South Pasadena High School
Alumni Association - 1907-2025
Veteran Stories
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[alphabetical]
(1988)
USAF
2001 to Present
Lt Colonel
Air Command and Staff College, Squadron Officers School, JAG School; Air and Space Operations Course; Combat Skills
MSM, AFCM, AFAM, Joint Meritorious Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Award, Air Force, Organizational Excellence Award, National Defense Service Medal, Air Force Outstanding Unit Award, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Air Force Overseas Ribbon Short, Air Force Overseas Ribbon Long, Air Force Longevity Service Award, Air Force Training Ribbon, Non-Article 5 NATO Medal (ISAF)
Duties: Currently, Legal Advisor for Air and Space Operations
Stationed: Joint Base Pearl Harbor-Hickam
I was in JAG School when 9/11 occurred. Prosecuted and defended cases, conducted accident investigations and deployed to Afghanistan as Staff Judge Advocate for 451 AEW, Kandahar Airfield, Afghanistan.
(1954)
US Air Force
November 13, 1959 - February 8, 1963
1st Lieutenant
Officer Training School, Air Police Officer Training
Duties: Our unit was charged with the security of alert tanker aircraft (SAC)
Stationed: Selfridge Air Force Base, Michigan
Jack Allen
(1945)
USN Sea Bee
1945 - 1947
USN Photographer
Duties: Photograph all activities
Stationed: Samar, Philippines
It was usually hot or wet.
Ron Amerine
(1958)
Army
1959 to 1962
Sp4
Military Police
Duties: Trumpet Player, MP Band
Stationed: Fort Gordon, Georgia
(2005)
US Army
November 2009 - November 2013
E4 Specialist
Cav
Eric Andonian
(1979)
US Army National Guard
March 1992 - June 1995
US Army
October 1995 - October 2001
Sergeant (E5)
Mortuary Affairs Specialist (57F), Armoror, Combat Engineer Tracked Vehicle Crewman (12F), Single Channel Radio Operator/Maintainer
NATO Medal, Joint Service Commendation Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal (2nd Award), Army Achievement Medal (2nd Award), Army Good Conduct Medal (3rd Award), National Defense Service Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Armed Forces Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer's Professional Development Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Montana Volunteer Campaign Ribbon
Stationed: Fort Huachuca, Arizona, Allied Command Europe-NATO; Heidelberg, Germany, Fort McNair, Washington DC (Military District of Washington)
Very pleased and honored to have served our nation.
(1994)
US Army
April 2003 - April 2011
E6
Paralegal Specialist, Transportation Coordinator, Logistician
Stationed: Fort Hood, Fort Lewis, Fort Eustice, Fort Benning, Fort Jackson, Camp Red Cloud
(1957)
Navy
1961 to 1963
Lieutenant
NROTC
Gunnery Officer and Deck Officer
Stationed: Long Beach, CA
I served on a destroyer USS Ozbourn and the ship was on duty in the South China Seas during the Cuban missile crisis.
Bill Barry
(1964)
US Army
1970 - 1972
Sp4
Infantry (11B)
Medals, Commendations, Service Awards received: CIB
Duties: Infantryman, Medic
Stationed: Vietnam
Jim Battersby
(1968)
US Army
November 27, 1968 - September 4, 1970
E 4
Bronze Star/V - Purple Heart with 1st Oak Leaf Cluster - Combat Infantryman Badge - Vietnam Service Medal
Infantry
Stationed: Vietnam May 11, 1969 to November 20, 1969, Co A 3rd Battalion 21st Infantry 196th, Fort Ord, California December 20, 1969 to September 4, 1970, HCC 2nd Battalion 6th Army
David Brainard
(1947)
Army Engineers
December 1954 - November 1956
SP 2
Refrigeration and Air Conditioning
Duties: Company Clerk, Dispatcher
Stationed: Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Paris, France
Great duty in Paris, France at a refrigeration warehouse distributing food to surrounding bases.
Derek Broussard
(1972)
US Army
March 10, 1974 - April 10, 1977
Sp 4
Military Police School, Fort Gordon, Georgia
Duties: 3rd Plt Co B 95 MP BN/66th MP Co Heidelberg Detachment (Road Duty)
Stationed: Heidelberg Germany/Karlsruhe, Germany
(1952)
US Army
1957 - 1962
SSGT
Duties: Personnel & Supply
Stationed: Last active duty station- Ft. Devens, Ayer, Mass USA
I was an in and out soldier. I joined the reserves and spent six months on active duty and then returned to civilian life. I was recalled to active duty with the Army Security Agency in 1961. Following that tour I elected to be discharged.
(1969)
Army
February 4, 1971 Through February 1, 1974.
Sargent (E-5)
Jump school, Special Forces training, Clandestine communications Language School (Persian), SADM training.
Stationed: Fort Bragg, North Carolina
(1959)
US Army
March 1965 - February 1967
1st Lieutenant
Airborne, Jungle Warfare
Army Accommodation for Valor, Purple Heart
Duties: Rifle Platoon Leader, Co. Exec., Battalion Liaison Officer
Stationed: Phouc Vinh, Vietnam
(1964)
Navy
Marine Corps
Navy-Hospital Corpsman with Marine Corps
November 10, 1966 USN - September 12, 1968 Active Duty
Completed Naval Reserve obligation November 7, 1971
Hospital Petty Office 2
Hospital Corps Class "A" School - December '66 - March '67
Field Medical Service School - March 1967 - April 1967
Navy Training course for MH 3 & 2
Military Requirements for Petty Officer 3 & 2
National Defense Service Medal Fleet Marine Combat Insignia
Vietnam Service Medal with one Bronze Star
Vietnam Campaign Medal with Device
Purple Heart (for WIA in Republic of Vietnam on May 27, 1968)
Naval Unit Commendation Medal
Duties: Medical Technician (I worked in the intensive care unit at Camp Pendleton Naval Hospital) taking care of severely traumatized servicemen from Vietnam and from drunk driving on Blood Alley (Highway 1 between San Juan Capistrano to Carlsbad). Did suturing, IV infusions, casting broken bones, dressing changes. In Vietnam I would treat immersion foot fungal infections, Napalm burns, gun shot wounds, amputations, dysentery, dehydration, heart attacks, sucking chest wounds, call for a medical evacuation, set up LZ with smoke grenades, malaria, and head wounds (what's the point if medulla is hit? So sad).
Stationed: Active duty started at Balboa Naval Hospital in San Diego, then Camp Pendleton in ER-ICU at Naval Hospital, 9th Marine Amphibious Brigade, Fleet Marines, Okinawa, Third Marine Division aboard the USS Iwo Jima off the coast of Vietnam, and setting up posts just below the DMZ in Vietnam.
(1970)
Navy
June 1971 - June 1980
Lieutenant
US Naval Academy
Naval Flight School
Expeditionary Medal
Pilot
Nuclear Weapons Officer
Maintenance Officer
Stationed: Aircraft carrier USS Nimitz Norfolk Virginia
In April 1980, I volunteered to fly cover for an attempt to rescue 50 American hostages held in Iran. The staging platform was my aircraft carrier USS Nimitz. While helicopters flew from the Nimitz, my assignment was to fly overhead and determine if Iran radar picked up the helicopters. We determined that Iran radar was shut down for the night. The mission still ended in tragedy for the rescue team. When asking for volunteers, every pilot aboard the Nimitz jumped out of their seats.
(1993)
US Navy
May 30, 2000 - November 30, 2005
Hospital Corpsman Second Class (E5)
Basic Hospital Corpsman A School, Aerospace Physiology and Water Survival
Instructor C School
Navy Good Conduct Award, Meritorious Unit Commendation Ribbon, National Defense Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Expert Pistol Medal, Expert Riffleman Medal
Duties: Aerospace Physiology and Water Survival Instructor (HM8406)
Stationed: Naval Station Great Lakes, Illinois Naval Hospital Pensacola, Florida, Aviation Survival Training Center, MCAS Miramar, San Diego, California
(1955)
US Navy
July 1955 - September 1986
Captain
Submarines, Nuclear Power, Command
Medals: Legion of Merit, Meritorius Service Medal (2), Navy Commendation Medal (3), Navy Achievement Medal
Submarine Squadron Commander, Commanding Officer Missile Submarine (4 years), Executive Officer Attack Submarine, Chief Engineer (4 years), Various engineer and operations billets
Stationed: Long Beach, California, New London, Connecticut, Monterey, California, Charleston, South Carolina, Saratoga Springs, New York, Norfolk, Virginia, Washinton DC
(1961)
USAF
June 1961 to June 1991
CM Sgt
Senior NCO Academy
NCO Academy
Meritorious Service Medal with three oak leaf cluster
Air Force Command
Commendation Medal with two oak leaf cluster
Air Force Achievement Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Air Force Good Conduct Medal
Deputy Director of Manpower and Personnel
Duties: Deputy Director of Manpower and Personnel
Stationed: Vandenberg AFB, California (twice)
Langekopf AS, Germany
Ramstein AB, Germany
Torrejon AB, Spain
Presidio of San Francisco, California
Randolph AFB, Texas
Clark AB, Philippines
Washington, DC
Kirtland AFB, New Mexico
(1965)
U.S. Army Special Forces
1967 - 1970
Sgt E-5
Combat Engineer and Demolition Expert- Specializing in Booby Traps, Light & Heavy Weapons Specialist and HALO Qualified ( High Altitude Low Opening) Military Free Fall School.
