At age 27, during the First World War, Vilas Aaron registered for the draft. Because Native Americans were not considered citizens of the United States as of 1917, only men who held citizenship actually faced conscription.
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Burney was assigned to a unit based on race rather than qualifications. The segregated units fostered demoralization amongst black troops, in addition to racism from the white officers
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Newsum never gave up his dreams of flying. He joined the Tuskegee Airmen, the first group of African American military aviators in the U.S. Army Air Corps.
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In 1945, Randolph Edwards graduated from Rhodes Preparatory School at the age of 17. Dreaming of becoming a pilot, he enlisted in the U.S. Army Air Force before his graduation ceremony.
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Byron Johnson was an athlete, educator, and advocate for civil rights. Born in Little Rock, Arkansas, the grandson of a slave, his life would take on numerous challenges and opportunities.
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Leuppe and the rest of the Navajo Code Talkers are remembered to this day as pivotal to the United States victory during the war. Leuppe was a hero to both his country and his family.
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Navy Storekeeper 3rd class, Wallace Eldred Eakes waited 76 years for his headstone at Ft. Logan National Cemetery.
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In both her employment and her volunteer enlistment, Arlene provides a great example of a woman taking advantage of opportunities during World War II. As men were siphoned into military service, they left behind a vacuum of job openings and an opportunity for women to assume independent roles, whether as Rosie the Riveter-type factory employees or in more woman-dominated fields like Arlene’s
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World War II disrupted her plans, as it did for the thousands of other young women who enlisted in women’s reserves such as the Women’s Army Corps (WAC) and the Coast Guard SPARS.
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When Christopher joined the Army in 2006, the violence in Afghanistan was increasing, despite hopes that Afghan troops could take back control of their country.
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John Albert Carroll exemplifies dedication to public service and civil rights throughout his actions in military and civilian life.
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The crew of the enterprise participated in the Doolittle Raid, the Battle of Midway and the Guadalcanal Campaign to name a few. After Neal A’Hern joined the crew in 1943, the USS Enterprise participated in many of the major operations in the region.
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When the world is at war the courageous and the brave come together to fight for the freedom of the oppressed. The 1940s was a time when countries like the United States called upon young men and women to help end the destruction happening all over the world.
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World War Two was a difficult time for many Americans and other citizens all over the globe. The choice between country and self-preservation was difficult.
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Jack served from 1966 to 1969, witnessing two years of combat in Vietnam. As a Marine, Jack was part of a large-scale operation that saw more than 70,000 Marines in Vietnam by 1966.
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James’ remains were returned to American soil on December 6, 1995, but they had not been identified yet and were among the thousands of unidentified remains of other missing Vietnam veterans.
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They grew up believing that being in the military was an honorable service, as their father had served in World War Two. Danielson left behind two young children, one daughter and one son, and the rest of his family who primarily resided in Colorado.
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Although many army nurses in the Korean War went above and beyond the call of duty, the army was reluctant to publicly acknowledge or celebrate the contributions of women during this period.
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During her time in the military, Rose served as a nurse in the U.S. Navy during World War II, and was a district supervisor with the Boston Visiting Nurses for 11 years.
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Despite her family’s poverty, Margaret was always adventurous. In 1944, months after turning 18, she enlisted in the U.S. Coast Guard Women’s Reserve (known as the SPARS).
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