Does your family have a history of military service?

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 10 Sep 2014 20:24:55 -0400

While doing some research for an interview I had with LA Times on families with military history, I found that I have rumored 7 generations of family members with military service with 5 confirmed generations stretching back to World War I. To include service in every major conflict until today. Has anyone else on this site ever researched or found an old uniform that tied your service with an ancestor. Does this change or did it form your reason for service to this great nation?

Response by CDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2014 10:24 AM

CDR Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 10:24:41 -0400

Yes, I had service going back to the War for Independence (not every generation) but I wouldn't say that influenced my decision much to join the Service.

Response by LTC Paul Labrador made Sep 11 at 2014 11:30 AM

LTC Paul Labrador — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 11:30:51 -0400

Immediate family? No (at least not in the US Army anyways). In my extended family, I had several great-uncles serve under MacArthur during the Bataan campaign from '41-'42. Most were KIA, but I have one who is a Death March survivor.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2014 11:33 AM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 11:33:13 -0400

To expound on the question of changing or forming your reason for service, the generation before me have all deployed in defense of this nation and reach SFC, MSG, CW4 and COL. So, my goal was to surpass them in rank no matter which route I chose. Education wise they all have Master's Degree in the specific disciplines which is something that I am still trying to accomplish. But, all of these desires come from being raised in a household that taught the next generation to surpass the previous in every aspect.

Response by SGT Richard H. made Sep 11 at 2014 11:58 AM

SGT Richard H. — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 11:58:51 -0400

I know mine does for at least a five generations. Starting with the newest:

-4 nephews & Nieces that are serving or have served, a Daughter and another Nephew that plans to.
-Me, a Brother in law, and several Cousins that have served.
-My Dad, my Father-in-law, and 2 Uncles served
-Both Grandfathers and several Great Uncles served.
-At least one Great-Grandfather (that I know of)

It's pretty much a mixed-bag as to who served as Officer or Enlisted. Almost 50/50.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2014 12:22 PM

PO1 Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 12:22:00 -0400

I have not done any type of research, but what I have been told is my grandfather, father side, was in the US Army during WWII. I also had a Great Grandfather in WWI.
My father and mother were in the US Navy, Active and Reserve, and NY National Guard.
My brother was int eh US Navy, Active and Reserve.
I am currently in the US Navy Reserve currently Forward Deployed. I was also in Active US Navy for 14 years.
There are other family members both on my side and my wife side of the families that have done some kind of military service.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 11 at 2014 12:25 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 12:25:35 -0400

I do...... My grandfather served in the Army Air Corps (Air Force) during WWII. My other grandfather served in the British Army during WWII. My uncle was in the National Guard during Veitnam. I also have a few others who served in Vietnam. My father served in both the British Army AND US Army. Hopefully my daughter will develop the urge to join the military :)

Response by CW5 Sam R. Baker made Sep 11 at 2014 4:27 PM

CW5 Sam R. Baker — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 16:27:48 -0400

It is funny, but on my Dad's side of the tree, not a single sole on active duty, ever almost. However, my mother's side, every single male has served with distinction and most were USMA graduates with the Long Gray Line. All cousins and uncles, to include grandfathers were Army.

Funny thing is my daughter in now in the Navy and so is my niece, so family groove is a changing.......HELLO ARMY vs NAVY game, what a new spin!

Response by TSgt Joshua Copeland made Sep 11 at 2014 4:29 PM

TSgt Joshua Copeland — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 16:29:01 -0400

Multiple members of each generation of my family has served covering every branch of service.

Response by SPC David S. made Sep 11 at 2014 8:10 PM

SPC David S. — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 20:10:22 -0400

Most certainly. My father, father in law, both grandfather's and an uncle that I know all served. As growing up a brat I was immersed in the military community and early on began to prepare to secure an appointment to the USAFA. While I fell short of being a fighter pilot I served in the Army which was a better fit for me anyway. Maybe West Point would have been a better choice but that is water under the bridge. To me not serving would have been just Un American. God, duty, honor, and country.

Response by SGT Donald Croswhite made Sep 11 at 2014 8:41 PM

SGT Donald Croswhite — Thu, 11 Sep 2014 20:41:22 -0400

I have Great grandpas in the French and indian wars under George Washington, the Revolutionary war, Cival war.
See picture for recent service.

