 tools:  |
 |
Barsness, Dale
Coverage 1957-1961 Branch/Unit U.S. Air Force, Research Center Rank Captain Subject Cold War, R & D, NASA Dale Barsness was commissioned after graduation from college, beginning his service at Lackland, Air Force Base in Texas. From there, because his degree was in chemistry, he was sent to the USAF Research and Development Center Laboratories at Wright-Patterson Air Force Base in Dayton, Ohio. Working in the Materials and Lubricants Lab, tested synthetic lubricants in extreme conditions. The sealants he worked with belonged to NASA, meant for use on spacecraft. He was involved with the commercialization of silicon rubber for the moon boot, the lunar modular from the Apollo, and the solar rover. While at the R & D Center, he also met his wife. Barsness went to Germany on assignment. He separated from the military at Wright-Patterson AFB. and was in the reserves while working for General Electric. In 1970, he moved to Hartford, CT and worked for Locktight Company. Through Locktight and with the G.I. Bill, Barsness attained his master's degree. Blair, Jr., William M.
War or Conflict WWII, 1939-1945 Coverage 1943-1946 Branch/Unit U.S. Army, 84th Infantry Division Rank 1st Lieutenant (O-2) Subject Battle of the Ardennes 1944-1945, Queen Mary (steamship), German Prisoners, Russian contact, Military Decorations William M. Blair, Jr. worked as a bank messenger until he was drafted into the U.S. Army in March of 1943. While in basic training, the army selected him for a specialized six month engineering course at the University of Michigan. He later applied and was accepted to Officer Candidate School. He initially served as a platoon leader during the Roer River campaign in Belgium. He soon found that he learned more from the soldiers that had already experienced combat than he had from the military manuals. In February of 1945, Blair was injured by both sniper fire and shrapnel while advancing towards the Rhine River. After recovering from his wounds, he rejoined his unit near the Elbe River. The Allies trapped German forces in a pocket between advancing American and Russian troops. During the battle, Blair crossed the river and contacted Soviet forces on the far bank. For his courage, The Red army awarded Blair a "Red Star." Following his discharge in March,1946, he returned to a career of bank management, where he became an officer of the bank until his retirement in 1986.
Bonaccorso, Russell J., Jr.
Coverage 1990-2013 Branch/Unit 98th Division Rank Lieutenant Colonel Subject
Russell Bonaccorso had two tours in Afghanistan, one from 2006 to 2007 and the other from 2011 to 2012. He went through ROTC training at Norwich University, in Vermont, and was commissioned a second lieutenant in May of 1990. He was in the reserves until 2006, though after the September 11th attacks in 2001 there was increased preparational activity. Given the choice of going to Iraq or Afghanistan, he chose Afghanistan. There, his mission was to assist in establishing the national military academy there. He worked with the Afghan people, helped to create currciulums, and set admission processes. When he returned to Afghanistan in 2011, it was to train the Afghan army. He can retire from the military any time, but does not yet feel ready to do so.
Borriello, Joseph F.
Coverage 1942-1952 Branch/Unit 10th Engineer Battalion / 3rd Infantry Division, 43rd Infantry Division Rank 1st Lietuenant (O-1) Subject 3rd Infantry Division campaings through Tunisia,Sicily, Italy, France, and Germany. Joesph F. Borriello enlisted in the United States Army following his high school graduation. He was assigned to the 3rd Infantry Division, which by the end of the war, accumulated more Medals of Honor and fatalities than any other Army division. As an engineer, he particpated in numerous battlefield efforts, comprising both constructive and destructive qualities. From fording rivers to cracking German strongholds, Borriello helped to lead the United States Army in its drive across Germany. Enduring 528 days of combat, the majority of his wartime experience occured under either direct or indirect fire from German forces. These experiences included the "four months of Hell" endured by the 3rd Division, who became embattled on the Italian beachead of Anzio. Following this Italian assault, Borriello's personal history followed the progress of American campaigns throughout the war. During 1944, he defended the Colmar Pocket from the Wehrmacht, which had launched their massive campaign remembered as "The Battle of the Bulge." eactivated for the Korean War, a second tour through Germany concluded his Army service in 1952. Following the war, Borriello applied the GI Bill to an education at the Teacher's College of Connecticut, launching a career that spanned 5 years of teaching and a principal position among seven Connecticut districts.
Butenkoff, George
Coverage 1953-1955 Branch/Unit U.S. Army Transporation Command - Harbor Craft Rank PFC (E-2) Subject Merchant Marine, Harbor Craft Instructor George Butenkoff served during the Korean War as both a Merchant Marine and an Army Harbor Craft instructor. He was able to apply his experiences as an Able-Bodied Seaman to his military service. As a sailor, he was enroute to Inchon Harbor when the North Koreans crossed the 37th parallel and soon participated in the evacuation of South Korean refugees. Following his military service, Butenkoff applied the GI Bill to a lifetime of university educations, earning both an MBA and a JD. He reflects fondly on his Merchant Marine service, during which he and his fellow sailors provided an invaluable resource to the United States military.
Campbell, Robert E. War or Conflict WWII, 1939-1945 Coverage 1941-1945 Branch/Unit U.S. Army, 3rd Army Rank Captain (O-3) Subject Military supplies, George S. Patton At the onset of US entry into World War II, Robert Campbell became one of the first people to receive their draft notice. Although he was accepted into the Army Air Corps pilot training program, a preliminary flight test revealed that he did not have the required depth perception of an Army pilot. As an officer, the army assigned him a company command in Fort Knox, Tennessee, where he provided basic training instruction. Campbell embarked for England in 1943m as an infantry replacement officer. Once he arrived in France, however, the army assigned him to the Post Exchange at Third Army Headquarters. In addition to mailing duties, he also ran the company laundry and dry cleaning services. While overseas, Campbell met the infamous General George Patton and ate dinner at his house.
Carlson, Kent A.
War or Conflict Vietnam War, 1961-1975 Coverage 1965-1967 Branch/Unit U.S. Army, 282nd Avn. Battalion Rank Sergeant Major Subject
Christie, Jeanne B.