Stationed: Ft. Bragg, North Carolina and Ft. Gulick Canal Zone , Panama.
(1952)
USAF
September 1953 - 1968
Captain
USAF flight school, aviation cadet class 56-B. Kelly Field, Texas, Marianna, Florida, Bryan AFB, Del Rio, Texas, and Las Vegas, Nevada (F-86).
Top Gun trophy, 1957 and 1958
Jet Fighter Pilot, F-86 and F-104, California and Tennessee ANG. Civilian Test Pilot and instructor pilot (F-104 Starfighter) for Lockheed California company
Stationed: California, Florida, Texas, Nevada. Lockheed sent me to Nagoya, Japan, Izmir, Turkey, and Bodo, Norway.
Flying F-86's, the greatest flying aircraft. Flying, testing, demonstrating and instructing in the MAGNIFICENT 1400 MPH F-104 Starfighter to foreign military pilots such as German, Canadian, Japanese, Norwegian, Italian, Belgian, Dutch, and Turkish. The German and Japanese pilots were mostly World War II veterans.
(1978)
(1974)
Marine Corps
1981 to 2010
Started as Pvt, retired as Lt. Colonel
Officers' Candidate School (OCS)
Basic School (TBS)
Field Artillery Officers' Basic Course
Ground Intelligence Officers' Course
Marine Corps Command and Staff College
Expeditionary Warfare Course
Weapons and Tactics Instructor Course
Various Special Weapons Courses
Meritorious Service Medal
Navy-Marine Corps Commendation Medal
Navy-Marine Corps Achievement Medal
Iraq Campaign Medal w/1 star
Global War on Terrorism Medal
National Defense Medal
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Sea Service Deployment Ribbon w/1 star
Several others
Artillery Officer
Infantry Officer
Intelligence Officer
Weapons and Tactics Instructor
Liaison Officer
Force Fires and Surface Fires Officer
Stationed: Quantico, VA
Ft. Sill, OK
Kaneohe Bay, HI
Camp Pendleton, CA
Camp Lejeune, NC
Iraq, Kuwait, and South Korea
Many great memories, too many to count, some really bad. From boot camp in 1982 to Desert Storm in '91, serving in numerous deployments to South Korea, to participating in the invasion of Iraq in 2003, to retiring in 2010, and many adventures in between. Made lots of great friends and lost some of them. All the ups and downs of serving in both peace and in war.
Paul Elwell
(1975)
Navy
February 1976 - February 1980
E-4
Dental Assisting
Meritorious award for the most out-patient care 1976!
Duties: Four handed dental assisting with the doctor
Stationed: Parris Island Marine Corp Base South Carolina 1977 - 1980
Our output of patient care was #1 of all bases in the US in 1976. Given the Meritorious award.
Thomas Engle
(1969)
Army
1971 - 1972
101st Airborne, Camp Eagle Hue Vietnam, Reconnaissance Forward Observer,
jungle 7 months
(1968)
US Army
1968 - 1971
E-4
Aircraft Mechanic school
Bronze Star, Air Medals, Aircraft Crew Badge, Vietnam Service Medals
Duties: Door gunner on a UH-1 (Huey) helicopter
Stationed: Camp Evans, 101st Airborne Division
Flying every day in support of 101st Airborne ground operations
(1990)
USAF
January 1991 - January 2001
March 2011 - Present
E-5
Duties: 1991 - 2001: Aircraft Mechanic
2011 - Present: Mid-Air Refueling Operator (Boom Operator)
Stationed: Louisiana, Northern California
Opportunities abound! Travel, sports, people, experiences, could not replace. After getting out for 10 years, NO experiences compared!!
During Kosovo War '99, I was deployed to Germany. At end of war I was invited to play in a soccer tournament in Prague. Supervisor, "Dude, we are going HOME! If you miss the flight you are stuck here, will find your own way home, and answer to the big-wigs yourself!" Played and mostly PARTIED in Prague for five days, got back with one day to spare, then came home. Prague is the most beautiful city with some of the most beautiful women I had ever met. Incredible place! One of many incredible experiences!!
Medivac five-month premies from Korea to Washington, carried parents AND moved them! (Cargo plane) Not only did we fulfill the medivac portion, but we also helped fulfill her military move. This would have been accomplished anyway, but our abilities on our airplane made it infinitely easier.
One of the most rewardings things that I witnessed was seeing mom looking into her baby's face in his incubator and smiling, in flight.
Daniel Evans
(1955)
US Army
February 1961 - August 1964
Captain
Army Intelligence School, Ft Holabird
Offered 'regular' commission
Duties: Conducted intelligence about rail activity in eastern Germany, warnings about potential invasion by Soviet DDR forces.
Stationed: Frankfort am Main, Germany
Lots of Memories!
(1960)
US Army
1963 - 1968
1st Lieutenant
Army Security Agency: Terminal Intercept Equipment Repair, Officer Candidate School, Signal Core: Communications Relay Station Operations
Duties: Signal Equipment installation, Relay Station Duty Officer, Group Signal Officer
Bronze Star
Stationed: Fort Ord, California; Fort Devens, Massachusetts; Fort Gordon, Georgia; Fort Monmouth, New Jersey; Camp Zama, Japan; Helemano, Hawaii; Republic of Vietnam (25 months)
Arthur G Foltz
(1968)
Navy
March 1969 - February 1994
Quartermaster 1st Class (Surface Warfare)
QM A School, Celestial Navigation, Fire Fighting, Damage Control, Shipboard Self Defense, Radio Operator, Insructor Trainer, Master Helmsman, Combat Information Center, In-port Officer of the Deck, Assistant Navigator, Master at Arms, Small Arms Instructor
Medals: Combat Action Ribbon, Sea Service Medal, Oversea Service Medal, Good Conduct Ribbon, Navy Achievement Medal, Expert Rifle Medal, Expert Pistol Medal, Surface Warfare Qualified and various other medals.
Duties: Quartermaster of the Watch, In-port Officer of the Deck, Member of the Navy Rifle and Pistol Team, Leading Quartermaster at sea and in port.
Stationed: Home ported in San Diego, California, Long Beach, California, Norfolk, Virginia, Baharin. Been around the world with the Navy.
Memories: Retired from the Navy in 1994. Now receiving 100% disability for service-connected disabilities. PTSD, diabetes, hearing loss, sleep apnea.
(1946)
ARMY
1946 -1948
Tech 5
AIR FORCE
1952 - 1980
Colonel
Flight training
Survival, escape and evasion training
Air Force Institute of Technology
Command schools
Institute for Defense Analyses
Medals: A few
Fighter pilot, instructor pilot, forward air controller (320 combat missions), technical intelligence analysis, systems engineering management, director of operations, director of logistics
Stationed: USA, Japan, Labrador, Southeast Asia, Indonesia
Mostly good, some not so good--but I'd do it again.
(1975)
US Army
November 20, 1979 - May 1, 1995
SSG
Fire Control Computer Repair, Electronic Warfare/Intercept Systems Repair, Intelligence Analyst
MSM, ARCOM, GCM
Duties: Various
Stationed: Ft. Dix, New Jersey; Aberdeen Proving Grounds, Maryland; Ft. Carson, Colorado; Boeblingen, GE; Ft. Devens, Massachusetts; Sinop, TU; Augsburg, GE; Ft. Huachuca, Arizona
I have so many memories from my time in the service, but the ones that I like to remember are of my time spent working in Berlin before, while, and after the wall came down.
(1970)
USAF
August 1976 - March 1979
E-3
R&R Avionics and navigational equipment on F-15's at Langley AFB, VA
Stationed: Langley AFB, VA
James Grimm
(1962)
US Army
1967 - 1973
Chief Warrant Officer II
Helicopter Pilot Flight Training, Combat Flight/Survival Training, Instructor - Helicopter Flight Training
Medals, Commendations or Service Awards received:
Air Medal with 28 Oak Leaf Clusters
Vietnam Service Medal with Silver Star
Vietnam Cross of Gallantry with Palm
Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Army Aviator Wings
Duties: Combat helicopter pilot - airlift, gunships, medivac, Standardization pilot at Fort Rucker, Army Aviation School
Stationed: Ft Polk, Louisiana, Ft Wolters, Texas, Ft Rucker, Alabama, Lane AAF, Qui Nhon, Vietnam, Los Alamitos Naval Air Base, California
Memories: I served with the best of the best! Young men who bravely gave all for America. I saw HEROES and acts of herosim everyday while I was in country. Thanks to those who did not come home!
(1949)
USAF
Jul 1953 - Jul 1973
Lt Col
Meteorology training at UCLA
Medals, Commendations or Service Awards received: Meritorious Service Medal
Staff meteorologist - 10 years
Station commander - 4 years
Special assignment to Atomic Energy Commission - 5 years
Stationed: UCLA, Germany, Montana, Japan, Laredo, Texas, Oklahoma City, Oklahoma, Frederick, Maryland
I joined the service and saw the world.
