What's your military heritage?

2014-05-08T12:37:18-04:00

Memorial Day isn't far away! Who of you have parents, brothers, sisters, grandparents, aunts, uncles, etc. who have served in the Armed Forces, to include any who have Fallen, that you would like to honor?

Response by LTC Paul Mullins made May 8 at 2014 12:41 PM

2014-05-08T12:41:50-04:00

My Great-Uncle Charles H. Wilson II (deceased WWII vet), his living son Charles H. Wilson III (retired Vietnam vet), and my Uncle Cager Warren Mullins II (retired Vietnam vet). All who served to mold me at an early age and motivate me to serve.

Response by SGT Sarah Maxwell made May 8 at 2014 1:11 PM

2014-05-08T13:11:21-04:00

My father served as a Seabee in the Navy with multiple trips to Vietnam from 1963-1969. My uncle retired from the Navy, and had also been to Vietnam multiple times.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2014 1:16 PM

2014-05-08T13:16:52-04:00

My grandpa was a WWII navy vet, my dad is an Army Vietnam vet.

Response by SSgt Gregory Guina made May 8 at 2014 1:35 PM

2014-05-08T13:35:49-04:00

Both my grandfathers were in WWII one on a carrier in the Pacific and one in the Royal canadian AirForce over Europe. Also I belive my grandmother was an ambulance driver. My uncle was a Marine in Vietnam. Some of the best times I had as a yound adult were when my two grandfathers would get together and tell stories about the war. I could sit there and just listen to the stories.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2014 2:22 PM

2014-05-08T14:22:56-04:00

I had a great uncle who served in the USAF as a bomber pilot in WWII and an uncle (WO Larus Wayne Roland) KIA in Vietnam. Salute and respect go out to those who have served and those who have Fallen! Thank you for your Service and your Sacrifice!

Response by SFC William Swartz Jr made May 8 at 2014 2:36 PM

2014-05-08T14:36:37-04:00

Grandfather, Bill Spangler(deceased 1974), MSG, USA, WWII & Korean, 1942-1954
Stepfather, Pat Callaghan(deceased 1994), TSGT, USAF, 1968-1972
Father-in-Law, Bill Mann, SFC(R),USA, Vietnam, 1961-1982
Brother, Doug Swartz, SPC, USA, DS/DS, 1987-1991
Brother-in-Law, Tracy Mann, PO1(R), USN, DS/DS, 1983-2003

SFC Wilbur Davis, USA, KIA, 4 April 2003 when we took Saddam International Airport, good friend who is missed greatly, "Speed and Power" my brother!

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 8 at 2014 8:45 PM

2014-05-08T20:45:14-04:00

My father - volunteered for Vietnam as a transportation guy. Got malaria over there then reclassed to calibration and went to Germany. His service and how he spoke of his time serving made me want to pay my debt and serve my country.

Response by CPT Jacob Swartout made May 8 at 2014 8:57 PM

2014-05-08T20:57:08-04:00

There are nine of us on both sides of the family that have served in the military.

Response by SPC Charles Brown made May 8 at 2014 9:19 PM

2014-05-08T21:19:10-04:00

Great Great Grandfather Jameson J. Paxton Civil War CSA
Great Great Grandfather William Laverne Stamper Civil War CSA
Great Grandfather Leonard Paxton WWI USMC
Grandfather Marvin Joseph Brown US Army
Father Joseph Franklin Brown US Army WWII, Korea, & Vietnam Retired 27 years total service.
Uncle James Clyde Brown USN WWII
Uncle Charles Thomas Brown US Army Korea 1952-1953 KIA
Uncle Richard Michael Brown US Army Korea 1951-1953 KIA
Uncle John Phillip Brown USN
Brother Joseph Franklin Brown US Army 1957-1960
Me Charles E. Brown US Army 1979-1988/1999-2002; 2 Years in Korea, 1980-1982; GWOT Fort Drum, New York

As far as I know I am and will be the last member of my family to serve in the military. Unless one of my grandchildren joins the military after they get out of school.

Response by MSgt Keith Hebert made May 8 at 2014 10:00 PM

2014-05-08T22:00:44-04:00

Grandfather ww2 coast guard
Dad USAF
Biological dad USMC
Uncles (dad's side ) army
Sister USMC
Me LAANG
Son LAARNG
Still doing research but it looks like I have family going back to the 1600's in the military

Response by SGT Paul Dare made May 9 at 2014 12:27 PM

2014-05-09T12:27:08-04:00

Great question. I'm a third generation 82nd Airborne Paratrooper.

