By early January 1968, Chris shipped out to Vietnam joining MACS-4 (Marine Air Control Squadron) located on a peninsula northeast of Da Nang on top of “Monkey Mountain.” The base was located on the peak of Sơn Trà Mountain, overlooking Da Nang Harbor and China Beach.
In 1964 the Vietnam draft impacted the lives of so many young men. Arnie, who had already graduated from medical school, decided to be the master of his fate.
A knack for language helped propel Richard “Rich” Renkas through more than four years of service in the U.S. Air Force and 354 combat missions.
After Boot Camp and infantry training, "Sarge" was assigned to Camp Pendleton in California. His Military Occupation Specialty was artillery, and his specific weapon was the 155 mm self-propelled howitzer.
Bob was stationed in Japan and, since World War II had ended by that time, he was part of the Army of Occupation. He served with the 1st Cavalry Division Medical Detachment of the 61st Field Artillery Battalion of Ota, Japan.
In December of 1965, Rich went to Vietnam where his responsibilities included providing security protection for visiting dignitaries, such as the U.S. Secretary of Agriculture at the time.
At 17 years old, Larry Shaver enlisted in the Marine Corps and his whole life changed – including his name.
Rodney acquired his first trumpet for $2. He didn't want to just make noise with it. He wanted to play “music”.
Robert Hornung grew up on the south side of Chicago. His older brother served in the Korean War. He volunteered for the draft in 1968, at age 18.
Growing up in a military family, it was not a difficult decision for Paul Barrath to make the decision to enlist in the U.S. Navy.
Looking back on his early life, Lt. Colonel (Ret. U.S. Army) Stephen (“Pete”) Pedersen mused that the big surprise at his birth had been that he was a boy and not a girl.
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.
When Tom turned 18, he took to heart the Navy slogan, “Join the Navy and See the World.” He enlisted and did just that.
“Join the Navy and see the world!” But in Master Chief Boatswain's Mate Ken Albert’s case, it was not “see the world” but more like “be in the line of fire 24/7 for as long as your Vietnam tour of duty lasts.”
Lew Bottando grew up in Chicago with his brother who also served in Vietnam with the Air Force. Before joining the Army, Lew worked as a laborer, building Illinois Route 394, also known as the Calumet Expressway.
In 1964 the Vietnam draft impacted the lives of so many young men. Arnie, who had already graduated from medical school, decided to be the master of his fate.
Growing up, the Galvan brothers, Manny, Felix, and Lu, did almost everything together. As young adults, all three entered the military and served during Vietnam – sometimes even in the same village.
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.
Joseph Kwasny was the youngest of six children in a Polish household and neighborhood. He is a Purple Heart recipient, had a career in law enforcement and continues to help veterans today.
Leon H. Wilson was born and raised in the Englewood neighborhood in Chicago. Leon, wanting more adventure than what he was experiencing on the South Side of Chicago, made the decision to join the U.S. Navy at the age of seventeen years old.