Karl Gunther
(2003)
US Army
August 2007 - April 2012
California Army National Guard
May 2012 - December 2015
US Goast Guard
December 2015 - Present
O-3
USA: Infantry Officer Basic Course, Airborne School, Ranger School
US Coast Guard: Basic Tactical Operators Course, Basic Boarding Officer Course
BSM, DMSM, ARCOM, AAM, CGLOC
Duties: USA: Infantry Platoon Leader, BN A/S3, SFAAT Advisor
CA ARNG: BDE A/S3, SFAAT Advisor
US Coast Guard: Response Ashore Officer (Tactical Law Enforcement Team)
Stationed: Ft Benning, Georgia, Baumholder, GE, Salman Pak, IQ, Kabul, AF, Kandahar, AF, San Diego, California, Alameda, California
USA/CA ARNG: 2 1/2 years deployed to Iraq and Afghanistan
USCG: deployed five times to the Caribbean and Western/Central Pacific for counter drug and fisheries law enforcement missions.
(1955)
U.S. Navy
1961 - 1964 Active Duty
1964 - 1972 Reserves
Lieutenant Commander
Officer Candidate School, Newport, Rhode Island to earn my commission
Duties: Communications Watch Officer while shore-based at Atsugi, Japan and Top Secret Control Officer attached to Tacron 12, at sea in Southeast Asian waters, other duties
Stationed: NAS Atsugi, Japan from 1962 to 1963, Tacron 12 based in NAB Coronado, California from 1963 to 1964, which was mainly deployed at sea in Asia.
Loved it (in retrospect)! Great experience for a young person
(1966)
US Army
1969 - 1971
Sgt E5
Basic and Radio School - Ft Ord, California; Jump School - Ft Benning, Georgia; Radio Teletype School - Ft Gordon, Georgia
Stationed: Fort Ord, Calaifornia, Fort Benning, Georgia, Fort Gordon, Georgia, Fort Carson, Colorado, 101st Airborne Division, Vietnam
(1958)
US Navy
1963 - 1968
Lieutenant
Naval Aviator
Duties: Formation flight instructor in the T-28 "Trojan"
Patrol Plane Commander at Patrol Squadron 16
Stationed: Pensacola, Milton, and Jacksonville, Floria, Corpus Christi, Texas, Norfolk, Virginia, Patuxent River, Maryland
Overseas duty involved a deployment to the Mediterranean
(1966)
US Air Force
November 6, 1965 - October 12, 1967
SGT
Jet Engine Mechanic Tech School
Jet Mechanic
Stationed: Vandenberg AFB, Lompoc, California
(1949)
Army
1953-1955
PFC
Heavy AAA Maint
MOI (Methods of Instruction)
Projection School
DD-214
Instructor, Skysweeper AAA
Stationed: Ft. Bliss, TX
Got caught trying to steal football helmets from West Texas State football team while drunk. 52 stitches in upper lip, 2 weeks in Army hospital. Several sorties into Juarez, Chih., Mexico
(1956)
US Army
October 1962 - October 1968
SP5
Radio Repair - MOS 313.10
Expert with M1 rifle and .45 caiber handgun
Duties: Radio and computer repair at Nike Hercules base. I also served as courier for the "old man" and the 1st Sergeant for almost a year
Stationed: Wuescheim, Germany as defense for Hahn Air Base
I was able to buy a car (1959 Opel Record) and visit France, Luxembourg, Belgium, Spain, Italy, Switzerland, Austria, Holland, Denmark, Norway, and Sweden. I spent many a weekend in Paris, as it was just in our range limit of 300 miles for weekend passes.
(1950)
Army
1955 - 1957
1st Lt.
OCS Leadership
Good Conduct, Army of Occupation Europe
Co Commander, 101st Airborne Division, Assistant S-3 14th AC Germany, Platoon Leader 40th Tank Batallion Germany
Stationed: Columbia, South Carolina and Frieburg, Germany
We patroled the West German border.
Leanne Hertel
(2004)
Air Force
October 6, 2009 - March 28, 2015
I miss working everyday. I loved working 12 hour shifts five to six days a week in Italy. If it wasn't for my back and neck I would have been in for life.
(1987)
US Army
August 17, 1990 - August 31, 2000
Command Sergeant Major
Non-Communications Interceptor/Operator course, Electronic Processing and Dissemination System Course, Equal Opportunity Representative Course, Telemetry Analysis Course, Primary Leadership Deployment Course, Basic Non-commissioned Officer Course, Advanced Non-commissioned Officer Course, United States Army Sergeants Major Academy, Army Space Cadre Course
Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal (4), Joint Service Commendation Medal (5), Army Commendation Medal, Air Force Commendation Medal, Joint Service Achievement Medal (2), Army Achievement Medal (3), Joint Meritorious Unit Award (6), Valorous Unit Award, Meritorious Unit Award (4), Army Superior Unit Award, Army Good Conduct Medal (10), National Defense Medal w/bronze star, Iraqi Campaign Medal w/4 bronze stars, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Korean Defense Service Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, Noncommissioned Officer Professional, Development Ribbon (5), Army Service Ribbon, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Action Badge, Basic Army Space Badge
Duties: G2 Sergeant Major, Command Sergeant Major, Operations Sergeant Major, First Sergeant, Senior Intelligence Sergeant, Battalion Operations Sergeant, Foreign Instrumentation Signals Intelligence Analyst, Order of Battle Analyst, Air Defense Analyst, Measurements and Signals Intelligence Analyst, Electronic Intelligence Analyst
Stationed: Joint Base Lewis-McChord, Washington, Fort Belvoir, Virginia, Fort Bliss, Texas, Fort Lewis, Washington, Baghdad, Iraq, Fort Meade, Maryland, Quarryah West, Iraq, Royal Air Force Base, United Kingdom, Wanju, Korea, Mac Dill Air Force Base, Florida, Augsburg, Germany, Heidelberg, Germany, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Fort Devens, Massachusetts, Fort Dix, New Jersey
(1948)
Army
I was on active duty from February 1951 to November 1952; then active reserve until 1956
Corporal
Army Supply School
Korea Service Ribbon
I worked in the Message Center of the Headquarters Battery of the 57th Field Artillery, 7th Division in Korea
Stationed: My basic training took place at Camp Roberts, California before going to Korea. After my tour there, I was transferred to Fort Huachuca, Arizona
Mixed memories which stick in my mind are several: basic training, being on a troopship sailing to Japan for a month's stay before being on a ship traveling from Sasebo, Japan to Pusan, Korea, riding north on a train and arriving and putting up a pup tent in the driving rain, and meeting and making friends with Korean soldiers (ROK))/z
(1958)
US Army
Lt. Colonel
Entered West Point in July 1961, commissioned as a Second Lt in June 1965. Retired November 30, 1988
Airborne, Ranger, Field Artillery Basic Course, Field Artillery Advance Cource, Marine Corps Command and Staff College
Silver Star, Legion of Merit, Bronze Star, Air Medal, Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry, Master Parachutist Wings (award), Ranger Tab, Iranian Senior Jump wings
Duties: Branches were Field Artillery and Special Forces (with some Special Operations time)
Stationed: West Point, New York (Cadet); Fort Benning, GA; Lawton, OK; Viet Nam; Iran; Germany; Los Alamos, CA (to attend USC Grad School of Business); West Point, NY (staf and faculty); Quantico, VA (for Marine Corps school); Fort Bragg, NC; West Point, NY (staff and faculty again); Springfield VA (military jobs in Washington DC area)
Memories: All good
(1949)
I was in the Air Force class of 49 Service in the Air force 1951-1953 served
in North Africa worked in ammunition supply and general supply.
US Army Reserve
2011-Present
1LT
Stationed: Afghanistan
(1949)
US Air Force
1955-1964
Captain
Air Medal, 2 oak leaves
Navigator
Stationed: CA, ID, FL, TX, NC VietNam
Robert 'Bart' Kimball
(1963)
US Army
1971 - 1975
Captain
Judge Advocate General Corps (JAGC)
Stationed: Fort Meade, Maryland; Korea; Presidio, California
David Kizner
(1981)
US Navy
June 1984 - June 2004
E6 (AT1 AW)
Avionics "A" School, QA administration, Aircraft Logs and Records, EA-3B ESM technician, F/A-18 Avionics "O" level technician, F/A-18 Fire Control Radar "I" level technician, Shipboard Security Engagement Tactics, Shipboard and Aircraft Firefighting
Navy Achievement Medal X3, Good Conduct Medal X5, Sea Service Deployment Ribbon X6, Expert Pistol, Expert Rifle, Meritorious Unit Commendation X4, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal X3, Southwest Asia Service Medal, Joint Meritorious Unit Commendation, CNO Letter of Commendation, Air Warfare Qualified...there's probably a few more, I can't remember them all!