War or Conflict Vietnam War 1961-1975 Coverage 1967-1968 Branch/Unit American Red Cross Status Civilian Subjects Vietnam, Women, Supplemental Recreation Activities Overseas (SRAO) Jeanne B. Christie joined the Red Cross in order to assist American troops in Vietnam. Reflecting on her duties in-country, she described herself as naïve and unaware of the full extent of the war. As a member of the American Red Cross, she served with the Supplemental Recreational Activities Overseas (SRAO). Although based on a simple premise, in practice, their job became increasingly difficult. Assisting the emotions of their troops, the SRAO was intended as a means of distraction from the nearby death and dying, even if only for a short while. She recalls playing childish games and even bubble blowing contests, for the most important aspect of their work was the alleviation of wartime tensions. For over a year, she served as a “doughnut dolly,” when she returned to the United States she went to graduate school for Art Education before returning to service as part of the USO in Guam. During her later career, she continied to study, write, and teach about women in war, including a consultant position on the television program “China Beach.“
Cohen, Louis H.
War or Conflict WWII, 1939-1945 Coverage 1940-1945 Branch/Unit Army, 249th Quartermaster Battalion Rank 1st Lieutenant (O-1) Subject Italy, Quartermaster Corps, Lend-Lease Program Louis H. Cohen enlisted in the National Guard in 1940. By September, the National Guard became federalized and Cohen transitioned into the U.S. Army. When war was declared on December 7, 1941, Cohen trained as a machine gunner, using the limited means of the prewar army. In this case, wooden sticks in leue of functioning equipment. After successfully testing for Officer Candidate School, Cohen became an army quartermaster in charge of a 60-75 man platoon of the 249th Quartermaster Battalion, an all black battalion supervised by white officers. During May of 1943, Cohen’s battalion deployed to North Africa, where his unit unloaded supplies bound for Free French units in Africa, via the Lend-Lease program. Although his unit was a service battalion and not intended for direct combat, they were involved in the invasions of both Sicily and Anzio, Italy, where Cohen’s men were exposed to both direct and indirect fire from the enemy. After a year of overseas service, Cohen earned the rank of 1st lieutenant and returned to the United States in order to teach officer courses at the Army Quartermaster School. For the remainder of his service, Cohen taught Operations courses at Cample Lee, Alabama. He recieved his discharge in September, 1945, and returned to New Britain, CT, where he worked in the family grocery business until 1968.
Cooper, Benjamin D.
Coverage 1942-1945 Branch/Unit U.S. Army, 45th Infantry Division Rank Technical Corporal (T-5) Subject European Theatre of Operations, Combat Medic, Dachau Liberation As a combat medic with the 45th Infantry "Thunderhead" division, Benjamin Cooper participated in invasion of southern France and the Allied push towards the Rhineland. As a medic, he carried no weapons, his purpose on the battlefield was to provide emergency triage for wounded soldiers and civilians. In April of 1945, he bore witness to the gruesome evidence of Nazi war crimes at Dachau - a sight that haunts him to this day. Nevertheless, Cooper honors the memory of these victims and their saviors through his own personal maxim, "No Act of Kindness Is Ever Wasted." To this day, he spreads this positive message among schools and community centers, hoping that through this notion of universal humanity and compassion, the genocide and warfare that he experienced will never be repeated.
Cree, Earl C.
War or Conflict Vietnm War, 1961-1975 Coverage 1968-1969 Branch/Unit 7th Battalion, 15th Artillery Rank E-4 Subject conscientious objector (CO), medic, LZ Uplift aid station Earl Cree was drafted in his hometown of Chicago, IL. As a conscientious objector, he did not get to choose his branch of service; the only path for him to take was becoming a medic. He did his medical training at Fort Sam Houston. He served as a psychiatric technician while living in barracks. In Vietnam, he served as a field medic on a heavy artillery base, LZ Uplift. Here, he screened for and treated infectious diseases, and treated local villagers and their children for wounds and illnesses. He interacted a lot with locals, some who appreciated the military's presence and some who did not. He did patrols to villages to treat people there, but these stopped because of the locals' dislike and also because it put the medics in free-fire zones. Now and again, Cree served as a medic at another service battalion, Bravo Battalion. During his time in Vietnam, he saw a USO show with Bob Hope. Croce, John F.
Coverage 1942-1945 Branch/Unit United States Marine Corps, 4th Marine Division Rank Private First Class (E-2) Subject Saipan, Tinian, Iwo Jima, Purple Heart John F. Croce delayed a university education in order to enlist in the United States Marine Corps. Following boot camp at Parris Island, he fulfilled radio training at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina. He participated in several Pacific campaigns, including Kwajalein Atoll, Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima. Croce acted as a liaison between the frontline Marine infantry and the artillery and fleet firepower that supported their assault. At the beginning of these month-long campaigns, he was often emplaced among the initial waves of infantry in each island assault. As a member of the 4th Marine Division, his unit became frequently tasked with retaking territory held by the Imperial Japanese Army. Their overall objective was to simultaneously gain airfields that would bring the Air Force closer to the Japanese home islands, while denying them of similar capabilities. Successive island campaigns encourages an emotional maturity in Croce, as he began to look at each island campaign with further trepidation, eventually receiving the "good fortune" to be saved from further combat. He was wounded during two of these campaigns, with his injury at Iwo Jima requiring medical evacuation to Guam. Due to the ferocity of the Marine Corps' ground battles, his replacement was killed in action a few days after his own wound, a chilling reminder of the toll borne by United States Marines during the war. Following the war, Croce married and climbed the rungs of bank management, eventually retiring from an administrative position - earned by the teamwork and leadership qualities encouraged by his service in the Marine Corps.
Cummings, Theodore R.
