Mecca Servicemen WWII - World War II Memorials / Monuments on Waymarking.com

The monument is located at the entrance to Mecca Community Park. There is a marque type sign out front also which is used for event messages. There is nothing out front that says what park it is. THe park has a walking track, playground equipment and baseball diamonds. It is situated in the rear of Maplewood High School on S.R. 88, in Cortland, however the park is accessed on S.R. 46 in Cortland. There is a fence to block access at night but there is parking ample enough and close to the monument to use. There are also restrooms in the park. A few feet south of the entrance, on the same side of the road is a mailbox for house number 6083 on S.R. 46.

The monument states:
In Memory of
1st Lt. Lawrence D. Jacoby
12 Apr 1918 - 29 Aug 1943

PFC Neal M. Overmier
13 Oct 1923 - 12 Oct 1944
WWII Mecca Servicemen
Killed in Action

According to "Mecca History," by Thomas Kachur, 2002, the men were described as follows.
Lawrence Jacoby enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in March 1942, and was a navigator on a B-24 bomber. He was an aviation cadet and in April 1942 was at the Air Corps Replacement Center at Santa Ana, California. Lawrence was transferred from Santa Ana to Mather Field, Sacramento, in July 1942. Jacoby graduated from navigator school there and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in Octgober 1942 and sent to Monthan Field, Arizona at that time. Lawrence was reported missing in action August 29, 1943 in the Southwest Pacific. He had been stationed at Port Moresby, New Guinea and had been overseas since March 1943, after a year in the Air Force. He was cited for the Distinguished Flying Cross and Air Medal for gallant and heroic service to his country. The citation for the Air Medal missions in the Southwest Pacific area, during which hostile contact was probable and expected. These operations consisted of long range bombing missions against enemy airdromes and installatiosn and attacks on enemy naval vessels and shipping. Throughout these flights, outstanding courage, ability, and devotion to duty were demonstrated." For the Distinguished Flying Cross, the citation read, "For heroism in flight and exceptional and outstanding accomplishment in the face of great danger above and beyond the line of duty over Wewak, New Guinea, on August 29, 1943. This crew was flying a B-24 type aircraft, which was part of a formation of six airplanes on a daylight strike against the enemy airdrome at Bhoram. As the bomber approached the target, from a height of 15, 000 feet, very intense and accurate anti-aircraft fire was encountered. The formation commenced a bombing run and was immediately intercepted by at least 30 enemy fighters. Despite the opposition, all bombs were dropped on the target, destroying numerous enemy aircraft and starting several oil fires." His gallantry was described, "At the completion of the bombing run, three enemy Zeros made a concentrated attack on this bomber, shooting out one engine, setting the aircraft on fire and causing it to lose altitude rapidly. During the running fight which followed this crew definitely destroyed one enemy Zero and possibly destroyed another. A short distance from the target, this bomber burst into flames and the crew attempted to abandon it. The pilot was seen to remain with the aircraft, keeping it in level flight in order that as many of the crew as possible could escape." Lawrence was officially declared dead in March 1946.

Neal M. Overmier entered the U.S. Army on September 17, 1943, reporting to Fort Hayes, Ohio. In October 1943, he was stationed at Camp Blanding, Florida and was transferred to Fort Meade, Maryland in February 1944. He had been awarded the Combat Infantry Badge in October 1944 while with the Fifth Army in Italy. Overmier had been listed as missing in action June 2, 1944 but returned to his company after an absence of 12 days, while serving with the 135th Infantry in Italy and took part in the fall of Rome and Pisa. He was killed in action in Italy October 12, 1944. Neal was posthumously awarded the Bronze Medal in March 1945. The citation which accompanied the medal stated, "For heroic achievement in action on May 30, 1944, in the vicinity of Lauvio, Italy. During the fierce engagement with the enemy, a large number of casualties were sustaned and several litter bearers were wounded. PFC Overmier courageously volunteered to help his wounded comrades receive prompt medical attention by serving as a litter bearer. To evacuate the wounded, neceessitated going through a deep gully incessantly bombarded by enemy mortar and artillery fire and then climbing out on its open banks in direct view of enemy machine gunners, not over 100 yards away, who constantly fired at all who attempted to aid the wounded. PFC Overmier made as many trips as possible to evacuate the wounded and undoubtedly saved the lives of many of his comrades." He was 21 years old. His body was returned home and interred in Bristolville Evergreen Cemetery in November 1948.

Property Permission: Public Access instructions: Parking is available at all times. The park closes at dark but the monument is outside the gate, in front, near the road. Commemoration: WWII Veterans killed in action Date of Dedication: Not listed Access times: Not listed Website for Waymark: Not listed Location of waymark: Not listed

Visit Instructions:
Include a photo containing, at minimum, the monument and your GPSr. We'd prefer a photo containing YOU at the monument, but we understand that some people are camera-shy.
Also include a bit about your visit here.

Recent Visits/Logs:

Date Logged Log User Rating   07/12/2014 Brother Bob visited it 10/06/2012 A'SPENNYS visited it 07/08/2011 ohmom50 visited it 07/08/2009 Fourtenner visited it

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