Duties: I was an Avionics technician. Except for my first duty station I worked prinmarily on the F/A-18 Hornet
Stationed: Boot Camp in San Diego, "A" School at NATTC Memphis, EA-3 FRAMP at VAQ-33 NAS Key West, Aircraft Fire Fighting School NAS JAX, VQ-1 at NAS Agana, Guam, Aircraft Logs and Records School NAS Cubi Point, Phillipines, F/A-18 FRAMP at VFA-125 NAS Lemoore, Naval Weapons Center China Lake, USS Kitty Hawk, Naval Air Station Fallon, Strike Fighter Wing Atlantic NAS Oceana, VFA-81 at NAS Oceana
"Join the Navy and see the world!" I had gotten to the point in my life that I felt like that line from An Officer and a Gentleman: "I got nowhere else to go!" I did okay in boot camp after I figured out the game. I got in a Drill Company (my trumpet skills paid off). I did horrible in "A" school. I think I set the Navy record for lowest score and still graduated! Guam was a lot of fun. If I wasn't at work I was at the beach or under the water. Did a lot of SUBA diving.
China Lake was interesting. In addition to my avionics job I was a member of the ASF. Originally meant to be an anti-terrorist/hostage rescue team, we trained a lot. We shot a lot. We spent a lot of time traipsing around the desert. We didn't have a lot of hostages to rescue, which was good. We did end up being the first responders to a lot of aircraft mishaps. I still have disturbing images of various body parts and aircraft wrecks that I collected over the years...sorry, don't mean to be morbid. I guess it still kinda bothers me.
Spent four and a half years ships company in USS Kitty Hawk. That was an interesting experience. I worked AIMD in the F/A-18 radar shop. We were forward in the tunnel on the hangar bay level. One good thing was that the shop was WELL AIR CONDITIONED!! Did three deployments (two to the gulf, one WESTPAC Japan/Korea). When we were in port at NAS North Island I did a lot of skydiving. Back to the desert (this time Fallon, Nevada). Located 60 miles east of Reno. I got a lot of skiing in at Lake Tahoe on my time off. Transferred to VFA-81 for my last tour. Did a deployment on USS George Washington. Spent most of my time on the flight deck working flight ops, day and night (that was probably the most fun I had in the Navy!) Started out as a Med cruise, but things happen and we ended up transiting the Suez canal and going back to the gulf! I think we made four trips through the canal on that cruise. We also spent some time on USS Ronald Reagan. We were there to certify the flight deck, our jets were some of the first to launch and recover on that ship.
Overall my time in the Navy was a positive experience. I did get to see the world!
(1948)
Army National Guard
September 1, 1950 - May 3, 1952
Corporal
Army Occupation Medal (Japan, UN Service Medal, Korean Service Medal W/1 Bronze Service Star, Combat Infantry Badge
Duties: Cook
Stationed: Camp Cooke, Lompoc, California, Sendai, Japan, Seoul, Korea
Extremely cold while stationed in Korea
Richard 'Dick' Langdon
(1956)
US Navy
Reserve Service - August 1957-October 1960
Active Service - October 1960-September 1963
Lieutenant
Naval Flight School
Survival School
Good Conduct Medal, Naval Achievement Medal
Duties: Supply Officer for our squadron, flew covert missions off the coast of Viet Nam
Stationed: Naval Air Station-Los Alamitos, California, North Island Naval Air Station- Coronado, California, Aboard USS Keasarge
Participated in Project Mercury in which we picked up our astronauts in the Pacific after they orbited the earth. Never got used to night landings on carriers-they were very stressful.
(1952)
US Navy
July 1953 - August 1956
Sonarman 2nd Class
Sonar Class A and Class B Schools
National Defense, Good Conduct, China Service
Duties: Sonar Operations and Maintenance
Stationed: USS Lyman K Swenson
Most of my memories appear to be unfit to print
(1960)
Army
January 28, 1964 - November 6, 1965
Specialist 4th Class
Basic Training - Fort Ord, Ca
Communications Center School - Fort Gordon, Georgia
Marksman - M14 Rifle (even thought I couldn't hit anything)
Basic training Sergeant told me I threw hand grenades as well as Audie
Murphy (or was it Eddie Murphy?)
Granted Top Secret Crypto security clearance - top at the time
Worked in 7 x 24 communication center in Pentagon and at 8th Army
Headquarters, Seoul South Korea. We received and transmitted military
intelligence from around the world
Stationed: Fort Ord, Ca - Basic Training
Fort Gordon, Georgia - Communication school
Fort Meyer, Virginia
Fort Young San , South Korea
I was pulled from formation one day while in Basic Training. The C.O. told
me I was being considered for a high level security position. From his
office, I was taken to an old empty barrack on base and given a polygraph
(lie detector) exam. Very initimidating stuff for a 22 year old. Guess I
passed since a short time later, I was given the top level security
clearance the Army had at that time. Still receiving Vet related benefits to
this day - excellent health care and a recent free buffet on Veterans day.
Very glad I had the military experience.
(2010)
United States Army
22 June 2010
SPC
92Y - Unit Supply Specialist / Logisitcs
National Defense Service Ribbon, Global War on Terrorism Service Ribbon, Army Service Ribbon, Army Presidential Unit Citation Ribbon, Army Meritorious Unit Citation Ribbon, Army Superior Unit Award / Ribbon, Army Valorous Unit Citation Ribbon
Stationed: Fort Benning. GA
(1985)
United States Army
1989 - 1994
Captain
Airborne (parachutist), Air Assault, Scout Platoon Leaders Course, Military Intelligence
Calvary
(2006)
Army National Guard
March 2008-2014
Specialist (E-4)
MP School Automated Logistical Specialist
Army Commendation Medal Army Good Conduct Medal National Defense Service Medal Afghanistan Campaign Medal (w/ 1 service star) Global War On Terrorism Service Medal Armed Forces Reserve Medal (w/ M device) Army Service Ribbon Army Overseas Service Ribbon NATO Medal (Non-Article 5 for service with ISAF)
(1953)
United States Marine Corps
1957 to 1960
1st Lieutenant
Guerrilla Warfare School
Infantry
Stationed: Quantico Virginia, Camp Pendleton, Marine Corps Recruit Depot
Kenneth Lyon
(1946)
Army
1950 - 1953
Army Reserve thru 1956
Captain
Leadership School, Officer Candidate School (Infantry)
Mortar Instructor at Fort Ord
Stationed: Fort Ord, Fort Benning, and Fort Jackson
John Mack
(1986)
1990 - 1994 (Active)
1994 - 2002 (Reserve)
Captain
Airbourne
Duties: Served in various roles (Executive Officer, Public Affairs Officer, Maintenance Officer, Platoon Leader) in a Lance Missile battalion and in a Multiple Launch Rocket System (MLRS) Battalion, respectively.
Stationed: Germany - Frankfurt area (Wiesbaden, Babenhausen)
Two historical milestones punctuared my active duty service in Germany: 1-"Closing the chapter on the cold war" (or so we thought then) by de-commissioning the last US tactical nuclear missile system in Germany at the time, and 2 - Preparing to enforce the Dayton Agreement by deploying to Bosnia.
(1985)
US Army Reserve
1989-2012
Lieutenant Colonel (LTC)
Chemical Officer, Civil Affairs Officer, worked in unit training and mobilization, worked in Army Missile Defense
Stationed: Fort Carson, CO; Fort Hood, TX; Fort Bliss, TX; Bosnia-Herzegovina; several reserve assignments on East Coast; member of the California Army National Guard and Colorado Army National Guard
(1950)
Navy
8/5/1950 to 6/25/1954
E4
Radar School
5 Service Medals
CIC radar and fleet maneuvering.
Stationed: Korea
Ron Mammen
(1961)
USAF
September 1966 to October 1971
Captain
B-52 Combat Crew
Duties: Navigator, Electronics Warfare Officer B-52, Nuclear Deterrent
Vietnam Combat
Stationed: Mather AFB, Beale AFB, Vietnam missions out of Guam, Okinawar, Thailand
(1986)
USAF
1986-1990
SGT
Aerial Delivery Trainer
Staioned: Altus AFB, OK
Met my wife while stationed in Oklahoma. Just celebrated our 20 year anniversary.
(1955)
Army Security Agency (ASA)
1960 - 1963
Specialist 5th Class
Army Security Agency School Fort Devens, MA
MOS 058, 059
Merit Promotion to SP5
Monitored friendly forces during the Berlin Crisis and the times leading up to Viet Nam.
Stationed: Wurzburg, Germany
It was an honor to have served in the Military and the feelings that it brings remembering those that have given their lives to keep us free. These men and women and those who are coming home wounded are the real heroes. Thank You!
(1962)
Army
January 1967 - December 1969
Captain
Medical supply school
Army commendation medal, Bronze medal
Duties: Chief of supply and services 27th surgical hospital, Chu Lai Rvn 1969. Company commander 2nd Armored Div. Ft Hood, Texas 1968
Stationed: Ft Sam Houston, Texas, Ft Hood, Texas, Chu Lai, Vietnam
(2002)
Navy
June 2008 to August 2011
03
Critical Care Nurse
Stationed: Bethesda, Maryland
Deployed to Afghanistan
Marilee Mathis Scott
(1964)
Army
October 1978 to January 1989
E6 SSG
BNONC, PNONC
ARCOM x2, Army Achievement Medal, Expert Marksman, Honor Graduate BNONC School, Honor Graduate PNONC School
Duties: 5-ton tractor trailer driver 64C, Personnel Senior Sgt 75B
Stationed: Honolulu, Hawaii, Ft Knox, Kentucky
I was in the first class of women to undergo training with the men after the Women's Army Corps was disbanded and the All Volunteer Army instituted. In an effort to integrate us, I was trained as a 5 ton tractor-trailer driver. After 3 years of driving, I transferred to Personnel and was in charge of 1800 enlisted personnel records, responsible for schooling, promotions and record management. It was the best 10 years of my life.
