Young Tommy Alston in World War II helped liberate a French town that he described as “the greatest day of his life”. He was wounded and mailed home to his mother his “Purple Heart Medal” with a letter saying that he intended to wear the medal in the Denton parade at the end of the War.
Unfortunately, soon thereafter he was killed in action in the Battle of the Bulge. Today on a pole near the Courthouse entrance in Denton where the parade that Tommy anticipated would have passed, Tommy’s sacrifice is commemorated on one of some 25 street banners.
Tommy’s service is not unusual in Caroline County: Caroline is nationally significant in having someone in every major war in American history, plus every major battle save one, involving the U.S. military.
No county in America can exceed this record. Think your county can match Caroline? Start by finding local residents who fought at the Halls of Montezuma (Mexican War); the Battle of New Orleans (War of 1812) or the charge up San Juan Hill (Spanish American War). The latter was where five Caroline men from American Corner were killed in action (KIA).
To commemorate the sacrifice and dedication for Caroline residents in wartime (and peace), the Caroline County Historical Society, with critical funding from the Mid-Shore Veterans Group and work by the Town of Denton, has designed and hung colorful banners along Market Street in Denton.
Streetside banners are no longer unusual, but the Denton banners, based on years of careful research by the Society, are unique. In addition to names, photos, hometown, and artwork, they include Blacks and Whites, men and women, and representatives from every section of the county.
Second, the banners cover over 350 years of Caroline’s military sacrifice. They start with the combat death of a local cavalryman, who lived near present-day Preston, in an Indian-settler war in 1667; and cover every war to the present Middle East conflicts.
Third, the banners tell you where the people were, the battle they were in, what the people did and what happened to them. The latter ranges from KIA, WIA, MIA, POW, disease, accidental death, and homicide. Unless specified, some made a “safe” return home from their arduous and heroic service to Country.
Finally, Tommy’s story exposes one naked truth about either wartime or peacetime military service to our nation: all service members dream of better times, but even short-term dreams of homecoming can be instantly and tragically extinguished. And that is why we honor all veterans.
With Veterans Day in November, and Caroline’s parade cancelled, a walk down Market Street in Denton to view these unusual banners is an educational, inspiring, and memorable experience.
“No county in America can exceed this record.” I find this to be an extraordinary statement and would be interested in knowing the source for this. There are 3152 counties in this country, many of which have populations much larger than Caroline. It would be easy to document the residents in this county in each war. How would it be possible to document that for all the other 3151 counties?
Thanks for your question.
Our battles begin with the Indians in 1667. Remember there were only 13 colnies/states when this began. And only 3 states fought in the both the battles of the north and the south in the American Revolution. They were Maryland, Virginia, and Delaware. So that narrows it down to 3 eligible.
The one Battle that we are missing and most likely the other two states would be missing is The battle of Saratoga.
What county are you from? Look for all the major battles and see where your county begins and then trace it to every battle. That’s one way to search.
Hope this helps.
Kathy Mackel
Thank you, Kathy for an informative and interesting article. As a veteran myself I found the story of Tommy Alston quite touching.
Blessings,
Pastor Paul Lewis
Bethesda-Preston Methodist