Phoenixville Classmates Honor Student Killed In Vietnam War

PHOENIXVILLE, PA -- One member of the Phoenixville Area High School class of 1968 didn't make it back from Vietnam. Now his classmates are honoring him in a big way.

Fellow members of the class of 1968 have organized a scholarship drive in the memory of that student, John A. Polefka. The scholarship will benefit graduates of the Phoenixville Area High School class of 2018, organizers said. The scholarship will specifically target those considering the armed forces or law enforcement.

"A group of classmates got together and really wanted to do something special and unique as part of our 50th Anniversary celebrations," 1968 Class President Chas Kopp said. "Honoring John and, by extension, all those who have served, seemed like a really fitting thing to do especially as we also wanted to give a ‘hand up’ to graduating PAHS seniors who, as John did, intend to serve their country.”

Polefka grew up in the borough and attended St. Ann's Elementary School before heading to high school. Organizers of the scholarship -his classmates - remember him as "friendly but quiet and shy, keeping mostly to himself."

Polefka did not graduate, but only stayed through 10th grade, leaving to work for the West Company in the borough, according to the Phoenixville Community Education Foundation. Just after his 18th birthday, he joined the U.S. Army.

By 1969, Polefka had become a corporal. It was on Aug. 31 of that year that he was killed in a rocket attack near Binh Long, Vietnam.

His name is listed on the Vietnam Veterans Memorial in Washington D.C. on Panel 18W, Row 17.

If you would like to donate to the scholarship drive, see here. Students who wish to apply, call (610-933-5911) or see the PAHS Guidance Department for details.

Image courtesy Phoenixville Community Education Foundation