Coverage 1941-1945 Branch/Unit United States Marine Corps, 1st Marine Division Rank Corporal (E-4) Subject Guadalcanal, Tulagi, New Britain Island, New Guinea Campaigns Theodore R. Cummings joined the United States Marine Corps a few months prior to the US entry into World War Two. Following his infantry training, he fielded the 21-pound Browning Automatic Rifle (BAR) with a Marine Corps fireteam during the Guadalcanal campaign. As a member of the "old breed," Cummings and his fellow marines went into battle armed with World War One era firearms and equipment. He describes the maturing process of war, where he endured countless barrages and island assaults. Aside from ground combat, Cummings and his fellow Marines were afflicted with a wide array of stressors associated with jungle combat. In this regard, disease and fatigue became just as deadly as the Imperial Japanese. Subsequent tours included Tulagi, the Solomons, Cape Gloucester, New Britain, New Guinea, and Milne Bay. After his promotion to corporal, he resumed his service as a rifleman with the recently issued M-1 Garand. Following several additional island campaigns with the 1st Marine Division, Cummings returned to Camp Lejeune as a training instructor. In this role, he educated new recruits with the hard lessons he himself learned as a young marine in the Pacific. Through his experience and accumulated knowledge, Cummings saved countless lives and as a witness to the sobering effects of warfare, continues to provide this education into the present. Diani, Joseph C. War or Conflict Korean War, 1950-1953 Coverage 1950-1954 Branch/Ship U.S. Naval Reserves, U.S.S. Amphion (AR-13), U.S.S. Fairview (EPCER 850) Rank Machinist's Mate, 2nd Class Subject Naval Repair Ship, Optical Repair Lab Three weeks into basic training, Joseph Diani went to the hospital with the measles. After that, he was assigned to teach illiterate recruits to read and write. He was sent to Machinist Repair School in Illinois. When he was transferred to Norfolk, Virginia, he was based on a repair ship and worked in an Optical Repair lab. There, he fixed range finders, binoculars, gun scopes, and ship gyroscopes. Sailing from Norfolk to Key West, Florida on a patrol craft, his objective was to intercept enemy invaders of U.S. waters. The ship twice encountered Russian destroyers, using sonar for tracking and communication. The enemy was not the only danger; Diani witnessed a casualty in which a cable-pulley operator was decapitated as a line with heavy tension snapped. Diani enlisted in the Naval Reserve in December of 1950. by which point he was living in Massachusetts. After his service, Diani went to the University of Hartford for engineering. This was covered by the G.I. Bill. He volunteered as a firefighter in Newington, CT and was eventually made State Fire Marshall for the district.
Eaton, Eric A. War or Conflict Persian Gulf War, 1991 Coverage June 1987-June 1993 Branch/Unit Marine Corps, 3rd Battalion; 1st Battalion Rank Sergeant (E-5) Subject Persian Gulf War, 1991 – Personal Narrative Eric A. Eaton enlisted in the Marine Corps the day after his 16th birthday in 1985. Because of his young age, The Marine Corps assigned him to the the delayed entry program, which restricted him from boot camp until his high school graduation. During June, 1987, he traveled to Parris Island, South Carolina, for three months of preliminary training. Upon completion, he attended his advanced infantry training, where he specialized in anti-tank missiles. In August of 1990, his unit began desert training so they could be shipped to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Shield. By January of 1991, the air war began, and by March, a cease fire was declared. Although the war had ended, Eaton describes feeling disappointed that their unit was not deployed to Iraq, leaving the troops feeling that the “job was unfinished.” Arriving at Camp Pendleton in May of 1991, the Marines were treated to a celebration of their success in the Middle East. Although Eaton intended to remain in the Marine Corps, the military began to reduce its Cold War reserves of manpower and equipment. Consequently, Eaton utilized the G.I. Bill to attend both Manchester Community College and Central Connecticut State University. Earning his educational certification in 1997, Eaton transitioned from the Marine Corps to his new profession as a full time history teacher.
Enderle, James R.
War or Conflict Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2003-2012 Coverage 1992-present (currently serving) Branch/Ship/Unit USS Wasp (LHD-1), NPDB-3 Rank Hospital Corpsman - Chief Petty Officer (E-7) Subject Transitioning Home, Cultural and History Lessons Learned of Iraq, Navy and Military Families Serving in both Kosovo, Serbia, and Iraq, James Enderle served the U.S. Navy as a corpsman, specializing in radiation safety and advanced X-ray scanning. Following his medical training, Enderle deployed to the USS Wasp for three years, where he served as a member of a 16 person medical staff. The Wasp resembled a floating hospital in the sense that it contained a comprehensive sick bay and operating rooms. In 2007, he deployed to Iraq as part of a "troop surge." Stationed in Camp Bucca, Iraq, Enderle served in the troop medical center, where his primary focus was the treatment of Army personnel or military contractors. In addition to his duties at the camp, he participated in convoy missions as a replacement for exhausted convoy escorts. In order to do so, however, he had to convince both their Army First Sergeant and his own Commanding Officer, who both realized the value of his voluntarism. In addition to his convoy missions, he performed humanitarian aid missions, treating outbreaks of infectious diseases. Currently serving in the Navy, Enderle works at a Tramautic Brain Injury clinic at the Navy submarine base in New London, CT.
England, George W.
Coverage 1943-1946 Branch/Unit Navy, VPB 111 Patrolled Bombing Squadron Rank Aviator 1st Class Subject Navy Aviation, Campaigns – Japan – Okinawa Island George W. England enlisted in the U.S. Navy during June, 1943, and completed his basic training in Sampson, New York. England received further training in Memphis, Tennessee, at aviation center and naval airport, where he was designated as an aerial gunner. He became a crew member aboard the navalized version of the Army B-24 "Liberator," known as the "Privateer." Assigned to the VPB 111th Patrolled Bombing Squadron. Prior to their Pacific deployment, England and the B-24 crew decided that their aircraft needed a mascot. As a result, they adopted a German Shepherd that flew every mission on their aircraft. Their operational deployments included Hong Kong, the Philippines, Okinawa, Singapore, and Borneo, where they provided airborne surveillance of downed aircraft, ships, and submarines. The crew endured frequent aerial combat with both the Imperial Japanese Air Force and Navy, as enemy forces attempted to engage these long-range patrol craft. England ended his service in April, 1946, and returned home to Connecticut where he completed a university degree and a career at IBM.
