Homer V. Fillinger drove a coal truck in Logan County, West Virginia before enlisting in the US Army and deploying for combat during the Korean War as a paratrooper. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant, was assigned to the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team "Rakkasans," and made both combat jumps at Sukchon-Sunchon and Musan-ni. His combat actions include the 1st Battle of Seoul; Sinmak-Puggee Pass; Wonju ("Nightmare Alley"); OPN Killer; Battle of Imjin River; Kamok-San Hill ("Papa-San Hill"); "Bloody Inje"; Battle of the Han River; Iron Triangle Defense; "No Name Line"; Koje-Do Island POW Camp Uprising pacification; OPN Piledriver; Chorwon-Kumwha Sector Defense; "The Bowling Alley"; and Battle of Christmas Hill. His decorations included 2 Bronze Star Medals with Valor Device; Korean Service Medal with an arrowhead device, silver service star and a bronze service star; Parachutist Badge with 2 bronze service stars ("Jump Wings with Mustard Stains" was how he described this coveted award); UN Service Medal; Republic of Korea Service Medal; Army of Occupation Medal (Japan); Army Good Conduct Medal with 1 knotted bronze rope; 2 Presidential Unit Citations (1 Navy, 1 Army), and 2 Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citations. His service within the USA included the 101st Airborne Division and the 82nd Airborne Division.
His parents were Enoch R. Fillinger (b 6-1-1900, d 4-11-1978) and Lora L. Hager Fillinger (b 1-16-1902, d 1-17-1995). His siblings included: Nancy Fillinger Thomas (b 5-5-1921, d 12-2-1994), Ruby S. Fillinger Webb (b 12-24-1923, d 9-4-1997 ), Ethel Fillinger Durrance (School Nurse, Flagler-Palm Coast HS, b 1-27-1928, d 1-18-1983), Nadine Fillinger Nipper (b 5-25-1933, d 4-27-2006), Cora Fillinger Adams (b 9-22-1936), Bessie Fillinger Thompson (b 12-11-1939), Betsy Fillinger Spivey (b 12-11-1939), and Rebecca Fillinger Moody (Deputy Sheriff/ Dispatcher, Flagler County Sheriff's Office, b 10-25-1946, d 7-12-1994). He married Barbara Stevens (b 3-1-1929, d 9-19-2008) on 12-11-1965, but never had any children. His stepdaughters included Alayne Lacy, Nancy Barker, and Helen Park. Homer Fillinger also had a most beloved family member that took up residence with him and Barbara while he lived in Kissimmee. It was an abandoned mongrel dog (similiar to a long haired, oversized Chichauau) of undetermined age that he subsequently named Rusty Shag-Nasty because of Shag's disaggreeable disposition and tendency to be overtly hostile to everyone except Homer and Barbara. Rusty Shag-Nasty lived with Homer almost 20 years before dying of old age. No one actually knows how old Shag was when he passed away, but his passing wounded Homer terribly. He retired as an industrial welder in 1995 after working many years in the steel industry in Kissimmee, Florida. He subsequently moved his household to Bunnell, Florida to be close to his Family and look after the Ponderosa Trailer Park in Korona, Florida. His many neices and nephews referred to him as "Uncle Snuff," and even though he was targeted by them for practical jokes and pranks (such as ambushing him with a water hose when he was napping on the front porch), he was a revered, respected and beloved member of the Family. Among the veterans who had married into the Fillinger Family, and the two related by blood (Jack A. Adams Jr and Myra J. Gresham), Homer was looked upon with unrivaled admiration and respect. Homer was a devout NASCAR fan with unwavering loyalty to Richard Petty, driver of the 43, and he stedfastly maintained that Richard Petty was NASCAR's greatest driver. His lawn and gardening were the envy of Saw Mill Estates, and each Christmas, Homer's house and lawn were heavily decorated and the envy of the community. Few loved Christmas as much as Homer Fillinger. He had a ferocious sweet-tooth, and visits by his neices and nephews to his home were as eagerly anticipated as a trip to a well stocked candy store. He always had sweets available. He also loved Swisher Sweet cigars and routinely carried 3 or 4 in his front left brest pocket. In the last few years of his life, Homer had a hip replacement surgery and contracted colon cancer. After treatment, he went into remission but it subsequently resurfaced and proved untreatable. He was an extremely private man and seldom discussed his service in the Army or his involvement in the Korean War with anyone other than the Family veterans. Even the Family veterans had no idea Homer was a war hero with 2 Bronze Stars until the day of his funeral. Upon that revelation, a collective "I'll be damned" rose out of the Family veterans in unison, which is still laughed about among the Family veterans today when Uncle Homer is fondly remembered. Rest in Peace, Uncle Snuff. You are sorely missed, highly respected and dearly beloved by all who were lucky enough to have known you.
