John Martin: From gunner to driver
marc.zarefsky2018-04-08T21:49:02-05:00John Martin was a driver for a battalion commander and platoon leader during the Korean War. His brother served in WWII at the Battle of the Bulge.
Eugene Bylina: Diesel locomotive driver
marc.zarefsky2018-04-08T21:31:17-05:00Gene’s job in South Korea was to drive diesel locomotives hauling train cars of ammunition, food, K rations and other supplies. The U.S. Army used the Korean rail system, but the train engines were diesel locomotives brought over from the United States.
William Howland: A World War II POW
marc.zarefsky2018-04-11T22:32:39-05:00Bill Howland was a POW during World War II. He estimates there were approximately 300 POWs in his group. About two weeks before the war ended, Bill escaped in part by hiding in a barn in a pile of hay.
Jerome Adler: Enlisting for a friend
marc.zarefsky2018-04-05T07:26:33-05:00Jerome Adler enlisted in the Army, much to the chagrin of his parents. Jerry remarked that his enlistment was motivated in part by the battlefield death of a childhood friend in Korea during the first year of that war.
Jim Carroll: Suffering hard times
marc.zarefsky2018-04-03T21:40:18-05:00Jim enlisted in September, 1946 with four buddies from his neighborhood gang, the “Parkside Maulers.” They all had the idea of using the GI Bill after their service.
William Adams: Youthful work pays off
marc.zarefsky2018-04-03T10:42:50-05:00When the Marine Corps asked for soldiers to volunteer to fight in Korea, Bill stepped forward. He and approximately 5,000 other Marines boarded a Merchant Marine vessel and headed to Korea.
Gerald Crandall: Answering the call
marc.zarefsky2018-04-03T08:54:27-05:00Gerald comes from a family deeply rooted in “answering the call for military duty.” Gerald’s father and uncles all fought in France during World War I and his older brother fought in Europe during WWII.
Donald Arseneau: A change in cap
marc.zarefsky2018-04-20T13:49:10-05:00Don Arseneau was born in the small town of Beaverville, Illinois (pop. 368), near the beginning of the Depression. He was a Plane Captain and Parachute Rigger.
Lillian Strezishar: Helping the Cadet Nurse Corps.
marc.zarefsky2018-03-28T21:25:45-05:00During World War II, Lillian Strezishar was a member of the Cadet Nurse Corps, which served an important part of the United States’ response to entering the war.
It’s our 10-year anniversary!
marc.zarefsky2018-03-19T08:58:47-05:00Honor Flight Chicago CEO Mary Pettinato has a special message for everyone who helped the organization say thank you to America's senior war heroes over the past 10 years.
Highlights from the 2018 Hockey Classic
marc.zarefsky2018-03-19T14:13:55-05:00Thank you to everyone who came out and supported Honor Flight Chicago at the seventh annual Law Enforcement Hockey Classic.
Sandwich, coupon book sales to benefit Honor Flight Chicago
marc.zarefsky2017-12-12T14:12:59-06:00Popeyes Louisiana Kitchen and America's Dog & Burger both partnered with Honor Flight Chicago to raise money and fly senior war veterans to Washington, D.C.
See photos from Bourbon Street
marc.zarefsky2017-11-06T11:42:39-06:00At Honor Flight Chicago, our mission is clear. We honor our [...]
Carl Streng Jr.: A cook and a butcher
marc.zarefsky2017-09-08T13:04:49-05:00Carl Streng served from 1943-1946 as a cook aboard the USS Kadashan Bay (escort carrier) in the Pacific. He worked as a cook and a 40-mm gun loader.
Amon Reinhart: Royal Order of Blue Nose
marc.zarefsky2017-09-07T22:16:04-05:00Amos Reinhart did 26 months of duty aboard the USS North Hampton. He traveled the world, from Norway to the Mediterranean to the Arctic Circle.
George E. Owen: MASH as it really was
marc.zarefsky2017-09-07T22:02:28-05:00George Owen received a Purple Heart for his service in the Korean War, which included his involvement in combat battles at Pork Chop Hill and Triangle Hill.
Edward N. Murray: Two wars, nine medals
marc.zarefsky2017-09-07T21:45:42-05:00Ed Murray served in the Navy during World War II as well as the Korean War. He received nine medals for his service, including one from the people of Korea.
Louis M. Megleo: The bomber and the screwdriver
marc.zarefsky2017-09-07T20:05:44-05:00Louis Megleo served more than two years in the World War II and was based near Bari, Italy. He was involved in 20 combat missions.
Paul A. Loeffler: A valued clerk
marc.zarefsky2017-09-07T19:55:10-05:00Paul Loeffler spent the Korean War as a clerk, was assigned to the famous 2nd Infantry Division and was involved in battle at Heartbreak Ridge.
Dale Kavanagh: Shiny boots and cuffed trousers
marc.zarefsky2017-09-07T13:49:51-05:00Korean War veteran Dale Kavanagh went to Fort Benning in Georgia for jump school in part because he was on a quest for higher pay and a sharp uniform