Category Archives: Vietnam
U.S. Army’s 242nd Birthday / Flag Day
THE U.S. ARMY
AMERICA’S FIRST NATIONAL INSTITUTION
U.S. Army uniforms through the years
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FLAG DAY
Today is Flag Day, an annual observance of the Second Continental Congress’ official adoption of the stars and stripes in 1777. At the time, they “resolved that the flag of the 13 United States” be represented by 13 alternating red and white stripes and the union by 13 white stars in a blue field, “representing a new constellation.” Now, more than 200 years later and with an updated design, the flag is an American icon. Unfortunately, Pennsylvania is the only state to recognize it as a legal holiday.
U.S. Army Sergeant Joey Odoms’ audition to sing the National Anthem from Afghanistan. On 10 November 2016, he performed in Baltimore, Maryland.
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Farewell Salutes –
Dillion Baldridge – Youngsville, NC; US Army, Afghanistan, 101st Airborne Division, Cpl., KIA
William Bays- Barstow, CA; US Army, Afghanistan, 101st Airborne Division, Sgt., KIA
Eric Houck – Baltimore, MD; US Army, Afghanistan, 101st Airborne Division, Sgt., KIA
R. Patrick McGinley – Plainville, CT; US Army, 11th Airborne Division
Robert ‘Allen’ O’Berry – Kissimmee, FL; US Army, Sgt. (Ret. 20 yrs.)
Marcella Remery – W.Palm Beach, FL; US Army WAC
Harold Roland Jr. – Atlanta, GA; US Army, Korea, 82nd Airborne Division
Richard Stackhouse – Indianapolis, IN; US Army Air Corps, WWII, ETO, Lt., B-24 bombardier
Robert Wilke Sr. – Owens Cross Roads, AL; US Army, Vietnam, Lt.Colonel, Bronze Star, Purple Heart
Samuel Wilson – Rice, VA; WWII & Vietnam, ‘Merrill’s Marauders, Lt. General (Ret. 37 yrs.), Silver Star (2), Bronze Star (2)
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Memorial Day 2017
MEMORIAL DAY.
WHO DO YOU SAY THANK YOU TO?
Should you care to see Memorial Day posts from past years ____
Michael’s Tree – planted by Lavinia & Rick Ross in honor of my son, Michael USMC.
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Farewell Salutes –
Jacob Baboian – Watertown, MA; US Army, WWII, ETO
Thomas Coughlin – Portland, OR; US Army, WWII, Corps of Engineers
Lamar Day – Salt Lake City, UT; US Navy, WWWII, PTO, USS John Pope
Edward Flora – Mishawaka, IN; US Army Air Corps, WWII, A/674th Artillery/11th Airborne Division
Earle Garlinger – Roswell, NM; US Army Air Corps, WWII, (Ret. 21 years)
Harold Kline – Charlotte, NC; US Army Air Corps, WWII, ETO, 737th/454/15th Air Force
James O’Leary – Manchester, NH; USMC, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, Cuban Missile Crisis
Michael Sadlo – Hollywood, FL; USMC, Pfc
Everett Smith – Broad Channel, NY; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, HQ/187th/11th Airborne Division
Vartan Torosian – Pleasant Hill, CA; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, 188th/11th Airborne Division
Albert Washington Jr. – Midland, TX; USMC, WWII, PTO
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WWII – in memorial
Memorial Day is to honor those that have left us after they served to guarantee us the freedoms we too often take for granted. I do not have the words – so I present Jay who wrote a poem that expresses what I feel.
Once upon a battlefield
I stood where heroes fell,
where brothers, sons and lovers paused
to hear death’s tolling knell.
Once upon an open sea
I sailed where deep remain
the bodies of courageous men
who, by war were sadly slain.
Once upon the azure blue
I drifted through the crimson cloud
where valiant fighters dealt with death
to die alone in sullen shroud.
I’ve felt the moments summoned.
I’ve seen the grave despair.
I’ve witnessed every breath so gained
and every soul laid bare.
I’ve shed a tear not meant for me,
but for the uncaressed
that ne’er again felt warmth of love
before their final rest.
To their souls my prayer,
my honor and my truth,
that they be blessed eternal,
and blessed in memory’s youth!
Armed Forces Day 2017
20 May 2017
The longest parade in the U.S. for Armed Forces Day is Chattanooga, Tennessee. Here’s what’s planned for this year’s extravaganza…….