LIFE: 78 Years, 1 Month, 25 Days
CAUSE OF DEATH: Cancer
WHAT IS A VETERAN?
A 'veteran' - whether active duty,
discharged, retired, or reserve -
is someone who, at one point in their
life, wrote a blank check made payable
to 'The United States of America,' for
an amount of 'up to, and including their
life.'
That is honor, and there are way too many
people in this country today, who no longer
understand that fact.
SOLDIER
"I was that which others did not want to be. I went where others feared to go, and did what others failed to do. I asked nothing from those who gave nothing, and reluctantly accepted the thought of eternal loneliness...should I fail. I have seen the face of Terror; felt the stinging cold of Fear; and enjoyed the sweet taste of a moment's Love. I have cried, pained, and hoped...but most of all, I have lived times others would say were best forgotten. At least someday I will be able to say that I was proud of what I was...A Soldier."
George L. Skypeck, CPT, US Army
Nancy Barker, God bless you and thank you for sponsoring this Memorial.
Note: ***PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THE PERSONAL PHOTOS OR PLACE THIS MEMORIAL ON OTHER WEBSITES WITHOUT PERMISSION***
His parents were Enoch R. Fillinger (b 6-1-1900, d 4-11-1978) and Lora L. Hager Fillinger (b 1-16-1902, d 1-17-1995). His siblings included: Nancy Fillinger Thomas (b 5-5-1921, d 12-2-1994), Ruby S. Fillinger Webb (b 12-24-1923, d 9-4-1997 ), Ethel Fillinger Durrance (School Nurse, Flagler-Palm Coast HS, b 1-27-1928, d 1-18-1983), Nadine Fillinger Nipper (b 5-25-1933, d 4-27-2006), Cora Fillinger Adams (b 9-22-1936), Bessie Fillinger Thompson (b 12-11-1939), Betsy Fillinger Spivey (b 12-11-1939), and Rebecca Fillinger Moody (Deputy Sheriff/ Dispatcher, Flagler County Sheriff's Office, b 10-25-1946, d 7-12-1994). He married Barbara Stevens (b 3-1-1929, d 9-19-2008) on 12-11-1965, but never had any children. His stepdaughters included Alayne Lacy, Nancy Barker, and Helen Park. Homer Fillinger also had a most beloved family member that took up residence with him and Barbara while he lived in Kissimmee. It was an abandoned mongrel dog (similiar to a long haired, oversized Chichauau) of undetermined age that he subsequently named Rusty Shag-Nasty because of Shag's disaggreeable disposition and tendency to be overtly hostile to everyone except Homer and Barbara. Rusty Shag-Nasty lived with Homer almost 20 years before dying of old age. No one actually knows how old Shag was when he passed away, but his passing wounded Homer terribly. He retired as an industrial welder in 1995 after working many years in the steel industry in Kissimmee, Florida. He subsequently moved his household to Bunnell, Florida to be close to his Family and look after the Ponderosa Trailer Park in Korona, Florida. His many neices and nephews referred to him as "Uncle Snuff," and even though he was targeted by them for practical jokes and pranks (such as ambushing him with a water hose when he was napping on the front porch), he was a revered, respected and beloved member of the Family. Among the veterans who had married into the Fillinger Family, and the two related by blood (Jack A. Adams Jr and Myra J. Gresham), Homer was looked upon with unrivaled admiration and respect. Homer was a devout NASCAR fan with unwavering loyalty to Richard Petty, driver of the 43, and he stedfastly maintained that Richard Petty was NASCAR's greatest driver. His lawn and gardening were the envy of Saw Mill Estates, and each Christmas, Homer's house and lawn were heavily decorated and the envy of the community. Few loved Christmas as much as Homer Fillinger. He had a ferocious sweet-tooth, and visits by his neices and nephews to his home were as eagerly anticipated as a trip to a well stocked candy store. He always had sweets available. He also loved Swisher Sweet cigars and routinely carried 3 or 4 in his front left brest pocket. In the last few years of his life, Homer had a hip replacement surgery and contracted colon cancer. After treatment, he went into remission but it subsequently resurfaced and proved untreatable. He was an extremely private man and seldom discussed his service in the Army or his involvement in the Korean War with anyone other than the Family veterans. Even the Family veterans had no idea Homer was a war hero with 2 Bronze Stars until the day of his funeral. Upon that revelation, a collective "I'll be damned" rose out of the Family veterans in unison, which is still laughed about among the Family veterans today when Uncle Homer is fondly remembered. Rest in Peace, Uncle Snuff. You are sorely missed, highly respected and dearly beloved by all who were lucky enough to have known you.
