How far can you trace back your military roots?

2015-09-27T03:34:01-04:00

For those whose blood runs deep in the military? How far can you trace your roots?
I grew up an Army Brat. Father is retired LTC, infantry, airborne, air assault, Ranger, all the super hooah stuff. It wasn't until I began looking into the military myself did I discover that much of my family has been in the military. So far, I have been able to trace my family lineage all the way back to General John Aaron Rawlins, who served as a Civil War General and the Secretary of War for Ulysses S. Grant. The patriotic blood runs deep in my veins.
How about you?

If not, are you a beginning a legacy?

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Sep 27 at 2015 3:35 AM

2015-09-27T03:35:42-04:00

Not continuously that is for sure but there are some Notables. Civil War Doctor and William Dawes that rode with Paul Revere.

Response by PO1 John Miller made Sep 27 at 2015 3:36 AM

2015-09-27T03:36:29-04:00

On my Dad's side he was the first to serve (Navy).
My Mom's Dad, Uncles, and brother all served. Grandfather and Uncle both retired from the USAF though Grandpa originally joined the Army Air Corps. A few Uncles were regular Army and the others were Air Corps. One Uncle won the Air Medal for air combat in WWII, flying a B17 (I believe).

My Mom also found evidence of a distant Uncle who served in the German Army during WWII.

Response by CPT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2015 4:33 AM

2015-09-27T04:33:44-04:00

I am the third generation in my immediate family to join the military. Had a grandfather that was in the Air Force, and both parents were in the Navy. I was born a Navy brat but decided that the Army would be better!

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Sep 27 at 2015 9:06 AM

2015-09-27T09:06:57-04:00

I had an ancestor who served under Jean Lafitte when they supported the American Revolution by foregoing piracy and joining the US Navy. They were paid for their service with promises of land grants, those promises were filled with swamp land that is still worthless and unusable; my grandmother was the last in my line to own a piece of that swamp by inheritance.

Response by CW4 Guy Butler made Sep 27 at 2015 9:07 AM

2015-09-27T09:07:52-04:00

My wife has my direct family line traced back to a SGT Thomas Butler, a member of the Hartford Train Band in King Phillip's War (1675-1678); she hasn't found documentation for Richard Butler in the Pequot War (1637 -greatx8 grandfather), although he was in Hartfort at the time.

Response by TSgt Erica Claus-numsali made Sep 27 at 2015 9:20 AM

2015-09-27T09:20:40-04:00

My paternal grandfather was in the Army and fought in the Battle of Normandy (he passed away in November 2004), my father enlisted in the Navy during the tail end of Vietnam (he died from Agent Orange cancer January 2004), my paternal uncle served in the army, one of my (female) cousins was in the Coast Guard, one of my cousins served in the Marine Corp, I served in the Air Force, and my younger sis enlisted in the Navy.

Response by SGT Scott Bell made Sep 27 at 2015 9:56 AM

2015-09-27T09:56:08-04:00

thanks for sharing.

Response by Maj Walter Kilar made Sep 27 at 2015 10:38 AM

2015-09-27T10:38:27-04:00

I grew up as an Air Force BRAT, but I did attempt to break that chain by going into Army ROTC before I came to my senses and enlisted into the Air Force (exactly 20 years ago today, actually). My ancestors on my dad's side moved to America at the turn of the 20th century, and all of the men were drafted into the Army. All of them opted to take the GI Bill and run rather than make it a career, but most of their children, including my father, decided to make the military their careers--all of them Air Force. In my generation, with the exception of one medically disqualified cousin, half of us are career Air Force and half are career Navy. If I trace back my family roots along my grandmother's side, I can find some militia members in the American Revolution and some draftees in the American Civil War, but I do not have a lot of details (it is hard to trace genealogy on names like Smith and Martin). I know that along my grandfather's side, all the men were in the Polish Army, but I think they were all conscripts.

Response by LTC Bink Romanick made Sep 27 at 2015 11:40 AM

2015-09-27T11:40:08-04:00

CPT Private RallyPoint Member I'm a 4th generation cavalryman. My Greatgrandfather was a Hussar in Franz Joszefs Army. My grandfather chased Villa so did my great uncle, my dad was horse Cav before WWII later a tanker, retired in 74. I was assigned to. A Cav Sqdn after commissioning

Response by SPC Mathew Brady made Sep 27 at 2015 12:04 PM

2015-09-27T12:04:35-04:00

I don't know much on how to trace my military roots other than what I've been told by family and family trees. I was a Navy brat and dad retired off the USS Kittyhawk, grandpa was a LRRP in Vietnam, great grandma Hansen when she died found her rosey the riviter card from WW2 and my great uncle Bob was a Marine in the Okinawa invasion. Beyond that I just know I'm named after civil war photographer Mathew B. Brady as he is a distant relative on my dads side.

