Irvin and Zouie Little Thunder share the story of so many 20th century Native children who were subject to cultural erasure, abuse, and distance from families so key to their resilience. They share the story of entering the U.S. military while experiencing unequal freedom and citizenship, fighting for the country that so often fought their existence.
Read MoreJoseph Burns’ legacy may easily have been lost to history had it not been for his steadfast, lifelong friend.
Read MoreRobert K. Aaker served in the US Army Air Corps in World War II, stationed in England. Robert was a flight engineer and technical Sergeant with the 734th Bomb Squadron of the 453rd Bomb Group, flying missions out of Old Buckenham, England.
Read MoreEntering into the Second World War provided new job opportunities, from weapons manufacturing to military service. One American who took advantage of these chances was Robert S. Bacca, who, along with taking part in New Deal projects, also served in World War II as an Air Corps pilot.
Read MoreAs Walter Arthur Beck grew into his young-adult days, he pursued what many young American men wanted to or were forced to do, which was enlisting in a desirable branch of the United States Military during the Great War. For Walter this was the Coast Guard. Walter set out for “the great adventure,” as many young men did across the globe.
Read MoreAs the Great War continued on and the United States decided to enter the conflict, many men across the country registered for the draft, including Ralph Frederick Jerome.
Read MoreBradford Bowker started his service in the Navy on October 15, 1940. In his early military life, just around the time before World War II, Bowker was a lieutenant in the Philippines helping build / rebuild airstrips in unsafe distance from enemy fire and territory. Bowker later made the rank of rear-admiral for the Seabees.
Read MoreMaster Gunner James Ralston Orris was a remarkable American. Serving his country in the Great War in the United States Army, he continued his contribution to this country by learning and educating others on the studies of Chemistry.
Read MoreWhile in the Navy, Lon Egbert took the role of a lithographer and handled all the printing needs abroad two ships during his service from 1968-1972 on the USS Mount McKinley and the USS Blue Ridge. As a lithographer, Lon was trained to use a variety of machinery from offset presses to cameras that documented the ship’s journey.
Read MoreMaster Seargent Michael Wetzel committed his entire military and private sector career towards helping others by communicating the latest information through a variety of means. First working as a legal affairs clerk, and then a broadcaster, Mike spent nearly 25 years serving his country both overseas and at home.
Read MoreThroughout his time of service, Timothy Klibbe was awarded the Airborne Wings, Army Commendation Medal, and the Iraq Expert Infantry Badge, among other accolades.
Read MoreIn Section T2 at Fort Logan National Cemetery, Rolf Wagschal lays beneath a headstone adorned with the Star of David, an indication of his Jewish faith that may have encouraged him to fight during World War II.
Read MoreIn 1942, Dorothy L. Starbuck joined the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps (WAAC) and was stationed at Lowry Army Airfield in Colorado. There she acted as a commanding officer to a company of photo analysts. The creation of WAAC was a defining moment in gender roles in the United States. Women worked in hundreds of fields, like military intelligence and cryptography.
Read MoreMadeliene enlisted in the Navy, serving in the Navy Nurse Corps at the Great Lakes Naval Hospital until her discharge as Ensign in the naval reserve in 1951. In 1941, there were only 1,700 nurses in the navy. After the attack on Pearl Harbor, their numbers increased greatly and by 1945, there were over 11,000 nurses in the navy
Read MoreAway from frontlines or combat zones, the day-to-day operations of any military are supported by a bedrock of administrative and logistical personnel. While their actions are oftentimes not recognized in the same manner as combat troops, they nonetheless form a critical component of the Armed Forces.
Read MoreWhen war broke out between the U.S and the Axis powers Bob felt like he had to prove he was an American. Bob, just like any other young person heard the patriotic call of the nation, to lend his ability to the war effort.
Read MoreJoseph Katayama was born in 1926, in Salinas, Monterey County California to his father Moichi and his mother Sayo.
Read MoreAs an American soldier in World War II, Charlie Levy was a part of the 20th Armored Division, a division of the United States Army led by General Orlando Ward. He served as a sergeant tank commander.
Read MoreAs Asian Americans reckon with a wave of anti-Asian hate in the wake of COVID-19, honoring the forgotten stories of Filipino veterans acts as a healing reminder of what it means to be Pinoy and American.
Read MoreArchie Robinson served with the Marine Corps for around 30 years. When Archie Robinson first enlisted, he was treated differently due to racism and racial discrimination.
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