Hamilton County and the Chattanooga Area Veterans Council will sponsor the 68th annual Armed Forces Day parade and luncheon on Friday, May 5, at 10:30 a.m. in downtown Chattanooga.
The parade highlights a different branch of service every year, with the Air Force featured on Friday. The parade will begin with a flyover of two F-16s piloted by Lt. Col. Dave Snodgrass and Maj. Gen. Richard Scobee.
A small peek at 2016
Scobee, son of Chattanooga resident June Scobee Rodgers, is a command pilot with more than 3,800 flight hours, including 248 combat hours. He is the 10th Air Force commander, Naval Air Station Fort Worth Joint Reserve Base.
His command includes all fighter, bomber, special operations, rescue, airborne warning and control, fighter and bomber flying-training missions, combat air operations battle staff, remotely piloted aircraft, space and cyber units in the Air Force Reserve CommaTwo Air Force veterans will serve as parade marshals: Jack Rolfson, a WWII B-17 pilot, and Eugene Parrott, a fighter pilot in the Korean War.
Another special guest will be Lt. General Arnold W. Bunch Jr., military deputy for the Office of the Assistant Air Force Secretary for Acquisition at the Defense Department.
Gen. Richard Scobee June 10, 2014.
Lt. General Bunch
For more information, visit the parade’s Facebook page http://www.facebook.com/chattafparade/ or the Chattanooga Area Veterans Council at http://chattareaveterans.com.
Do you or your area have plans for the day?
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Personal Note # 1 –
Branden Charters needs help with having flowers put on every veteran’s gravesite for Memorial Day. Find ways to help HERE.
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Personal Note # 2 –
Our fellow blogger, Jacqui Murray, writer, teacher and mother of two currently active serving children in the military has now published her second novel, Twenty Four Days. Check it out HERE with a sample chapter!
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Military Humor –
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Farewell Salutes –
Paul Adams – Lincoln, NE; US Army Air Corps, WWII, ETO, 332nd Fighter Group, pilot (Ret.)
Robert Atwater – Elmira, NY; US Navy, WWII, SeaBees
Marino DiChiara – brn: ITL; US Army, WWII
Barbara Grooters – Grand Rapids, MI; US Navy WAVES, WWII
David Herrington – Baxley, GA; US Army, WWII
Kermit Miller – Lehighton, PA; US Navy, WWII, Radarman 3rd Class
Bob Price Sr. – St Louis, MO; US Navy, WWII & Korea
Dewey Stephenson – Waterboro, ME; US Navy, WWII / US Army, Korea, 187th RCT
Daniel Stewart – Fort Wayne, IN; US Army, WWII
John Zilar – Denver, CO; US Air Force, machinist
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Current News – Military Appreciation Month
There is no need to wait until Memorial Day to put out your flag!! May is Military appreciation Month and I take a break in our Pacific War story to have each and every one of you have this information. I hope you enjoy this THANK YOU today for those that have served in the U.S. military, past and present, and to those of you who served in nations that have stood shoulder to shoulder with America
May is a special month for both those in and out of the military. For service members and veterans, it’s a chance to pay tribute to supportive families and spouses on Military Spouse Appreciation Day, and honor the memory of those who have sacrificed for this nation on Memorial Day. For the general public, the entire month provides an opportunity to say thanks to all those, past and present, who have contributed to the U.S. military.
What is Military Appreciation Month?
Congress designated May as National Military Appreciation Month in 1999 to ensure the nation was given the opportunity to publicly demonstrate their appreciation for the sacrifices and successes made by our service members — past and present. Each year the president makes a proclamation, reminding Americans of the important role the U.S. Armed Forces have played in the history and development of our country. May was selected because it has the most days set aside for celebrating and commemorating our military’s achievements. In addition to the special days already mentioned, important dates for the military in May include Loyalty Day, which was established in 1921, Victory in Europe (VE) Day commemorating the end of WWII in Europe in 1945 and Armed Forces Day.
Military Appreciation Day
Many locations also celebrate a specific Military Appreciation Day. Although not a nationally recognized holiday, areas use the day to hold parties and picnics in honor of their local active duty, Guard, Reserve and military veteran communities. Local businesses may offer discounts, while local sports teams may give free entrance to military families and veterans.