Response by A1C Charles D Wilson made Sep 27 at 2015 1:39 PM

2015-09-27T13:39:58-04:00

Well let me see. I am Native American so that goes a ways back but paper wise I can say my Grandfather (Fathers side) was US Army Airforce P-61 Blackwidow, father was electronics tech USN then USAF (communications), step mother was USAF Xray tech (medical) then me.
Being Tuscarora and Onondaga mixed blood I am sure some members fought during the revolution days as well as civil war. Not sure on that end with the spread and history being lost.

Chuck D

Response by 1SG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2015 1:59 PM

2015-09-27T13:59:41-04:00

On my father's side, not too far - my dad served in the Army for 14 years in the 70's and 80's. Got out as a SP7. My grandfather was a Marine in the 2d Marine Division and saw action all over the Pacific from Bougainville, New Guinea, Mindinao, Tarawa, and ultimately, Okinawa. He was wounded three times.

On my mother's side - Grandpa Alfred von Huepel was in WWII, from beginning to end and somehow survived. He saw action in Poland, Russia (his unit nearly destroyed at Vyazma), commanded a battalion at Normandy near Caen, led another in the Bulge, and was in the Ruhr Pocket when Germany Surrendered.
His father was killed on the Eastern Front near Posen in WWI.
His father served during the Franco-Prussian war as a Cavalry Officer.
His Grandfather was a Lancer in the Napoleonic Wars and was killed at Jena.
There is family lore going way back to Medieval times about exploits on behalf of Prussia, Salesia, Augsburg... I don't know how much is true, though.

Response by MAJ Danny Clark made Sep 27 at 2015 5:06 PM

2015-09-27T17:06:16-04:00

Continuously, my son is the third generation to successively serve. But, I can trace realtitives on both sides of my family back to the Civil War and Revolutionary War. Both sides of both conflicts. History is certainly interesting.

Response by LTC Kevin B. made Sep 27 at 2015 9:51 PM

2015-09-27T21:51:43-04:00

My Great, Great, Great, Great Grandfather (on my mother's side) served as an officer in the Revolutionary War. Lots of family members have served since.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 27 at 2015 11:47 PM

2015-09-27T23:47:26-04:00

American Revolution from a few lines, and even further in Europe. Not continuous by any means though, always seemed to be a generation or two that wasn't in the military in every line I try to trace back.

Response by PO3 Sherry Thornburg made Sep 28 at 2015 1:32 AM

2015-09-28T01:32:14-04:00

Revolutionary War. Got the DAR paperwork to prove it. Two served in the Georgia militia and one German immigrant relation with the Continental Troops under Col. Lachlan McIntosh.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2015 9:24 AM

2015-09-28T09:24:41-04:00

In the very distant past, I had ancestors who served as sailing masters for England, one of whom descended from the royal Stewarts of Scotland. During the Revolution, I had ancestors on both sides-the father was a captain in the British loyalist militia...the son, a captain in the Continental Army. The father died, the son lived on. During the Civil War, I had ancestors who rode as privates with the 6th Tennessee (Union Loyalist) Cavalry...one of whom died as a prisoner in Andersonville. During WWI, both of my great-grandfathers, one from Maine, the other from Tennessee, served as enlisted men. One served prior to the Great War in one of the last "horse cavalry" units. My grandfather enlisted in the Army at the outbreak of WWII, and earned a commission in the Army Air Corps. He flew B-25's, and B-24s, but unfortunately died in the Pacific near the end of his last tour. My father was an NCO in the 505th Parachute Infantry Regiment during the 50's and early 60's. My uncle was a Lance Corporal in the Marines.

Response by LCDR Jeffery Dixon made Sep 28 at 2015 9:58 AM

2015-09-28T09:58:38-04:00

in 1861, had three Great, Great Uncles fight in the Civil War for Kentucky. They were granted 1,000 acres each at the end. This started the Dixon's in Kentucky.

Earliest mention of my clan Dixon's in America was William Red Beard Dixon in the 1770's in the northern North Carolina area.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2015 10:23 AM

2015-09-28T10:23:14-04:00

I immigrated to the US when I was 5 so there's no lineage to be traced (at least in the American Army). We all have to start somewhere. My hope is that I am setting an example of service for future generations to follow.

Response by SFC Ronald Bowers made Sep 28 at 2015 3:55 PM

2015-09-28T15:55:17-04:00

Both of my brothers (older and younger) served in the Army. My older brother was a 31V just like me. My younger brother was a Food Svc Spc and went to Iraq during the initial invasion. They both served less than 5 yrs. I retired with 25.
Our father was Air Force and retired E7. His brother retired from the Army at E9.
My maternal Grandfather was in the Navy during WW2. My mom's brother was a Marine. George Washington had an advisor named General Cadwalleder who's brother (also a General) was fighting in Mexico. That guy is a Grandfather to me.

Response by MSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 28 at 2015 4:13 PM

2015-09-28T16:13:49-04:00

As far as I know I am currently 3rd generation. Grew up a Navy brat. Few of my uncles and first cousins have served as well. I would love for one of my kids to keep tradition going but we shall see. I do plan to build a photo collage of all my relatives in uniform to display in my home.

Response by SSG Richard Hackwith made Sep 29 at 2015 12:13 AM

2015-09-29T00:13:31-04:00

With any certainty, only one generation.

