Lockland War Hero Wiley R. Cable to be Honored Monday

Twenty-five years after he lost his life following a distinguished two decades of service with the U.S. Marine Corps, Major Wiley R. Cable will be honored Monday, May 31 when a memorial will be dedicated at Richardson Park, Wyoming Avenue and South Cooper Street in Lockland, Ohio.

The ceremony will begin at 2 p.m., thanks to the efforts of the Lockland High School Class of 1947 which organized a campaign to purchase the memorial and for the dedication.

A classmate, Dr. John Trump of Miami University, will be the Master of Ceremonies.  A Proclamation will be presented by Mayor Jim Brown, following the playing of the National Anthem and invocation by Wiley's Pastor, the Rev. Hugh Sensibaugh.

Ohio Representatives Bob Schuler will deliver a message on behalf of Governor George Voinivich.  Major Geoff Henry of the Marine Corps will read a USMC citation after which remarks will be presented by Marine Herman Williams, now Commander of Guth Brothers American Legion Post 111 and Merrill Whitaker, a classmate and close friend of Wiley Cable.

Staff Sergeant Sea of the Marine Corps will command the Color Guard from the military unit and the Guth Brothers Color Guard, originally located in Lockland, will salute Major Cable.

Unveiling of the Memorial Plaque will be by Helen Asher, sister of Wiley.  The Marine Corps Hymn and benediction by Rev. Sensibaugh will close out the dedication.  Major Cable was born February 14, 1929.  After graduating from Lockland High in '47 he joined the Marine Corps as a Private and rose to the rank of Major.

He was one of the Valley's most decorated war heroes.  He served as a jet pilot during the Korean War and as a helicopter pilot during the war in Vietnam.  His helicopter rescue missions behind enemy lines and under enemy fire, saved many lives.

During his career, Major Cable was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross, 13 Air Medals (one of which for a single mission), and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Bronze Star from the Republic of Vietnam.

After serving the USA for 20 years, he was due to retire but was asked to serve another three years as a flight instructor.  He agreed and less than a year later, a student crashed into a mountain side and all aboard were killed.

Some of the citations to be read Monday tell of the extreme heroism when Major Cable flew his helicopter through marginal weather, set down behind enemy lines and loaded critically wounded men aboard.  He delivered them to a hospital in Vietnam where they recovered on many different occasions.

Quite a story about a Lockland High youngster who as a teen circled the "loop" Lockland, worked at the Hartman Bailey Hardware Store, Vaughn Hesley Drug Store and Horman's Paint and Wallpaper Store.

Every resident of Lockland should come Monday to pay tribute to this man who did so much to serve his fellowmen.  When he was killed in 1968, he left his wife and five little girls and his parents, Mr. Shirley Milton Cable and Sarah (Baker) Cable, who at the time had moved to Broadhead, Kentucky.