Pay tribute to one who is serving or one who has served by dedicating a book in their honor at the Pritzker Military Library. Each
$75 gift will commemorate one book selected by you from a list provided by the Library. Names of the honoree and the donor will appear on a Library bookplate placed inside the book. Notification of your gift and the commemorative bookplate will be sent to the honorees or their families. If you choose, a photo and short description of your honoree will be placed below on the virtual commemorative wall.
Lieutenant Coleman T. Holt
Donor: Colette Holt
Lieutenant Coleman T. Holt enlisted in the Army Air Corp for service in World War II. Holt was a Tuskegee Airman, counting himself among the first African-American military aviators in the United States armed forces, and rose to the rank of First Lieutenant while in the service. Upon returning to civilian life, he spent his career as an attorney.
Corporal John M. Kmetz Sr, U.S.M.C. 1st Marine Division
Donor: Cheryl Kmetz-Novas
John Kmetz enlisted in the Marine Corps in January 1943 serving under Chesty Puller in the First Marine Division in the Pacific Theater of Operations. He was the recipient of the Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon for outstanding heroism and a Purple Heart. Upon return to civilian life, he joined his wife and furthered his education to become a Chief Electrical Engineer. He resided in Hoffman Estates, IL and was an active lifetime member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, the American Legion and the First Marine Division Association.
Petty Officer 2nd Class James "Bud" Lanz, Quarter Master
Donor: Lisa Marie Lanz
James "Bud" Lanz enlisted in the US Navy on December 7, 1943, at age 17. Serving in the Pacific from the summer of 1944 through 1945, Bud was assigned to LST 34, or Landing Ship, Tank 34. After the war, he returned to his hometown of Monroe, Wisconsin, where he was a volunteer firefighter, and worked in the family sheet metal and air conditioning business, eventually becoming the owner. When he retired, he moved to the mountains of North Carolina with his wife, Carol.
Private Clayton Dale Otis
Donor: Eleanor Otis and Family
Private Otis served in the Army and was stationed in Okinawa during World War II. After the war, he returned to his family in East Lansing, Michigan, where he was an elevator repairman at Michigan State University.