(1969)
US Army
1971 - 1978
Sergeant
Artillery, Redeye gunner/section chief, Fire Direction Control, Foward Observer
National Degense Medal, Good conduct, etc...
Duties: Too many to list
Stationed: Europe, US
Memories - trying to forget
(1968)
USAF
MSgt
Senior NCO Academy
Medical Services Superintendant
Tactical Air Command NCO Academy
Independant Medical Technician
Medical Services Technician
Medical Services Fundamentals
Meritorious Service Medal
Air Force Commendation Medal
National Defense Ribbon
Stationed: Lackland AFB, TX
Sheppard AFB, TX
Offutt AFB, NB
Luke AFB, AZ
Gila Bend AFAF, AZ (x2 separate tours)
Nellis AFB, NV
Truk, Federated States of Micronesia, East Caroline Islands
Peterson AFB, CO
Falcon AFS, CO
Started as Medical Service Specialist providing medical support to medical/surgical patients in a USAF Regional Medical Center then moved to Emergency Services providing lifesustaining measures to victims of sudden illness or injury. Responding to aircraft crashes and on-scene care to victims on base, including military/dependants/civilians. Later trained for Independant Duty medical duties at geograhically isolated remote sites and under austere operating conditions. Providing all medical services to assigned personnel and families that a base hospital would provide to a regular base. Which included emergency services/ family practice services/ environmental health/ occupational health/ dentistry services/ lab and pharmacy services/ veterinary services when needed.
World of experience that could not be obtained any other way than to live it! It provided the opportunity to build a solid core of experience, imagination, ingenuity, and confidence that has sustained me throughout my military and civilian careers. Garnered memories of places and situations from areas of the world that make me "THANK GOD!" for the many blessings of my family and this great country!!!
(1964)
U.S. Army
1966-1969
E-5
Airborne School Ft. Benning, GA
None
Protect Elmendorf Air Base in Alaska
Stationed: Fort Richardson, Alaska
How does an airborne infantryman get sent to Alaska for two years at the height of the Viet Nam war ?
(1965)
Navy
1969 - 1972
Lt JG
United State Navy Submarine School, Damage Control School
Vietnam War Era service
Duties: Engineering officer
Stationed: Navy Submarine School, Groton, Connecticut, USS Trumpetfish (SS 425), Charleston, South Carolina, USS Grand Canyon (AR/AD 28), Newport, Rhode Island, Naval Shipyard, Boston
Frank E McKeever III
(1963)
US Army
March 1, 1966 - February 23, 1968
Sgt E-5
Airborne Jump School
Duties: Forward observer for 81 mm mortar platoon
Stationed: First year at Fort Campbell, Kentucky with 101st Airborne Division and second year in Vietnam with 173rd Airborne Brigade
I left Vietnam during the TET Offensive of 1968. I was mighty glad to arrive home safely.
(1962)
USAF
6/1962-8/1972
Captain
Pilot training
The usual awards for a pilot in Viet Nam
Pilot
Stationed: Arizona, California, Viet Nam and England
(1977)
US Marine Corps
1976 - 1983
Staff Sergeant
Reconnaissance school, Jump School, BUDS
Service Medal, Presidential Unit Citation, Unit Commendation, Good Conduct
Duties: Battalion and Force Reconnaissaance, Machine Gunner
Stationed: Camp Lajuene, Camp Pendleton, 29 Palms
(1973)
US Air Force
Jan 1978 to Sept 2005
Lt Colonel
Flight School, Survival/SERE/POW Training, I-LRRP School Meritorious Service Medal, Air Medal, Commendation Medal, Achievement Medal, Natl' Defense with Combat Star, Overseas Tour Ribbon, Markmanship Ribbon, GWOT-deployment Ribbon, a bunch more
Fly F-4/PHANTOM, Inspector for Conference for Disarmament In Europe Treaty, Committee member for Quadrapartite Berlin Airlift planning, AFROTC Commander Univ of Utah, Senior Intelligence Officer 419th Fighter Wing, Maintenance Squadron Commander; Director of Flight Operations during Operation Iraqi Freedom
Stationed: Mather AFB, CA; Holloman AFB, NM; Homestead AFB, FL; Keflavik NAS, Iceland; Ramstein AB, Germany; Hill AFB, UT; Incirlik AB, Turkey; multiple deployments in the Middle East, including Operation Northern Comfort, Operation Southern Comfort, Operation Iraqi Freedom
(1983)
United States Navy
1986 to 1994
1st Class Petty Officer (E-6)
Surface Warfare School
Search and Rescue School (S.A.R.)
Medals, Commendations or Service Awards received: Battle E - 3
times
Navy Achievement Medal
Good Conduct Medal - 2
Conflict Medals
Stationed: Orlando, Fla.
Long Beach, Ca.
San Diego, Ca.
Pearl Harbor, HI.
I saw the world 3 times over.
(1961)
US Air Force
June 1961 - June 1965
Airman Second Class
Crash rescue, fire fighting
Stationed: Altus, Oklahoma, SAC, Can Tho and Saigon, Vietnam
(2000)
US Air Force
2003 - 2005
E-3
Logistics and readiness, Vehicle operations
Stationed: Ft. Leonardwood, Missouri, McChord AFB, Washington
It was all amazing. Friendships, trials, building a family
(1977)
U.S. Army & U.S. Army National Guard
1986-1994 and 2003-2011
E-7, Sergeant First Class
Stationed: Fulda, West Germany
Expert Rifle Marksman, Combat Pistol Team, Cold War in Europe, Operation Desert Shield/Desert Storm.
(1950)
US Air Force
1954 - 1984
Colonel
AF Pilot training, Instrument Instructor training, Academic Instructor training, Squadron Officer School, Air Command & Staff School, Air War College, Counter Insurgency training, Survival Schools (arctic, water, jungle, basic), Weapons Controller
Legions of Merit, Distinguished Flying Cross, Air Medal with 7 Oak Leaf Clusters, Meritorious Service Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, AF Commendation Medal with 3 Oak Leaf Clusters, Vietnam Service Medal, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, Expert Marksman, National Defense Service (400 combat sorties totalling 861 combat flying hours)
Duties: Pilot of 17 types of aircraft, Standardization Chief, Squadron Operation Officer, Squadron Commander, Wing Dep Commander for Resources, WG Dep Commander for Operations, WG Vice Commander, Air Force Tanker Air Refueling Manager (Total flying hours = 7525)
Stationed: Reese AFB, Lubbock, Texas, Mather AFB, Sacramento, California, Dew Line in Alaska, Ft Fisher, North Carolina, Tyndall AFB, Panama City, Florida, NHA Trang, Vietnam, Loring AFB, Maine, Rickenbacker AFB, Ohio, Kadena AFB, Okinawa, Japan, Offutt AFB, Nebraska
Many Memories - but most memorable was flying an old C-47 Transport from Miami, Florida across the Pacific to Vietnam via Hawaii, Midway, Wake Island, Guam, Philippines, then into Vietnam. That is a big ocean traveling at 130 mph.
(1964)
US Navy
December 1968 - March 1973
E-5
SERE, ASW, Helo SAR, Jungle Survival
Danh-Du Boi-Tinh - Republic of Vietnam - Armed Forces Honor Medal; Navy Commendation Medal; Navy Achievement Medal; Sikorsky "S" - rescue of downed pilot - war zone; Navy Unit Commendation; various Commendations and Citations
Duties: North Atlantic & Med Cruises: Anti-submarine Warfare Equipment Operator; Vietnam: Helicopter Rescue Crew Chief, Rescue Swimmer, Door Gun
Stationed: Quonset Pt, Rhode Island and several Detachments...
Proud to serve - I'd do it again!
1964
Army
January 1966 - December 1968
SP4
Military Police School
Army Commendation Medal, Good Conduct, NDSM
Duties: Chief Legal Clerk, 385th Military Police Battalion
Stationed: Stuttgart, West Germany
Germany, the joy of not having anyone shooting at you! Two and a half years of bliss, reporting to a Lieutenant Colonel, and never having to pull KP!
(1966)
US Army
May 28, 1968 - February 14, 1970
E-5
Expert Rifleman, Armed Forces Expeditionary Service, etc
Duties: Chief Personnel Management Specialist - In charge of all NOC's in-coming and out-going for 65th Medical Group, then transferred to 8th US Army 199th PSC in Yongsan, South Korea.
Stationed: Camp Nabors, South Korea/Yongsan, South Korea
Stationed at Ft. Ord, California following basic training and then Ft. Meade, Maryland. 1st Army Headquarters, then 65th Medical Group, then to 199th PSC South Korea.
(1952)
United States Army
September 1954 - June 1956
Sp-2 (Corporal)
Fort Ord Clerk Typist School
Company Clerk
60th Infantry Regiment (Go-Devils), 9th Division, 7th Army
Stationed: Heilbronn, West Germany
A wonderful experience, traveled throughout Europe, made life-long friends, allowed me to mature; parents came and toured with me while I celebrated my 21st birthday.