Response by SPC Franklin McKown made Sep 29 at 2015 1:35 PM

2015-09-29T13:35:17-04:00

My Father was Lt.Col James S.McKown,I lost him when I was 14 to an unforeseen catastrophic heart attack.
Ioften wonder hwat kind of person he was as he didn't talk that much ,he was a command pilot oin trainer command in WWII as well as the base commander of Clark airfield in the Phillipines he was"Chappie "James 1st commander during the Korean war.

Response by SSG Warren Swan made Sep 29 at 2015 1:40 PM

2015-09-29T13:40:37-04:00

Third Gen Army. Grandfather SGT WWII, Father SFC (ret) Vietnam, Me SSG (ret) Afghanistan. Working on verifying another member from WWI, but if found true it would be an All Army NCO team in this family. We did have two outcasts from the team; a cousin who is a CDR ret NAVY (he was a corpsman enlisted, don't know the officer equivalent) , and an ex-Marine (I'm using the EX on purpose. I know what it means).

Response by PO2 Brandon Boucher made Sep 29 at 2015 1:51 PM

2015-09-29T13:51:32-04:00

My Uncle just finished a genealogy trace with ancestry.com and it turns out I had a relative who fought in the Revolutionary War as a Colonial Captain.

Response by SGT Mark Sprague made Sep 29 at 2015 2:13 PM

2015-09-29T14:13:24-04:00

The first Sprague to come to the new world was Francis Sprague in 1623 to the Plymouth Colony. His son (John Sprague) was killed in the King Philips war. These early generations had militia obligation. Later other grandfathers fought in the Revolutionary War and the War of 1812. None of my grandfathers fought in the Civil War, but hundreds of 1st to 3rd cousins did as is the case for WWI and WWII. My Grandfather was in the coastguard during WWII. My father was a professional soldier, and spent the last 10 years of his time serving with the 3rd, 5th, 6th, 7th and 10 Special Forces. I'm second generation SF, and served with the 10th Special Forces Group as a team medic. On my grandmothers side there was a grandfather who fought with the Royal North Carolina Regiment (British). After their defeat at Yorktown the Regiment was disbanded - the officers sailed back to England, the enlisted migrated to Canada. Francis Sprague has over 50K decedents in the US - There are thousands upon thousands of veterans in this line.

Response by MAJ Jim Woods made Sep 29 at 2015 2:45 PM

2015-09-29T14:45:51-04:00

Great Great Grandfather: Civil War Confederate side (4 years)
Grandfather: WW1 (2 years)
Father: WW2, Korea, Vietnam (28 years active duty)
Me: Vietnam, Contractor in Iraq (21 years Active/Reserve)

Response by Cpl Bruce Poolaw made Sep 29 at 2015 2:53 PM

2015-09-29T14:53:06-04:00

I'm a native American from the Kiowa Tribe. I was in the Marines 86-91 and Marine Reserves 98-99 and Army Reserves 00-01, my Grandfather Jack Poolaw was a Marine fought on Guadalcanal and other Pacific campaigns. His brother Pascal Cleatus Poolaw is the most Decorated Native American in U.S History Serving in the U.S. Army in WWII, Korea and was killed in Vietnam. He was inducted into the American Indian Hall of fame in Andarko Oklahoma. The U.S. Army named a Bldg after him POOLAW HALL, located on Ft. Sill in Lawton Oklahoma. My great grandfather served in the 7th calvary Troop L, which was a small unit of Kiowas, Comanches and Apaches during the late 1800's.

Response by MSG Tim Donahue, M.Ed. made Sep 29 at 2015 3:44 PM

2015-09-29T15:44:04-04:00

Family member in the civil war and an uncle who was in from 1949 to 1979. Father in during WWII.

Response by SPC Jackson Hardeman made Sep 29 at 2015 4:05 PM

2015-09-29T16:05:55-04:00

I can trace my family's military roots back to the battle of Kings Mountain in the Revolutionary War. We've apparently had at least one member serve in every conflict since. So far that's as far as I've gotten.. still trying to uncover anything older on the far side of the pond!

Response by MAJ Robert Wilson made Sep 29 at 2015 4:18 PM

2015-09-29T16:18:03-04:00

I am an Air Force brat with a Sergeant Major grandfather. Having done genealogy with my mom, all the way back to the 1700s, there have been family members in the military.

Response by CAPT Hiram Patterson made Sep 29 at 2015 4:58 PM

2015-09-29T16:58:56-04:00

Yes, 5 Confederate infantrymen and quite possibly Prussian soldiers back in history if they could be traced. But I had 4 German soldier ancestors that I know of prior to WW1. Definitely a military gene in the family.

Response by CPL Howard Conover made Sep 29 at 2015 5:38 PM

2015-09-29T17:38:34-04:00

One Uncle to serve in WWI, One Uncle and My Dad served in WWII, One Uncle in Korea as well as Nam, and one other Uncle who also served in Nam.