Response by 1SG Terry Gibbens made Sep 13 at 2014 7:31 PM

1SG Terry Gibbens — Sat, 13 Sep 2014 19:31:52 -0400

Great great great grandfather fought in Revolutionary War, His Grandsons 4 brothers fought in Civil War with the 85th Indiana Inf and 35 Indiana Inf. My grandfather fought in the First World War, My father was assigned to 29th Inf Division D-Day and Battle Bulge. I was Drafted 1971 spent 10 years active duty got out went with the Department of Justice was Activated for Desert Storm then retired from DOJ Aug 2001. Activated again for Force Protection Sep 2001. Deployed Bosnia SFOR 15 2005 and Afghanistan 2006-07. Assigned as Directorate of Information Management Camp Atterbury 2007-2009 Retired from Army Dec 2009.

Response by Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 4 at 2014 3:39 AM

Lt Col Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 04 Oct 2014 03:39:59 -0400

My mother is from Germany and immigrated here in the 50's and the Father's side came here in the late 1800's from Ireland. I know I have a long history of military service from the German side going back to knight hood.

My father retired from my service as a Communications Officer at the same grade I hold. He was Enlisted for ten years before commissioning.

American Grandfather was a WWII Medic that re-enlisted and became a combat medic in Vietnam. He retired from the Army as an E7

I have a Late Uncle that was a West point Grad and retired as an Army O6.
I have another Uncle that is an O6 Medical Doctor in the Wyoming Army NG.

I have a cousin that was a Psychologist in the Army and left after contract was up as a Captain.

No tther service beyond that from the American side.

German grand father was a sniper scout and motor cycle trooper for the German Army and was in the same battle of the bulge trying to target the American one. I guess lucky for me they never met each other in the Arden Forest.

German Great Grand Father Was a Cav Officer during WWI

Other German Ancestors served in various capacities.

Everyone of my German relatives were conscripts doing their mandatory two year service.

That's about it. I suppose my influence was living on Air Force bases and seeing planes fly made me do what I signed up for. I always did find allure in being an officer so I suppose why I still serve in a reserve. Even though I don't fly anymore I have had some pretty good experiences back filling AD units as an engineer/program manager. I have more family that were in the Army. My dad and I are the odd balls STS. My dad went in the Air Force based off of advice from the my Grand Father. I think it was more than advice. I think he told my dad he would deck him if he joined anything other than the Air Force He did not want my dad experience what he did.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 31 at 2014 8:38 PM

SGM Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 31 Oct 2014 20:38:06 -0400

SSG Graves--good stuff. We are the sum of our ancestors, they walk with us each day! We owe it to them to live honorable and upright lives...
My family has served in military since the 1100s. In America since before the Revolution during Colonial Wars; in the Revolution to present. One MOH, One general, two Sgts Major/CSM, many combat heroes. Like you, it took a while to track this stuff down. Be proud!

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2014 12:50 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 12:50:46 -0400

Father saw combat in Vietnam.
Two of my uncles were in the Army.
Aunt was in the Navy.
Cousin was in the Navy.
Two cousins were Marines.
Brother was in the Army.

I'm the only one still serving.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2014 1:25 PM

SFC Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 13:25:10 -0400

My father served at the tail end of the Vietnam era and into the early eighties. His father served in WWII. One of my cousins on my father's side served in the Marine Corps. Don't know of any on my mother's side of the family, or of any before WWII on my father's side.

I'm sure it may have sparked an interest deep down when I was a kid, but it wasn't a front-of-mind factor when I finally enlisted.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 1 at 2014 11:24 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Sat, 01 Nov 2014 23:24:06 -0400

My father and my mother both served in the Navy, my dad retiring after 20+ years as an E6.

My Uncle and Grandfather both served in the Marine Corps and reached the rank of Sergeant before receiving Honorable Discharges.

I also had a great uncle who served in Vietnam with the 1st Infantry and left the Army as a Staff Sergeant.

I would probably say they had some influence on me wanting to serve but there was no direct pressure from any of them to enlist in a specific branch.

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2014 5:23 PM

SSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 17:23:24 -0500

Yes, we sure do have quite a history. I got most of my information through the past few years of research.

Me: Navy/Army GWOT
Dad: Navy/Army (pretty much every conflict zone from 82-06)
Grandad: Marines - Korea
His dad: lied about age to go to WW1, then got drafted into WW2 (Have the draft cards)
His grandfather: Confederate Soldier - NC 2nd Light Artilliary
His grandfather: Maryland Regulars, Revolutionary War.

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 26 at 2014 5:43 PM

1SG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 26 Nov 2014 17:43:31 -0500

I have a Great-great uncle that was a Texas Ranger after the Civil War, and a Confederate Cavalryman during it.