We honor you
Join Military.com this month in honoring, remembering, recognizing and appreciating those who have served and those now serving — read special features, and learn the history behind Military Appreciation Month. If you’re a service member, military family member and veteran, you can find out about major events taking place throughout the month, as well as important discounts being offered by companies in thanks for your military service
For more information please contact Military.com
Everett Smith; artwork courtesy of https://priorhouse,wordpress.com/
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Military Humor –
Enlarge to read!
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Farewell Salutes –
David Altop – Salt Lake City, UT; USMC, WWII, PTO, radio operator
Louis Contos – San Pedro, CA; US Army Air Corps, WWII
Robert Fraser – Toronto, CAN; RC Army, WWII, 48th Highlanders
Weston Lee – Bluffton, GA; US Army, Iraq, 1st Lt., 82nd Airborne Division, KIA
Michael Mantenuto – Holliston, MA; US Army, 1st Special Forces Group
Clifford Oberlander – Bismark, ND; US Navy, Flight Officer
Joshua Rodgers – Bloomington, IL; US Army, Afghanistan, 3/75th Ranger Regiment, Sgt., KIA
Frank Streather – Sydney AUS; RA Air Force, WWII, 452nd Squadron
Cameron Thomas – Kettering, OH; US Army, Afghanistan, 3/75th Ranger Regiment, Sgt., KIA
Russell Turner – Houston, TX; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, 11th Airborne Division
Joseph Ventresca Sr. – Buffalo, NY; USMC, WWII, PTO
Working Dogs honored for their service
Sgt. Wes Brown & Isky
WASHINGTON — During a routine perimeter check in the desert of Afghanistan, Isky found a roadside bomb. He had come to a complete stop, sitting near the explosive device, patiently waiting for orders from his best friend, Army Sgt. Wess Brown.
The IED – buried two feet deep – was a 120-pound bomb. Isky, a German shepherd military working dog, had just saved countless lives.
For his service, he was honored on Capitol Hill – along with three other dogs – with the first-ever K-9 Medal of Courage. It is the nation’s highest honor for military dogs, acknowledging their extraordinary valor and service, awarded by the American Humane Association.
Isky found at least five deadly IEDs and 10 weapon caches as an explosive-detection dog deployed with Brown in July 2013. The two spent a year protecting U.S. political leaders, including President Barack Obama.
Isky and Brown were with 100th Military Working Dog Detachment and have been together since October 2011.
“After he came out of training from Lackland – he was about 18 months old – I was his first handler to certify with him,” Brown, now 27, said.
While most military working dogs can have two to seven handlers, Isky has only had one: Brown.
“I didn’t PCS,” Brown said. If he had, the dog would have gone to a new handler.
In May 2014, Isky’s military career came to an end.
“We were on a combat mission, one of many,” Brown said. “To avoid an ambush we had to get into the vehicles fairly quickly. While Isky was running up the stairs, I had a hold of him, but he fell off the side and broke his leg in six different spots.”
The leg had to be amputated.
“Once I knew he got injured and knew what was happening, as soon as his amputation was scheduled and his future with the Army was done,” Brown put in the paperwork to adopt him, he said.
Brown has been separated from Isky for only two weeks, and that was while Isky recovered. Even when Isky isn’t with him, Brown carries his picture.
These days, instead of searching for bombs, Isky suns himself on a porch in Virginia with Brown. He has become Brown’s PTSD service dog, and the two comfort each other.
“I have nightmares, I get night terrors stuff like that,” Brown said. “I’ll wake up, and he’s jumped up in bed with me. He kind of does the same thing. I’ll hear him have bad dreams and I’ll wake him up. For all I know he’s chasing a ball, but it sounds to me like he’s having a pretty rough time in some of these dreams. I’ll wake him up and he jumps right up in bed with me. And we both calm down.”
Brown has been diagnosed with traumatic brain injury and post-traumatic stress, and has three crushed discs in his neck. He is currently waiting to be medically retired from the Army.
Isky hasn’t been trained as a PTSD dog. But his bond with Brown is strong enough that when Brown has an anxiety attack, Isky knows.
“When I look at him, I feel safe because of everything we did together in Afghanistan. If it wasn’t for him and doing what we did, there would be a lot more people unable to go home,” Brown said.
