Binghamton Veterans Who Left Their Mark on History

Some of the most meaningful stories connected to the Southern Tier are not found in a textbook. They belong to people who grew up here, went to school here, built lives here, and then answered the call to serve.

Binghamton has deep military roots, from World War II service members to veterans whose courage has continued to inspire people far beyond New York. Their stories are a reminder that history is not always far away. Sometimes, it starts in the same neighborhoods, schools, and communities we know today.

Rod Serling’s Binghamton Roots and World War II Service

Before Rod Serling became the creative force behind The Twilight Zone, he was a young man from Binghamton serving in the U.S. Army during World War II.

Serling served as a paratrooper with the 11th Airborne Division in the Pacific. According to the National WWII Museum, the experiences he carried home from war stayed with him for the rest of his life and helped shape the stories he later told on television.

His writing often asked viewers to think about fear, prejudice, loss, power, and the human cost of conflict. Even after his work made him famous around the world, Binghamton remained an important part of his story. You can still find local connections to Serling through the Rod Serling Archive and other Binghamton landmarks.

Rick Yarosh’s Windsor Story of Strength and Service

Richard “Rick” Yarosh grew up in Windsor and joined the U.S. Army in 2004. Two years later, while serving in Iraq, the Bradley Fighting Vehicle he was riding in was hit by an improvised explosive device.

The blast caused severe burns over much of Yarosh’s body. He lost part of his right leg and the use of his hands, but his story did not end with that devastating day. As the Tunnel to Towers Foundation explains, Yarosh later retired from the Army and received a specially designed smart home in Vestal for himself and his family.

Yarosh has spent years speaking with students and communities about resilience, hope, and choosing how to respond when life changes without warning. His connection to the Southern Tier is a powerful reminder that service can take many forms, both in uniform and long after it.

Albert Rood’s Binghamton Connection to Iwo Jima

Corporal Albert W. Rood of Binghamton was part of the 5th assault wave at the Battle of Iwo Jima in 1945, one of the hardest fought battles of World War II.

The battle lasted more than a month and came at an enormous cost for American troops. The U.S. Department of Veterans Affairs notes that more than 19,000 Americans were wounded during the battle, while thousands of Marines and sailors were killed. The Battle of Iwo Jima remains one of the defining chapters of World War II.

In 2022, Rood was inducted into the New York State Senate Veterans’ Hall of Fame for his military service and continued commitment to the community. His Hall of Fame recognition gave the Southern Tier a chance to honor a man whose service connected Binghamton to a major moment in American history.

Richard Deacon Went From Binghamton to Hollywood

Many people remember Richard Deacon as the recognizable character actor from Leave It to Beaver and The Dick Van Dyke Show. Before Hollywood, though, Deacon spent part of his youth in Binghamton.

Deacon attended Binghamton schools, worked at Binghamton General Hospital, and served in the U.S. Army Medical Corps during World War II. After returning from service, he went on to study and eventually found his way to acting. His connection to Binghamton and fellow classmate Rod Serling is part of the city’s surprising Hollywood history.

A look at Binghamton’s connection to Deacon and Serling shows just how much talent came out of the same local schools and neighborhoods.

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Binghamton’s Medal of Honor Legacy Lives Downtown

Binghamton’s military history is also remembered through the names of Medal of Honor recipients with local ties. The Medal of Honor is the nation’s highest military award for valor.

Veterans Park in downtown Binghamton honors several recipients, including Civil War veterans Amos J. Cummings and John C. Robinson, Philippine-American War veteran William Newton Sage, Indian Wars veteran Albert D. Sale, and Vietnam War veterans Lester R. Stone Jr. and Lawrence D. Peters.

These names represent different eras of American history, but they share one connection: extraordinary courage in service to others. The next time you are downtown, it is worth taking a moment to look for the memorials and remember the stories behind those names.

The Southern Tier has no shortage of people whose lives were changed by military service. Some became famous, some spent their lives quietly helping others, and some carried their experiences with them long after coming home. Their stories remain part of Binghamton’s history and part of the community’s heart.

Read more about Upstate New York Medal of Honor recipient Dr. Mary Edwards Walker.