A Scripta

Joseph William Simon, known as "Powerhouse Jack", died peacefully in his sleep yesterday. He was 89.

Powerhouse Jack was one of the surviving members of First Hero Brigade's Sand Kings, a special unit operating in North Africa during World War II. He received a Congressional Medal of Honor for defeating a platoon of German panzers singlehandedly, and extracting American soldiers from behind enemy lines. He also received the British Victoria Cross for carrying a British tank full of British soldiers back over to the allied lines. He later assisted in the battles for Italy and the liberation of south German concentration camps.

After the war, he remained with First Hero Brigade, rising to the rank of colonel. He recruited many heroes into the Army, instilling tactics rather than brute force. He assisted in the defeat of Reichsmann and the Amerika Korps, and later helped to regain Washington DC from Nemesis.

He taught in West Point from 1953 to 1962, and again from 1970 to 1986, being assistant superintendent, hero liaison, from 1980 to 1986. He also and continued to be a consultant for Hero Corps, testifying before the United Nations' Special Council on Super Human Activities.

Although never officially a member of the Freedom Phalanx or Hero Corps, he was considered an important contributor to their organizations. When the Rikti invaded, due to his age and diminishing abilities, he ran the War Room and directed the battles from there. His knowledge of heroes' abilities proved indispensable as he was able to send heroes with proper abilities into appropriate situations. For his work behind the scenes, he was awarded The Freedom Phalanx Medal of Honor, Hero Corps Merit Award, and honorary titles and positions in many of the larger super groups.

In 2003, he officially retired, dedicating his life to mentoring heroes all across the globe.

A memorial service will be held tomorrow at the Founders' Falls Memorial Plaza. The body will be interred under his statue in Talos Island. The governor has requested that flags be flown at half mast in remembrance.