Okinawa

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Marine Corps Veteran Gil Hodges. Hodges served in the invasion of Okinawa and worked in intelligence operations during World War II.

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Navy Veteran Ron “Rondo” Sharfe. Sharfe served as a coxswain during World War II.

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Marine Corps Veteran Howard Requardt, who served in the Pacific theater during World War II.

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Air Force Veteran Randolph Camp, who served in Japan and California and later became a writer.

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Marine Veteran Ted Darr, who served five years as a door gunner and avionics technician.

When then-Army 1st Lt. Jim Riffe was preparing for the invasion of Okinawa in April 1945, he kept a small, black book. In it were the names of the 29 men he commanded. Seven would be dead within weeks. Fourteen wounded. When the now 100-year-old retired colonel prepares to celebrate the 76th anniversary of Victory over Japan Day Sept. 2, he said the names in that small, black book are what he will remember. He said remembering those names is what honors those heroes, something he advised Afghanistan Veterans to do as they deal with the news of the pullout. “Remember the individuals you served with,” Riffe said.

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Marine Veteran Mario Blandini, who served as a computer systems manager and engineer.

On Code Talker’s Day, today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Marine Corps Veteran Samuel Sandoval, a Navajo who fought during World War II.

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Marine Corps Veteran Romus “RV” Burgin, who served during World War II and was depicted in the HBO series “The Pacific.”

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Navy Veteran Willard Henry Stauffer, who served as a motor machinist aboard USS Barnett (APA-5) during World War II.

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Marine Veteran Joseph H. Keller Jr., who served during World War II as a tank driver in the battles of Peleliu and Okinawa.

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Marine Corps Veteran Carl Cooper, who fought in the Battle of Okinawa with the 6th Marine Division during World War II.