Audubon, a small town in Camden County, New Jersey. It could well claim the title of the most patriotic town in all of the United States.
It can certainly claim the title of the only town in the United States of America that can lay claim to having a connection to not only one, but THREE recipients of the Medal of Honor, the highest award bestowed upon a member of the military.
The three heroes are men who served in three different wars, and were from two different branches of the service. Two received their Medals for heroic actions during the Korean War, and one for his service during World War I. One served in both World War II and the Korean War.
Edward Clyde Benfold was in the Navy and was killed in action in Korea in 1952. He was 21 years old.
Nelson V. Brittin was born in 1920 and served in World War II until its end. He re-enlisted a couple of years later and was killed in Korea in 1951. He was 31 years old.
Samuel M. Sampler was born in 1895 and served in World War I and survived the war to receive the Medal himself. He was 79 years old when he died.
While all did not live there all their lives, all had strong connections to Audubon and are remembered on a plaque at Audubon High School. They are also remembered in various other ways not only in Camden County but each individually in the towns and states in which he also have connections.
What is more amazing is that these three men come from a town of one and a half square miles in size, with a population according to the United States census of 2020 with 8707 residents. The town itself is named after ornithologist James Audubon and was incorporated in 1905.
Audubon is a middle class town, with the median age today of 38 years at the time of the census, and the largest percentage of residents between the ages of 25 and 44 years.
Its school system, in addition to the high school that honors its Medal of Honor recipients, includes the Haviland Avenue School in grades PreK -2, and the Mansion Avenue School for grades 3 to 6. The high School has approximately 800 students in grades 7 through 12. The school population includes children from Audubon Park, a neighboring community that was separated from Audubon when the town incorporated.
Audubon was initially settled in the late 17th century. Founded primarily by farmers and millers and was part of Newton Township. Two of the original houses built in the early 1700s are still standing. One with an addition built in the mid-1800s. A later owner, the wife of Samuel Nicholson Rhodes, a naturalist and author, gave the town its name.
The town boasts of a number of famous people from the 20th century in addition to its three Medal recipients.
In sports, it was home to Joe Flacco, an NFL quarterback for the NY Jets. Brett Laxton, a former MLB pitcher who played two seasons for the Oakland Athletics and the Kansas City Royals. Football coach Vic Obeck, and Anne McConaghie Volp, a field hockey player and coach. She was also a member of the US women’s national field hockey team for 14 years, five of which she served as team captain.
It also boasts of William Siri, a co-leader of the first American expedition to successfully climb Mount Everest. He also served as President of the Sierra Club for two years in the 1960s.
Other well known names, in the arts and letters are Mario Cernito, a filmmaker, writer and producer of horror and thriller flicks. Edward Longacre a historian and writer, and Merl Reagle, a nationally syndicated crossword puzzle constructor.
The borough has only bred one state politician, John L. White, who served in both the NJ General Senate and the General Assembly.
But none can claim the admiration and thanks of a grateful nation like Edward Clyde Benfold, Nelson V. Brittin and Samuel M. Sampler