Feitelson, Norman
Coverage 1943-1946 Branch/Unit Army, 5th Infantry Division, 11th Infantry Regiment Rank Corporal (E-3) Subject Europe, Concentration camps, Czechoslovakia, Army Infantry, Combat, George S. Patton Norman Feitelson entered the U.S. Army during June of 1943. Following the Battle of the Bulge, he deployed overseas with 30,000 soldiers in order to bolster embattled army divisions in the European Theatre of Operations. The army issued him the Browning Automatic Rifle, a 17 ½ pound squad automatic weapon intended to supplement the firepower of army rifle squads. As a replacement, he joined his unit and experienced ground combat within the first two days at the Battle of Bitburg. In March of 1945, his unit was part of the crossing of the Rhine, where they heard the famous speech given by General Patton before the battle that ensued. Feitelson knew the war would be over soon in April of 1945, because of the number of German soldiers surrendering to the 5th Division. When the surrender was officially announced, his unit moved into Austria and Czechoslovakia, where it was their duty to “clean up” units that were not aware that they had surrendered. They also liberated one of the satellite concentration camps in Czechoslovakia, where Feitelson’s knowledge of Yiddish was useful for interpretation. When the end of the war was announced, he was sent to Fort Campbell where he played and refereed basketball for the army team. He used the GI Bill to obtain his degree in elementary education.
Fluckiger, John S.
Coverage 1943-1945 Branch/Unit Marine Corps, 4th Battalion, 4th Infantry Division Rank Corporal (E-4) Subject Saipan, Tinian, Roi-Namur, Iwo Jima John Fluckiger enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in 1943 and found himself embroiled in many of the Pacific island campaigns of World War II. The 4th Marine Division was involved in many of the "island hopping" campaigns that ultimately led the United States to victory over the Japanese. Consequently, Fluckiger joined the members of the "old breed," marines who had earned their stripes on Guadalcanal and Kwajalein Atoll, as he helped secure the islands of Roi Namur, Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima.
Giftos, Sarando War or Conflict WWII, 1939-1945 Coverage 1945-1946 Branch/Unit Navy, USS Tarawa (CV-40) Rank Seaman 2nd Class (S/2C) Subject Tarawa (Aircraft Carrier: CV-40), Navy – Firemen Sarando Giftos enlisted in the naval reserves in March of 1945, and was called into active duty just a month later. He went to the Sampson Naval training station in New York for his basic training, and then was sent to a staging area for preparation for the Invasion of Japan. However, since the invasion was called off, he was not shipped to Japan, instead attending firefighting school in Virginia. He was assigned to the newly constructed U.S.S. Tarawa aircraft carrier in Virginia. On the ship Giftos’ duties were to put out fires, guide the planes, and retrieve the planes. The U.S.S. Tarawa held 101 airplanes. They sailed to Guantanamo Bay, Cuba, and then through the Panama Canal to reach the West Coast. Being on the deck of an aircraft carrier was a very dangerous job, and there were many casualties on board, although they saw no combat. Giftos was discharged August of 1946. When he returned home he used the G.I. Bill to attend drafting school, and he later established a career in the field.
Godenzi, Joseph A.
Coverage 1968-1969 Branch/Unit Army, 4th Infantry Division Rank Specialist Fourth Class (SP4) Subject Pleiku Province, LRRP, Recon As recent high school graduates, Joseph Godenzi and two of his high school friends enlisted in the United States Army at the height of the Vietnam War. Although they were able to attend basic training together, they were assigned to various infantry units as soon as they entered the Republic of Vietnam. Godenzi received orders to report to the 4th Infantry Division, stationed at Pleiku Province in the Central Highlands. There, he was assigned to the recon element of the unit, which conducted LRRP (Long Range Reconnaissance Patrols) into the units area of operations. The purpose of these patrols was to designate targets for airstrikes, as well as to ascertain the strength and location of nearby enemy forces, which were routinely supplied by staging areas across the nearby Cambodian border. Wounded in action, he returned to the United States, where he eventually retired from the United States Postal service. He still keeps in touch with his two comrades.
Gozzo, Francesco
Coverage 1942-1945 Branch/Unit Army Air Corps, Gulf Coast Training Command Rank 1st Lieutenant (O-1) Subject Army Air Corps Training Serving as an Army Air Force flight instructor, Francesco Gozzo volunteered for service early in the war. Although he never saw combat, he prepared hundreds of pilots and flight crewmen for the hazards of overseas duty. As an instructor, Gozzo had to be an expert in emergency situations and celestial navigation, for he had to instill these skills in every graduating pilot. He worked alongside Air Force WASPS, who were excellent pilots that shared the same duties as the instructors, as well as ferrying aircraft to war deployment locations.
Guenon, William A., Jr. War or Conflict Vietnam War, 1961-1975 Coverage 1962-1964 Branch/Unit U.S. Air Force, 779th TCS, 7SOS, 2064 Comm. Sq.and 2069th Comm. Sq. Rank Major Subject Son Tay P.O.W. raid
Gutierrez, Chris G.
Coverage Operation Iraqi Freedom, 2006-2007 Branch / Unit CT Army National Guard, 143rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion Rank Captain (O-3) Subject Counter - Insurgency in Iraq Chris Gutierrez enlisted in the Connectcut Army National Guard during his CCSU enrollment. His aspirations for leadership guided him towards an officer commission among the 143rd Combat Sustainment Support Battalion stationed in Waterbury, CT. His unit deployed to Iraq in 2006 in order to provide logisitical support for embattled US soldiers. Although unrequired, he supplemented his organizational duties by leading patrols "outside the wire" of his forward operating base. He was stationed in an area that was heavily trafficked by political leaders, hosting both Saddam Hussein as well as former Vice President Dick Cheney. His ongoing commitment to the Veterans of Foreign Wars organization, as well as assisting veterans among CCSU's student population, demonstrate the military's support for their lifelong veterans.
Guzman, Leonard F.