Grandfather, RA Dare jumped with the 82nd PFAB into Holland
Father Bill, and two uncles (Tom and Bob) both served in the 82nd. Maybe one of my two sons will serve one day. Not sure if the Airborne will be around by the time they are able to enlist.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2014 12:51 PM

2014-05-09T12:51:54-04:00

Grandfather George Dascoulias Army WWII
Grandmother Barbara Dascoulias Army (Nurse) WWII
Grandfather Robert Merriman Air Force
Father Paul Dascoulias Army Vietnam
Uncle Louis Dascoulias Army Vietnam
Me Army 7 years total so far.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2014 1:11 PM

2014-05-09T13:11:51-04:00

Grandfather served in the cold war. Now my cousin and I are enlisted.

Response by CPO Jon Campbell made May 9 at 2014 1:14 PM

2014-05-09T13:14:22-04:00

Father - US Navy - Korean
Uncle - US Navy - WWII - Atlantic and Pacific
Brother - National Guard and US Coast Guard - Cold War
Maternal Grandfather - US Army - WWI
Great, great grandfather - Army of the Confederacy - Civil War (KIA according to family lore, but still researching)
Wife's father - US Army - Vietnam
Wife's great, great, great grandfather - Army of the Republic - Civil War
Wife's great, great, great, great grandfather - British Army - US Colonies Pre- Revolution

Response by LT Jessica Kellogg made May 9 at 2014 2:39 PM

2014-05-09T14:39:41-04:00

I unfortunately do not know the details of their service. But, my grandfather and uncle both served in the Air National Guard (grandfather in the band, uncle as a pilot). My other grandfather was in the Army. My husband, sister in law, brother in law, and father in law (and I think a great uncle) all were/are in the Navy.

I would love to learn more about their service.

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made May 9 at 2014 2:41 PM

2014-05-09T14:41:52-04:00

Father, Jack Keith Nagel, Marine 2/2. Uncles Robert Nagel and William Eugene Nagel WWII Sailors Uncle Bill was Battle of Okinawa. Uncle Fred Wesling another Sailor Vietnam Era. Rufus Dawes, Civil War Doctor and Mutiple GrGrpa William Dawes who rode with Paul Revere on that Special Night. Not an extensive lineage but if you hang around with us you can count on things getting interesting ("S**t Happens" whoever came up with that quote was hanging around with our family)

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made May 9 at 2014 3:29 PM

2014-05-09T15:29:13-04:00

Maternal grandfather was a Gunner's Mate on the USS Norfolk in the 1950s. Grandmother was in the Navy as well during that time and is where they met. I probably would have joined the Navy, but I can't swim, ha.
Two uncles in the Army during Desert Storm. And, despite much of my urging for them to do something else, like cure cancer or invent the self changing light bulb, my two youngest sisters are in the Army as well, one at Carson as a 35F as well and another in the Reserve as a medic.

Response by SFC Christopher Perry made May 9 at 2014 4:26 PM

2014-05-09T16:26:37-04:00

My military heritage does not stretch quite as far back as some folks I've run into over the years.

My grandfather was a navigator on a bomber in WWII. He was my inspiration when it came to serving my country. We lost him this past year.

My father was in the Navy right after college.

My eldest son was active Army for seven years. He was medically retired last year.

One of my twins is attending college via the National Guard. He will stay on the enlisted side of the house as an MP.

His brother is a cadet at North Texas.

Response by SGT Derek Melanson made May 9 at 2014 6:35 PM

2014-05-09T18:35:43-04:00

Grandfather - ARMY - 1952-1953 Tanker(19k)Korea
Me - Army - 2004- 2009, MLRS Crewmember (13m) 2ID 210TH Fires, B Btry 1/38TH FA - Korea, 2009 - 2011 C. CO STB XVIII Airborne FT.Bragg NC
My brother - CT NG - 11b May 2013 - current

Still need to do a bit of research as I know it goes farther back than that.

Response by Cpl Glynis Sakowicz made May 9 at 2014 6:49 PM

2014-05-09T18:49:20-04:00

I am a seventh generation Marine. The story that was written in the family Bible in 1778, by my ancestor, is that he was in Philly on business in 1775, chose to enter a busy tavern with his cousin, and apparently, while under the influence of several 'Goode home-brewed Ales' he signed on the dotted line, or the 1775 version of same, to wake up the next morning as a Marine.
Anyway, that's what the man wrote, in an appology letter to his outraged wife, who suddenly found herself trying to run a small farm in New Jersy by herself.
Below, is a wedding picture of my parents, taken after my father returned from 30 months in the South Pacific.

