Elmer (John) Gebel: Forty B-24 Combat Missions Begin with the Palau Islands
MicheleZander2018-06-28T20:03:34-05:00Forty B-24 Combat Missions Begin with the Palau Islands
Paul (Joe) J. Peraino: A Navy Seabee, Two Bulldozers and A Surf Crane
MicheleZander2018-06-28T19:50:22-05:00A Navy Seabee, Two Bulldozers and A Surf Crane
Veteran comments from our 85th flight
marc.zarefsky2018-06-11T12:23:31-05:00Take a look back at some of the highlights and hear from veterans from Honor Flight Chicago's June 6, 2018 flight. The flight had added significance as it flew on the 74th anniversary of D-Day.
Alvin P. (Bud) Izbicky: Demolitions Expert
MicheleZander2018-06-01T21:10:22-05:00“There was an unexploded Japanese torpedo on the beach in Saipan, and they wanted a volunteer. All the other guys were much older than I was and nobody wanted to volunteer, so they volunteered me,”
Lloyd Richardson: “All Shook” And Her B-29 Crew Flew 35 Combat Missions and Survived Them All
MicheleZander2018-06-01T21:12:12-05:00Lloyd and his crew completed their 35 combat missions in May, 1952. All Shook returned to the States shortly thereafter without a scratch. For his service, he was awarded the Air Medal for “meritorious achievement while participating in aerial flight.”
Delford C. (Del) Becke: Flying and Living Around the World
MicheleZander2018-06-01T21:12:53-05:00During Basic Training, they gave Del a bunch of tests and said “you are good in mathematics, we have a deal for you – we want you to be an aircraft AOB (Aircraft Observer Bombardier). There is a lot involved, and it takes about a year and half or so.” Training started at Ellington AFB near Pasadena TX, then on to Mayfair, CA to complete the training.
Michael M. Bosak, Jr.: The Marine that “couldn’t type” advises “Live Life”
MicheleZander2018-06-01T21:13:05-05:00At first, along with his BAR fire team, Michael worked as a stretcher bearer. This was his first experience caring for anyone who was wounded. Michael recalled carrying many seriously wounded soldiers down the mountainous terrain while live fire battles were continuing. He and others would carry the stretchers to the awaiting helicopters where they were met by medical teams.
Roger G. Liddicoatt: I Never Give Up!
MicheleZander2018-06-01T21:13:20-05:00Roger readily admits he was “scared as hell” when he was taken. The Chinese soldiers wrapped a tourniquet around his leg to stop the bleeding, and slapped something mysterious on his wounds. Then, he was held in a 4’ x 6’ cell with a low ceiling, where he survived on a diet of raw fish and rice, and an occasional helping of green, spicy kimchi.
Maj. General Clifton C. Capp: When Duty Calls A Leader Answers
MicheleZander2018-06-01T21:13:31-05:00General Capp retired from the military in 1983 after almost 36 years of service in the Illinois National Guard, the U.S. Army and the U.S. Army Reserve. During his military career he was highly decorated, earning the Distinguished Service Medal; the Meritorious Service Medal; the Army Commendation Medal; the Army Reserve Components Achievement Medal with Oak Leaf Clusters; the United Nations Service Medal; the Armed Forces Reserve Medal with two hourglass devices (denoting 20+ years of service); the National Defense Service Medal; the Army Service Ribbon; and the Bronze Order of the de Fleury Medal, presented to an outstanding individual who has rendered significant service or support to an element of the Engineer Regiment.
Walter A. (Wally) Ciszak: Remote Weather Duty 240 miles from the U.S.S.R (Russia)
MicheleZander2018-06-01T21:13:44-05:00Wally’s lieutenant asked him if he’d be interested in “Isolation Duty.” This meant being sent to report on weather conditions in remote corners of the globe.
Robert A. Jaegers: Drones were “Top Secret” in 1953
MicheleZander2018-06-01T21:13:53-05:00For an only child, raised by his mother and grandmother, it certainly was a brave move to strike out on his own and one he never regretted.
William (Bill) Haggerty: His Uniform Was A Bathing Suit And Helped Save Many Lives
MicheleZander2018-06-01T21:14:03-05:00Bill’s ticket home came in the form of the 1956 Olympic trials. U.S. servicemen in Japan were qualifying for swimming and diving, and Bill won platform diving for the Armed Services in the Far East.
Arnold R. Painter, Jr.: Military Service – A Family Tradition With Surprising Twists
MicheleZander2018-06-01T21:14:14-05:00By the summer of 1953, Arnie was promoted to 1st Sergeant. During the fierce battle around Pork Chop Hill, 1st Sergeant (E7) Arnold R. Painter Jr., was wounded when he took a bayonet to his midsection ... His next recollection was waking up on a hospital ship, recovering from his injuries. As fate would have it, in the bed next to him was none other than Arnold R. Painter, Arnie's father, who was recovering from his fourth eye operation. As soon as Arnie Sr. was able to focus, he recognized his son, and stated, “Arnie, (expletives deleted !) what are you doing here? ” The 1st Sergeant immediately notified the Army that his son, Arnie Jr. was only 16, and had lied on his enlistment papers.