his one-lined quips and his example of steadfast selflessness.
So, Thank You Grandpa Tony.
And, Thank You to all the other men and women out there just like him who have given up time, limb and lives to protect and ensure our future.
******************************************
WAYNE M. UNWIN , WHIPPLEVILLE RESIDENT AND WW II VETERAN, DIES MONDAY AT AT AGE 75
Watertown Daily Times (NY) - Thursday, July 6, 1989
Wayne M. Unwin , 75, Whippleville, died Monday at the Champlain Valley Physicians Hospital, Plattsburgh, after a long illness.
The funeral will be at 10 a.m. Friday at Notre Dame Church, Malone. Burial will be in Notre Dame Cemetery.
Surviving are his wife, Velma; seven children, David, Summerville, S.C., Mrs. Victor (Judith) Stress, Syracuse, Paul, Slidell, La., Mrs. Leland (Barbara) Rivers, Newport News, Va., Toni Patricia Unwin , Villa Grande, Calif., Michael, Whippleville, and Peter, Kingsland, Ga.; seven grandchildren; a great-grandchild, and several nieces, nephews and cousins.
A brother, Philip, died in July 1976.
Born in Rockingham, Vt., on July 16, 1913, a son of Wayne E. and Marian Morris Unwin , he attended Vermont schools and was graduated from Franklin Academy, Malone.
He married Velma Greene on April 7, 1937, in Notre Dame Church, Malone, with the Rev. Charles A. Desrosiers officiating.
Mr. Unwin completed electrical courses at Coyne Electric, Chicago, Ill., and was employed at Pond Electric and Battery Service Inc. from 1936 to 1968, Malone. He was also employed by Dufrane Motors, Malone, and by the VanNess Co., Potsdam, until retiring in February 1976.
In 1929, he enlisted in Company I, 105th Infantry of the New York National Guard, serving from May 1931 to November 1932. He reenlisted in November 1941, serving with Company G of the 6th Regiment, New York Guard, until 1943. In June 1944, he enlisted in the Navy for basic training at the U.S. Naval Training Center, Camp Sampson, attended landing craft school in Coronado, Calif. and was initially assigned to the USS Burleson, APA 67. He served on many ships and various squadrons during military service, participating in the invasion of Okinawa and the occupation landing in Korea and China.
Mr. Unwin was decorated with the American Theater of Operations Ribbon and the Asiatic-Pacific Medal, with one battle star and the victory medal.
He was a communicant of Notre Dame Church and a member of the American Legion Post 219, Malone. He was a past member of the Malone Elks Lodge 1303 and Holy Name Society of Notre Dame Church.
He was honored in February as a charter member of Cub Scout Pack 61.
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