Willie Smith: Survival is the most important thing

2023-06-12T14:32:42-05:00

Vietnam wasn’t really on his mind when Willie Floyd Smith decided to join the Army in 1966. Just a few months before, the 173rd Airborne Brigade had become the first US Army unit sent to South Vietnam. Willie was shipped to Vietnam in March of 1967.

Willie Smith: Survival is the most important thing2023-06-12T14:32:42-05:00

Thomas ‘Lucky’ Honzik: Three decades of service

2023-06-12T19:41:25-05:00

Tom's interest in military life started young and led to more than three decades of service. His passion for adventure, airplanes, travel, an infectious sense of humor, and dedication to service led him down an interesting path in the military that deserves both our appreciation and gratitude.

Thomas ‘Lucky’ Honzik: Three decades of service2023-06-12T19:41:25-05:00

Jack Sokol: Okinawa during the Korean War

2023-04-09T21:48:03-05:00

“The Korea conflict was still continuing and everyone was getting drafted, pretty much as a sure thing before you turn 20-years-old.” Jack visited the local Air Force recruiter and then discussed his intentions with his parents.

Jack Sokol: Okinawa during the Korean War2023-04-09T21:48:03-05:00

Raymond Szweda: A Chicago-Tough Marine

2023-03-30T21:22:49-05:00

With the war in Vietnam going on, Ray was scared but, at the same time, he also wanted to honor his country. Within a few days, he was on his way to Camp Pendleton in CA for Basic Training. 

Raymond Szweda: A Chicago-Tough Marine2023-03-30T21:22:49-05:00

Paul Waters: Providing Global Security for 25 Years

2023-03-30T21:18:37-05:00

The Vietnam War was escalating, and Paul knew it would just be a matter of time before he was drafted. He considered joining the Marines but had a lifelong interest in airplanes and flying, so instead he joined the Air Force. 

Paul Waters: Providing Global Security for 25 Years2023-03-30T21:18:37-05:00

James Wilson: Interrogating Prisoners

2023-03-30T21:13:24-05:00

Skip and his South Vietnamese interpreter partner interrogated North Vietnamese Army (NVA) prisoners. In accordance with Army intelligence procedures he wore no rank so that the prisoners would not know his status.

James Wilson: Interrogating Prisoners2023-03-30T21:13:24-05:00

Richard Rock: Rock Solid Soldier

2023-04-04T15:27:47-05:00

Richard served in Vietnam from July 1966 to July 1967. He’s thankful to God for protecting him while in Vietnam. He earned a number of awards, medals, honors and certifications during his enlistment. He is very much looking forward to his Honor Flight!

Richard Rock: Rock Solid Soldier2023-04-04T15:27:47-05:00

Harry Raftis: Diving with Sharks

2022-10-26T22:48:21-05:00

Without any discussion with his parents, Harry stepped up to serve his country. As he stated, “We were in a World War and I wanted to serve. It wasn’t something I thought a great deal about… I just did what I had to do.”  

Harry Raftis: Diving with Sharks2022-10-26T22:48:21-05:00

Paul Stromborg, MD: Fill-er Up

2022-10-26T22:48:27-05:00

Imagine you are flying a fighter or a bomber over the skies of Vietnam, Laos, Cambodia, or the Gulf of Tonkin and your jet is thirsty. Paul Stromborg’s KC-135 “Stratotanker” will fill up your fuel tanks.

Paul Stromborg, MD: Fill-er Up2022-10-26T22:48:27-05:00

Edward Helrigel: A Spur of the Moment Choice

2022-10-26T22:48:36-05:00

High school wasn’t working out for Ed Helrigel, and as he walked home one fateful day, he passed an Army recruiting office. “I walked about a half block, turned around and went in and joined the Army,” says Helrigel.

Edward Helrigel: A Spur of the Moment Choice2022-10-26T22:48:36-05:00

James Mitchell: Humble Man Living a Blessed Life

2022-10-26T22:48:44-05:00

James was born in 1944 in Birmingham, Alabama and graduated high school at the age of seventeen. He was offered a football scholarship in Texas but his family couldn’t afford the out of state tuition.

James Mitchell: Humble Man Living a Blessed Life2022-10-26T22:48:44-05:00

Charles Merritt: Agent Orange Survivor

2022-10-26T22:48:53-05:00

Prior to being drafted, Charles “Sam” Merritt, had a fairly routine upbringing.  Being the third born of six children of Charles and Mary Merritt, Sam grew up in New Haven, Illinois.

Charles Merritt: Agent Orange Survivor2022-10-26T22:48:53-05:00

Clyde Hall Jr.: Squad Leader Through Minefields

2022-10-26T22:49:01-05:00

Clyde Hall, Jr. was born in Mississippi in 1948, one of seven children and the son of a World War II veteran. When he was seven his family moved to Chicago, but after his sophomore year of high school, Clyde moved back to Mississippi to help out his grandparents who still lived there.

Clyde Hall Jr.: Squad Leader Through Minefields2022-10-26T22:49:01-05:00

Daniel Tatar: Four Consecutive Tours of Duty

2022-10-26T22:49:09-05:00

QM3 E-4 Daniel Walter Tatar grew up on the South Side of Chicago with a brother and a sister. He worked from a very young age: first delivering papers for a news stand in grammar school, then at Sears after school in high school.

Daniel Tatar: Four Consecutive Tours of Duty2022-10-26T22:49:09-05:00

John Tourtelot: Army Signal Corps Had the Coolest Patch

2022-10-26T22:49:21-05:00

The son of a WWII Veteran and brother to 3 sisters, John Tourtelot grew up in Oak Park, IL.  After his graduation from Oak Park High School, he attended Wright Jr. College where, in his own words, “he was not an overly dedicated student and had a pretty good time.”

John Tourtelot: Army Signal Corps Had the Coolest Patch2022-10-26T22:49:21-05:00

Ronald Baltierra: Under Fire but Home Safe

2022-09-18T15:31:54-05:00

Ron went to his draft office in early 1968 to ask why he hadn’t been drafted, and a month later he received his draft notice. In that sense, Ron says he volunteered to be drafted, although he recently discovered a twist to the story. 

Ronald Baltierra: Under Fire but Home Safe2022-09-18T15:31:54-05:00
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