Army: Maternal Grandfather, one uncle.
Navy: Paternal Grandfather, two uncles, brother.
Marines: Father.
Air Force: One cousin.
Coast Guard: One second cousin.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Nov 27 at 2014 10:46 AM

MAJ Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 10:46:03 -0500

My family has had a Soldier or Marine in service to this country since the Civil War. (Well, in the case of the Civil War, in service to a traitorous regime.) Every generation has had at least one member serving. I'm proud to carry on that tradition, and I am honored to be the first officer in the family. My grand father, a retired Army NCO, was so proud of me on my commissioning day that he kept repeating, "You're going to be a somebody in this man's Army. Yes, Sir, you're going to be a somebody!" Very cool

Response by SP5 Michael Rathbun made Nov 27 at 2014 12:58 PM

SP5 Michael Rathbun — Thu, 27 Nov 2014 12:58:24 -0500

Like any other immigrant family that has been 360 years here in a rather tempestuous part of the world, we have a few exemplars.

Captain John Peck Rathbun: was John Paul Jones's First Mate, later commanded the unit that took the English garrison at Nassau.

Major Henry Reed Rathbone (pictured): wounded by John Wilkes Booth while trying to prevent the assassination of Lincoln.

Response by Cpl Bill Johnson made Feb 4 at 2015 3:36 PM

Cpl Bill Johnson — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 15:36:39 -0500

I am descended from men who fought in the American revolution; the civil war; the first and second world wars; Korea, and Vietnam. I served during the Cold War, and my brother in the first gulf war. Now my young nephew is a staff sergeant in the Army.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2015 5:22 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 17:22:58 -0500

I don't know as much as I would like to about my family history, but I do have an interesting military story. I have a relative (singular) that served in both the Confederate and Union Army. He was kidnapped "drafted" into the confederate army, but had no love for the war. Several months later, he managed to escape, and locate a Union camp, where he surrendered, explained his situation, and after some time was enlisted into the Union Army. He would later be present for the defeat and surrender of his original Confederate unit.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 4 at 2015 5:48 PM

MSG Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 17:48:15 -0500

My father was in the Marines from '50-'53. My grandfather was in the Navy during WW2. His brother was killed on the USS Arizona (I believe granddad joined a day or 2 after being notified). Had a great uncle serve as a side gunner on B-17's during WW2. Great Grandfather served with Canada during WW1. A 2nd Cousin was in the Marines during Vietnam. And those are just the ones I know about.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Feb 4 at 2015 6:54 PM

LTC Stephen C. — Wed, 04 Feb 2015 18:54:22 -0500

MSG Private RallyPoint Member, yes my family does, as follows:

Two of my paternal antecedents (George Prickett and Israel Prickett) and two of my maternal antecedents (Abraham Holland and Rezin Holland) are credited with Revolutionary War service.
At least six of eight great, great grandfathers (William Curlee, Lewis Kilgore, Thomas Holland, Edwin Sockwell, William Thompson and Noble Delashaw) served in the Civil War.
Both of my grandfathers served in the Army in WWI.
My father (Navy) and all three uncles (Army) served in WWII.
Three out of four of my male first cousins in my generation also served (two Army and one Navy) and one of two brothers-in-law served in the Navy.

I tagged you in my response in the discussion "Family in the Military" so that you might see a few photos.

Response by MSG Louis Alexander made Apr 1 at 2018 6:55 AM

MSG Louis Alexander — Sun, 01 Apr 2018 06:55:12 -0400

My family linage combined of both parent’s families served with the English as Colonial scouts during the French and Indian war. And went on to serve in the military during the Revolutionary war. Our family has served during the Mexican/American war and excursions against Poncho Villa in 1847. They participated in the Civil War on both sides in 1862, and my own Grandfather fought in the Spanish/American war of 1898. Various Uncles from both parents fought in WWI in 1915. My Father and various uncles went to WWII and several went on to fight in the Korean war. My Brother and I fought in Vietnam, and I went on to fight in Panama. I later went to Bosnia in 1995 then served two tours of duty in the Middle East as part of Multinational Peacekeeping force and as liaison in Tel Aviv. I served in various short-term assignments within Central and South America before retiring from service in 1989. My Son has taken the shield of Freedom until his son is grown and hopefully does the same thereby continuing our family military linage and service to our beloved country.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made May 1 at 2019 11:27 AM

LCDR Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 01 May 2019 11:27:56 -0400

A history yes, but not every generation. My father was an Army Dental Corps officer, maternal grandfather an Army Signal Corps NCO, great-uncles in WWII Navy (pacific) and Cold War USAF. Family fought in the Civil War (both sides), not sure about WWI (need to research), Revolution, colonization's here and there, couple fought in the Scottish Wars of Independence, 100 years war, some fighting in Germany and France during medieval period. So a history, yes, but not a tradition and (at least during post Revolution history) not career.