Response by SPC Don Stringer made Sep 29 at 2015 5:43 PM

2015-09-29T17:43:02-04:00

I did genealogical research over the last several years, as I had lots of unanswered questions about my family orgins and how long we had been in the United States. I was able to trace it back to when the First member of my family arrived in the New World, 1612, Elisabeth City Virginia. I have found that I had 2 relatives who fought against the Crown in the War of Regulation, which was a pre Revolutionary War Rebellion. Others fought in the Revolutionary war. I had relatives at Valley Forge. In the Civil war there were 5 of my family at Gettysburg for Virginia, and 2 for Alabama.

Response by LtCol Robert Quinter made Sep 29 at 2015 5:43 PM

2015-09-29T17:43:13-04:00

Had a forebear who was a Captain in the Pope's Swiss Guard. After moving to N. America, one forebear teamster delivered cannon balls to Valley Forge.

Response by PO3 William Weaver made Sep 29 at 2015 7:05 PM

2015-09-29T19:05:19-04:00

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2015 7:24 PM

2015-09-29T19:24:16-04:00

What is a cadet captain???

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2015 8:09 PM

2015-09-29T20:09:38-04:00

Someone in my family has been in every war on US soil, since even before the USA was a country, and every war the US has been a part of as well.

Response by PVT Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2015 9:01 PM

2015-09-29T21:01:01-04:00

I'd love to know more about my military heritage but don't know how to go about it

Response by Amn Anne Hofferkamp made Sep 29 at 2015 9:26 PM

2015-09-29T21:26:02-04:00

At least Civil War on dad's side. His grandfather was a Civil War medic - Army. My grandfather was retired Army tank Commander. Dad was Army also - MP. My maternal grandfather joined the Navy during WW2 thinking it would be safer and served on a destroyer. No one else on mom's side is military as far as I know. I'm the odd man out by not joining the Army.

Response by PO1 Scott Cottrell made Sep 29 at 2015 9:34 PM

2015-09-29T21:34:08-04:00

Father's side of the family, Father is a retire Navy Captain and Nam vet, His father Army enlisted WWII, Omaha Beach, His father WWI where he meet my great grandmother in France, His father Army enlist Spanish American War, His father Army Enlisted Civil War (Fought for the South) those are the only ones I know off the top of my head. My father's side has been in the US since the building of Jamestown, VA. Mother's side the only one I know of was my Uncle was enlisted Navy during Nam and later Commissioned, retired as a LT Commander. Her side came to the US at Plymouth Rock.

Response by SPC Joshua Heath made Sep 29 at 2015 10:04 PM

2015-09-29T22:04:33-04:00

On my mother's side, we go back to two sets of Patriots that fought in the American Revolution. Edwin Mardin/Marden who was a member of Roger's Rangers. Our familial homestead is on United States National Park Property, and played a role in several incidences during the Revolution. http://www.nps.gov/mima/hartwell-tavern.htm

Response by LTC Christopher Sands made Sep 29 at 2015 10:05 PM

2015-09-29T22:05:01-04:00

My Ancestors through my Father: Father was a Seaman First Class on the USS Midway, in the Navy. Another Grand Uncle Charles Sands was a Combat Engineer in WWII. He was a bit old and some Soldiers told him to put in for a transfer. He said "They would not let me in the First War, they wont keep me out of this one". A Cousin, Seaman Second Class was only 17 when he joined up. He was KIA serving on the USS Juneau off Guadalcanal. My Grandfather Eugene Sands was a Private in the Battery B, 2nd Trench Mortar Battalion, gassed in WWI. A Grand Uncle, PFC Mark Greengrove Jr. was in Company D, 309th Infantry Regiment, 78th Division. WIA shot in the leg.
My Great -Great grandfather Mark Greengrove was a Private in the 8th Regiment New Jersey Volunteer Infantry. WIA at the Battle of Williamsburg and at Gettysburg in The Wheatfield on the second day.
Revolutionary War ancestors. Simon Sands Cow Neck Militia and on the Committee of Safety. Daniel Shafer, 4th Ulster County Militia. William Wilkin Jr and Sr. 2nd Regiment, Ulster County Militia. Frederick Bookstaver, 2nd Ulster County Militia.
One of my 9th Great Grandfathers was the first doctor in Charleston, MA. DR Richard Palgrave. Through him I am descended from over 30 Crusaders and numerous knights.

Through my Mom: My Uncle Tony went to Canada before a war, before WWII to join the Royal Canadian Air Force and become a fighter pilot. He came back when the US got into the war and was part of a bomber crew. Another Uncle was an MP serving at Camp Devins. Another Uncle was a machinist in a war industry and finally got into WWII in 1943. It probably saved his life because he was a tail-gunner on a B-24.
Two cousins served in the 11th ACR. Richard and Andy Walsh, 2nd Squadron, 11th ACR. Rich in Germany, Andy in Vietnam, both in the same Troop and had the same First Sergeant! Another Cousin served in the Air Force and married a service member who retired as an E-8. One of their sons just got promoted to 1LT in the Air Force.

