Category: Military

VIETNAM WAR

The VIETNAM WAR, an undeclared war in Southeast Asia in which the U.S. was engaged from 5 Aug. 1964 until signing a peace agreement in Jan. 1973, affected Clevelanders much as it did other Americans.

VISCAYA CANNON

VISCAYA CANNON, located on the northwest quadrant of PUBLIC SQUARE is a 14 cm. rifled piece which was part of the armament on the Spanish Cruiser Viscaya. The Viscaya was engaged, along with other ships of the Spanish Fleet commanded by Admiral Pasqual Cevera, with the American Fleet commanded by Rear Admiral W. S.

WAR OF 1812

WAR OF 1812. When Congress declared war against Great Britain on 18 June 1812, the village of Cleveland consisted of 100 or fewer souls huddled near the mouth of the CUYAHOGA RIVER. Except for their geographic location, they had no reason to be either especially interested or principal actors in the war.

WAR VETERANS BAR ASSN.

The WAR VETERANS BAR ASSN., composed of WORLD WAR II veterans, was formed in 1946 to assist former servicemen in legal matters. Its first president was future U.S. Senator Stephen M. Young. The association expanded services in 1947 to provide legal assistance at reasonable fees to persons of moderate means.

WHITTLESEY, CHARLES W.

WHITTLESEY, CHARLES W. (4 Oct. 1808-17 Oct. 1886), geologist and historian, was born in Southington, Conn. to Asaph and Vesta Hart Whittlesey, moved to Tallmadge, Ohio in 1813, graduated from West Point in 1831, and was stationed in Wisconsin as a 2d lieutenant before serving in the Black Hawk War (1833).

WILBRAHAM, ROBERT L.

WILBRAHAM, ROBERT L. (11 February 1933 - 15 April 1997) was a national AMVETS commander and president of the AMVETS National Service Foundation Board of Trustees from 1989 to 1997 [?].

WILEY, AQUILA

WILEY, AQUILA (20 Feb. 1835-5 June 1913), volunteer Army officer during the CIVIL WAR, was born in Mechanicsburg, Pa., son of William and Susan (Spahr) Wiley. He settled in Wooster, Ohio in 1852, and was commissioned a 1st lieutenant in the 16th Ohio Volunteer Infantry in Apr. 1861, promoted to captain in May, and assigned to the 41st OVI in Sept.

WILKINS EXPEDITION

The WILKINS EXPEDITION, led by British major John Wilkins in Nov. 1763, has frequently been erroneously identified as having foundered off ROCKY RIVER and Lakewood Park. Actually, this expedition, which was intended to relieve Ft.

WILLIAMS, LE ROY W.

WILLIAMS, LE ROY W. (18 Aug. 1844-14 Feb. 1930), recipient of the Congressional Medal of Honor for service during the CIVIL WAR, was born in Oswego, New York and enlisted in the 129th New York Volunteer Infantry 29 July 1862. The 129th, redesignated the 8th New York Heavy Artillery, participated in the 3 June 1864 attack against the Confederate Army at Cold Harbor, Va.

WORLD WAR I

WORLD WAR I. With a population of 560,665 on the eve of World War I, Cleveland stood as the 6th-largest city in the U.S. It thrived economically on the manufacture of iron and steel, paints and varnishes, foundry and machine-shop products, and electrical machinery and supplies. Although recently surpassed by Detroit in automobile production, it still excelled in the making of auto accessories.

WORLD WAR II

WORLD WAR II. When Japan attacked the U.S. at Pearl Harbor on the morning of 7 Dec. 1941, the ranking American victim was a native Clevelander, Rear Adm. ISSAC C. KIDD, aboard the Arizona. Before V-J Day, his death would be followed by those of nearly 4,000 more Clevelanders out of a total of 160,000 called to service.