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Shamokin in Service

War memorials, two Navy vessels named Shamokin, and the careers of local service members connect the city’s public memory with military history across generations.

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City Hall flagpole plaque dedicated to Shamokin's fallen heroes of Operation Iraqi FreedomCity Hall flagpole plaque dedicated to Shamokin's fallen heroes of Operation Iraqi FreedomImage date: 2026-06-09

Two Navy Vessels Carry the Name

Naval records distinguish Shamokin I, a gunboat commissioned in 1865, from Shamokin II, a harbor tug commissioned during the Second World War. Their separate histories carried the city’s name into different oceans and missions.

Service Beyond the City

Admiral Herbert G. Hopwood’s career eventually led to command of the U.S. Pacific Fleet from 1958 to 1960. Other Shamokin-connected service stories appear in monuments, biographies, and public records across the collection.

Memory in Public Space

Shamokin’s monuments honor Civil War veterans, later wars, fallen service members, and first responders. Together they show how each generation chose names, symbols, and civic places through which to remember service.

Image gallery

Open any image to view the full-size photograph or document.

**Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Monument in Shamokin**Civil War Soldiers and Sailors Monument in ShamokinImage date: 2026-06-10

**The Price of Freedom Veterans Memorial in Shamokin**The Price of Freedom Veterans Memorial in ShamokinImage date: 2026-06-10

**M60A3 tank monument on West Water Street in Shamokin**M60A3 tank monument on West Water Street in ShamokinImage date: 2026-06-10

**Soldiers Circle monument in Shamokin**Soldiers Circle monument in ShamokinImage date unknown

**Second view of Soldiers Circle in Shamokin**Second view of Soldiers Circle in ShamokinImage date unknown

**The Hiker Spanish-American War memorial statue in Shamokin**The Hiker Spanish-American War memorial statue in ShamokinImage date: 2026-06-10

Historic postcard showing the American Legion Building in Shamokin — **Historic postcard of the American Legion Building in Shamokin**Historic postcard view of the American Legion Building in Shamokin.Image date unknown

Official U.S. Navy portrait of Admiral Herbert G. Hopwood in uniform — **Admiral Herbert G. Hopwood**Official U.S. Navy portrait of Admiral Herbert G. Hopwood.Image date unknown

1938 U.S. Navy portrait of Captain Holden C. Richardson in uniform — **Captain Holden C. Richardson in 1938**A 1938 U.S. Navy portrait of Captain Holden C. Richardson.Image date: 1938

Honor the Brave mural honoring military and emergency-service members — **Honor the Brave Mural**A Rescue Fire Company mural honoring military, police, EMS, and firefighting service.Image date unknown

Patriotic Made in the USA mural at Rescue Fire Company — **Made in the USA Mural**A patriotic mural at Rescue Fire Company in Shamokin.Image date unknown