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Robert Owens, USMC, Montford Point Marines
Robert Owens joined the U.S. Marine Corps at age 16 by telling recruiters he was 18. Soon he would be joining the other young black men as part of the Montford Point Marines, a unit that was created …
Published on 3 years, 9 months ago
MGySgt Oliver Nickle, USMC, Korea, Vietnam
Oliver Nickle originally intended to join the U.S. Navy but ultimately enlisted in the Marine Corps at the age of 17 after his parents gave their approval. He served as a weapons company man in the 5…
Published on 3 years, 10 months ago
John Billings, U.S. Army Air Forces, WWII
John Billings was hooked on flying when he was three years old, so when it came time to serve in World War II, the Army Air Forces was a natural fit. He came a B-24 bomber pilot but later served on c…
Published on 3 years, 10 months ago
Kayla Williams, U.S. Army, Iraq
A member of the 101st Airborne Division, Kayla Williams was among the very first American forces to enter Iraq in 2003 and roll from Kuwait to Baghdad within a matter of weeks. While serving there sh…
Published on 3 years, 10 months ago
CPO Mathias "Matt" Gutman, U.S. Navy, WWII, Peleliu, Okinawa
Mathias "Matt" Gutman came from a military family and joined the U.S. Navy shortly after the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. He became a coxswain on LST 553, delivering men and equipment under fire …
Published on 3 years, 10 months ago
Lewis Varvel, U.S. Navy, Doolittle Raid, Midway
Lewis Varvel joined the U.S. Navy because he didn't want to be in the Army, but his service during World War II would still be harrowing and consequential. Varvel enlisted prior to the attack on Pear…
Published on 3 years, 11 months ago
Jack Holder, U.S. Navy, WWII, Pearl Harbor, Midway
Jack Holder joined the U.S. Navy fresh out of high school in 1940. He arrived in Pearl Harbor in December of that year. Twelve months later he was diving into a ditch to avoid the strafing of Japanes…
Published on 3 years, 11 months ago
Gen. Charles McGee, Tuskegee Airmen, World War II, Korea, Vietnam
On January 16, 2022, retired U.S. Air Force Brigadier General Charles McGee died at the age of 102. His story is one of profound courage, excellence in service, and inspiring personal character.
McGe…
Published on 3 years, 11 months ago
Yoshio Nakamura, U.S. Army, WWII, 442nd Regimental Combat Team
Yoshio Nakamura grew up working on his family's farm in California. Despite the Great Depression, it was a good life and Nakamura had many friends as a teenager. But his life changed drastically afte…
Published on 3 years, 11 months ago
Lt. Col. Clif Berry, USAF & U.S. Army, Berlin Airlift, Vietnam
Fred Clifton Berry, Jr. joined the U.S. Force in 1948 due to his interest in radio and airplanes. He soon found himself in Germany and in the middle of a major international drama - the Berlin Airlif…
Published on 3 years, 11 months ago