Tribune Staff Reports

The Friends of Ed Whitcomb is selling engraved personalized bricks for the area in front of a monument of the state’s 43rd governor at the Hayden Historical Museum.

There has been a renewed interest from people who missed out on ordering the bricks the first time, so individuals, businesses or organizations who would like to get personalized bricks may do so by contacting the museum, according to a news release.

The cost of a 4-by-4-inch brick is $50, and an 8-by-8-inch brick costs $100.

During World War II, Whitcomb served as a navigator for the B-17 Bombers and was with the first squadron to be sent into service when they flew to Clark Field in the Philippines. After the Philippine Islands fell to the Japanese, Whitcomb was one of many American soldiers captured and held on Corregidor.

He was able to make a daring escape by swimming for eight hours at night to get away but would later be captured. He managed to escape for a second time and then made his way to safety.

Whitcomb had been listed as missing in action for two years, but he was finally able to return back to the United States to be reunited with his family and friends in Hayden in December 1943.

He eventually wrote a book, “Escape from Corregidor,” about wartime experiences. It was published in 1958. He also became an attorney with an office in North Vernon after the war. He later lived and worked in Seymour and had a law office in Indianapolis.

Whitcomb eventually became active in politics and served as Indiana secretary of state and then was elected governor 1968.

The Friends of Ed Whitcomb was formed in 2013 with the purpose of getting a monument erected to pay honor and recognize the achievements of his life. This monument was placed in the yard of his boyhood home in Hayden and was dedicated in 2014 with a special ceremony.

When the monument was finished, the area in front of the monument was landscaped with personalized engraved pavers, and a cement walkway from the front of the Whitcomb house to the monument was added.

A portion of the proceeds from the brick sales will be added to the Whitcomb house restoration fund, which will help the museum with expenses as they try to make the house look much like it did in December 1943.

Information: Hayden Historical Museum, P.O. Box 58, Hayden, IN 47245 or email [email protected]