Response by LTC Christopher Sands made Sep 29 at 2015 10:17 PM

2015-09-29T22:17:18-04:00

You can join the SUVCW.
http://www.suvcw.org/

Sons of Union Veterans of the Civil War

Fraternity, Charity and Loyalty

Response by SGT Greg Gold made Sep 29 at 2015 10:27 PM

2015-09-29T22:27:16-04:00

I served, and my uncles and grandfathers have served. After that I'd have to do some research but I have some really old family documents showing I had direct relations serving in the revolutionary war. I also have family on both sides of the civil war, but there is no evidence they actually fought against each other.

Response by SGM Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2015 10:51 PM

2015-09-29T22:51:01-04:00

My brother and I are combat veterans, he from Gulf 1 and me from Gulf 2. My father and uncle were in WWII, as a bomber jockey and artillery officer respectively. I had a cousin in the Navy during 'Nam and a grandfather in the Navy in WWI. I'm related to the Mason, who helped draw the Mason-Dixon line, and had ancestors who fought on both sides of the Civil war. My oldest military ancestor (so far) is a Captain John Brooks who came to Carolina in 1710.

Response by COL Jim Lincoln made Sep 29 at 2015 11:18 PM

2015-09-29T23:18:33-04:00

Military heritage? I graduated from West Point in 1960,my son in 1990-he was the first 6th generation to graduate-my father wife's father,her Gfather GGfather was class of 1812 from West Point-his names was DeRussy-remember Ft DeRussy in Hawaii? also DeRussy was married to the sister of one of Napoleon;s marshals!--and our family has over 35 descendants buried in Arlington Cemetery

Response by 1SG Robert Bodeman made Sep 29 at 2015 11:30 PM

2015-09-29T23:30:47-04:00

I REMEMBER MY GRANDFATHER AND MY DAD TELLING ME STORIES OF WHEN THEY WERE FIGHTING HITLERS FRONT LINE ON THE DUTCH BORDERS, THEY BECAME PRISONERS OF WAR, BECAUSE MY GRANDFATHER WAS A COOK, A VERY GOOD ONE, HE BECAME HITLERS COOK ON THAT CAMP, BUT HE COOKED FOR ALL SOLDIERS, SO EVERY DAY THEY WOULD SAY, BRING YOUR BOY HERE, MY POPS, AND TELL MY GRANDFATHER IF YOU POISON THE FOOD YOU KILL YOUR SON, SO EVERY DAY MY POPS HAD TO TASTE THE FOOD WHO EVER ASKS HIM, HE ATE GOOD, THEN ONE DAY THE JAPANEESE CAME AND TOOK MY POPS AND TORTURED HIM BY PUTTING BAMBOO SHOOTS BETWEEN HIS FINGER NAILS AND TOE NAILS, TO FIND OUT IF HE HAD ANY INFORMATION, THEN THE 101st FLEW DOWN LIKE RAIN AND RESCUED THE PRISONERS FROM WAR, STOPPED THE KILLING OF JEWS, WHEN MY FAMILY CAME TO AMERICA, THEY EMBRACED THE AMERICAN FLAG, AND FELL IN L;OVE WITH IT, THEN WHEN I GOT INTO HIGH SCHOOL, I MADE A PROMISE THAT I WANTED TO BE IN THE U.S.ARMY, MY DAD WAS PROUD, THAT DAY CAME MAY 1979, I LEFT FOR BASIC TRAINING, 35 YEARS LATER 7 COMBAT TOURS, JUNE 2014 I RETIRED, EACH AND EVERY DEPLOYMENT MY MOM PRAYED ENDLESSLY FOR MY SAFE RETURN, AFTER MY RETIREMENT, MY POPS IS STILL PROUD TO SAY, THIS IS MY WAR HERO, I TELL THEM MY POPS IS MY HERO AND ONE OF THE OLDEST PRISONER OF WAR 1941 TO 1944 // YES I SERVED MY COUNTRY PROUDLY BECAUSE OF MY POPS // ALLONS

Response by SCPO Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 29 at 2015 11:38 PM

2015-09-29T23:38:09-04:00

In the course of filling out my family tree over the last forty years, I have traced my military roots directly back to a number of grandfathers and uncles who fought in the War for Independence, the War of 1812, the War Between the States, World War One, World War Two, to myself in Vietnam. I have also discovered many European ancestors who fought for various British kings and other foreign monarchs during wars dating back many centuries. I am a direct descendent of Charlamagne, Henry III, and William of Orange.

Response by SGT Jerrold Pesz made Sep 29 at 2015 11:44 PM

2015-09-29T23:44:55-04:00

To my grandfather. I know absolutely nothing about my family prior to my grandparents.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 12:22 AM

2015-09-30T00:22:51-04:00

Great question. I have had a good deal of success following my family tree on ancestry.com and fold3.com. I have some bright points. My two older brothers and I served in the Navy. Our father was rejected for Vietnam era service for medical issues, but remains fiercely patriotic and proud of his family's legacy of service. His father was one of the first Navy Seabees, fighting WWII in the Pacific as an Electrician's Mate 2nd Class Petty Officer. I also have several Confederate ancestors and a War of 1812 veteran. But my family also has a grand legacy of liars, miscreants, horse thieves, cowards and scoundrels. My sixth great grandfather applied for a Revolutionary War soldier's pension, but was rejected because he was a deserter. I can just imagine my ancestor giving George Washington the finger as he was loading the boats on the Delaware River on Christmas Eve, 1776. Being from Texas, I also have at least two members of Stephen F Austin's colonies, but as best I can tell, none were willing to fight for the Republic of Texas. I guess they thought defending the Alamo was a bad idea.

