world war ii

Absalom Kelly enlisted in the Army Air Forces in 1942. He completed basic training in Sioux Falls, South Dakota and went on to aerial gunner training.

Arnold Ragains was drafted in 1943 and sent to Fort Benjamin Harrison in Indianapolis, Indiana. At first, he was assigned to the 97th Infantry Division.

Leonard Goldbeck's first assignment was Cairo, Egypt; where he served as perimeter security for President Roosevelt’s 1943 Cairo Conference.

Maj. Charles Leonetti immigrated to the United States from Italy […]

Melvin Lazarcheff served with the Army Air Corps and flew 33 missions from England over Germany with the 486th Bombardment Group between 1943 and 1944

At Omaha Beach an explosion knocked Charlie Olsen unconscious, leading to hearing damage, loss of smell, and eventually post-traumatic stress disorder.

Mary Lou Paden was a corporal in the Women’s Army Corps and served with Squadron D of the 330th Army Air Force during World War II.

Rear Adm. Alene B. Duerk had a long military career […]

Paul Allen was drafted into the Army in 1943. He served with 386th Infantry Regiment and 97th Infantry Division and he fought in the Battle of the Bulge

During his enlistment in the Army, John Perrotta was deployed to the European and Mediterranean theaters as a combat medic.

Paul Boyer flew Douglas A-20 Havoc bombers with the 672nd Bomber Squadron, 417th Bomber Group in the Pacific from 1942 to 1945.

Lt. Col. Robert Joseph Andrews served as a pilot in […]