Every month is VIC FOR VETS month.
Every Wednesday, Vic and Ken will honor a veteran…living or dead. If you have anyone in your family or close circle who served that we can honor, please email their information to KEN at NEWSTALKSTL dot COM
NAME & RANK:
BRANCH & (optional) Battalion/Platoon:
DATE OF SERVICE:
ANY MEDALS OR AWARDS (optional):
MORE INFO: THIS is the storytelling part…anything that helps us tell their BRIEF story would be great.
Scroll down to see the full list of honorees
Thanks to the following friends for making Vic 4 Vets possible:
HONOR ROLL
06.30.2025
SUBMITTED BY: Tim Hixson
Hi Vic and Ken,
Thank you for doing this. This is a short story about my great grandfather, Matthew Hixson, who fought in the American Revolution. God bless.
Sincerely,
Tim Hixson
Name/Rank: Matthew Hixson, Private & Colonel, enlisted at Ringo’s Tavern, New Market, NJ Colony summer of 1775
Branch/Battalion: New Jersey Colonial Militia, later Continental Army, during the American Revolution
Date of Service: Served: summer 1775 until fall of 1778
Awards/Medals: None known.
Matthew Hixson was my great, great, great, great, great, great, great, great grandfather. He was born in 1757 in the town of New Market, Colony of New Jersey. He was one of three brothers who served during the American Revolution. During his 3 years of service he was stationed in and around various townships around New Jersey and New York primarily, serving as a private first in the NJ Militia and later the Continental Army. However, during his last posting in 1778 he held the rank of Colonel for 10 days before his final discharge, no idea why! He married my great (times 8!) grandmother Catherine Hogg in 1779 and eventually moved to Ohio and bought a farm north east of Cincinnati. While we don’t know what if any combat he might have seen as he apparently never talked about it during his life, we know from his own words how in 1832 he finally received notification of the promised veterans pension him and his fellow soldiers were originally promised by the Continental Congress during the War and later the US government. He was 75 years at the time, and he still had to wait another year for it to arrive. In 1833 $100 from the US government was sent to a solicitor (lawyer) in his son’s name for 2 and a half years pension. When Matthew died in 1838 and his debts were paid and remaining estate split among his children, it was realized that he never actually saw a cent of any of that pension the few years he received it. So, for those veterans alive today still dealing with all the troubles in the VA, take heart…the guys who fought in our first war as a nation had to go through similar crap in their day.
Vic and Ken, love your show. Thanks to my grandfather, I’ve discovered I’ve got a little bit of New Jersey in me too! God bless!
06.27.2025
SUBMITTED BY: Christopher Slater
Good morning Ken,
Thank you to you and Vic for honoring our military members.
My veteran is Specialist (Corporal) David Bixler,
Specialist Bixler was assigned to the 1st Ballalion, 320th Field Artillery, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 101st Airborne Division.
On September 30, 2010, Specialist Bixler was on patrol in heavily mined farmland in the Arghandab(AR-CON DOB) River Valley in Afghanistan. He was leading a team of three Afghan National Army Soldiers, when his unit was ambushed and heavy gunfire ensued.
When Bixler saw that one of the Afghan soldiers had veered toward uncleared ground, he ran after him and pushed him to safety. While doing so, Bixler stepped on an improvised explosive device. He suffered the loss of both legs, damage to his spinal cord, traumatic brain injury, and other serious injuries. For his heroic action, Bixler was awarded the Silver Star, as well as a Purple Heart for his wounds. Bixler was the 2011 USO Soldier of the Year.
Bixler was evacuated on or about October 1st, 2010, by an Illinois Air National Guard KC-135 tanker aircraft, configured for an aeromedical evacuation flight from Bagram Air Base, Afghanistan, to Ramstein Air Base, Germany (close to Landstuhl Military Hospital, Germany, Bixler’s destination).
Bixler survived his catastrophic wounds, and has since accepted a smart home from Tunnels to Towers (2016) and become successful in the computer industry, owning his own small business, specializing in 3D printed components.
American warrior.
Respectfully,.
Technical Sergeant Christopher Slater (retired)
United States Air Force/Illinois Air National Guard
06.26.2025
SUBMITTED BY: Sandra D
Vic and Ken
Dad would be against me telling people what he did, because he didn’t have to go to combat. But he was prepared to be on a landing craft heading toward the shore of Japan. He always said he wasn’t afraid, which might be why they tested him to be a frogman. There was something in his makeup that did not register fear. I saw that over and over.