Response by SSG Jeffrey Spencer made May 10 at 2014 8:03 AM

2014-05-10T08:03:30-04:00

My paternal ancestors served America all the way back to the Revolution. My maternal ancestors came to America in the late 1800s and served WWI (grandpa) and WWII (all my uncles).

The legacy continues as my daughter is in the USCG and my teenage son recently joined the Civil Air Patrol.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made May 10 at 2014 3:16 PM

2014-05-10T15:16:08-04:00

I have a great lineage of family history in the military, it dates back to the civil war. Which I won't go into, but we've had family members in all theaters of war, and all branches.

Response by CMDCM Gene Treants made May 10 at 2014 8:53 PM

2014-05-10T20:53:01-04:00

Father Chris Treants - US Army WWII / European Theater
Uncle Bill Treants - US Navy WWII / Pacific Theater
Uncle Paul Treants - US Army Air Corps WWII / European Theater
Uncle Hans KuhBerg - Wehrmacht WWII (Killed on the Eastern Front and buried in a Russian Cemetery)
Cousin Carl Skroback - US Army Vietnam

Response by Cpl Christopher Allen-Shinn made May 10 at 2014 9:38 PM

2014-05-10T21:38:16-04:00

Cousin Patrick: VMI alumnus, now studying to be ordained
Cousin Brandon: Active-duty USMC
Father Robert: Vietnam War USMC
Grandfather Charles: Korean War Army SGT
Great Uncles: Kiester, Aubrey, & Dick: WWII Navy & Roy WWII Army Air Corps
Cousin: KIA in Sicily during WWII serving as a pilot in the Army Air Corps
Great-grandfather Walter Elysee: WWI Army veteran
Several of my ancestors fought for the Confederacy during the Civil War, in NC & VA regiments. Most of my relatives who fought in the Civil War did not survive that conflict. My maternal family has been present in Virginia since the 1630s, and I believe that I had ancestors involved in the American Revolution as well.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2014 12:27 AM

2014-05-12T00:27:10-04:00

Does anyone have a particular story to tell, either personal experience, or that of one of their heritage? Significant battle they were in?

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2014 2:20 AM

2014-05-12T02:20:47-04:00

SIR

It's pretty much tradition to serve in my family. I've had relatives on all sides serve in all branches of service. Both my sons are currently proudly serving and my wife is a former Soldier. I would like to mention a couple of notables.
Father John Reed Marines Korean War
Grandfather Jack Daniels Navy WWII
Great Uncle Edgar Strandgaard Navy WWII
Father in Law Norman Perrault Army WWII
I grew up in a Duty, Honor, Country Family.
Take care.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2014 2:25 AM

2014-05-12T02:25:27-04:00

SIR

It's pretty much tradition to serve in my family. I've had relatives on all sides serve in all branches of service. Both my sons are currently proudly serving and my wife is a former Soldier. I would like to mention a couple of notables.
Father John Reed Marines
Grandfather Jack Daniels Navy WWII
Great Uncle Edgar Strandgaard Navy WWII
Father in Law Norman Perrault Army WWII
I was raised in a Duty, Honor, Country, Family.

Take Care SIR

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made May 12 at 2014 6:38 AM

2014-05-12T06:38:11-04:00

My maternal grandfather was an Army cook in Germany near the end of WWII. One of my dad's Cousins recently retired as a Navy Captain. One first cousin was in the Marines and was deployed for OIF, Another currently serving in the Marines (OIF), and one in the Army Reserves in MO (served in Kosovo and OIF).

Not necessarily a tradition but definitely a history of military service.

Response by SGT James Elphick made May 13 at 2014 12:27 PM

2014-05-13T12:27:17-04:00

Grandfather Jack Elphick US Army Air Corps WWII (B17)
Uncle John Elphick US Army 1st CAV Vietnam 1970 (UH1)
Me US Army 82nd Airborne (Infantry)

Response by SGT Jack Johnson made May 14 at 2014 11:43 AM

2014-05-14T11:43:28-04:00

Grandfather Landon Anderson Johnson, 5th Regiment Missouri Volunteer Infantry, Spanish American War.

Father Theodore Johnson, USS Centaurus, USCG, WWII.

Response by 2LT Private RallyPoint Member made May 14 at 2014 3:01 PM

2014-05-14T15:01:59-04:00

It is very interesting to see such a history of excellence among so many of our service men and women.

