Parks & Rec sites offer Philadelphians a place to honor those who have lost their lives fighting for our country. In 1926, the City named a new playground in Pennsport in honor of Nelson M. Herron who was killed in action during WWI. This was the first playground in Philadelphia named after a war hero.
This Memorial Day, we shine a spotlight on Nelson Herron and five other heroes of WWI, WWII, and the Vietnam War. These individuals gave their lives while serving abroad. We invite you to reflect on their sacrifice at these sites and others across the city.
World War I
Nelson M. Herron Playground and Recreation Center
Sergeant Nelson M. Herron died while leading his men into battle in Argonne, France. His mother Rose dedicated the site by unveiling a plaque in his honor in 1926. The newspapers reported that this was the first playground in Philadelphia named for a war hero.
World War II
Black, Coyle, McBride Playground
This site is named for three local youths who died fighting in WWII.
Samuel J. Black was born on August 8, 1923. He enlisted in the Army on September 15, 1943. He served as a Private in Company I, 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment, 82nd Airborne Division. He was killed in action on December 21,1944 during the Battle of the Bulge, near Rochelinval, Belgium. He was buried in Hillside Cemetery, Roslyn, PA and was survived by his mother. He is among those honored on a plaque in the town of Trois-Ponts, Belgium.
Charles William Coyle graduated from Northeast Catholic High School in 1944. He immediately entered the U.S. Army and was sent to Europe. On December 16, 1944 Charles was killed in action while serving in the 28th Infantry Division in Oberfeld, Germany. He was 19. In 1949 his body was returned to the U.S. and buried at New Cathedral Cemetery. He was survived by his parents and siblings.
Albert Edward McBride, Jr. enlisted in the U.S. Army at age 24. He served with the 30th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. He was killed in action on September 9, 1944. He received the Purple Heart and is buried at the American Cemetery in Normandy, France. Albert was survived by his mother.
Vietnam War
This vest-pocket park opened in 1971. In the late 1970s, it was named in honor of John W. Lewis, Jr. and Milton G. Clayborne who lost their lives in combat in Vietnam.
Lance Corporal Milton Gay Clayborne was born in Waverly, Virginia in 1948. His family moved to Philadelphia and lived on the 3800 block of Poplar Street. Clayborne attended Edison High School and enlisted in the Marines at age 18. In May of 1968 he died in battle in Quang Tri, South Vietnam. The Philadelphia Inquirer reported about a letter sent to his girlfriend in Philadelphia. It recorded his last words: “Tell her we have done so much with so little for so long, we can do the impossible with nothing.” He received The Purple Heart Medal for his combat-related wounds.
Private First Class John Wesley Lewis, Jr. attended Olney High School. Later, he worked as a baker at Gold Medal Baking Co., at 39th & Girard Ave. Lewis was inducted into the Army in 1965 at age 25. He served in the 101st Airborne Division and was killed in Vietnam by enemy fire on January 13, 1966. Lewis was honored with the Purple Heart Medal. His wife Alece gave birth to their daughter later that year. View photos of the two heroes.
