Exploring more stories behind Niwot veterans' banners

As Niwot continues to honor veterans in the month of November, you'll find stories behind some of the banners displayed in Cottonwood Square and on 2nd Avenue.

James Albert Zander, U.S. Navy, WWII - Born in Saginaw Michigan in 1915, Zander was a civilian flight instructor for the Army Air Corps before joining the Navy as a pilot.

Stationed in Texas, Illinois, Pennsylvania, New York, and Hawaii, Zander spent most of his time in C-47s, F6F Hellcats, and Corsairs, transporting troops and supplies to and from the front. After the war, he flew as a corporate pilot for Dow Chemical. Zander resided on Murray Street in Niwot for 24 years with his daughter, Jane Zander.

Vandelyn and Franklin Wright, U.S. Air Force, 1952–1972 - This banner on 2nd Avenue pays tribute not only to Franklin, the service member, but to his military spouse, a vital part of every military family. After receiving an Associate of Arts degree in Engineering, Frank had a strong interest in flying aircraft, studying astrology and astronomy and exploring the world. This resulted in his enlisting and graduating from Officer's Candidate School at Ellington Air Force Base in Houston, Texas, in 1952, where he received his Second Lieutenant bars.

During his 20-year career, he was considered one of the Air Force's most accomplished bombardier/radar navigators and instructors, guiding strategic and nuclear aircraft, such as the B-29, B-36, B-52, Stealth bomber, FB-111 and F-16 aircraft during the Korean Conflict, 13-day Cuban Missile Crisis and the Vietnam Conflict. He obtained pilot credentials as needed to conduct Special Operations and engage in Atomic Research Command.

Frank's wife, Vandelyn, remained stateside with the couple's two children, Paula and Henry, while Frank served his country. Throughout Frank's time in the service, Vandelyn was said to have remained tolerant, flexible, resilient, made sacrifices, managed a household and was humble enough to endure any social situation.

Lieutenant Colonel Franklin C. Wright retired from the Air Force in 1972 and remained on Reserve. Frank later received his master's degree in Physical Education and taught at the University of Massachusetts for 20 years. His siblings, Paula Wright and Henry Wright, both reside in Niwot.

John "Jack" Sullivan, U.S. Marine Corps, 1942–1974 - Born in St. Paul, Minnesota, 20-year-old Jack Sullivan entered the Marine Corps after Pearl Harbor and became a pilot, flying off carriers in the Pacific during WWII. His service included a long tour in the Korean Conflict, where he was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for "extraordinary achievement while participating in aerial flight against enemy forces."

His squadron was on high alert during the Cuban Missile Crisis, and he flew transports in and out of Danang during his tour of duty in Vietnam. Sullivan married his high school sweetheart, LaDonna, during WWII. Their six children were each born in a different state as the family moved from one duty station to another. He retired in 1974 as a Lt. Colonel. His granddaughter, Emily Limbach, and her husband David are Niwot residents.

Jim Schaefer, U.S. Army, WWII - As a soldier scientist, Schaefer invented a process that allowed U.S. bombers to fly above 10,000 feet, making high-altitude bombing feasible and successful, as seen in Berlin in 1943.

Schaefer also worked on the first experimental batteries used to power proximity fuses ("the secret fuse that won World War II," according to accounts). Soon after these early scientific accomplishments, Schaefer fought in the 42nd "Rainbow" Division infantry across southern France, Germany and into Austria, eventually earning four Bronze Stars and four other medals for his service.

After the service, he received 18 U.S. and foreign patents, primarily for making high purity metals including a patent on lithium battery anodes used in many batteries today. As the 42nd Division liberated the Dachau concentration camp in 1945, Schaefer was one of 14 still-able-bodied concentration camp liberators honored in 2012 at the Krakow (Poland) Opera House near the Auschwitz concentration camp in a ceremony that can be found at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=oJpEDSczwnI. Schaefer can be seen at the 1:15 and 1:34 marks. Schaefer's son James Schaefer and his wife Joan are Niwot residents.

Richard Piland, U.S. Navy, 1969–1989 - After being designated a naval aviator in May 1971, Piland conducted operational and training flights in California and Japan from 1971 to 1975. The Squadron's main mission was to spot, identify, and track submarines off the coast of Vietnam.

Piland later returned to Florida as a flight instructor, and was ultimately honored as Flight Instructor of the Year. In 1980 to 1984, Piland returned to Japan to again serve as a pilot at Patrol Squadron 47. The high point of his career was serving as Commanding Officer of the Naval Air Facility in Mildenhall, U.K., a Fleet Logistics Support Squadron. He received the Meritorious Service Medal for his commitment and performance. Piland retired from the Navy in 1989 where he began a second career as a pilot for United Airlines. Piland and his wife Dixie are Niwot residents.

Clarence Nelsen, U.S. Army, WWII - Born in Colby, Wisconsin in 1922, a childhood accident caused Nelsen to lose the sight in his left eye. But when the United States entered WWII he was one of the first in line to enlist.

Although Nelsen worried he wouldn't be accepted because of his disability, it was noticed that he had electronics experience and was accepted. After training in California he was sent to Hawaii and was soon stationed on Iwo Jima where he proudly served as a radio technician for the duration of the war. Nelsen's daughter Julie Bryer is a Niwot resident and teacher at Niwot Elementary School.

Jacqueline Jacquet Melvin, U.S. Navy, WWII – Melvin, born in 1921 in Racine, Wisconsin, wanted to follow in the footsteps of her older brother, Edward, in the air. Stationed in San Diego, California, after joining the Navy, she was chosen for Navy Flight Nurse school to specifically support Admiral Nimitz in the evacuation of wounded Marines from The Battles of Iwo Jima and Okinawa.

Under treacherous conditions, Melvin and 107 other Navy flight nurses evacuated 9600 wounded servicemen in three months (April-June 1945) and brought them to Guam. Through it all, she said she was "just doing my job." After the war ended, she served at Naval Air Station Glenview, Illinois. Lt. Jacquet married Col. Martin Melvin, USMC, and had eight children, four of whom also served proudly.

Look for more profiles in the next edition of the Left Hand Valley Courier and visit the website with biographies and banner locations at https://niwot.org/veterans/.