William B. Trembley

William B. Trembley, a resident of Monticello Township (now Lenexa), was cited for heroism as an Army private during the Philippine-American War in 1899.

According to the citation, he “swam the Rio Grande de Pampanga in face of the enemy's fire and fastened a rope to the occupied trenches, thereby enabling the crossing of the river and the driving of the enemy from his fortified position.”

Trembley was a corporal when discharged from military service when the war ended that year.

John Henry Balch

John Henry Balch, an Edgerton native, was a Navy pharmacist first mate in WWI. He showed exceptional bravery by establishing an aid station under intense enemy fire. He was credited with carrying wounded Marines to safety and thereby saving their lives in 1918.

His citation reads: “For gallantry and intrepidity at the risk of his life above and beyond the call of duty, with the 6th Regiment, United States Marines, in action at Vierzy, (John Henry) Balch unhesitatingly and fearlessly exposed himself to terrific machinegun and high-explosive fire to succor the wounded as they fell in the attack, leaving voluntarily and keeping up the work all day and late into the night unceasingly for 16 hours on a field torn by shell and machinegun fire. Also, in the action at Somme-Py, he exhibited exceptional bravery in establishing an advanced dressing station under heavy shellfire.”

View a video honoring Balch.

Stanley T. Adams

Born in De Soto and raised in Olathe, Stanley T. Adams an Army sergeant first class in the Korean War when his platoon was attacked by about 250 enemy soldiers. He led 13 men in a bayonet charge and hand-to-hand combat, killing more than 50 enemy soldiers and forcing the others to retreat. He was shot in the leg and had close calls with four grenades. He was quickly promoted to master sergeant.

Part of his citation reads: “M/Sgt. Adams’ superb leadership, incredible courage and consummate devotion to duty so inspired his comrades that the enemy attack was completely thwarted, saving his battalion from possible disaster. His sustained personal bravery and indomitable fighting spirit against overwhelming odds reflect the utmost glory upon himself and uphold the finest traditions of the infantry and the military service.”

A monument in Veterans Memorial Park and a mile-long stretch of K-7/U.S. 169 highway near the park, both in Olathe, honor him.

John Lewis Barkley

Although not a Johnson County or Kansas native, John Lewis Barkley is remembered in Johnson County for his key role in developing the Johnson County Park and Recreation District, acquiring the land to open Antioch and Shawnee Mission Parks, and serving as the park district’s first superintendent. He came to Johnson County in 1936, settling in Mission Township and marrying into a dairy farming family.

Born near Holden, Missouri, Barkley was a World War I hero, receiving the Medal of Honor in 1918 as an Army private first class. Using a captured enemy machinegun and mounting it in a disabled two-man French tank, he single-handedly repelled two German counterattacks while serving in France. He was then promoted to corporal.

The “WWI – Through their Eyes” exhibit at Kansas City’s WWI Museum and Memorial details his heroic actions, noting: “After hostilities had ceased, there were over 4,000 expended machine gun rounds found in the tank.” An estimated 200 German soldiers were killed.

The John Barkley Plaza was dedicated in 2021 in honor of his public service to Johnson County and his military service to the nation. It is located at the main entrance of Shawnee Mission Park.