Amon Reinhart: Royal Order of Blue Nose
marc.zarefsky2017-09-07T22:16:04-05:00Amos Reinhart did 26 months of duty aboard the USS North Hampton. He traveled the world, from Norway to the Mediterranean to the Arctic Circle.
George E. Owen: MASH as it really was
marc.zarefsky2017-09-07T22:02:28-05:00George Owen received a Purple Heart for his service in the Korean War, which included his involvement in combat battles at Pork Chop Hill and Triangle Hill.
Edward N. Murray: Two wars, nine medals
marc.zarefsky2017-09-07T21:45:42-05:00Ed Murray served in the Navy during World War II as well as the Korean War. He received nine medals for his service, including one from the people of Korea.
Louis M. Megleo: The bomber and the screwdriver
marc.zarefsky2017-09-07T20:05:44-05:00Louis Megleo served more than two years in the World War II and was based near Bari, Italy. He was involved in 20 combat missions.
Paul A. Loeffler: A valued clerk
marc.zarefsky2017-09-07T19:55:10-05:00Paul Loeffler spent the Korean War as a clerk, was assigned to the famous 2nd Infantry Division and was involved in battle at Heartbreak Ridge.
Dale Kavanagh: Shiny boots and cuffed trousers
marc.zarefsky2017-09-07T13:49:51-05:00Korean War veteran Dale Kavanagh went to Fort Benning in Georgia for jump school in part because he was on a quest for higher pay and a sharp uniform
Jerry Juliano: Witness to death, destruction
marc.zarefsky2017-09-07T13:27:33-05:00Death, destruction, and total devastation is how 98-year-old WWII veteran Jerry Juliano describes his impression of landing on Omaha Beach on June 6, 1944.
Frank S. Colin: Learning from an indiscretion
marc.zarefsky2017-09-06T22:15:48-05:00Korean War veteran Frank Colin turned a youthful indiscretion into an opportunity that led him down a pathway he now remembers with pride.
Claude H. Choate: An ominous start
marc.zarefsky2017-09-06T22:10:41-05:00Claude Choate served with the US Army from June 1944 to April 1946. His service began on an ominous note when his troop train to basic training derailed.
Pete Balma: Trying to stay alive
marc.zarefsky2017-09-06T22:06:07-05:00When Pete arrived in Korea, fierce fighting was still going on, back and forth for inches of ground. He spent 14 months there before returning home.
August 8, 1945: Soviet Union declares war on Japan
marc.zarefsky2017-09-05T13:12:12-05:00This day in history: Two days after the U.S. dropped its first atomic bomb on Hiroshima, the Soviet Union declared war on Japan.
Jess B. Holcomb: A life-saving Bible
marc.zarefsky2017-08-05T11:37:33-05:00Jess Holcomb served in Korea and was part of the second landing near Inchon. He received three Purple Hearts because he was 'shot once and blown up twice.'
Bill Lillwitz: 210 missions in 6 months
marc.zarefsky2018-01-09T10:52:56-06:00Bill Lillwitz flew 210 missions, received the Bronze Star and 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses. He was shot down once and had to bail out twice.
Joe McCormack Jr.: Dental assistant
marc.zarefsky2017-08-05T11:23:20-05:00Joe served from November of 1951 to September 1952 in Korea as a dental hygienist. He found out about the job after he talked to a pretty receptionist.
Erwin Rabin: Aloha and Mahalo
marc.zarefsky2017-08-05T11:16:44-05:00Erwin Rabin served in the Army from 1953 to 1955. He spent six months in Korea at the end of the war. He was then assigned as a Company clerk in Hawaii.
Jim G. Vancura Jr.: From the frying pan to the fire
marc.zarefsky2017-08-05T09:47:00-05:00Jim Vancura served from 1943 to 1946. He served on an amphibious ship that received 2 battle stars. Tours included France, Italy, Africa, Okinawa and China.
Al Vosylius: Back in Germany
marc.zarefsky2017-08-05T09:40:42-05:00Al Vosylius, a native of Lithuania, served in the Army from 1952 to 1954. He worked with the artillery testing team of the US Army 5th Corps.
Wally P. Wienert: Getting ready to fly
marc.zarefsky2017-08-05T09:32:04-05:00Wally Wienert served in the Navy from 1948 to 1952. He was assigned to the USS Boxer CV21, a carrier that made four trips back and forth to Korea.
Lawrence Facchinello: A sense of duty
marc.zarefsky2017-08-04T14:59:29-05:00Lawrence served as a heavy equipment operator in Korea. He helped rebuild the Han River waterway and worked with Korean contractors who spoke no English.
Andy Dziagwa: Trumpeter of the band
marc.zarefsky2017-08-03T14:42:07-05:00Andy was in combat operations code-named Killer and May Massacre, received the Purple Heart, and is in the International Polka Association Hall of Fame.