Personally:
My grandfather was a sailor during the Korean War
My father is a career Aviation officer
My brother is an Apache Pilot
My mother is a veteran
My sister works with soldiers suffering from PTSD at Cumberland Hall
And I am a cadet set to commission as an Army officer next May.

Response by COL David S. made May 25 at 2014 4:01 PM

2014-05-25T16:01:55-04:00

I believe that Memorial Day is significant to each of us in a different way. I remember my departed friends. I also remember that people in uniform have served this country because they love it. After 35 years, I remember many of my fellow soldiers who gave up their lives, their homes and families to serve their country. The sacrifice that our families made to have us absent is also very significant and not well appreciated. This morning the service closed with the singing of "America" and there were few dry eyes in the congregation. The words are something that are to be reflected upon.
To all those who have served, God bless you.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 18 at 2014 7:16 PM

2014-09-18T19:16:33-04:00

6xGreat Grandpa - War of 1812
Granddad - B Co 5th Rangers WW2, 29th IN Rgt Korean War. Died in the service.
Granddad - battle of the bulge, don't know his unit.
Dad - 1/505 82nd
Many uncles, cousins, grandad's brothers, & grandma's brothers served.

Response by SGT Paul Dare made Sep 19 at 2014 11:31 AM

2014-09-19T11:31:44-04:00

Paternal Grandfather, two uncles, Dad and one aunt - US Army.
Grandpa: Jumped with 82nd Airborne into Holland (Op: Market Garden)
Uncles: Older was a 28 year retired Forscom Sergeant Major. Younger did 4 years with 82nd at Ft Bragg.
Dad: 4 years with HHC 307 Eng BN, 82nd Airborne
Aunt: Signal Corp. Rat Rig. 4 years

Maternal Grandfather and Grandmother were both in Coast Guard during WWII. They met in the motor pool in Toledo Ohio.

Me: 4.5 years active (82nd Signal BN), 2 years MI National Guard with 210 MP BN in Taylor as Chaplain's Assistant.

Response by SSG Maurice P. made Sep 21 at 2014 2:46 AM

2014-09-21T02:46:18-04:00

My uncle Edward Benchek my Mom's Brother was killed on Okinawa during World War 2 he was a Pvt in the Army besides his ribbons he had the C.I.B...

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 21 at 2014 1:07 PM

2014-09-21T13:07:04-04:00

Paternal Grandfather - US Navy, WWII, Pacific Theather
Uncle - US Navy, Submariner
Father - US Navy
Aunt - US Army, Medical Corps.
Aunt - US Army, Transportation, Desert Shield/Storm
Uncle - US Air Force
Uncle - US Marine Corps.
Great Uncle - US Army, Tanker, WWII, Europe

That's all I've got off the top of my head. I'm sure there's more from the 40s, 50s, and 60s.

Response by CPT Zachary Brooks made Sep 21 at 2014 1:07 PM

2014-09-21T13:07:38-04:00

Just from what I know:
Maternal Grandmother: Army Nurse (CPT) WWII
Maternal Grandfather: Army
Father: Army Ranger (COL) RET
Paternal Uncle: Marine (COL) RET
Maternal Uncle 1: Army (E7?)
Maternal Uncle 2: Navy
Cousin 1: PA National Guard Enlisted (Current)
(Soon to be) Brother in Law: Navy Enlisted (11 years, but out now)

Thats all I know off the top of my head, but I am sure there is more. Its been a proud thing in our family.

Response by SSgt Tim Meuret made Oct 11 at 2014 5:09 PM

2014-10-11T17:09:30-04:00

Cousin Meuret - Union Army (Civil War)
Cousin Meuret - Confederate Army (Civil War)
Great Uncle Jasper Green KIA World War I at the Somme
7 Cousins Meuret WWII
Great Uncle Wayne Campbell WWII Signalman on an Aircraft Carrier in the Pacific
Great Uncle Vernon Campbell WWII LtJG on a Cruiser in the Pacific
Grandfather William Green WWII Coast Guard Vancouver, WA
Uncle Henry L Meuret, Jr Korea Air Force, Aircraft Mechanic
Father Harley Meuret 1953-1955 Army, France, Mechanic
Uncle Jerry Green 1960-1964 Navy Aircraft Carrier in the Pacific
Uncle Gordon Links 1964-1979 Air Force, LtCol Retired, Pilot Vietnam
Uncle Richard Green 1966-1972 Oregon National Guard Infantryman
Uncle Randall Green 1968-1972 Air Force, Radar Tech, Beale AFB, CA

Response by SPC James Mcneil made Oct 16 at 2014 10:39 PM

2014-10-16T22:39:48-04:00

My father was in the Air Force and deployed to Vietnam.