I often think how lucky I was to have been too young for Korea and too old for Vietnam!
Michael Alexander Nicholas
(1957)
Army
September 1957 to March 1961
E-4 SPC
Infantry
Fort Ord basic training and reserve training Los Angeles
Reserve training at Coronado Island where Navy Seals trained
(1958)
US Marine Corps
September 1963 - February 1984
Lieutenant Colonel
Basic Flight Training
Advanced Flight Training
Command and Staff College
28 Air Medals awarded; Navy Commendation Medal with Combat "V"; Navy Achievement Medal with Combat "V"; Combat Action Ribbon; Navy Presidential Unit Citation; Navy Unit Commendation with Bronze Star; Navy Meritorious Unit Commendation with Bronze Star; National Defense Service Medal; Vietnam Service Medal with 4 Bronze Stars; Sea Service Deployment Ribbon with Bronze Star; Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Gold Star; Vietnam Gallantry Cross Unit Citation with Palm; Vietnam Campaign Medal with date Bar
Duties: Joined the US Marine Corps in 1963 and was ordered to flight training in September 1964 as a Marine Aviation Cadet. Received my wings of gold in 1966 and reported to VMFA-312 for training in the F-4B. Retired from the Marine Corps in 1984 after a twenty-year career which encompassed a wide variety of operational and staff assignments including a tour with the US Navy Blue Angels Flight Demonstration Team and command of VMFA-232 based in Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii. During two tours of duty in Southeast Asia, I flew 413 combat missions in the F-4 Phantom
Stationed: NAS Pensacola, Florida; NAS Meridian, Mississippi; NAAS Chase Field, Beeville, Texas; MCAS Beaufort, South Carolina; MCAS Chu Lai, Vietnam; NAS Kingsville, Texas; MCAS Iwakuni, Japan; MCAS Nam Phong, Thailand; MCAS El Toro, California; MCAS Kaneohe Bay, Hawaii; MCB Twentynine Palms, California
Enoch Park
(2008)
US Marine Corps
2009 - 2013
E4/Corporal
Advanced Infantry Assault. I don't know; there's probably other stuff I also did that I don't really care enough to recall.
Medals - All of the ones you get for going to Afghanistan and a MEU, plus some commendation medal plus the good conduct medal
Duties: First deployment: be a boot and do boot things
Second deployment: be a squad leader and do squad leader things
Stationed: Camp Pendleton
I honestly don't have a lot of memories to share. I once found a camel spider under my pillow in Afghanistan. There were also some explosions. I was around a lot of explosions and loud noises, so I have hearing loss (left ear worse than right) and possible CTE.
Most of my time spent not deployed was training/enjoying the comforts of being stationed in California. Deployments were just deployments. For grunts, it was a lot of training or figuring out how the training applied outside the wire. It was a lot of boredom. It was very hot. I wouldn't do it again nor would I recommend it to anyone.
(2009)
US Marine Corps
July 20, 2009 - July 20, 2013
Lance Corporal
Winter Mountain Warfare (Bridgeport, California)
Jungle Warfare (Camp Gonsalves, Okinawa)
Navy Unit Citation, Meritorious Unit Citation, Marine Corps Good Conduct, National Defense Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Global War on Terrorism Medal, Overseas Deployment Ribbon, Korean Defense Medal, ISAF Medal, Rifle Expert, 4th Consecutive Award
MOS-0311 (2009-Current) Billets: Rifleman - Hey, let's give this guy an M16A4 (2009-2011) Squad Radio Operator - Hey, this guy is Asian, he must be good with technology, let's give him the heaqvy AN/PRC-117F radio. (2009-2011) Company Clerk - Hey this guy is Asian, he must be good with computers, let's stick him in HQ 2011-2013.
Stationed: Hawaii, Afghanistan, Okinawa, Korea. Countless vessels.
Afghan children are tougher than 96% of the American population.
(1965)
US Army
1966 - 1969
1st Lieutenant
OCS
Bronze Star, Air Medal and the usual service medals
Duties: Platoon Leader - 1/5th Artillery, 1st Infantry Division, Battery Commander - 1/5th Artillery, 1st Infantry Division, Platoon Leader - 28th Infantry Division
Stationed: Vietnam
After Vietnam, I was assigned to the Military Academy at West Point, New York, to instruct plebes on the use of the M-79 grenade launcher and the L.A.W. rocket. As this was the summer of '69, I obtained tickets to a little concert upstate (someplace called Woodstock) which I attended.
(1965)
US Air Force
1970 - 1975
Captain
Pilot, Weapons Controller, Survival Schools
Stationed: San Antonio, Texas, Phoenix, Arizona, Panama City, Florida, Duluth, Minnesota, North Bay, Ontario, Canada (with Canadian Air Force), Iron Mountain, Alaska,
Broke an eardrum, couldn't fly anymore, most of the enjoyment disappeared. Saw more snow than I ever wanted to after that. Canadian forces were professional.
Daniel Penkoff
(1978)
US Army
August 1978 to January 1982
Sergeant
US Army Medic Training. Approximately two years in length.
Numerous commendations along with overseas and combat service ribbons. US Army Recruiter Badge.
Duties: Hospital Corpsman
Stationed: Fort Campbell, Kentucky. Two tours in Germany. Fort Carson, Colorado, Fitzsimmons Army Medical Center, Aurora, Colorado, US Army Recruiting Command. Combat tour in Basra, Iraq (Operation Desert Shield/Storm).
Combat is tough. Still dealing with PTSD. Thank God for the VA! I trained with the best in military trauma medicine. They will always have my love and respect!
Anthony 'Tony' Perone
(1965)
November 1967 - October 1969
E-5
Basic training, Fort Ord, AIT - 31M20 Radio Relay Attendant, Permanent Duty - Butzbach, Germany (Lucky)
Good Conduct and Bolo Badge for shooting. Couldn't hit a target.
Duties: Training for Radio Relay Attendant, but when I arrived at my unit, Company A, 16th Signal Batalion was in need of a company clerk. Since I had college and could type, I was chosen (?).
Stationed: Fort Ord, Fort Gordon, Buzbach, Germany
Being drafted in the middle of Viet Nam, I thought for sure that war fields were not too far in the distant future! After basic training and advanced infantry training, I was sent to Germany. I felt a little strange with so many of my friends heading to Viet Nam, while I was being sent to Germany. I was fortunate to become 'Radar O'Reilly'. Because there was such a shortage of men in Germany due to Viet Nam, most of the guys in my company had to serve either on KP or Guard Duty which was a real drag. I was exempt from that stuff because I had to be in the Orderly Room every day. There were so many stories I could tell as I overheard stuff that I'm not sure I was supposed to hear, people bringing all their problems to the first sergeant. I remember a sign posted on the Orderly Room door...'Attention, there are too many problems being brought to the attention of the Orderly Room.'
Michael Pina
(2012)
2012 - 2017
Sergeant
Navy & Marine Corps Achievement Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Marine Corps Good Conduct Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal
Stationed: Camp Pendleton, California
(1945)
Navy
1945/1946
AEM/PO3
Aviation Electrician school, NATTC, Jacksonville, FLA
Victory Medal
Aviation Electrician
Stationed: Pensacola, Florida
(1948)
US Navy
August 1950 - June 1954
ET3
Electronics
Maintain all radio, radar, and sonar equipment.
radar and radio watch, wheelhouse during minesweeping and special sea detail.
Stationed: Diego NTB; Treasure Island, Electronic school; USS Swallow, AMS-36; USS Incredible, AM249
Served on the USS Swallow from September 1951 to September 1952. The Swallow was a minesweeper. I spent my time off the North and East coasts. Transferred to the USS Incredible (minesweeper) September 1952 and was stationed at Long Beach Naval Station until June 1954. Returned to South Korea for patrolling off the coast of South Korea after the Cease Fire (Ha).
Michael Ramos
(1983)
US Navy
August 1983 - July 2010
HN to CDR
Hospital Corpsman Field Medical Service with USMC Nurse Corps
Stationed: Camp Pendleton, California, Portsmouth Naval Hospital, Virginia, Roosevelt Roads Hospital, Puerto Rico, Jacksonville Naval Hospital, Florida, Guantanamo Bay Cuba Joint Task Force Detainee Camp
Honored to serve our Blessed Country for 26 years.
(1960)
US Army
April 1, 1966 - April 1, 1969 Active Duty
September 1967 - September 1968 - Vietnam
USAR Honorable Discharge April 1, 1973
Specialist 5
Basic Training - Fort Lewis, Washington, Advanced Training, Artillary Survey - Fort Sill, Oklahoma
RVN Service, Good Conduct
Duties: Artillery Survey - RVN, Company Clerk - RVN, Radio Telephone Operator Fire Direction Control - RVN, Driver for Company Commander - RVN, Duty Roster Clerk - Ft. Lewis, Washington
Stationed: Ford Ord, California, Fort Lewis, Washington, Republic of Vietnam, HQ Battery 6th Bn/15 Artillery, 1st Infantry Division - Lai Khe, Saigon, International Compound
(1958)
USAF
June 1965 - December 1969
Captain
Finance
Usual awards for non-combat
Maintain pay records for military and civilians. Try not to lose pay records for obnoxious second Lts and full Birds.