Response by SPC Anna Larson made Sep 30 at 2015 12:39 AM

2015-09-30T00:39:02-04:00

My father was 4-F (eyes and feet) and never made the draft. My Maternal grandfather served in WWII in Europe, He was in Signal Corp and ran wires behind the lines. My Paternal grandfather and both his brothers served in WWI in various places. My Uncle Austin sent home his helmet with a chunk of shrapnel still stuck in it.
Further back, Multiple Paternal great uncles and cousins were together in an Iowa Unit during the Civil War. Even Further back maternal many times removed great grandfather crossed the Delaware with Washington during the revolution. Grandpa (who served in WWII) did the research in case my sister or I wanted to join the DAR.

Response by PO3 David Henshaw made Sep 30 at 2015 2:19 AM

2015-09-30T02:19:22-04:00

I was actually really surprised when I looked into my family lineage a while back and saw that I have a paternal (great great great, etc.) grandfather that served in the revolutionary war, as well as the war of 1812.

"Henry Conn served in the Rev. War in 1780 in Capt. Comfort's Co., 3rd Bat. York Co. PA. Militia and also in the war of 1812." (Ancestry.com)

Subsequently, his son served in the Civil War, another descendent in WW1, my grandfather in WW2, Uncle in Vietnam, and onward down the line to me.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 2:51 AM

2015-09-30T02:51:46-04:00

As far as i know we have been serving in the U.S. Armed forces since my great grandfather came over on the boat before WWI. He served as a dough-boy in WWI my grandfather on my dad's side served as an Army engineer during the Korean Conflict. My father was in the Air Force during Vietnam. I served in the army from 91 to 01. On my mother's side all I know is that my grandfather was forced to fight for the Japanese Army in WWII and then was conscripted by the South Korean Government to fight with the U.S. in the Korean conflict.

Response by 1SG Patrick Sims made Sep 30 at 2015 3:41 AM

2015-09-30T03:41:53-04:00

Jacob Sims was in Washington's Army, when it crossed the Delaware River and attacked the Hessian garrison at Trenton, New Jersey, Christmas morning 1775.---- Charles Sims was the gunnery officer of the Virginia (Merrimack) He fired the first shot at the USS Monitor---The first shot fired between two iron ships.---- Lieutenant John V. Sims, 122 New York Infantry, was Killed at Cold Harbor.---Private George Sims was with the lost battalion in October 1918---Admiral William Sims was in charge of the US Navy in Europe in the First World War.---- Lieutenant William Sims was the co-pilot of bomber number 14 of Doolittle's Raiders.

Response by SSG Chad Wright made Sep 30 at 2015 6:57 AM

2015-09-30T06:57:06-04:00

Have traced all the way back to 1644. My family rode with Henry Lee (Gen. Lee's father) in the Revolutionary War and have continued to serve. I retired this year. Our military roots run deep.

Response by SGT(P) Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 8:56 AM

2015-09-30T08:56:14-04:00

Ha, It would take me months to map that out. My Grandpa has our lineage traced back to Clan Cameron who fought for Robert the Bruce during the wars of Scottish Independence in the early 1300s. As far as American military, my family made it to the country a couple years before the Revolutionary war. Theres been someone whos served almost every Generation since. Two of my Great grandfathers were Army enlisted. One was Infantry in Germany during WW2, the other a Medic in the Korean war. Most of everyone else that I can think of was Navy; My father (still active duty) my grandpa, 3 uncles and my cousin. Though the last couple aren't direct roots.

Response by SSG Walter Corretjer made Sep 30 at 2015 11:37 AM

2015-09-30T11:37:11-04:00

We have been,a brat family.My dad,my four brothers,two uncles,one grandnephew,four first cousins,two second cousins.
Did I need more family to say ?

Response by MGySgt George W Iliffe Jr made Sep 30 at 2015 1:12 PM

2015-09-30T13:12:46-04:00

I had two WWI uncles . One was in the Army fought in France and suffered from mustard gas attacks the other uncle was a Marine and I know he served in Kentucky likely at an arsenal . Many cousins and some I called uncle served in WWII and My brother in law who got me to enlist served in Korea at Pusan and the Frozen Chosin in 1950 with the 1st Marine Division

Response by 1LT Aaron Barr made Sep 30 at 2015 2:53 PM

2015-09-30T14:53:24-04:00

All my uncles on both sides of my family served and my great-great grandfather was a Union Civil War veteran.

