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.
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.
William Siska: Service in the “Brown Water Navy”
Doug Meffley2019-09-16T11:35:06-05:00“I know what it’s like to be shot at and missed.” That’s how Bill Siska described part of his experience in the U.S. Navy stationed in Nha Be, Vietnam.
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.
Clelia Ginay: 98-Year-Old Navy Officer Recalls Early Life Challenges
Doug Meffley2019-09-13T11:00:50-05:00Early in life, Clelia Ginay experienced a great deal of misfortune, but she persevered. She said “My life started when I joined the Navy.”
John “Gene” Craig: Training Sailors and Educating Students – A Life’s Passion
Doug Meffley2019-09-13T10:50:45-05:00John "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.
Phillip Cirullo: Join The Navy, See The World
Doug Meffley2019-09-13T10:00:19-05:00During Phillips Cirullo's time in the Navy, he served aboard three different vessels. The majority of his time came on the brand new USS Enterprise, the first-ever nuclear powered aircraft carrier.
Richard “Doc” Campbell: Silver Star and Purple Heart Corpsman
Doug Meffley2019-09-12T11:44:39-05:00On August 7, 1969, Corpsman Richard Campbell's medical training, and valor, rose to the occasion.
Jim Zwit: The Driving Force
Doug Meffley2021-04-20T13:47:25-05:00Jim Zwit calls it the driving force of his life. His memories, and his respect for the memories of the eight fellow soldiers killed one evening in Vietnam are too important to be anything else but the impetus behind the major mission in his life.
Howard Tweddle, Jr.: “Tweet” Is Still Singing Today
Doug Meffley2019-08-02T21:40:05-05:00Howard Edgar Tweddle, Jr. was born on March 8, 1943, and grew up in Marion, Ohio. During high school, he discovered he could sing.
Gary Nelson: Gunner’s Mate On An Icebreaker
Doug Meffley2019-08-02T21:27:11-05:00Three times Gary Nelson has traveled to Washington D.C. with Honor Flight Chicago, each time accompanying a World War II veteran on this journey of thanks. The next HFC flight on August 7th, 2019, will be Nelson’s fourth, but this time it will be different. This time, he’s the veteran being thanked.
Charles Luhan, Jr.: Combat Engineer Becomes Santa Claus
Doug Meffley2019-08-02T21:16:15-05:00At his company compound in Vietnam, Charles Luhan, Jr., would fly the City of Chicago flag (which has four blue stars) when he had the chance. When he did this, his company’s compound would receive unusually more rocket attacks than normal. The company commanding officer told Charles, “Can you take down that four-star flag, they think you’re a General.”