More than 200 Congressional staffers and 19 members of Congress attended the event to honor military working dogs. The other dogs who earned the Medal of Courage:
- Matty, a Czech German shepherd, was a bomb-detection dog in Afghanistan. Now retired Army Spc. Brent Grommet, his handler, says that Matty saved his life and the lives of everyone in his unit more than once. The two were wounded together, including being in a truck that was hit by two roadside bombs. They were flown back to the U.S. for treatment, and while Grommet was in surgery, Matty was wrongly given to someone else. The Humane Association helped reunite the two, and now Matty serves as a support dog for Grommet.
- Fieldy, a black Labrador retriever, served four combat tours in Afghanistan, where he worked to detect explosives. Handler Marine Cpl. Nick Caceres spent seven months deployed with Fieldy in 2011 and adopted him three years later when the lab was discharged.
- Bond, a Belgian Malinois, worked 50 combat missions and deployed to Afghanistan three times. He was a multipurpose dog with a special operations unit before he retired. Bond suffers from combat trauma and will be reunited with his handler, who will leave active duty in a few months.
From “Stars and Stripes.”
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Military Canine Humor –
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Farewell Salutes –
- Cairo, a Belgian Malinois used by U.S. Navy Seals in Operation Neptune Spear, in which Osama bin Laden was killed.
- Gander – a Newfoundland, was posthumously awarded the Dickin Medall for his feats during the Battle of Hong Kong in WWII.
Civil War mascot memorial
Gunner – Canine air-raid early warning system during the bombing of Darwin in World War II.
- Rags – a Signal Corps mascot during World War I.
- Rifleman Khan – a German Shepherd that won the Dickin Medal for bravery.
- Rip – a Second World War search and rescue dog.
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Sarbi – an Australian special forces explosives detection dog, that spent almost 14 months missing in action (MIA) in Afghanistan before being recovered in 2009.
- Sasha – bomb sniffing dog, posthumously awarded the Dickin Medal
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Smoky – hero war dog of World War II, was a Yorkshire Terrier that served with the 5th Air Force in the Pacific after she was adopted by Corporal William Wynne. Smoky was credited with twelve combat missions and awarded eight battle stars..Sgt. Stubby – a Boston bull terrier, the most decorated war dog of WWI and the only dog to be nominated for rank and then promoted to sergeant through combat.
- Tich – Dickin Medal winner of the King’s Royal Rifle Corps, WWII
- Treo – awarded Dickin Medal for work as a Arms and Explosives Search dog in Helmand Province, Afghanistan
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Purple Heart Day
“Wounded Warrior” painting by: US Marine Michael Fay
On this date in 1782, in Newburgh, New York, General George Washington created the “Badge for Military Merit,” a decoration consisting of a purple, heart-shaped piece of silk, edged in silver, with the word Merit etched. It was to be presented for any one meritorious action and it permitted the wearer to pass guards and sentinels without challenge. The honoree’s name and regiment were to be inscribed in “The Book of Merit.”
Purple Heart certificate given during the Korean War
Only three soldiers are known to have been awarded this medal during the Revolutionary War: Elijah Churchill, William Brown and Daniel Bissell Jr. The Book of Merit was lost and the medal was virtually forgotten. In 1927, General Charles Summerall sent an unsuccessful draft bill to Congress to revive the Badge.
Patch for Afghanistan
General Douglas MacArthur took up the cause, hoping to get the medal reinstated for the bicentennial of George Washington’s birthday. He succeeded – 22 February 1932 the US War Department announced the creation of the “Order of the Purple Heart.”
National Purple Heart Hall of Honor, New Windsor, NY
This medal is awarded to members of the US Armed Forces who have been killed or wounded in action against an enemy. It is also given to soldiers who have suffered maltreatment as prisoners of war.
The ‘impersonal chaos of war’ display in the Hall of Honor
The most Purple Hearts awarded to any individual soldier is nine (9) to USMC Sergeant Albert Luke Ireland; five (5) for World War II and four (4) for his action in the Korean War.