Response by CPL Ken Fletcher made Sep 30 at 2015 5:16 PM

2015-09-30T17:16:06-04:00

Dad served in the navy during WWII.he was a Gunners Mate 1st Class.he shot down 5 Japanese Zero's.His father was a ''DOUGHBOY''(INFANTRY OF WWI) Before that I have no info.My older Brother served in Germany as a diesel mechanic along the boarder.I served in the 101st Airborne in the early to mid 80's.

Response by LTC Christopher Sands made Sep 30 at 2015 6:26 PM

2015-09-30T18:26:46-04:00

You can check to see if an ancestor is in the database of the SAR or DAR.
http://patriot.sar.org/fmi/iwp/cgi?-db=Grave%20Registry&-loadframes

Response by SFC Mamerto Perez made Sep 30 at 2015 6:38 PM

2015-09-30T18:38:17-04:00

On my father's side, I had a cousin in the Navy during WWII, a cousin in The Army, that was WW Ii, a cousin in the Marines in Korea. On my mother;s side, her Brother served in WW II.
I am Army Retired and serve in Vietnam along with my younger Brother, and my oldest brother in the Army in Germany (Peace-time) One son serve in Panama, one son in Desert Storm with his wife serving there, too. Two son-in-laws served in the Army.

Response by COL Robert Davies made Sep 30 at 2015 7:35 PM

2015-09-30T19:35:23-04:00

I can only go two generations. My father, retired, and mother, resigned commission to marry dad, did the USMC and Navy thing. I am retired USA and a BIL is retired USAF, another BIL is USMC Viet vet. My dad went BALLISTIC when I not only went Army but also as a non-Catholic chaplain, and I nor he was/is Catholic.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Sep 30 at 2015 10:48 PM

2015-09-30T22:48:19-04:00

We have had someone in our family serve in every war since the civil war, I am the only female to be in the military but have carried on the tradition. My father traced our roots back.

Response by CPT William Ainley made Oct 1 at 2015 1:34 AM

2015-10-01T01:34:44-04:00

7-X Great Grandfather, Uriah Humble served in the Virginia Militia, French and Indian War, Brocks Gap, Augusta County. 6-X Great Grandfather, Conrad Humble served in the Virginia Militia, French and Indian War, Brocks Gap, Augusta County, later served in the Virginia Militia with the rank of Captain, Brocks Gap, Rockingham County, Revolutionary War, then Kentucky County to serve in Militia Unit led by George Rogers Clark. 5-X Great Grandfather John Fitzwater, Captain, Virginia Militia, Brocks Gap, Rockingham County, Revolutionary War. 4 X-Great Grandfather, Andrew Fitzwater, Private, War of 1812. All of them fought the Shawnee, Delaware (Lenape), Mingo, Miami, Cherokee, Osage etc.. 2 X-Great Grandfather- Joseph Ainley, Private, Confederate Army, 32nd Missouri, then Private, Union Army 31st/ 32nd Missouri Volunteers under the command of General William T. Sheridan. 2-X Grandfather, George Masters, Union Volunteer Cavalry, Missouri. My father, Private, General George Ainley, WWII, and myself, Sergeant E-5, Viet Nam War Era 1970-1973, 82nd Airborne Division, 1974-1993, 28th Infantry Division, 2nd bn/ 111th Inf, Pennsylvania Army National Guard, SFC E-7, Retired, Captain, Infantry. My 10-X Great Grandfather was Paulus Custer, originally from Crefield Germany was Progenitor of two Civil War Boy Generals ( 5th cousins), Major General (Brevet) George Armstrong Custer, Cavalry, and Major General (Brevet) Galusha Pennypacker (Medal Of Honor), Infantry. Also descendants from that family were Major (Brevet) Thomas Custer (2 Medal of Honor), Civil War, Colonel and President Theodore Roosevelt (1 Medal of Honor) Spanish American War, and Major General Theodore Roosevelt III, (1 Medal of Honor), WWII .

Response by Cpl James Waycasie made Oct 1 at 2015 6:23 AM

2015-10-01T06:23:11-04:00

Our private cemetery has family military vets from most major wars back to the Revolutionary war. The Historic Society has put several history plaques on my ancestors who fought on both sides of the Civil War and two plaques for two ancestors in the Revolutionary War. About four WW1 graves, and 9 or 10 WW2 graves, about 4 in Korea, and 6 or 7 in Vietnam. Two in the Middle East. I was the first US Marine ever though.

Response by PO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Oct 1 at 2015 7:28 AM

2015-10-01T07:28:24-04:00

"me" only! lol maybe decades later, someone should ask this question to my decedents ... I hope there is any .... this thought scare me ...

Response by SSgt Phil Sigman made Oct 1 at 2015 3:03 PM

2015-10-01T15:03:15-04:00

Let's see, at least two great great grandfathers in the Union Army during the Civil War, a great uncle KIA in WWI, a great uncle and my dad's brother in the Navy in WWII Pacific Theater. My dad was in the Navy between WWII and Korea, two uncles (Air Force) and three cousins in Vietnam (Navy, Army, and Marines). There are some Confederate roots on my mother's side but I'm not sure how closely related they are yet.

