Legal Notice
Town of Pomfret
Zoning Board of Appeals
At the July 21, 2025, meeting of the Pomfret Zoning Board of Appeals, the following action was taken:
 
1. David Howe for Abington Social Library, 536 Hampton Road, variance request of Section 10.4.1 of the Regulations to reduce the front yard setback from 75’ to 10’.  APPROVED.
2. David McCool (Judd Fertman) for Gregory Porter, 79 Cherry Hill Road, variance request of Section 10/4/1 of the Regulations to reduce the front year setback from 60’ to 25’.  APPROVED.
Date at Pomfret, 
Connecticut

Lynn L. Krajewski, 
Clerk
Zoning Board of Appeals

July 30, 2025

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Hometown Heroes
Sergeant Benjamin Wikera USMC (1921-1944) 
By Michael Rocchetti
On the morning of Jan. 30, 1944, US Air Force bombers attacked the Japanese airfields near Rabaul Papua New Guinea (New Britain). But the big battle of the day over Rabaul was in the late afternoon. A Japanese carrier was reported at Rabaul’s Simpson Harbor and so a strike force was hastily arranged involving 18 Grumman TBF-1C Avenger torpedo bombers and 20 Douglas SBD Dauntless dive bombers from Marine Squadron VMTB-233, the “Flying Deadheads.”
They were escorted by 50 F4U Corsair fighters from U.S. airfields at Bougainville. No carrier was present but the Marine airmen sank the water supply ship Iwata Maru and damaged auxiliary vessel Juzan Maru. The Marine airmen met intense AAA (anti-aircraft artillery) fire and the TBF-1C torpedo bomber nicknamed “Buno”, tail number 24406, was shot down over the North Daughter (i.e. Mount Tovanumbatir, a volcano located north of Rabaul). The plane peeled off suddenly and spun toward the water, apparently hit by AAA and out of control. The three crewmen were never seen again and were declared dead Jan. 31, 1945, one year and one day after going missing. The Three missing men were: Captain Paul Evans Lamale (pilot), Sgt Benjamin P Wikera (radioman), and S/Sgt John H Schillinger Jr (turret gunner).
The Defense POW/MIA Accounting Agency has Benjamin Wikera listed as “Unaccounted for” and his remains are classified as “Group A – Recoverable”. One of the last muster roll entries for Benjamin Wikera had the following note: “Missing in action since 30 JAN 44. Declared dead by Secretary of the Navy as of 31 JAN 45. Awarded AIR MEDAL for meritorious achievement in aerial flight in action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands and New Britain Areas from August 11, 1943 to January 30, 1944”. Sergeant Benjamin Wikera is memorialized at the Manila American Cemetery in the Philippines. He is also memorialized with a cenotaph at St. Mary’s Cemetery in Putnam.
Benjamin Peter Wikera was born Sept. 7, 1921, in Voluntown, the son of Mrs. Mary Wikera. He grew up in Putnam and graduated from Putnam High School. The following articles were written about him in the local newspapers:
Windham County Observer, April 22, 1942: “BENJAMIN P. WIKERA: Another Putnam lad training at the United States Marine Corps recruit depot at Parris Island SC, is Benjamin P. Wikera, 20. He is the son of Mrs. Mary Wikera, 21 Buck Street, Putnam. A graduate of Putnam High School, Wikera also attended the Pratt & Whitney Defense trade school. He was employed as a machinist by Belding, Hemingway and Corticelli prior to enlisting in the Marine Corps. His cousin, Edward Wikera, is in the Army.”
Putnam Patriot, July 09, 1942: “BENJ. WIKERA NOW AT JACKSONVILLE, FLA: Private Benjamin P. Wikera of this city, who joined the United States Marines several months ago has been transferred to the United States Naval Air Station at Jacksonville, Florida, where he is attached to the training squadron of the Marine Aviation Detachment. Private Wikera is a former Patriot employee.”
Putnam Patriot, November 05, 1942: “PUTNAM MAN WINS HONORS: Wikera Graduates High in Marine Radio Class in Florida. Likely to be Assigned to Air Squadron Shortly. Marine Barracks, Naval Air Station, Jacksonville, Florida. October 31st. — Benjamin Peter Wikera of Putnam, Conn., was graduated recently from the Marine Aviation Radio School here as one of the highest ranking men in the class. Wikera was promoted to the rank of Corporal in recognition of his high average and exceptional ability. He will be assigned to an air squadron probably in the near future for further duty. Corporal Wikera is the son of Mrs. Mary Wikera of 21 Buck Street, this city. He graduated from Putnam High School, and while a student there was a member of the varsity football team. He enlisted in the Marine Corps April of this year.”