I think he got that job because he was a little knowledgeable about motors and equipment, having been on a farm. So if the motor of the landing craft went down, Pop could have worked on it. So think about this: Pop knew he might have to work on an engine on a landing craft off the shore of Japan while he was being shot at. He was okay with that. Because he knew he had to be.
Here is my submission:
Pop was drafted in the fall of 1944[, which was remarkable in itself. It meant that the US was so hungry for soldiers and sailors that even young farmers were being drafted and that women, old men, and kids were left to feed the country. But ]the US was ramping up to invade Japan.
Pop was assigned to the Navy. [After training at Great Lakes near Chicago, he was tested to become a frogman at Fort Pierce, Florida. Frogmen were the precursors to the Navy Seals. It bothered him to the day he died that he did not pass one test to go on to the next level. My guess is, as a frogman, he would have been used to swim to the shores of Japan and blow up obstacles to landing craft. Instead, ]In 1945, he trained to crew a landing craft to invade Japan. They were told that one half of them would die. They were also told that they would know their chances of survival based upon what “wave” they were in. He was 20 years old when he was told to contemplate dying.
We know how it ended, the atomic bomb meant that Pop never shipped out from Norfolk to the Pacific. Instead, in the spring of 1946, he was assigned to the engine room of the USS Missouri and sent all the way to Istanbul, Turkey. This was a way for President Truman to tell the Soviet Union to “back off.” My father loved that ship so much, that I think if they had told him he could have stayed on it, he would not have come back and married my mother whom he had known for her entire life. (And loved. I have the Valentine he gave her in the 1930s to prove it.)
My father never wanted to be recognized for his service because he did not go into combat. He knew people who did. He was incredibly loyal to family members who suffered alcoholism because of being in combat in the War and in Korea. But he was prepared to drive a landing craft with troops onto the shores of Japan. And, if he lived through doing it once, I have no doubt he would have backed that craft up and done it again. His entire life, he did whatever it took.
Thank you for recognizing Pop.
06.25.2025
SUBMITTED BY: Steve Shaw of the band Cottonwood Gunners
Hello Vic and Ken,
I would like to submit a story about my great Uncle Charlie Payer. Charlie was my father’s favorite uncle as a patient, wonderful uncle who would always take him fishing. Charlie quit high school, lied about his age and enlisted in the Army – Private First Class. He was seventeen when he was shipped to Europe and eventually the Ardennes region where he fought in the Battle fo the Bulge.
Sadly when Charlie returned home he attempted suicide twice – he once threw himself off a Highway 44 overpass and he also attempted to kill himself with a shotgun that caved in the left side of his face. I only remember Charlie when I was a young boy and I was scared of him because he was a huge man and the injury to his face scared me. After he had passed away and my father told me the stories, I wish I had known. He was extremely quiet and humble and would never talk about the war. Obviously the things he experienced as a 17 year old had profound effects on him that he struggled with his whole life – although he quietly went about working at a factory until retirement and passing away at 68.
Sincerely Steve Shaw Cottonwood Gunners
PS: My band Cottonwood Gunners is committed to Veteran’s causes and we often write songs honoring them. I have at least one relative who saw action in every war since World War 1. We host a benefit every year to raise money for veterans causes – last year it was for Got Your Six Service Dogs. I would love to send you more info and to offer our services at any time for vet’s causes.
Much appreciate your consideration.
06.24.2025
SUBMITTED BY: Mike Marfell from the Bluff City Outdoors Show
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Hey Mike Marfell here from the Bluff City Outdoors Show submitting this in behalf of my late Father 32 years in the Illinois Air National Guard.
Allen E Marfell was born July 20th, 1937 and passed August 12th 2019.
Allen joined the Air National Guard 183rd Tactical Fighter wing unit in 1955 at the age of 18 Allen served in this Unit based out of Springfield, Illinois for 31 years where he then retired as Master Sergeant on the flight line.
He had multiple deployments overseas including Great Britain, France and Italy. He was also active during the Cuban Missile Crisis.
He loved his service and made lifelong friendships. As his children we have great memories of seeing him in his uniform and feeling great pride in his service. Every summer he would spend a month in Wisconsin with his Unit and we would follow and vacation there. Also there were innumerable air shows we attended as a family sitting on the flight line and feeling tremendous pride that our father was part of this.