My great uncle was in Merrill's Marauders in WWII.

Beyond that, I'm not sure.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2015 8:59 PM

2015-02-14T20:59:10-05:00

I would like to honor those who made the ultimate sacrifice first, those WIA second, and those served/serving third.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 14 at 2015 9:07 PM

2015-02-14T21:07:32-05:00

Military heritage:

I have a direct descendent that served with Washington and was wounded during the Revolutionary War, and a Great Great Great Grandfather that served in the Union as an officer during the Civil War (left North Carolina....hence many of our family records were burned). Also, I have a grandfather that served as an NCO in the PTO during WW2. He never talked about his experiences, and I know he was responsible for guarding one of the surrender aircraft (not Bataan 1 or Bataan 2, but a G4M3. Presumably on Okinawa).

My family is not largely supportive of the military. My mother cried when I told her I was joining, but has since been very supportive. She just was very nervous about me being sent to combat. My sperm donor is one of those "mountain men rednecks". He's not supportive of the military and believes that the government and big business are out to screw me at every pass. Every call, he asks when I'm getting out and has zero interest in any conversation regarding that. My grandmother is much the same, always trying to caution me about a military that she never had to understand.

My wife's family is much more supportive of the military, with her father being a Marine, and her grandfather was AF/Marines, and after he died her grandmother remarried another Marine. Uncle was also a Marine.....aaannnddd there's me. The Soldier. But we all get along fine.
v/r,
CPT Butler

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 19 at 2015 7:24 PM

2015-02-19T19:24:18-05:00

Both grandfathers served in WWII. One Navy one Army both in the Pacific. Several uncles and cousins served, one in the 82nd like me.

Response by SFC Thomas Boatman made Feb 22 at 2015 1:20 PM

2015-02-22T13:20:59-05:00

As far as I know every conflict back to French/Indian War with Claudius Boatman fighting before that in Europe before settling near Pine Creek, Pa.
https://claudiusboatman.wordpress.com/

Claudius Boatman

Separating Man from Myth

Response by PO2 Robert Cuminale made Jul 30 at 2015 1:08 AM

2015-07-30T01:08:16-04:00

My Grandfather was in WW1. He was born in Sicily and came here as a boy. Still called the place Camp Meade.
One ancestor wasn't in the military but served the revolution. He was a farmer in New Jersey who'd burned his crops to keep the British from foraging on their march from New York to Philadelphia. Angered the British burned his barn. After the war the Continental Congress awarded him £16 for his barn. He was Benjamin des Marest (Demarest).

Response by LCDR Rabbah Rona Matlow made Jul 31 at 2015 5:29 AM

2015-07-31T05:29:31-04:00

My Dad and his brother in law were Army; my father in law was Air Force. My family has lots who serve, though not all in military uniforms. My brother, for instance, is a career fire fighter. My mother and sister, my brother in law, and two of their kids are career teachers...

Service runs in the blood, even if it's a different color of blue/green/khaki...

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Apr 5 at 2021 1:56 AM

2021-04-05T01:56:11-04:00

Mother Cpl Zelda Barrows (Keith) - Women's Marine Reserve, WW-II
Father Maj George Barrows - Army Air Corp - WW-II, Africa, Quartermaster Corp Korean War (stateside)
Uncle Rodney Keith - Seabee, WW-II, Pacific Islands
Grandfather Mark Keith - Army, WW-I, Trenches in Europe
Great Uncle Rene Silvers - Army, WW-I, Pilot, Lost his arm in an air battle
(Several in the intervening wars but I don't have the names. My sister did the genealogy trace.)
Great, great, great (3 or 4 more times?) Uncle Ethan Allen, Revolutionary War

Response by 1SG Michael Farrell made Apr 5 at 2021 2:54 AM

2021-04-05T02:54:38-04:00

Dad was a submariner, then UDT, then Salvage Diver, then medically retired.
Uncle Jack was a Tech SGT in the 82d and did all the jumps and was captured by the Germans outside of Malmedy.
My mother's brother had been in the AAF and had been coxswain of a Crash boat in the English Channel and got court martialled and busted to PVT after he knocked down a Warrant Officer. He always hated Warrant Officers after that. Got some rank back and over a 30plus years career, was the second AF NCO to be promoted to CCMSGT.
Mom served in one of those weird administrative support units for three years.
Some of Mom's grandparents and great uncles were in the Civil War.
My heritage is 75% Irish and Scots Irish. The other 25% is Canadian First Nations. That was my dad's mother.