Dedicated to
Joe Palooka
Champion of Democracy
Created in Wilkes-Barre
by
Ham Fisher
Ham Fisher (1900-1955), Wilkes-Barre,
created comic strip here Joe Palooka, a world
heavyweight boxing champion. A clean living
role model, Palooka was syndicated in 900
newspapers read daily by 50 million for
54 years, ending in 1984.
During World War II, Palooka joined the Army,
boosted enlistments, raised troop morale and
promoted the sale of war bonds. Fisher was
commended by Presidents Roosevelt and
Truman for supporting the war effort
and national defense.
This monument was restored in 2017
through the joint efforts of the
Home Builders Association of Northeastern
Pennsylvania and retired Wilkes-Barre
businessman Max Bartikowsky.
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