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.
Edmund Rafalski Jr.: Maintaining The OV-10 in Support of the 1st Cavalry
marc.zarefsky2021-08-10T07:49:45-05:00Ed Rafalski served in the Air Force from August 1968 to August 1972. He grew up in Calumet City, Illinois with one brother and two sisters.
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.
Orlando (Lindy) Rossino: Turn 17, Join the Coast Guard
marc.zarefsky2021-08-10T06:24:24-05:00When Pearl Harbor was attacked, Lindy Rossino knew he wanted to join the American Forces. Unfortunately, he was barely 14 years old.
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.
Anthony Vinezeano: From Boilerman on Three Ships to President, A Life’s Journey
Doug Meffley2019-10-10T15:01:21-05:00At the beginning of World War II, Anthony “Tony” Vinezeano was 13-years-old. By the time he was 17, he could wait no more to join the fight, changing his birth certificate to gain admittance.
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.
Daniel Moffett: A Knack for Morse Code Served Him Well
Doug Meffley2019-10-10T13:56:05-05:00A talented radioman, Daniel Moffett's abilities did not go unnoticed when, in March, 1965, Dan was assigned to the command ship for the Da Nang Mar Offensive.
Tad Dymanus: Long Journey from Germany to Vietnam to Gulf War
Doug Meffley2019-10-10T13:37:47-05:00Tad Dymanus' father was a Polish WWII soldier and German POW, and his mom survived Dachau. After the family emigrated to America, Tad felt he would do "any little thing" to help his new country. The thing is did was serve in two different wars.
Dick Davis: Little Old Ladies in Da Nang Can Be Dangerous
Doug Meffley2019-10-10T13:22:25-05:00One day in Vietnam, Dick Davis volunteered to lead a re-supply convoy out into the field. He ran into trouble from an unexpected source.
Melvin Copeland: Too Tall To Fly, a Tuskegee Airman Provides Support to the Red Tails
Doug Meffley2021-04-20T13:49:08-05:00When Mel Copeland joined the Tuskegee Airmen, he wanted to be a pilot. At 6-foot-4, they couldn't close the plane's canopy over his tall frame, so he became ground support for the fabled unit.
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.
Gene Bednarz: From Chicago to China and Back via Peleliu and Okinawa
Doug Meffley2019-10-10T11:55:04-05:00Gene Bednarz enlisted after watching the film Guadalcanal Diary about the 1st Marine Division. Soon, he found himself attached to that exact Division in the South Pacific.