When he passed many years later in 2019 many fellow service members attended his funeral with military rites. Some of these men we had never met but they came to show their respect 20 some years after his retirement. They shared great stories of him and his service, one of our favorites of him driving a truck on the flight line with a cigar hanging out of his mouth. Serving their country together had built lifelong friendships and an unbreakable bond.
Two of Allen’s grandsons followed in his footsteps with military service. Tyler A Robinett served 11 years in the 82nd Airborne ending rank of Captain & Graduated Ranger School. Spencer Marfell currently serving in Idiana Army National Guard Airborn Infantry C Co 2-134 IN (ABN)
Rank – Specialist with 3 years served and a 1 year deployment to Kenya Africa.
06.23.2025
SUBMITTED BY: Peter (Andre) Brown
There are two Vets I would like to recognize via your Vic to Vets.
First: Vipot Lopitakwong (pronounced Vee-pot La-pit-a-wong), Lance Corporal, United States Marine Corps. Nov. 4th 1995 to June 1 2015. I met Vipot in boot camp in 2014 and he quickly became my best friend and bother in the Marine Corps. Unfortunately he was killed in a car crash in 2015 a few days before we were to meet up for some fishing in the Gulf down in Texas. I mess him very much. Rest in peace my friend!
Second: Corporal Jeffrey Lucey United States Marine Corps, a man I never met yet I is a touch stone when things get rough for me. A brother Marine Jeffrey was an Iraq war veteran. He served 5 months in country with the 6th Motor Transport Battalion. Unfortunately as is far to common, on June 22, 2004 Corporal Lucey took his own life at age 23. Tom Waits wrote and sang a song based on his letters and final note to his family. It is both a tribute and a haunting reminder of what our brave me and women go through to keep our Country free. Jeffrey Lucey, Corporal, United State Marine Corps, rest easy brother.
06.20.2025
SUBMITTED BY: Tim Bohnert
Vic and Ken, I think what you’re doing with the show this month is absolutely great.
My father, Arnold E Bohnert, Corporal, was in the Army during the Korean war. He was born in 28 went to Fort Leonard Wood for training and was sent to Germany for further training. The war ended before he was deployed to Korea. His best friend (they were the best man in each other‘s weddings) actually was involved in fighting in Korea. His name was Harold Hadler. I also had at least one uncle on my mothers’ side of the family that served an armed forces as well. His name was Irvin Moll.
I used to go to the Danforth Center about once a month for events years ago and received their newsletters for many years. It might’ve been June of last year. I don’t remember what month it was, but they were talking about celebrating pride month or some similar group for a month. I wrote back in an email, fairly nicely that indicated our veterans only get one day a year who fought and died for our country. And you’re promoting SINNING by celebrating an entire month? I also told them Senator Danforth is probably turning over in his grave now because of what they are doing.
For some reason, I did not get any more newsletters after that.
Keep up the good work.
Tim Bohnert
06.19.2025
SUBMITTED BY: Ron Klutho
I’d like to make a nomination for the Vic 4 Vets program (an awesome idea from you guys, by the way)
My hero cousin, US Marine Scott Sommerhof, who was one of 241 Marines killed in the Beirut attack on our base in 1983
NAME AND RANK: 1st Lt. William Scott Sommerhof (we called him Scott)
BRANCH AND PLATOON: Marines: First Battalion 8th (Battalion Landing Team)
DATES OF SERVICE: August 1980 – October 1983 (KIA)
AWARDS AND MEDALS:
Purple Heart,
Combat Action Ribbon,
Marine Corps Expeditionary Medal,
Navy Unit Commendation,
Navy Sea Service Deployment Ribbon,
United Nations Medal
Scott wanted to be a Marine all his life. He looked up to his relatives who had served in the armed forces, including our uncle Earl Sommerhof, a Green Beret who was killed in Vietnam. Scott’s parents were not crazy about him joining the Marines, but they understood how much it meant to him and supported him fully. Scott entered the Marines in 1980 and attained the rank of First Lieutenant, which was his rank when he was killed on October 23, 1983 when a Hezbollah-backed suicide bomber attacked our base in Beirut, Lebanon, killing 241 Marines. Scott’s parents had gotten a letter from him 2 days before the bombing, in which he said he was looking forward to seeing them at Christmas. Scott believed in the mission and never wavered in his patriotism and pride to be a Marine.
Tragically, Scott’s 21-year-old brother, Eric, was killed in a motorcycle accident during Scott’s deployment, in 1982.