Stationed: Tuy Hua, Viet Nam, Whiteman AFB, Knob Noster, Missouri
Arriving in scenic RVN on TET Offensive, watching cooks squaring off against bad guys with .38 revolvers. Observing exhausted F-105 pilots asleep in hammocks during mortar attacks. Carrying currency (piaster) up and down country in a C-130 sitting on my flack jacket.
The Navy would lob shells over the base, just off the coast, at night to kill Viet Cong; a few fell short.
Tom Rogers
(1965)
US Army
March 8, 1968 to January 10, 1970; and, Department of the Army Civilian, October 1979 to October 11, 2012 (33 years)
SP-5
School of Administration, Indianapolis, Indiana (Active Duty); Social Services Program Manager, for soldiers and their families
Army Commendation Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal and Vietnam Campaign Medal; and Department of the Army, Superior Civilian Service Medal
Duties: Active Duty: Steno, 71-C-30; General Officer/Colonel Officer Stenographer; GS14-Army Community Service Officer (various headquarters).
Stationed: Military Assistance Command, Vietnam (MAC-V HQ); Fort Sill, Oklahoma, and HHC, V Corps Support Command, Frankfurt, Germany. (Active Duty); Naval War College graduate (Masters Degree) - Department of the Army Civilian).
Worked in Saigon, Vietnam within the MAC-V Headquarters--Assisted a number of General Officers, Colonels and others within the Sub-Metroleum Office. Frequent guard duty as part of headquarters defense. As a Civilian, supervised social workers and others to assist soldiers and their families process in and out of combat areas/re-unite families with combat soldiers; also as a Civilan, transitioned over 7,000 soldiers into civilian jobs.
(1975)
US Air Force and US Air Force Reserve
Active Duty December 1975-December 1979
Reserve March 1982-March 1994
Master Sergeant (E-7)
Weapons Mechanic School
Crew Chief School
Flight Engineer School
Flight Engineer Instructor School
Air Medal, Commendation Medal, Longevity Ribbon, Southwest Asia Campaign Medal, Combat Aircrew Badge and a bunch of others.
Worked on Weapons Systems for F-105 Fighter Jets,
Crew Chief on C-141 Cargo Jet, Flight Engineer on C-141 Cargo Jet
Stationed: Lackland AFB, TX
Lowry AFB, CO
George AFB, CA
Norton AFB, CA
March AFB, CA
Spent 4 years Active Duty working on F-105 Fighter Jets, deployed to Denmark for a NATO exercise in 1977. Flew as a Flight Engineer in C-141 Cargo Jets for 12 years in the Air Force Reserves. Activated for Desert Shield and Desert Storm. Flew around the world multiple times stopping in places such as Hawaii, Alaska, Guam, Japan,Korea, Phillipines, Saudi Arabia, Ethiopia, Bahrain, Spain, England, Germany, Azores, Diego Garcia, Newfoundland, Iceland and other obscure places in the world. Two missions were significant peacetime missions. One involved bringing two Russian burn victims (children) from Alaska to the burn center at Brooks Army Institute in San Antonio, Tx. The other involved taking an FBI forensic team from Germany to Ethiopia to identify the remains from a plane crash with US House of Representatives member Mickey Leland. (1989)
(1957)
US Air Force
November 1962 - February 1966
1st Lieutenant
Journalism for Dir of Information/Media
Duties: Base Information Officer
Stationed: Minot AFB, Minot, North Dakota
July, August and winter for a Southern California boy. Lots of interesting stories during the Cuba Crisis, Bombers flying the Arctic Circle, Minuteman Missiles, Fighters along the Canadian Line
Scott Sauer
(1981)
Army
Captain
Ranger School, Airborne School
Bronze Star
Duties: Armored Cavalry Officer
Stationed: Germany - cold War, Persian Gulf - Operations Desert Shield and Desert Storm, US
(1949)
US Army
March 10, 1951 - February 23, 1953
Corporal
Radio School
Stationed: Clark Field Philippines
William Sell
(1962)
Navy
1965 and 1966
Petty Officer 3rd Class
Electronics Technician Training
Stationed: Submarine Base, Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
(1983)
Army
October 01, 1985 - Present
CW3
BSM (2), PH, ARCOM w/V
Stationed: North Carolina
(1958)
U.S. Navy
1958-1960
Seaman
Helmsman, Deck Ape, Painter, Head cleaner, Potato Peeler
Stationed: U.S.S. Reaper, Long Beach California
All over the Pacific. Hong Kong, Japan, Phillipines, Alaska, Hawaii, Thailand. It was a wooden ship too.
Bill Shaw
(1948)
US Navy
December 1950 - January 1953
RD 3
Radar Operations: Treasure Island, San Francisco, Radio Communications: Point Loma, San Diego, Rubber Boat Landings: UDT Center San Diego
Duties: CIC Operations, SFC Communications
Stationed: USS Walke, DD-723: Estern Pacific and Korea
Memories are good except that when in combat, they weren't.
(1940)
US Army Air Corps, US Air Force
1943 to 1971 including service in WWII, Korea Vietnam
2nd Lt. to Colonel
Air War College Air Command & Staff College Squadron Officers School Army Air Corps Navigation School,
Silver Star, Bronze Star, Air Medal w/4 OLC, Meritorious Service Medal with OLC and Joint Service Commendation Medal.
Served as a B-17 Navigator, 452nd Bomb Group, 8th Air Force in WWII. In Korea Served as Navigator, on a SA-16, in the 3rd Air Rescue Squadron, 5th Air Force. Later I served world wide, in a variety of engineering assignments, including commanding the Civil Engineering Squadron at Bitburg Air Base, Germany, in charge of design of the Titan I ICBM facilities for the Ballistic Missile Division, as staff officer 13th Air Force in the Phillippines, and staff assignments with Headquarters MACV, during the Vietnam war and Hqs USAFE, Germany during the cold war.
England, Germany, Korea, Japan, Phillipines, Viet Nam, Alabama, Texas, Tennessee, California
(1966)
US Marine Corps
1966 - 1967
Sergeant
Purple Heart (WIA)
Disabled Veteran
Served with 2nd Battalion 4th Marines, 3rd Marine Division in Con Thien, Vietnam
(1957)
US Navy
1957 - 1960
HM3
Corps School, EKG School, BMR School
Duties: Metabolic Research technician, Emergency medicine, Women's Ward nusring duty
Stationed: Bainbridge, Maryland, Great Lakes, Oakland Naval Hospital, Moffit Field, California
I was proud to serve
(1968)
Army
April 1969 - April 1971
E-4
Artillery School, Ft. Sill
The basic five awards received with Viet Nam service
Involved with fire direction center for 102 howitzers
Stationed: Baumholder, Germany and Viet Nam
Was with the 8th infantry in Germany; got to do some skiing with Rick Whitehouse over there and tried to get transferred to ski patrol...fat chance, got transferred to Nam instead. Served with the 101st on Fire Base Arsenal, got to take a quick trip to Laos (don't tell anyone we were there). And am happy to say, I got home without a scratch. It was quite an experience, even a short time in war is not fun. I feel for our current troops who have to serve multiple tours.
(1964)
United States Air Force
3/65 - 10/68
Sargeant
Radar maintenance analysis, nuclear, chemical, biological warfare plotter
Stationed: McChord AFB, Washington
Hamilton AFB, California
(1967)
US Navy
July 1967 - May 1971
E-4
Electronic Counter Measures
Various Medals
Duties: Operational Intelligence
Stationed: USS Ranger
(1951)
Navy (Submarine Force)
USNR
July 1951 - June 1952
USN
June 1952 - September 1979
Captain
U.S. Naval Academy, U.S. Submarine School, Fleet Ballistic Missile School (Polaris), Several lesser schools, and Tactical Action Officer School
Medals: Meritorious Service Medal (2 awards), Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (2 awards), Various campaign and area service medals
Aircraft carrier USS Wasp
Submarines USS Bergall, Trumpetfish, Andrew Jackson, Catfish, Bargbel
Commanding Officer USS Barbel, homeported at Pearl Harbor, Hawaii
Staff of Commander Submarine Force, U.S. Atlantic Fleet, Norfolk, Virginia
Staff of Commander Cruiser Destroyer Group Five, San Diego, California
Senior Submarine Member, Board of Inspectgion and Survey, San Diego
Stationed: Tours in all submarine home ports, deployments worldwide
Wonderful career. Would repeat it without hesitation
Neil Torrence
(1948)
US Army
1954 - 1960
Lt. and Captain
and
ROTC Stanford
1950 - 1954
and
National Guard
1948 - 1950
E -1
Army Finance School, Indianapolis, Indiana
Finance Officer and then Post Finance Officer
Stationed: Verdun and Bar Le Duc, France
I had a car that enabled me to travel through Europe. Also, where else are you, because of your rank, in command of seasoned veterans that actually know more than you do? The Army was great for learning chain of command, group cooperation, prompt attendance at various activities and developing a mission plan.