Putnam Patriot, December 28, 1944: “Status of Sergeant Wikera Unchanged, Missing Marine Given Citation and Medal: According to a communication received by Mrs. Mary Wikera, 21 Buck Street, from Colonel R. H. Jeschke of the US Marine Corps, the status of Sergeant Benjamin P. Wikera, reported missing in action while engaged in battle against the Japanese on January 30th, 1944, has remained unchanged. However the mother was notified that her son has been awarded the Air Medal with a citation for his heroic efforts against the enemy in the Solomons and New Britain Areas. Substance of the material received in Putnam by the devoted and still hopeful mother is as follows: ‘My dear Mrs. Wikera, I am directed by the Commandant of the Marine Corps to inform you that the President of the United States has authorized the award of the Air Medal with Citation to your son, Sergeant Benjamin P. Wikera, US Marine Corps Reserve, who is carried on the records of this office as missing in action, for meritorious achievement in aerial flight during  action against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon islands and New Britain Areas from August 11th 1943 to January 30th 1944. The decoration and Citation will be held in this office for Sergeant Wikera in case he should be available for presentation of this award at some time in the future. However, an official copy of the citation is enclosed for your information. Sincerely yours, R. H. Jeschke, Colonel, U.S. Marine Corps.’ The official copy of the citation: “The Secretary of the Navy, Washington. The President of the United States takes pleasure in presenting the Air Medal to Sergeant Benjamin P. Wikera, United States Marine Corps Reserve, for service as set forth in the following CITATION: “For meritorious achievement in aerial Right as Radio Gunner of a Torpedo Bombing Plane serving Marine Torpedo Bombing Squadron two thirty-three operating against enemy Japanese forces in the Solomon Islands and New Britain Areas from August 11th 1943 to January 30th 1944. Participating in numerous hazardous daylight and night bombing strikes against hostile land installations, shipping and important airfields, Sergeant Wikera performed his duties skillfully and with unfaltering courage despite adverse weather, intense anti-aircraft fire and fighter opposition, contributing materially to the extensive destruction indicted on the enemy. Sergeant Wikera’s expert technical ability and intrepid fighting spirit under perilous combat conditions were in keeping with the highest traditions of the United States Naval Service.” For The President. /S/ James Forrestal, Secretary of the Navy.”
Hometown Heroes is a series published in the Putnam Town Crier & Northeast Ledger with this mission: We owe it to our Soldiers, Sailors, Airmen and Marines to make sure that they are never forgotten, and that the memory of their service and sacrifice will forever live on in the hearts and minds of the grateful people of Putnam.

Gardeners! Share the  wealth 
THOMPSON — Are your vegetable gardens enjoying the rain/heat cycle a little too much? Do you have extra?
TEEG is looking for excess fresh foods from farms, gardens, farmers markets, grocers, restaurants, state/county fairs, or any other sources.
TEEG’s Community Markets provide food to 250 households each month in the towns of Woodstock, Pomfret and Thompson. 
The demand for emergency foods has remained high over the last year.
Due to the steady increased costs of food, TEEG’s donations are down.  
“Fresh fruits and vegetables are important food offerings through our markets here at TEEG.   We rely on our partners at CT Foodshare and our local Putnam Walmart to keep us supplied on a weekly basis with as much fresh food as possible,” said Executive Director Carl Asikainen. 
“Our volunteers supplement our fresh food work by planting and harvesting our Community Garden here at TEEG. "
"We also look forward to receiving food from local growers during the summer months.”
He added: “If you have excess vegetables or fruit, please consider helping TEEG help our neighbors by bringing the product to TEEG.   If you need help transporting the food or, with more arrangement even harvesting foods, we have volunteers eager to lend a hand.  
 Please contact us at 860-923-3458. @teegnect”

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