I interviewed Scott’s other brother John and his mother Jo on the show I did at NewsTalk in 2023, Stories of New Americans, on the anniversary of the attack. I also interviewed Johnny Harper on that episode, who survived the attack and has worked to keep the memory of his brothers alive. Tim and Chris also interviewed him both in 2023 and 2024. (He would also be a great nominee for the Vic4Vets award)
06.18.2025
SUBMITTED BY: Janis Craig
Sergeant Major Harris – E9
my son is an Army veteran ,he is Sergeant Major Harris – E9 1989-2015 he served in desert Storm and Afghanistan OPERATION IRAQI FREEDOM ,HE RECEIVED 3 bronze stars 3 MERITORIOUS SERVICE MEDALS RANGER AIRBORNE Wings EXPERT INFANTRY ,HE IS CURRENTLY LIVING THE GOOD LIFE IN ARKANSAS ,GIVING THIS MOM A REST I have 4uncles that were in the Army ( privates) they enlisted in WW2 !My grandmother was proud and sad because she had 4 sons in war at the same time ,names were Donald, Raymond, Kenneth and Robert MCracken ! 2 of the sons met up in Hawaii at the end of the war .All came home safely! Thanks for doing this Vic and Ken
06.17.2025
SUBMITTED BY: TIM CHILDS
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ARMY MASTER SGT. ERNEST R. KOUMA / SGT MAJOR TONY B. KOUMA
Vic and Ken,
I would like to share the names of two brothers who both enlisted in the military to fight for our freedom in the buildup to and after our declaration of war in World War ll. I never had the opportunity to meet Earnest but Tony was married to my 2nd cousin Mary Henehan. I had the pleasure of spending time with him and his family in California , while I was stationed at Camp Pendleton from 1983-1985. He was a great big man with just as big a heart. Earnest was awarded the Congressional Medal of Honor and Tony earned the Navy Cross, which is one step below the Medal of Honor. Hearing Tony describe the details of what his brother went through, and after much prodding on my part, what he went through to earn their respective medals was chilling and awe inspiring at the same time. It was amazing to me, initially, that brothers would both earn such honors and neither posthumously. After spending time with him and his family I came to understand the type of character it takes to be these men. I know you plan to honor 1 veteran each day. I would appreciate it if you could take the time to mention them both at the same time so listeners can understand the level of courage, honor and devotion to country demonstrated by these two young men, brothers from 1 family.
If I may, I would like to also give a mention for Ashli Babbit.
Ashli Babbitt had a 12-year military career in the Air Force, primarily serving as an enlisted security forces controller. She enlisted after high school and served from 2004 to 2016, including deployments to Afghanistan and Iraq. During her active duty, she met her first husband, Staff Sargent Timothy McEntee. Babbitt also served in the Air National Guard, including a six-year stint with the Capital Guardians, a unit responsible for defending the Washington D.C. region. She reached the rank of Senior Airman. Thanks, Tim
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Sgt. Maj. Anthony B. Kouma (Retired)
was born in Dwight, NE, May 30, 1922. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1942.
His distinguished military career included service in WWII, Korea and Vietnam.
Among his many decorations, he was awarded the Navy Cross in 1944 for
extraordinary heroism. In 1951 he married Marjorie Dixon, mother of his nine
children. After her death, he retired and worked as a school bus driver to care for
their children. He was joined by his beloved wife Mary Henehan, who sadly
preceded him in death by a year. He passed away at his home in Encinitas on
Sept. 12, 2004. He will be remembered for his lively sense of humor and his
constant love of God, family, friends, country, and the U.S. Marine Corps. His
frequent letters often ended with a phrase he personified in life – Semper fidelis
(Always faithful.)
Navy Cross Citation:
The President of the United States of America takes pleasure in presenting the
Navy Cross to Corporal Anthony B. Kouma (MCSN: 485555), United States
Marine Corps Reserve, for extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty while
serving with Headquarters and Service Battery, Third Battalion, Tenth Marines,
SECOND Marine Division, in action against enemy Japanese forces on Saipan,
Marianas Islands, 7 July 1944. Investigating suspicious movement in the vicinity
of his Battery’s position, Corporal Kouma worked his way forward from his
foxhole and, discovering the enemy in force to his front, alerted the listening
posts and directed accurate and effective automatic fire against the Japanese.
