Altoona, Pennsylvania (PA-53)

This monument area is one of several in downtown Altoona Veterans Mall
Downtown, off PA-53
Altoona, Blair County

" In honor of S/Sgt Robert E. Laws C.M.O.H.
VETERANS MALL
Dedicated to the men and women who honorably served their country"

"To honor these citizens of Blair County who were awarded their nation's highest honor
The Congressional Medal of Honor"

"Dedicated to all who honorably served in the Militia and National Guard units of what is now Blair County, PA
1775 - Present"

"To the men of what is now Blair County who gave their lives in:
The Revolutionary War 1775-1782
The War of 1812-1814
and to over 500 Citizens of Blair County who made the supreme sacrifice in:
The Mexican War 1846-1848
The Civil War 1860-1865
The Spanish-American War 1898
The Phillipine Insurrection 1899-1902
World War I April 6, 1917 - November 11, 1918
World War II December 7, 1941 - December 31, 1946
Korean War June 25, 1950 - January 31, 1955
VietNam War December 22, 1961 - May 7, 1975
Persian Gulf War August 2, 1990"

This small mall is a pleasant spot in the midst of a busy city. The area is specifically dedicated to Altoona native S/Sgt Robert E Laws, USA, who during World War II was awarded the Medal of Honor for his bravery in the attack against a Japanese machine gun emplacements. Of particular note among the eight men honored with the Medal of Honor is Chief Gunners Mate Robert E. Cox, US Navy. This was a peacetime award, a very rare occurance. Cox was instrumental in controlling a fire subsequent to a turret explosion aboard the USS Missouri in 1904. Had Cox not excelled in his professional skills the battleship would likely have been lost.

Although it is not immediately clear, the presence of an historical marker seems to indicate the mall was the site of an old theater in which the predecessor organization of the Veterans of Foreign Wars were formed in the early 20th century. Altoona veteran Herbert O. Kelley was instrumental in those organizational efforts.

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