War or Conflict Vietnam War, 1961-1975 Coverage 1968-1970 Branch /Unit United States Marine Corps, K Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Regiment, 1st Marine Division Rank Lance Corporal (E-3) Subject Malaria, Marine Corps, Infantry drill and tactics, leaves and furloughs, Vietnam War Chaplains Leonard F. Guzman enlisted in the United States Marine Corps on July 26, 1968. He enlisted because he felt he would inevitably be drafted into service, and by enlisting, his service would end sooner. He attended basic training at Parris Island (SC) for 12 weeks, and then went to Camp Lejeune (NC) for advanced infantry training. From there he flew to Okinawa, where he stayed for about two months in order to receive sufficient supplies, shots, and additional training. In December of 1968, Guzman arrived in Saigon where he was assigned to the 5th regiment in An Hoa. Guzman elaborates on the details of daily life for the marines in the 3rd Battalion, including mail service and the food that they ate. He also describes the skirmishes and fire fights that his platoon encountered when out on patrol. While in Vietnam, Guzman contracted malaria. He returned to the United States after 13 months in Vietnam, and went back to Camp Lejeune, where he remained for an additional year. After his discharge, he returned to Hartford, CT and got a job at Pratt and Whitney where he worked for 20 years.
Havens, Robert C.
Horn, Frederick G.
Hurst, James P.
Coverage 1943-1945 Branch/Unit Army Air Corps, Army Air Force, Army Air Corps, 782nd Bomb Squadron, 465th Bomb Group Rank 1st Lieutenant (O-1) Subject Air Force – Airmen, B-24 Bomber, Campaigns – Italy James P. Hurst enlisted in the Air Force at the age of 17 with the hope of becoming a pilot. He attended basic training in Biloxi, Miss. He later attended college-level training at UMASS specifically designed for aviation students. Upon his graduation from flight school, he was promoted to 2nd lieutenant and reassigned to Maxwell Field in Montgomery, Ala., where he was taught to fly the B-24, the plane that he would later fly in Italy. Hurst and his assigned crew were shipped to Naples, Italy to begin their missions. The air base was in Canosa di Puglia, and Hurst’s crew flew 20 missions from this base. He flew missions all over Europe, some of which were very daunting. He was later promoted to 1st lieutenant, and when the war ended in Europe, he was reassigned to support forces in Japan. He flew two missions over Japan before the war ended. He returned to the States but decided not to remain in the Air Force. He later graduated from UConn, and worked at Travelers for 29 years.
Katz, Morton N.
War or Conflict WWII, 1939-1945 Coverage 1940-1946 Branch/Unit Army, Airborne Parachute, Infantry, 82nd Airborne Division, 2nd Battalion, 503rd Parachute Infantry Rank Colonel (O-6) Subject Parachute Infantry, Battle of the Ardennes, 1944-1945, Concentration Camp In 1940, Morton N. Katz received a commission in the U.S. Army Reserve. Following the attack on Pearl Harbor, he volunteered for parachute training and was sent to England with the 503rd parachute infantry. Katz’s unit prepared for the invasion of North Africa, however, they eventually arrived in Iran by train. His battalion deployed to Italy and by October of 1943, they were engaged in combat near Naples. Attached to the 82nd airborne division, they participated in both the Anzio invasion and the Battle of the Bulge. While serving with the 82nd, he assisted in the liberation of Wobbelin concentration camp outside of Ludwigslust,Germany. Following the German capitulation, Katz was sent home, but remained in the postwar reserve. He utilized the G.I. Bill to attend law school, yet still participated in the reserves between semesters. After graduating from law school, he accepted a position with a Civil Affairs Unit, where he worked for 17 years. He was promoted to Colonel and served at the Pentagon.
Kelleher, Alyssa M.War or Conflict OEF, 2001-2012 Coverage 2000-2012 Branch/Unit U.S. Army, A Co., 710 BSB, 3rd BDE, 10th MTN. Div.; and F Co., 186 BSB, 1-102 In. Bn. Subject women's perpsective, 9/11,
Alyssa Kelleher enlisted in the National Guard in December of 2000. She never saw the TV coverage of the 9/11 attacks, but was told of the incident by her drill sergeant during basic training. There were 190 men and 8 women in her unit. Kelleher contracted with ROTC in 2002 while still in the National Guard. She was called to active duty in 2004, immediately after graduating from ROTC. After 4 years spent at Fort Drum, in New York as a General Supply Officer, she was deployed to Afghanistan. After volunteering to support the 102nd Infantry, she hand-picked people for her unit. Her infantry had recovery missions in the Ghazni area, then moved to Mehtar Lam. There was some interaction with locals; little girls wanted the female soldiers to take off their helmets so that they could see their hair. Kelleher was ultimately made the Executive Officer for her company and went back to the States, to Fort Drum. She had experiences with Russian mines and IEDs.
Lawrence, John T. W.
War or Conflict WWII, 1939-1945 Coverage 1944-1952 Branch/Unit United States Army, Massachusetts National Guard Rank Staff Sergeant (E-5) Subject For presentation topics, Jack draws upon his book, "Jump-off at 0545 - Memoirs of a WWII Combat Infantry Rifleman." John T.W. Lawrence volunteered for the U.S. Army (infantry) in August of 1944. After completing Advanced Infantry Training, he was shipped overseas in March 1945 joining "E" Company, 310th Combat Infantry Regiment, 78th Infantry Division. With the conflict in Northern Germany over by early May 1945, he was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge and two Bronze Star Medals with the combat "V" clasp for heroic/meritoroius achievements. Following two tours of occupation duties (71st and First Infantry Divisions) in Europe, he returned home, receiving an honorable discharge. In April 1947, he joined the Massachusetts National Guard, 26th Infantry Division (26th Armoured Recon Troop) as a Platoon Tank Commander. In July 1951, while directing his platoon's simulated combat exercises at Pine Camp (now Fort Drum), New York, Jack's tank overturned and he was pinned under his vehicle's turret. He received a medical discharge in April of 1952. Jack went on to earn a Bachelor's and Master's degree in business from Boston University and retired as a management consultant.