Jim Traugott
(1963)
US Army
1966 - 1969
SP5
Training: Helicopter Repair
Air Medal (25)
Stationed: Dong ba Thin, Vietnam
Flight engineer on CH-47A Chinook helicopters. Got tired of it near the end and drove the Company water truck.
William Trautman
(1967)
US Army
1968 - 1971
E-5
Radio Teletype Operator (05C)
Set up a MARS Radio Station in Osan, Korea
Duties: General Duties
Stationed: Fort Ord, California, Fort Gordon, Georgia, Vietnam, Fort Bragg, North Carolina, Osan AFB, Korea
(1960)
US Navy
1967 to 1974
Navy Dental Corp
(1989)
US Navy
1989 to 1992
Hospital Corpsman Third Class (E4)
Duties: Emergency Service Coordinator, EMT, Paramedic
Stationed: Naval Hospital Long Beach, Marine Corps Air Station El Toro, Marine Corps Air Station Tustin, USS Independence (CV-63) - Yokosuka, Japan
(1956)
US Navy
Reserve Service: August 1961 - November 1961
Active Service: November 1961 - January 1966
Reserve Service: March 1966 - September 1991
Captain, USNR, Retired
Gunnery; OOD underway; Leadership, Management Training; Naval War College Seminars; Naval War College War Games; National Defense University Defense Stategy Seminars, Seminar Leader; Tactical Training - ASW; Patrol Wing Operational Control Mission Briefing/Debriefing; Carrier Battle Group Operational Automated Systems
Medals: National Defense, Vietnam Service; Navy Commendation
Duties: OOD Underway, CV 34; Aide Flag Lt. ComFair Whidbey/FleetAir Wing 4 (active service) - Commanding Officer, Patrol Wing 389; Naval Air Station Whidbey Island 4089; CarrierGroup 0589 (Naval Air Reserve)
Stationed: North Island California (two cruises to Western Pacific/South China Sea; Naval Air Station, Whidbey Island, Washington; 1988 to 1991 Special projects Commander Naval Air Reserve Force, New Orleans, Louisiana
Honored to have served both Active and Reserve Service. Lifelong frinds treasured for a lifetime
(1951)
US Army
June 3, 1958 to May 2, 1960 active duty plus two years in the Ready Reserve and four years in the Standby Reserve
First Lieutenant
Armor Officers Basic Course (16 weeks) Ft. Knox, Kentucky, Escape Evasion and Survival Course conducted by Special Forces, Korea
Duties: Appointed an Acting Assistant Adjutant General Corps Officer and commanded the 7th Infantry Division Message Center for six months. Spent twelve months assigned to a Tank Battalion attached to the 7th Infantry Division where I served as a Tank Platoon Leader, Company Commander and Battalion S-2
Stationed: Ft Knox, Kentucky for sixteen weeks. 7th Division HQs, Dongduchon, Korea, six months. 5th Battalion, 40th Armor, assigned to 7th Infantry Division, Camp Beaver, Korea
1) On arrival in Korea being assigned to Division HQs as a paper pusher after intense training as an Armor Officer only and for the first few months having no idea what I was doing.
2) Having the privilege of commanding a Tank Company with 105 men, fifteen tanks, two personnel carriers and my own mess and company compound all as a Second Lieutenant. They were missing one Captain and I got the job.
(1964)
US Army
April 15, 1966 - June 14, 1969
Spec 5 - E-5
United States Army Military Police School
Medals - nothing of note (good or bad)
Duties: Military Police, Pesonnel Specialist, Training NCO-Military Police
Stationed: Wurzberg, Germany and Fort Eustis, Virginia
I went to Europe, not Vietnam - that was very lucky for the years and length of service that I was active duty. I hated taking orders. That is why I have been self-employed since January 1, 1976
(1964)
U S Army
1966-1970
SSG
Airborne
SF Q Course
Infantry
Meeting Bob Koch ('64) and Ray Millichamp ('66) in RVN
(1960)
US Army
1967 - 1969
SGE
Infantry
Infantry rifleman (RTO-radio operator; carried 35 lb PRC-25 radio)
Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal for Valor, Air Medal, Combat Infantry Badge and others
Stationed: Ft. Dix, Ft. Bennington, I and III Corps, Viet Nam
Lots of firefights and dead people. Very exciting, very fun, very grim...alternating.
I am so fortunate to belong to a community of the guys with whom I served and their wives. We have annual reunions (when Covid does not interfere) and relive the year or so we spent with each other, refighting the battles, weeping for our lost brothers and reaffirming our love and respect for each other. I also belong to a broader community of vets, Warfighter Advance, which helps our brothers and sisters come to grips with their post trauma reintegration issues...effectively and successfully. This give me an opportunity to give back in thanks for the help I have received in dealing with my stuff. It never goes away, a surprise to some who did not experience it, but we all can learn how to integrate our experiences into our lives in a healthy way, freeing us to live the lives we want. Thus the mission of Warfighter Advance.
(1959)
US Army
1961 - 1964
SP5
Hawk Missile Radar
Good Conduct, Korean service
Duties: Surface to Air missile radar technician
Stationed: Korean, Huntsville, Alabama
Had some travel and learned a career
(1958)
US Navy
Dec. 1958 - Dec. 1962
E-5
I was fortunate to have received and graduated from 2 Naval "A" schools while serving in the Navy. #1. Aviation Electrician and #2. Aviation Fuels being the latest school.
Fuels contamination specialist
Stationed: USS Forestal CVA 59 and USS Kittyhawk CVA 64
I have had the opportunity to have been around the world. North Atlantic, Mediterranean X 2, Cuba, South America, Hawaii, Japan, China and the Philippines.
One not so pleasant experience was in 1962 when waiting to be discharge and I was within hours of being discharged in San Francisco, everything stopped and I was extended for one year of service due to the Bay of Pigs invasion. I was sent back to my ship in the Philippines but luckily it didn't last but a few weeks and I returned to San Francisco to be discharged several weeks later.
(1960)
US Army
October 1967 - October 1969
SP 5
Army Administration School, Chaplain's Assistant Service School
National Defense Service Medal, Good Conduct Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Expert Marksman
Duties: Chaplain's Administrator - Section Chief
Stationed: Fort Ord, California, Fort Lee, New Jersey, Fort Hamilton, New York, Fort Riley, Kansas
Filled an E-7 slot due to Department of the Army NCO personnel shortage. Assisted the Post Chaplain and his senior staff. Trained and assigned section enlisted assistants. Helped plan and attended President Eishenhower's burial in Abilene, Kansas. Did pre-planning for President Truman's burial before active duty discharge.
(1964)
Coast Guard
1966 - 1970
E-6
Basic service medals for the time.
Duties: Served as a deck hand on a small ship than ran patrols in the Gulf of Mexico. Ran 40-footers search and rescue out of Galveston, Texas. Officer in charge of South Jetty Lighthouse, Galveston, Texas
Stationed: Galveston, Texas
Enjoyed serving in the Coast Guard as I spent most of my time helping others, rescuing boats, at times fighting fires, lifesaving and locating those that drowned. Very gratifying to know you are helping!
(1995)
US Army and California Army National Guard
May 1997 - January 2002
SPC / E-4
US Army Artillery Training Center, 13F Fire Support Specialist - Fort Sill, Oklahoma
Three Army Achievement Medals
Duties: Call for Fire: give direction of fire on targets to support units providing artillery, mortar, naval gunship and/or close air support. Otherwise known as a Forward Observer of FO
Stationed: 5th Infantry Division, Camp Casey, South Korea (near Dongducheon), 25th Infantry Division, Ft Lewis, Washington, 244 FA Burbank, California (National Guard)
A once-in-lifetime experience. Thankfully the closest I came to combat was briefly stepping over the line dividing the DMZ in Panmunjom. The friendships I made in Korea will continue for the rest of my life. Also completed a 29-mile road march there, over 11 hours, called the Manchu Mile. Lastly, we had a torrential flood while I was there, 18 inches of rain over 12 hours, washing out our ammo storage. In places the mud was so deep, as we were searching for missing ammo, I got caught in quick sand/mud up to my chest.
Frank Winterberg
(1952)
US Navy
1952 - 1975
Lieutenant
Training Device Technician A, B, and C schools, Naval Tactical Data System Computer School, Officer Candidate School, Tactical Action Officer School, Crypto School
Duties: Leading Petty Officer, NTDS Maintenance Officer, Electronic Maintenance Officer, Combat Information Officer, Tactical Action Officer
Stationed: San Diego, Memphis, Tennessee, Norfolk, Virginia, Vallejo, California, Camden New Jersey (New York Shipyard while USS Truxtun was being built)
Assisting in the shooting down of 15 Migs while serving on CG 11 Chicago. Being on a helo when we rescued an Air Force pilot shown by an North Vietnam missile. Sailing with Enterprise off North Korea when Pueblo was captured.
(1962)
US Army
1967 - 1971
Spec 5
Defense Language Institute West Coast
Maxwell D Taylor Award, best soldier/student
Duties: Translator/Interpreter Indonesian
Stationed: NSA at Fort Meade, Maryland
Most of the translating was of electronic intercept and was fairly boring except one Saturday when I translated a message about Khruschev's desire to vist "Waltdisneyland" and sent it directly to the White House.