BLAINE — Eight brothers from Lawrence County who served their country will be honored during a public ceremony Friday with the designation of Ky. 3394 as the Ison Brothers Veterans Memorial Highway.
Family member Kay Ison, who is working with state transportation officials to organize the event, stressed it is an occasion open to everyone, particularly veterans and their families. Four of the eight brothers who served in different branches of the United States military are still alive and plan to attend, as well as other members of the Ison family who still live on Cains Creek.
The eight brothers being honored came from a family of 13 children born to James Ira and Loretta Ison, although two of their siblings, Lonnie Emerson and Edna Marie, died during childhood. Eight of the remaining 11 children served in either the Army, Navy, Air Force or Civilian Conservation Corps.
“Their combined military service spanned almost four decades,” Kay Ison said. “One earned a Purple Heart. They all served honorably and none was lost in combat.”
Carl C. Ison, who was born in 1919 and died in 1986, served in the Civilian Conservation Corps from 1936 until 1940 and joined the Navy in 1943. He was a Petty Officer 2nd Class and worked as an ammunition specialist when he was honorably discharged in 1946.
Merrill Ison, 1922-1991, served in the CCC until joining the Navy in 1941. He was a Petty Officer 1st Class when honorably discharged in 1946.
Archie Christopher Ison, 1925-2002, was a Navy seaman from 1943 to 1945 and was awarded the Purple Heart for his efforts during the invasion of Anzio, Italy.
Howard Ison, the oldest of the surviving brothers, was born in 1926. His service began in the Navy as a seaman 1st class from 1944 until 1946 and continued in 1948 when he joined the Army, served two years as a radio operator and was honorably discharged as a sergeant. He then served in the Army Reserves for two years as a truck driver and, from 1952 to 1972, served in the Air Force and retired as a Senior Master sergeant. Howard Ison will travel from Tampa, Fla., to attend the highway dedication.
Kenneth Paul Ison, born in 1928, also made a career of the Air Force and served from 1947 until 1968, retiring as a technical Sergeant in vehicle and jet engine maintenance before his death in 1996.
James Donald Ison, born in 1931, served in the Air Force for more than 20 years. He retired as a Technical Sergeant with specialties as a transportation dispatcher and in production control. He now lives in Temple, Texas.
Robert Lowell Ison, born in 1936, served in the Air Force from 1958 through 1962. He was an electrical wireman and was honorably discharged as an Airman 1st Class. Robert now resides in Columbus.
Gusta Curtis Ison, born in 1940, was a butcher and truck driver in the Air Force, serving from 1958 until 1962 and attaining the rank of Airman 1st Class. He is coming to the event from San Jose, Calif.
A ceremony dedicating the road and honoring the Ison brothers has been set for 2 p.m. Friday at the Blaine Community Center.
TIM PRESTON can be reached at tpreston@dailyindependent.com or at (606) 326-2651.
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