USAF A-1C, Fusing Systems Specialist James D. Cook was born in a coal miners’ camp in West Virginia, sometime between the two world wars. James lived with his mom and dad, a coal miner, until he was 5 years old.
Ron was born on a farm near Freeport, Illinois in 1936, one of six kids. He and several buddies from his neighborhood in Freeport left high school halfway through senior year to sign up for the military.
Richard “Dick” Dowsett was born 1931 in Dowagiac, Michigan and spent his childhood there. After finishing high school, he attended Western Michigan University and graduated in 1953 with a degree in Business Administration.
Thomas G. (Tom) Workinger was born in 1928 during the Great Depression and grew up and attended school in Terre Haute, Indiana. He “watched” as World War II engulfed the planet.
High school ROTC was only the beginning for Jim Owen. As an ROTC second lieutenant, Jim learned a great deal about leadership, command, and camaraderie.
Bonnie and Jack Cordaro have a unique story. They both served their country at different times in different places. While many military spouses met through their service, Bonnie and Jack served separately and met at a social for young professionals in Chicago.
Throughout Elaine’s interview she talked about how much she loves airplanes and anything patriotic. As a Girl Scout, she remembers with pride marching in the 4th of July parades. Her love of airplanes plus patriotism equal the Air Force.
Boot Camp at Lackland Air Force Base in San Antonio, Texas was Roy’s initial introduction to the military.
Growing up in Iowa, Kris Artz read books about flying. After high school, she knew she wanted to move on from working at a local grocery.
Ervine Clay’s mother never dreamed the baby girl born on Christmas Eve in 1929 would someday become a staff sergeant in the Marine Corps.
U.S. Army Nurse Corps Korean War Burr [...]
It was only 16 inches in length, but when light would hit it, it shone so brightly a person needed sunglasses to tone down the glare.
Ron joined the Air Force Reserve at 17, when he was assigned to the Military Police with the 439th Fighter-Bomber Wing.
John Kost started high school at St. Rita but after his first year transferred to a seminary in Wisconsin, thinking he would become a priest.
In 1958, one decision changed the course of Ron Michalski’s life and helped the boy from Chicago’s South Side became a man.
Not the usual experience is a phrase that describes Norton's family and service. He wanted to serve, and enlisting in the Army was fastest.
When Pearl Harbor was attacked, Lindy Rossino knew he wanted to join the American Forces. Unfortunately, he was barely 14 years old.
John Piworski served just short of a year in Korea as part of “Charlie Company," living the tank life on the front lines.
John "Gene" Craig was a crypto officer aboard the USS Mississippi when it was decommissioned, making him responsible for destroying all classified material on the ship.
Barbara Lloyd was born into a family with a history of serving our country. Impressed with her brother, Ken’s, travels in the Navy, Barbara became “crazy about the Navy” which planted the seed of her serving in the military.