Leger, JoelPatrick
Coverage 1998-2004 Branch/Unit Army, 101st Airborne Division Rank Specialist Fourth Class (SP4) Subjects Iraq War 2003 invasion, Black Hawk Helicopter, Patriot Missile, 9/11/2001, Counter-narcotics Trafficking JoelPatrick Leger enlisted in the U.S. Army two weeks before his 18th birthday, in December of 1997. After basic training, he transferred to Fort Eustis (VA) for advanced training, where he learned how to fix and maintain Black Hawk helicopters. He eventually switched to flight duty and becoming crew chief. His job was to navigate, calculate fuel consumption, and do surveillance. Leger was stationed in Korea during the bombings of September 11, 2001. At the time they thought the news was a rumor for training purposes. When Leger returned to the United Sates, he was eating lunch with some friends when they learned that their 101st Division would be deployed to Iraq while watching CNN, where it was listed on the bottom ticker. In February of 2003, he was deployed to Iraq, where he would fly transport missions as a Black Hawk crew chief for one year. He was discharged in August of 2004, and returned to Connecticut where he began school at CCSU just a few weeks later. He is working towards earning a B.S. in History Education.
Marshall, Vanessa A.
Coverage 1964-1978 Branch/Unit U. S. Army Rank Major (O-4) Subject Women and the military, Army Nurses, Vietnam War, Yale University, Harvard University, Military life Vanessa A. Marshall enlisted in the army in 1964 as a captain because she had a bachelor’s degree in nursing and five years of experience. She went to basic training in Ft. Sam Houston, TX, where she was a platoon leader, and learned field techniques for dressing wounds in combat situations. She was transferred to Japan, just as the war in Vietnam was escalating. She stayed at the hospital in Japan for three years, where they treated wounded soldiers from Vietnam, in a 100 bed hospital that ended up accommodating hundreds more than intended. When she was sent back to the U.S. in November of 1967, the Army granted her request to obtain a master’s degree in midwifery from Yale University in exchange for two years of service for each year of education. She was the first military nurse in Yale’s nursing school. She moved around the country, practicing midwifery at many military hospitals, and delivered over 200 babies in about two years. She also spent 18 months on a military base in Germany, before she was discharged in 1978. She then joined the reserves, and obtained a doctorate in Public Health from Harvard, before retiring from the military in 1986. Since her discharge she has taught at Yale, and set up a midwifery masters program at University of Rhode Island among other accomplishments.
McBriarty, Thomas S.
Coverage 1968-1971 Branch/Unit U.S. Army / 1st Cavalry, A Co. 228th Aviation Co. Rank Staff Sergeant (E-5) Subject CH-47 Chinook Crew Chief, UH-60 Blackhawk and RAH-66 Comanche Development Program As a crew chief and later a flight engineer, Thomas McBriarty flew over 250 combat hours during the Vietnam War, where he received nine air medals as a crew chief aboard a CH-47 "Chinook." On the morning of October 31, 1969, his helicopter came under heavy fire, resulting in a catastrophic systems failure. The aircraft executed a "controlled crash" from 2,000 to the jungle canopy below. Rather than flee the burning vehicle, however, the young crew chief ran back into the fuselage and rescued the remaining crew. Nevertheless, his career with rotary wing aircraft continued throughout the war and into his civilian career. He worked as an official army representative for the Black Hawk helicopter program as the official Army representative to Sikorsky aircraft. Including both his military service and civilian contracting, he spent over thirty years working with the military, the majority of which was devoted to Army aviation.
Miller, Jane
Coverage 1943-1945 Branch WASPs (Women's Air Force Service Pilots) Rank 1st Lieutenant (O-1) Subject Women and the military, military pilot training, Military Aircraft (AT-6, BT-13, P-40) Jane Miller grew from generations of military women, with a mother who had served as a nurse during World War I. Her vigor "pushed her into the cockpit" of the U.S. Army Air Force's latest fighting aircraft. A commitment to the WASP program reflected her desire to achieve her fullest potential, regardless of gender roles in her society. She set out to test the limits of her pilot program, excelling in flight characteristics and qualifying on numerous types of aircraft. Her pilot training ended with the pinning of her pilots wings, courtesy of Eleanor Roosevelt. Her ferrying missions brought her to numerous locations throughout the European theatre of operations. Among the military personnel she encountered, Miller also befriended the actress Marlene Dietrich, with whom she traveled France. She remains proud of the deserved recognition awarded to WASP pilots, who supplied the aircraft necessary to overcome Axis forces entrenched across the European continent.
Mitnick, Jonathan T.
Coverage 1969-1971 Branch/Unit U.S. Army, AMERICAL Division Rank E-5 Subject stenography, military justice system, AMERICAL Jonathan Mitnick was drafted and made a military stenographer. He was trained at Fort Dix and Fort Benjamin Harrison.In June of 1970, Mitnick was sent to Cam Ranh Bay, Vietnam. His primary role there was type up court martial reviews and other legal documents. The job was very slow, because there could be no erasing of mistakes. His work sometimes pertained to murder cases and drug trials within the military. He also gained knowledge of the drug issues in Vietnam, both heroin and marijuana. He learned much about the military justice system.
Momparler, MichaelWar or Conflict Vietnam War, 1961-1975 Coverage 1966-1969 Branch/Unit U.S. Army, 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry, 1st Division Rank 1LT Subject Officer Candidate School, Tet Offensive, leading troops, nighttime ambush Michael Momparler enlisted in the Army in April of 1966, while living in College Point, NY. He was selected for Officer Candidate School and entered the program at age 19. His first assignment after OCS was in Fort Campbell, KY as an infantry training officer. He went to Fort Jackson, South Caroline before finally being sent to Panama for jungle training. There, he was taught map reading, escape and evasion, rappelling, and crossing streams and rivers. He was flown to Bien Hoa Air Base in Vietnam, at which point he was assigned to the 1st Battalion, 2nd Infantry, 1st Division - "the Big Red One." He was eventually assigned to provide leadership to Lima 6. They were called the Black Scarf battalion. Momparler was involved with air assaults and overnight operations. His first firefight involved killing one of two snipers between Quan Loi and An Loc. Momparler earned the Bronze Star when he tried to dislodge an enemy soldier from a spider hole.
Morawski, Frederick Peter
Coverage 1942-1946 Branch United States Marine Corps Reserve, 2nd Marine Division Rank Corporal (E-4) Subject Pacific Theatre of Operations : Tarawa, Guadalcanal,Saipan, Guam Frederick Peter Morawski volunteered for the United States Marine Corps reserve in 1942. Deploying to the Pacific, Morawski fought in successive island campaigns, including Tarawa, Guadalcanal, Siapan, and Guam. Both he and his brother John served as marines, by war's end, however, Frederick was the only son who returned. The visciousness of jungle combat taught hard lessons to these young soldiers. As a veteran of several amphibious assaults, his senior NCOs taught him survival techniques, such as maintaining noise and movement discipline in order to avoid Japanese snipers. Recruited for the "V-12" program, Morawski utilized the GI Bill, which allowed him to complete a degree at Yale University.