LIFE: 78 Years, 1 Month, 25 Days
CAUSE OF DEATH: Cancer
WHAT IS A VETERAN?
A 'veteran' - whether active duty,
discharged, retired, or reserve -
is someone who, at one point in their
life, wrote a blank check made payable
to 'The United States of America,' for
an amount of 'up to, and including their
life.'
That is honor, and there are way too many
people in this country today, who no longer
understand that fact.
SOLDIER
"I was that which others did not want to be. I went where others feared to go, and did what others failed to do. I asked nothing from those who gave nothing, and reluctantly accepted the thought of eternal loneliness...should I fail. I have seen the face of Terror; felt the stinging cold of Fear; and enjoyed the sweet taste of a moment's Love. I have cried, pained, and hoped...but most of all, I have lived times others would say were best forgotten. At least someday I will be able to say that I was proud of what I was...A Soldier."
George L. Skypeck, CPT, US Army
Nancy Barker, God bless you and thank you for sponsoring this Memorial.
Note: ***PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THE PERSONAL PHOTOS OR PLACE THIS MEMORIAL ON OTHER WEBSITES WITHOUT PERMISSION***
Homer V. Fillinger drove a coal truck in Logan County, West Virginia before enlisting in the US Army and deploying for combat during the Korean War as a paratrooper. He attained the rank of Staff Sergeant, was assigned to the 187th Airborne Regimental Combat Team "Rakkasans," and made both combat jumps at Sukchon-Sunchon and Musan-ni. His combat actions include the 1st Battle of Seoul; Sinmak-Puggee Pass; Wonju ("Nightmare Alley"); OPN Killer; Battle of Imjin River; Kamok-San Hill ("Papa-San Hill"); "Bloody Inje"; Battle of the Han River; Iron Triangle Defense; "No Name Line"; Koje-Do Island POW Camp Uprising pacification; OPN Piledriver; Chorwon-Kumwha Sector Defense; "The Bowling Alley"; and Battle of Christmas Hill. His decorations included 2 Bronze Star Medals with Valor Device; Korean Service Medal with an arrowhead device, silver service star and a bronze service star; Parachutist Badge with 2 bronze service stars ("Jump Wings with Mustard Stains" was how he described this coveted award); UN Service Medal; Republic of Korea Service Medal; Army of Occupation Medal (Japan); Army Good Conduct Medal with 1 knotted bronze rope; 2 Presidential Unit Citations (1 Navy, 1 Army), and 2 Republic of Korea Presidential Unit Citations. His service within the USA included the 101st Airborne Division and the 82nd Airborne Division.