Total Casualties as of May 27, 2013
| Total Serving | Battle Deaths | Other Deaths | Total Deaths | Wounded | ||
| Revolutionary War | 4,435 | 4,435 | 6,188 | |||
| War of 1812 | 286,730 | 2,260 | 2,260 | 4,505 | ||
| Mexican War | 78,718 | 1,733 | 11,550 | 13,283 | 4,152 | |
| Civil War | 2,213,363 | 140,414 | 224,097 | 364,511 | 281,881 | |
| Spanish American | 306,760 | 385 | 2,061 | 2,446 | 1,662 | |
| World War I | 4,734,991 | 53,202 | 63,114 | 116,316 | 204,002 | |
| World War II | 16,112,566 | 291,557 | 113,842 | 405,399 | 670,846 | |
| Korean War | 5,720,000 | 33,746 | 3,249 | 36,995 | 103,284 | |
| Vietnam War | 8,744,000 | 47,355 | 10,796 | 58,151 | 153,303 | |
| Desert Storm | 2,225,000 | 147 | 235 | 382 | 467 | |
| Enduring Freedom | 1784 | 318 | 2.286 | 9,675 | ||
| Iraqi Freedom | 3483 | 890 | 4,422 | 31,935 | ||
| Totals | 580,182 | 430,370 | 1,010,876 | 1,478,096 |
Farewell Salutes –
Charles Andres III – Harvey, LA; US Army, WWII, Lt.Col. (Ret.), Purple Heart
Anthony DiTommasso – Providence, RI; USMC, WWII, PTO, Purple Heart
Herbert Faulk – Alcatraz, CA; US Army, WWII, ETO, Purple Heart
Kenneth French – Charleston, MI; US Army, WWII, Purple Heart
Joseph Gallagher – Radcliff, KY; US Army, WWII, Korea & Vietnam, Lt.Col. (Ret. 37 years), 2 Bronze Stars, 3 Purple Hearts
Keith James – Easley, SC; US Army, Vietnam, Bronze Star, Purple Heart
William Kiernan – Williamsburg, VA; US Army, WWII, Corps of Engineers, Purple Heart
Herdis McCrary – Green Bay, WI; US Army, Korea, 2 Purple Hearts
Albert Russo – Ambridge, PA; US Army, WWII, ETO, 2nd Ranger Batt., bronze Star, 2 Purple Hearts
Noel Seeburg Jr. – Chicago, IL, US Army, WWII, PTO, Capt., Bronze Star, Purple Heart
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Armed Forces Day
For ARMED FORCES DAY and MILITARY APPRECIATION MONTH, Jacqui Murray has done an outstanding job.
For my previous posts honoring the Armed Forces, click here and here.
For the British Armed Forces Day, click here.
Many Americans celebrate Armed Forces Day annually on the third Saturday of May (May 21st in 2016). It is a day to pay tribute to men and women who serve the United States’ armed forces. Armed Forces Day is also part of Armed Forces Week, which begins on the second Saturday of May.
Jacqui Murray is the author of the popular Building a Midshipman
, the story of her daughter’s journey from high school to United States Naval Academy. She is the author/editor of dozens of books on integrating tech into education, webmaster for six blogs, an Amazon Vine Voice book reviewer, adjunct professor in technology-in-education, a columnist for TeachHUB, Editorial Review Board member for Journal for Computing Teachers, monthly contributor to Today’s Author and a freelance journalist on tech ed topics. You can find her books at her publisher’s website, Structured Learning.
Purple Heart Day
FOR THOSE WHO EARNED THE MEDALS.
Purple Heart patch for those wounded in WWII
On this date in 1782, in Newburgh, New York, General George Washington created the “Badge for Military Merit,” a decoration consisting of a purple, heart-shaped piece of silk, edged in silver, with the word Merit etched. It was to be presented for any one meritorious action and it permitted the wearer to pass guards and sentinels without challenge. The honoree’s name and regiment were to be inscribed in “The Book of Merit.”
Purple Heart certificate given during the Korean War
Only three soldiers are known to have been awarded this medal during the Revolutionary War: Elijah Churchill, William Brown and Daniel Bissell Jr. The Book of Merit was lost and the medal was virtually forgotten. In 1927, General Charles Summerall sent an unsuccessful draft bill to Congress to revive the Badge.
Patch for Afghanistan
General Douglas MacArthur took up the cause…
View original post 340 more words
Memorial Day – 2015
Last Letters Home
These letters have not been changed or edited for spelling or punctuation.
Civil War –
Lindsey Buckner
The letter was written by a Kentucky man named Lindsey Buckner, who was selected to be shot in retaliation for the death of a Union soldier killed by Confederate guerrillas in his home state. “My dear sister,” Buckner wrote in late October 1864, “I am under sentence of death and for what, I do not know. … It is a hard thing to be chained and shot in this way; and if it was not for the hope I have of meeting you all in Heaven, I would be miserable indeed.