Response by SGT Christina Barron made Oct 1 at 2015 7:39 PM

2015-10-01T19:39:49-04:00

1774 - I have seen enlistment papers for an ancestor in the Continental Militia. More recently, my natural paternal grandfather was an officer in the Army in the 1930s. He died of cancer when my father was 7, and his new step-father adopted him. My paternal step-grandfather was enlisted Army and was in the second wave in on Omaha Beach, then fought in the Battle of the Bulge. On the 40-year anniversary, he went back and even found his foxhole in the Ardennes. And my father is a retired Army LTC. He was in Vietnam when I was born.

Response by CMSgt Richard B. made Oct 1 at 2015 11:03 PM

2015-10-01T23:03:50-04:00

I've traced mine back to my fifth great grandfather, Antoine Phillipin dit Belfort. He was a Private in the French Army who deployed to North America to fight against the English in the French and Indian War. He was later recruited by Colonel Livingston to become a soldier in the 1st Canadian Regiment of the Continental Army, rising to the rank of Sgt. I recently discovered a second great grandfather who served in the Connecticut Militia during the Civil War and was wounded at Antietem. Also my grandfather in WWI (Navy and USMC), two uncles in the Navy (WWII), one in the Army Air Force, one in the USMC (WWII) and Army (Korea), one Korean Era (USMC & USAF), and my Dad in the USMC (Korean War). My brother (USAF & USN) and myself (USA & USAF) during the Cold War, Persian Gulf Era & GWOT. And numerous cousins in WWII. Also have a good number of us serving in two services.

Response by SN Robert Wall made Oct 3 at 2015 8:15 PM

2015-10-03T20:15:00-04:00

My great grandfather( 6 times) 2nd Lt. Wright Wall 1776-1783. GG Powell's Reg. under General Francis Marion. Had great uncles in the War of 1812 and Civil War. Dad was an Air Medal recipient twice in Vietnam for the Air Force.

Response by CPL Brian Clouser made Oct 5 at 2015 3:59 PM

2015-10-05T15:59:40-04:00

The earliest member of my family, that we know for sure, was John Clouser, a member of the 1st Pennsylvania Reserve Volunteer Corps. which fought several battles in the War between the States. I have been told there have been a "Clouser" in every war that we have had

Response by SPC Christopher Perrien made Oct 12 at 2015 3:03 PM

2015-10-12T15:03:51-04:00

Have not researched all roots. Do have an ancestor, in 19th Mississippi Inf. Cpl. -Civil War, not looked into the SCV yet, :).

3 of 4 grandparents WWII vets, and me ,LOL. Dad was in Nam.

Response by SPC Brian Brennan made Oct 17 at 2015 11:22 PM

2015-10-17T23:22:51-04:00

I have traced it back to the Civil War where my Great Great Grandfather served in the Pennsylvania Infantry.

Response by SPC Brian Brennan made Oct 17 at 2015 11:39 PM

2015-10-17T23:39:45-04:00

I just wanted to add my Great Great Grandfather was a Sgt in Company B 172 Pennsylvania infantry Regt. My Grandfather served in the Ninth Army Air Corps during WWII as a mechanic in the European Theater from D-Day to the end of the war. My father served in the USAF during the Cuban Missle Crisis.

Response by LTC John Mohor made Oct 27 at 2015 9:16 PM

2015-10-27T21:16:51-04:00

i can trace a great grandfathers brother to the Civil War thanks to having his commissions in the New Jersey Volunteers. I recently learned of a couple of great, great Uncles that served in the 1880s in the National Guard. In the Spanish American War I had another Great Uncle that served in the Navy on the USS Badger. My Grand father had a younger cousin that served in WWII along with my Dad and two Uncles from my mom's side. All with the Army or Army Air Corps. My Dad's younger brother served during the Korean War in Germany. An Older Cousin retired as a Naval Aviator. My Older Brother was drafted at the end the Vietnam Conflict serving two years stateside. I served during the Cold War, Desert Storm Era and OIF.

Response by SPC Nathan Freeman made Oct 27 at 2015 9:43 PM

2015-10-27T21:43:28-04:00

The Irish Freeman side goes back to 1687 with a state militia and includes every major conflict except for the Korean War. My grandfather was in both world wars and is buried in Lot 1 at Arlington National Cemetary. My dad missed Korea but served in Vietnam.

Response by Capt Seid Waddell made Oct 27 at 2015 11:26 PM

2015-10-27T23:26:55-04:00

Back to the Civil War - both sides - so far as I have learned so far. The last shot fired by an organized force was by James Waddell, skipper of the CSS Shenandoah. We have been represented in every war since then and I have nephews serving today.

Response by SFC Cary Jeffery made Nov 10 at 2015 1:26 AM

2015-11-10T01:26:45-05:00

Buffalo soldiers in the Greatgrandmother lineage. Grandfather in WWII Navy Salior. Uncle in 555th, Korea War and Vietnam. My own service in Grenada, Gulf War and 82nd Div!