His parents were Enoch R. Fillinger (b 6-1-1900, d 4-11-1978) and Lora L. Hager Fillinger (b 1-16-1902, d 1-17-1995). His siblings included: Nancy Fillinger Thomas (b 5-5-1921, d 12-2-1994), Ruby S. Fillinger Webb (b 12-24-1923, d 9-4-1997 ), Ethel Fillinger Durrance (School Nurse, Flagler-Palm Coast HS, b 1-27-1928, d 1-18-1983), Nadine Fillinger Nipper (b 5-25-1933, d 4-27-2006), Cora Fillinger Adams (b 9-22-1936), Bessie Fillinger Thompson (b 12-11-1939), Betsy Fillinger Spivey (b 12-11-1939), and Rebecca Fillinger Moody (Deputy Sheriff/ Dispatcher, Flagler County Sheriff's Office, b 10-25-1946, d 7-12-1994). He married Barbara Stevens (b 3-1-1929, d 9-19-2008) on 12-11-1965, but never had any children. His stepdaughters included Alayne Lacy, Nancy Barker, and Helen Park. Homer Fillinger also had a most beloved family member that took up residence with him and Barbara while he lived in Kissimmee. It was an abandoned mongrel dog (similiar to a long haired, oversized Chichauau) of undetermined age that he subsequently named Rusty Shag-Nasty because of Shag's disaggreeable disposition and tendency to be overtly hostile to everyone except Homer and Barbara. Rusty Shag-Nasty lived with Homer almost 20 years before dying of old age. No one actually knows how old Shag was when he passed away, but his passing wounded Homer terribly. He retired as an industrial welder in 1995 after working many years in the steel industry in Kissimmee, Florida. He subsequently moved his household to Bunnell, Florida to be close to his Family and look after the Ponderosa Trailer Park in Korona, Florida. His many neices and nephews referred to him as "Uncle Snuff," and even though he was targeted by them for practical jokes and pranks (such as ambushing him with a water hose when he was napping on the front porch), he was a revered, respected and beloved member of the Family. Among the veterans who had married into the Fillinger Family, and the two related by blood (Jack A. Adams Jr and Myra J. Gresham), Homer was looked upon with unrivaled admiration and respect. Homer was a devout NASCAR fan with unwavering loyalty to Richard Petty, driver of the 43, and he stedfastly maintained that Richard Petty was NASCAR's greatest driver. His lawn and gardening were the envy of Saw Mill Estates, and each Christmas, Homer's house and lawn were heavily decorated and the envy of the community. Few loved Christmas as much as Homer Fillinger. He had a ferocious sweet-tooth, and visits by his neices and nephews to his home were as eagerly anticipated as a trip to a well stocked candy store. He always had sweets available. He also loved Swisher Sweet cigars and routinely carried 3 or 4 in his front left brest pocket. In the last few years of his life, Homer had a hip replacement surgery and contracted colon cancer. After treatment, he went into remission but it subsequently resurfaced and proved untreatable. He was an extremely private man and seldom discussed his service in the Army or his involvement in the Korean War with anyone other than the Family veterans. Even the Family veterans had no idea Homer was a war hero with 2 Bronze Stars until the day of his funeral. Upon that revelation, a collective "I'll be damned" rose out of the Family veterans in unison, which is still laughed about among the Family veterans today when Uncle Homer is fondly remembered. Rest in Peace, Uncle Snuff. You are sorely missed, highly respected and dearly beloved by all who were lucky enough to have known you.
LIFE: 78 Years, 1 Month, 25 Days
CAUSE OF DEATH: Cancer
WHAT IS A VETERAN?
A 'veteran' - whether active duty,
discharged, retired, or reserve -
is someone who, at one point in their
life, wrote a blank check made payable
to 'The United States of America,' for
an amount of 'up to, and including their
life.'
That is honor, and there are way too many
people in this country today, who no longer
understand that fact.
SOLDIER
"I was that which others did not want to be. I went where others feared to go, and did what others failed to do. I asked nothing from those who gave nothing, and reluctantly accepted the thought of eternal loneliness...should I fail. I have seen the face of Terror; felt the stinging cold of Fear; and enjoyed the sweet taste of a moment's Love. I have cried, pained, and hoped...but most of all, I have lived times others would say were best forgotten. At least someday I will be able to say that I was proud of what I was...A Soldier."
George L. Skypeck, CPT, US Army
Nancy Barker, God bless you and thank you for sponsoring this Memorial.