Muro, Steve L.
Coverage 1968-1972 Branch/Unit Navy, U.S.S. Benjamin Stoddert (DDG 22), Mobile Construction Battalion 10 (SeaBees) Rank CMCN (Constructionman, Construction Mechanic Striker) (E-3) Subject Vietnam deployment from the perspective of a seaman as well as a SeaBee, returning Vietnam veterans' experiences. Steve Muro belonged to a second family generation of US Navy personnel. He initially deployed to Vietnam as a seaman aboard the U.S.S. Benjamin Stoddert, a guided missile destroyer engaged in gunfire support operations along the North Vietnamese coastline. He traded in his "sea legs" for a ground support role, one which fully utilized his prewar construction experience. Following a four month training course for heavy machinery repair, as well as the SERE (Survival Evasion Resistance and Escape) course in Coronado, California, Muro redeployed to Vietnam as a SeaBee. Stationed at NSA Da Nang, Vietnam he repaired heavy machinery for the US Naval forces operating in Southeast Asia. Following his two tours in Vietnam, he continued to support his fellow veterans from his position in the National Cemetery Administration as well as the United States Department of Veterans Affairs. Nevers, Peter J.
War or Conflict Vietnam, 1961-1975 Coverage 1966-1967 Branch/Unit G Company, 2nd Battalion, 26th Marines Rank Sergeant (E-5) Subject Booby traps, Patrolling, Washington D.C. Silent Drill Team Arriving in Da Nang, Vietnam, in July of 1966, Peter J. Nevers quickly transitioned from his stateside service as a guard on the Silent Drill Team in Washington, D.C., to a squad leader in a combat zone. Faced with ambushes both day and night, the Marines formed "killer teams;" three-man listening posts that stayed outside the wire at night reporting enemy activity. As a squad leader, Nevers dealt with both ambushes and booby traps, the latter of which became prevalent during his tour. He recalls eating C-Rations for his Christmas dinner, as his platoon was called in for mine-sweeping duties. These hardships were made more bearable, however, for the fact that while under his command, every one of his squadmates survived their tour. Following an honorable discharge, he began a career at Pratt & Whitney and enrolled in the University of Hartford.
Niedermayer, Joseph
Branch/Unit Navy, U.S.S. Enterprise (CVN-65) Coverage 1971-1975 Rank Gunners Mate 3rd Class (E-4) Subject Vietnam War, Military Discharge, U.S.S. Enterprise, Operation Linebacker 1, Linebacker 2 Joseph Niedermayer enlisted in the United States Navy in October of 1971. His very low draft number motivated him to enlist in the Navy, which ensured that he would gain entry into his military branch of choice. At basic training at the Great Lakes Naval training center in Illinois, the recruits had to sign waivers called “Black Flags.” This was because it was so cold outside that sailors risked death from exposure. Niedermayer was assigned to the U.S.S. Enterprise, which was a nuclear powered aircraft carrier deployed to the South China Sea. The purpose of their carrier battle group comprised patrols of the North Vietnamese coastline, launching combat air patrols and airstrikes in support of US military operations. Niedermayer’s job on the ship was in the weapons division, which actually operated seven decks below the main deck. After the ship finished its mission in the waters of Vietnam, they sailed to the Indian Ocean to assist the island of Mauritius, which had experienced a large typhoon. He was discharged from the navy in October of 1975. He returned to Connecticut and began a career with the Connecticut Department of Public Safety, where he still worked to the date of the interview.
Niland, William T.
War or Conflict Vietnam War Era, 1961-1975 Branch/Unit U.S. Army, 25th Transportation Battalion, 8th Army Coverage 1969-1972 Rank Sergeant (E-5) Subject ROK Defence Force, North Korean Infiltrators Attached to a transportation battalion in the Republic of Korea, Niland's unit supplied all of Southeast Asia with water, food, bombs, and bullets. While in-country, the North Koreans attempted to infiltrate the south once a week. At the time, the army suspected they were attempts to assassinate the South Korean president. The western coast of Korea was rocky, so Incheon was the easiest location for the North Koreans to infiltrate by boat. His unit prepared for the second defense of the south by conducting war games, in which they organized the dispersal of truck convoys. He feels as though military service prompted him to mature, as well as provided access to the GI Bill, which he used to obtain a Bachelor of Art's degree in Business Management.
Peters, Frank E.
Branch/Unit United States Marine Corps, 5th Amphibious Corps Coverage 1943-1945 Rank Corporal (E-4) Subject World War Two, US Marine trained in the Japanese language At the height of World War Two, Frank Peters enlisted in the United States Marine Corps. In the wake of Pearl Harbor, he joined other men from his generation in the call to arms that brought them onto the beaches of faraway lands. Following his basic training, Peters was assigned to the "G-2" Headquarters company of the 5th Amphibious Corps. With the benefit of bilingual comprehension, he served as an English-Japanese interpreter - aiding the war effort through the interrogation of Japanese prisoners. During successive island campaigns, his talents found him searching caves for high ranking Japanese officers, in addition to the tough task of removing island defenses. These strategies allowed the Marine Corps to effectively ascertain Japanese troops levels, as well as their locations. After the final victory, Peters enrolled in the Marine Corps "V-12" program, which allowed him to pursue higher education at the University of Michigan. A career at General Motors, earned through this diverse educational background and life experience, is attributed to the strong belief in discipline and pride instilled by his service in the United States Marine Corps.
