Anthony ‘Tony’ Delaurentis: Mom vs Lieutenant Colonel
marc.zarefsky2021-08-10T08:16:35-05:00Family has always been important to Tony Delaurentis. He’s been guided by values taught by his parents, especially to respect everyone.
John N. Kost: First Combat on Valentine’s Day, 1951
marc.zarefsky2021-08-10T08:07:36-05:00John Kost started high school at St. Rita but after his first year transferred to a seminary in Wisconsin, thinking he would become a priest.
Ronald T. Michalski: One Decision Changed His Course
marc.zarefsky2021-08-10T08:03:41-05:00In 1958, one decision changed the course of Ron Michalski’s life and helped the boy from Chicago’s South Side became a man.
Michael E. Morrell: Family Tradition to Serve our Country
marc.zarefsky2021-08-10T07:59:25-05:00Mike Morrell’s grandfather served in the U.S. Armed Forces World War I, and half a dozen uncles and his father served during World War II.
Phillip E. Norton: The Danger of Removing Munitions Left Over From WWII
marc.zarefsky2021-08-10T07:54:27-05:00Not the usual experience is a phrase that describes Norton's family and service. He wanted to serve, and enlisting in the Army was fastest.
Ed ‘Turtle’ Gniadek, Jr.: Just a Grunt Who is a Bronze Star Recipient
marc.zarefsky2021-08-10T07:43:43-05:00When Turtle Gniadek received his draft notice for the Army, none of his friends were interested in entering the military with him.
Willie E. Reed: Why Not Me?
marc.zarefsky2021-08-10T07:37:51-05:00Willie was born at the very end of World War II on June 3, 1946 and grew up with his family on the south side of Chicago.
Charles (Charlie) Solis: Ammunition Containers Make Great Cups
marc.zarefsky2021-08-10T06:21:11-05:00Charles Solis was drafted in 1970 and served from 1970 to 1972 in the Army. He was working in a paper factory at the time.
William F. Sonntag: Army Commendation for Heroism
marc.zarefsky2021-08-09T22:41:34-05:00Upon graduation from Fenger High School in 1966, Bill was obligated to start seeking employment, but employers were hesitant to hire young men of draft age since they could be drafted at any time following hiring.
Jerry Warren: Protecting Building Engineers By Day, Providing Fire Support By Night
marc.zarefsky2021-08-09T22:42:57-05:00Jerry Warren passed up an opportunity to return to the states in 1968 and stuck it out in the Central Highlands of Vietnam until his tour of duty was over.
John Walker: Tunnel Rat Armed With Only a Flashlight and a .45
Doug Meffley2019-10-17T14:17:23-05:00When you meet John Walker, he is a very warm and welcoming person. When he begrudgingly tells you about his time in Vietnam, right away you know he is one of the most courageous people you will ever meet.
John Piworski: A “Tanker’s” Life in Bunkers on the Front Line
Doug Meffley2019-10-10T14:09:12-05:00John Piworski served just short of a year in Korea as part of “Charlie Company," living the tank life on the front lines.
William “Del” Cathey: Putting A Country Back Together
Doug Meffley2019-10-10T12:20:11-05:00After the bombs fell on Japan and ended World War II, William (Del) Cathey and the 24th Infantry Division got to work building the country back up.
Joe Ayres: A Lucky Shot Earned Him a Spot
Doug Meffley2019-10-08T21:43:43-05:00Joe Ayres was a student at Northeast Missouri State Teachers College when the United States formally entered World War II. Two years later, he enlisted in the Army and played a role in three critical battles that helped end the war in Europe.
Thomas Zilla: Boy Scouts Prepared Him To Be Awarded The Bronze Star
Doug Meffley2019-09-16T12:05:05-05:00During his service in Vietnam early on during the war, Thomas Zilla had occasion to put his Boy Scout first-aid training to use to help treat a fellow soldier following an attack.
William Ziegler: An Alternate Reality
Doug Meffley2019-09-16T11:55:20-05:00Bill Ziegler remembers when he realized that Vietnam would be an “alternate reality.” In May of 1969, Bill arrived in country as an Artillery Section Chief, and he was being shot at before he could even get off the plane.
Esther Gleaton: Be Careful What You Ask For, You Might End Up In Vietnam
Doug Meffley2019-09-13T11:20:29-05:00Esther Gleaton convinced her parents to let her join the Army so she could see the world, ending up with an extended tour of Vietnam.
Milan Menich: A Lumberjack Who Knows How to Dance
MicheleZander2018-09-09T13:21:22-05:00A Lumberjack Who Knows How to Dance
Edwin Kaye: Oops, I Joined Without My Buddy
MicheleZander2018-09-06T11:19:36-05:00Oops, I Joined Without My Buddy
Martin V. Garcia: Infantry BAR man and Truck Driver
MicheleZander2018-09-06T11:19:51-05:00Infantry BAR man and Truck Driver