Note: ***PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THE PERSONAL PHOTOS OR PLACE THIS MEMORIAL ON OTHER WEBSITES WITHOUT PERMISSION***
His parents were Enoch R. Fillinger (b 6-1-1900, d 4-11-1978) and Lora L. Hager Fillinger (b 1-16-1902, d 1-17-1995). His siblings included: Nancy Fillinger Thomas (b 5-5-1921, d 12-2-1994), Ruby S. Fillinger Webb (b 12-24-1923, d 9-4-1997 ), Ethel Fillinger Durrance (School Nurse, Flagler-Palm Coast HS, b 1-27-1928, d 1-18-1983), Nadine Fillinger Nipper (b 5-25-1933, d 4-27-2006), Cora Fillinger Adams (b 9-22-1936), Bessie Fillinger Thompson (b 12-11-1939), Betsy Fillinger Spivey (b 12-11-1939), and Rebecca Fillinger Moody (Deputy Sheriff/ Dispatcher, Flagler County Sheriff's Office, b 10-25-1946, d 7-12-1994). He married Barbara Stevens (b 3-1-1929, d 9-19-2008) on 12-11-1965, but never had any children. His stepdaughters included Alayne Lacy, Nancy Barker, and Helen Park. Homer Fillinger also had a most beloved family member that took up residence with him and Barbara while he lived in Kissimmee. It was an abandoned mongrel dog (similiar to a long haired, oversized Chichauau) of undetermined age that he subsequently named Rusty Shag-Nasty because of Shag's disaggreeable disposition and tendency to be overtly hostile to everyone except Homer and Barbara. Rusty Shag-Nasty lived with Homer almost 20 years before dying of old age. No one actually knows how old Shag was when he passed away, but his passing wounded Homer terribly. He retired as an industrial welder in 1995 after working many years in the steel industry in Kissimmee, Florida. He subsequently moved his household to Bunnell, Florida to be close to his Family and look after the Ponderosa Trailer Park in Korona, Florida. His many neices and nephews referred to him as "Uncle Snuff," and even though he was targeted by them for practical jokes and pranks (such as ambushing him with a water hose when he was napping on the front porch), he was a revered, respected and beloved member of the Family. Among the veterans who had married into the Fillinger Family, and the two related by blood (Jack A. Adams Jr and Myra J. Gresham), Homer was looked upon with unrivaled admiration and respect. Homer was a devout NASCAR fan with unwavering loyalty to Richard Petty, driver of the 43, and he stedfastly maintained that Richard Petty was NASCAR's greatest driver. His lawn and gardening were the envy of Saw Mill Estates, and each Christmas, Homer's house and lawn were heavily decorated and the envy of the community. Few loved Christmas as much as Homer Fillinger. He had a ferocious sweet-tooth, and visits by his neices and nephews to his home were as eagerly anticipated as a trip to a well stocked candy store. He always had sweets available. He also loved Swisher Sweet cigars and routinely carried 3 or 4 in his front left brest pocket. In the last few years of his life, Homer had a hip replacement surgery and contracted colon cancer. After treatment, he went into remission but it subsequently resurfaced and proved untreatable. He was an extremely private man and seldom discussed his service in the Army or his involvement in the Korean War with anyone other than the Family veterans. Even the Family veterans had no idea Homer was a war hero with 2 Bronze Stars until the day of his funeral. Upon that revelation, a collective "I'll be damned" rose out of the Family veterans in unison, which is still laughed about among the Family veterans today when Uncle Homer is fondly remembered. Rest in Peace, Uncle Snuff. You are sorely missed, highly respected and dearly beloved by all who were lucky enough to have known you.
LIFE: 78 Years, 1 Month, 25 Days
CAUSE OF DEATH: Cancer
WHAT IS A VETERAN?
A 'veteran' - whether active duty,
discharged, retired, or reserve -
is someone who, at one point in their
life, wrote a blank check made payable
to 'The United States of America,' for
an amount of 'up to, and including their
life.'
That is honor, and there are way too many
people in this country today, who no longer
understand that fact.
SOLDIER
"I was that which others did not want to be. I went where others feared to go, and did what others failed to do. I asked nothing from those who gave nothing, and reluctantly accepted the thought of eternal loneliness...should I fail. I have seen the face of Terror; felt the stinging cold of Fear; and enjoyed the sweet taste of a moment's Love. I have cried, pained, and hoped...but most of all, I have lived times others would say were best forgotten. At least someday I will be able to say that I was proud of what I was...A Soldier."
George L. Skypeck, CPT, US Army
Nancy Barker, God bless you and thank you for sponsoring this Memorial.
Note: ***PLEASE DO NOT TAKE THE PERSONAL PHOTOS OR PLACE THIS MEMORIAL ON OTHER WEBSITES WITHOUT PERMISSION***
Inscription
US Army, Korea. Loving Husband.