Phouthasack, Sar
Branch/ Unit Royal Lao Army, SGU (Special Guerilla Unit attached to US Special Forces) Coverage 1960-1975 Rank Active Duty: Major (O-4) Subject Vietnam War, Secret War in Laos, Covert Operations, Radio listening posts, raids along Ho Chi Minh Trail Sar Phouthasack enlisted in the Royal Lao Army in 1960 and served until the fall of the Kingdom of Laos in 1975. His elite special forces training, as well as radio proficiency, enabled him to conduct covert operations along the Ho Chi Minh trail that bordered Laos and North Vietnam. Often, he would parachute into dense jungle canopies in order to reinforce special forces teams or supplement their communications capabilities. After the fall of Laos, Phouthasack navigated his own escape into Thailand, avoiding both Pathet Lao and North Vietnamese patrols, who had blocked every immigration point in the hopes of capturing Laotians who had been sympathetic to the United States' war with North Vietnam. By war's end, he had experienced training from a variety of various nationalities and their own special forces personnel. The elite Thai "Black Tigers," US "Green Berets," and the Royal Lao Army trained Phouthasack in all the implements necessary to interdict the North Vietnamese supply route to South Vietnam. Due to the actions of Phouthasack and his comrades, countless American lives were spared from death, injury, or torture at the hands of the North Vietnamese Army.
Rizzo, Dominic J.
War or Conflict WWII, 1939-1945 Branch/Unit Army, Anti aircraft artillery (AAA) Coverage 1943-1945 Rank Technician, Fourth Class (T-4) Subject European Theatre of Operations Dominic Rizzo was drafted into the United States Army in 1943 and served as an assistant supply sergeant and armorer in an anti aircraft artillery unit. Deployed to the European Theatre of Operations, Rizzo joined the Allied spearhead as they pushed their way across the continent. His responsibility was to preserve air-supremacy by maintaining a constant vigil for any German air attacks. He contributed to the success of this operation through logistical support. As an armorer and assistant to the supply sergeant, he ensured that the unit would be ready for any air attack that would threaten to lives of American soldiers.
Roberts, Arthur E.
Branch/ Unit 6594th Test Squadron, Tactical Photo Reconnassance Coverage 1966-1967 Rank Staff Sergeant (E-5) Subject Cold War, Corona Satellite Photographic Intelligence, Precision Print Technician, SR-71 Arthur Roberts enlisted in the United States Air Force in 1961, completing tours of duty in Japan, the United States, and Vietnam. As a young airman, he was stationed at Misawa AFB in Northern Japan - only six minutes flight time from the Soviet Union. This proximity to the ongoing Cold War catalyzed his entry into the field of photo reconnaissance. From the base photo lab at Misawa, he was sent to Westover AFB in Chicopee, Massachusetts, where he participated in the "Corona" project, which involved an early generation of Air Force satellite surveillance systems. From high orbit, these devices would eject their negatives, which reentered the atmosphere near Hawaii and were sent to Westover for precision processing. For each satellite patrol, Roberts and his fellow technicians processed nearly thirty miles of film prints! During the Vietnam War, he was stationed at Ton Son Nhut Airbase in Saigon, where he continued his photographic reconnaissance duties with RF-101s and RF-4Cs flying both high and low level surveillance missions. He continued these clandestine duties at both Beale AFB in California, which sheltered the SR-71 "Blackbird" spyplanes, as well as Air National Guard in Pennsylvania, which serviced EC-130 Psychological Operations Aircraft.
Roberts, James E.
Coverage 1943 – 1945 Branch/Unit Army, 385th Field Artillery Unit, 104th Infantry Division Rank Sergeant (E-4) Subject Campaigns – Germany, Nordhausen (Concentration camp), Prisoners of war, WWII – Equipment and Supplies James E. Roberts enlisted in the United States Army after finishing his sophomore year at the University of Illinois. He decided to enlist so that he could choose the branch of service with which he would serve. He attended basic training at Fort Bragg, NC, and then went to Rutgers College, NJ for a semester while he awaited an assignment. In August of 1944, Roberts arrived on the Belgian/German border and became part of the 385th Field Artillery Unit, 104th Infantry division, where he was an ammunitions handler. His job was to load and unload the ammunition for the Howitzer his unit used in combat. Robert had many experiences in Europe, including the crossing of the Rhine River, interacting with German civilians, witnessing serious battle fatigue, exposure to British prisoners of war, the liberation of the Nazi death camp, Nordhausen, and meeting up with the Russian army. Roberts was discharged from the army in December of 1945, and returned to the University of Illinois to finish his education.
Rodin, Jack |
Speakers Bureau
War or Conflict Vietnam Era, 1961-1975
War or Conflict Operation Enduring Freedom, 2001-present
War or Conflict WWII, 1939-1945
War or Conflict Korea, 1950-1953
War or Conflict WWII, 1939-1945
War or Conflict WWII, 1939-1945
War or Conflict WWII, 1939-1945
War or Conflict World War II, 1939-1945
War or Conflict WWII, 1939-1945
War or Conflict WWII, 1939-1945
War or Conflict Vietnam War, 1961-1975
War or Conflict WWII, 1939-1945
War or Conflict Iraq War, 2003 - 2012
War or Conflict World War II, 1939-1945
War or Conflict Iraq War, 2003-2012
War or Conflict Vietnam War, 1961-1975
War or Conflict Vietnam War, 1961-1975
War or Conflict WWII, 1941-1945
War or Conflict Vietnam War, 1961-1975
War or Conflict WWII, 1941-1945
War or Conflict Vietnam, 1961-1975
War or Conflict Vietnam War, 1961-1975
War or Conflict WWII, 1941-1945
War or Conflict Vietnam War, 1961-1975
War or Conflict Vietnam, 1961-1975
War or Conflict WWII, 1939-1945
War of Conflict WWII, 1939-1945
War or Conflict OEF 2001-2012, OIF 2003-2012
War or Conflict Vietnam Era, 1961-1975
War or Conflict WWII, 1939-1945
War or Conflict Vietnam War, 1961-1975
War or Conflict Vietnam War, 1961-1975
War or Conflict WWII, 1939-1945
War or Conflict WWII, 1939-1945
War or Conflict Vietnam War, 1961-1975
War or Conflict Vietnam War, 1961-1975
War or Conflict WWII, 1939-1945
War or Conflict Vietnam War, 1961-1975
War or Conflict Vietnam War, 1961-1975
War or Conflict Vietnam War, 1961-1975
War or Conflict Vietnam War, 1961-1975