John Ross Wallar
John Ross Wallar, 15 year old drummer boy, while injured wrote: “Dear Sister father Mother and friends I received your letter But I don’t think I Ever shall see another that you write this is Friday night But I don’t think I will Live to See Morning But My Kind friends I am a Soldier of Christ I will Meet you all in Heaven My Leg Has Bin taking of above My nee I am Dying at this time so don’t Morn after Me fore I Have Bleed and died fore My Country May God Help you all to pray fore Me I want you all to Meet Me in Heaven…My would Dresser is writing this Letter fore Me when you get this Letter write to Alexander Nelan fore I wont Live till Morning so good by My friends May God be with you all good by God Bless My poor Soul.”
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World War I –
Sgt. David Ker
Sgt. David Ker wrote his mother the day before the Saint-Mihiel attack in France: “Should I go under, therefore, I want you to know that I went without any terror of death, and that my chief worry is the grief my death will bring to those dear to me.
“Since having found myself and Mary, there has been much to make life sweet and glorious, but death, while distasteful, is in no way terrible.
“I feel wonderfully strong to do my share well,and, for my sake, you must try to drown your sorrow in the pride and satisfaction, the knowledge that I died well in so clean a cause, as is ours, should bring you. Remember how proud I have always been of your superb pluck, keep Elizabeth’s future in mind, and don’t permit my death to bow your head.
“My personal belongings will all be sent to you. Your good taste will tell you which to send to Mary.
“May God bless and keep you, dear heart, and be kind to little Elizabeth, and those others I love so well.
“David
“The end.”
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World War II –
Lt. Tommie Kennedy
Lt. Tommie Kennedy, after Corregidor, spent 3 years as a POW. While aboard a Japanese prison ship, he wrote on the back of 2 photos which traveled from prisoner to prisoner until smuggled out in the heel of a boot and sent to his parents in late 1945. He wrote: “Momie & Dad: It is hard to check out this way with out a fighting chance but we can’t live forever. I’m not afraid to die, I just hate the thought of not seeing you again. Buy Turkey Ranch with my money and just think of me often while your there. Make liberberal donations to both sisters. See that Gary has a new car his first year hi-school. I am sending Walts medals to his mother. He gave them to me Set 42 last time I saw him & Bud. They went to Japan. I guess you can tell Patty that fate just didn’t want us to be together. Hold a nice service for me in Bksfield & put head stone in new cematary. Take care of my nieces & nephews don’t let them want anything as I want even warmth or water now. Loving& waiting for you in the world beon. Your son, Lt. Tommie Kennedy
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These and other stories can found in “War Letters” by, Andrew Carroll. If you have any letters you wish to share, including Iraq and Afghanistan, send them to Mr. Carroll @ P.O. Box 53250, Washington DC 20009 or visit http://www.WarLetters.us
Click on images to enlarge.
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Farewell Salutes –
William Ash – Dallas, TX; RC Air Force, WWII, 411 Squadron, ETO, POW
Michael Gillooley – Hudson, FL; US Navy (Ret.), 1st radioman to become a Craftsman
Lawrence Green – Suffield,ct; US Army, Korea, SVC/187th RCT
Walter Gumula – Stuart, FL; US Navy, WWII, ETO, frogman (UDT)
Marl Hanna – Portland OR; US Army Air Corps, WWII, PTO, 457th Artillery/11th A/B Division
Richard Lent – New Paltz, NY; US Army Air Corps, WWII, ETO, B-24 navigator
Taylor Marks – Independence, OR; US Army, Iraq, 2nd Btn/162nd Inf/Oregon National Guard
Charles Persson – Fanwood, NJ; US Navy, WWII
Delbert Savage – WA; US Army, WWII, Tech 5
Arthur Stickney – Lake Worth, FL; US Army, Vietnam, helicopter mechanic
Wardell Turner – Nanticoke, MD; US Army, Afghanistan, Sgt.
Earl Werner – Mondovi, WI; US Army, Iraq, Sgt. 41 SpecTroops BTN/41st Inf Brigade Combat Team, Bronze Star
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Personal Note – 
Smitty, my father
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Note of interest – Walter Gumula, who recently passed away and is mentioned in the Farewell Salutes has his story told by Pacific Paratrooper in Intermission Story # 21 on 11 June 2014
And, William Ash’s story can be located on Pierre Lagacé’s site HERE!
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