Monty Lutz: CID, the Army’s Real Life Version of NCIS
marc.zarefsky2021-09-10T12:19:30-05:00Monty Lutz saw his first U.S. Military Police on the family’s 100-acre sugar beet farm in the San Luis Valley of Colorado in the late 1940’s.
Fred Moffatt III: A Combat Medic Knocks Down Anything In His Way
marc.zarefsky2021-09-10T12:17:59-05:00After high school, Fred worked for an electrical parts manufacturer. When he was drafted at age 19, he did not know where Vietnam was.
Edward O’Connell: Cushy Job, Not for Long
marc.zarefsky2021-09-10T12:15:42-05:00Faith and Family. No two words better describe what sent Ted O’Connell to Vietnam in 1965, and what brought him home again.
John Charles Stevens: A Proud Member of The 101st Airborne Tradition
marc.zarefsky2021-09-10T12:14:23-05:00When asked about his response to receiving his draft notice at the age of 22, John smiled and said, “I went kicking and screaming.“
Lawrence Vaillancourt: Combat Field Medic
marc.zarefsky2021-09-11T16:00:59-05:00Lawrence Vaillancourt served as a medical records clerk and combat field medic attached to the 503rd Aviation Battalion in Germany.
Richard J. Aguinaga: A Modest Bronze Star Recipient
marc.zarefsky2021-08-10T08:29:48-05:00Richard Aguinaga was drafted at 19, entered the service on June 19, 1969, and served until his honorable discharge on December 31, 1970.
Donald N. Benkowski: Military Intelligence is a Different Kind of War
marc.zarefsky2021-08-10T08:24:19-05:00Don wanted to be a military pilot. He took and passed all the qualification examinations with just one exception.
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.