Doggedly continuing his advance into the enemy lines under intense machine
gun and rifle fire, he located and destroyed two hostile machine guns which were
firing into his Battery. He then returned to his own area and, discovering that the
position was becoming untenable, efficiently directed the withdrawal of the men
and assisted in the evacuation of the wounded. His leadership, courageous
devotion to duty and gallant fighting spirit reflect the highest credit upon Corporal
Kouma and the United States Naval Service.
Medal of Honor Monday: Army Master Sgt.
Ernest R. Kouma
Army Master Sgt. Ernest R. Kouma was credited with killing an astonishing 250
enemy soldiers to protect retreating U.S. infantrymen during an hours-long battle
at the beginning of the Korean War. It’s no surprise that his efforts earned him
the Medal of Honor.
Kouma was born Nov. 23, 1919, in Dwight, Nebraska, and grew up on a family
farm. In 1940, as war was building in Europe, he decided to enlist in the Army.
Kouma served with the 9th Infantry Division during World War II. He fought his
way across Germany and helped relieve the people of Bastone, Belgium, after a
long siege during the famed Battle of the Bulge in the winter of 1944-45.
After the war, he served as part of the occupation force in South Korea and
Japan. But shortly after the Korean War began in the summer of 1950, Kouma
was again sent to the front lines as an M26 Pershing tank commander of
Company A, 72nd Tank Battalion, 2nd Infantry Division.
Kouma’s unit was part of the defensive perimeter around the port city of Pusan
along the Naktong River. Near midnight on Aug. 31, 1950, about 500 enemy
troops crossed the river and launched an attack against infantry units the tanks
were supporting.
The infantry units were ordered to withdraw, and Kouma’s armored unit was
tasked with covering them until another defensive position could be set up. But
the enemy’s assault was heavy, and it overran two tanks, destroyed another and
forced a fourth to withdraw.
That’s when Kouma realized his tank was the only one left to defend the fleeing
infantry units. His company desperately needed to hold their ground.
Kouma ordered his crew to fire on the attackers, fighting them off repeatedly
throughout the night. During one assault, insurgents surrounded Kouma’s tank,
so he jumped from the armored turret despite a hail of gunfire coming at him. He
made it to the .50-caliber machine gun mounted on the rear deck of the tank and
fired at point-blank range into the enemy. After the machine gun ran out of
ammunition, he shot his pistol and threw grenades to keep them off the tank.
For nine hours, Kouma’s tank unit battled the enemy nonstop at close range until
they were finally forced to move to safety, withdrawing through eight miles of
hostile territory. The whole journey, Kouma kept firing and was able to take out
three hostile machine gun positions.
During the retreat, Kouma injured numerous insurgents and killed an estimated
250 enemy soldiers. It was an intense display of heroics that allowed the infantry
to get to safety and reestablish their defensive positions.
Kouma was injured during the ordeal, but once he rejoined his company, he tried
to resupply the tank and get back to the battle. His superiors made him get
medical treatment, and his request to return to the front lines was again shot
down.
A few days later, Kouma returned to his unit. He was promoted to master
sergeant and evacuated back to the U.S.
His leadership, heroism and intense devotion to the mission first led to the
Distinguished Service Cross being awarded to him. That was quickly upgraded,
however, to the Medal of Honor. He was one of the first men to receive it for
actions taken in Korea and received it during a ceremony held by President Harry
S. Truman on May 10, 1951.
After the war, the distinguished soldier remained in the Army and served as a
recruiter, a tank gunnery instructor and a tank commander, but he never again
saw combat. He retired in 1971 after 31 years of service and went on to work as
a game warden at Fort Knox.
Kouma lived a quiet life in McDaniels, Kentucky, until his death on Dec. 19, 1993.
He is the only Medal of Honor recipient buried in Fort Knox Cemetery.
Kouma received many honors after leaving the service. The 194th Brigade
Dining Facility at Fort Benning, Georgia, is named in his honor. In 2016, just
outside of Fort Knox, officials in Radcliff, Kentucky, renamed a road Ernest R.
Kouma Boulevard in his memory.
06.16.2025
SUBMITTED BY: HOPKINS58
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John Dominick Feeney
Born in Ireland in 1843, he immigrated with his parents and siblings to the US and settled in Houston County, Minnesota.
When the Civil War broke out, he was in New Orleans and was conscripted in the Confederate Army. He deserted and went upriver to Cairo, Illinois where he enlisted the Illionois 9th Infantry regiment. He was wounded in the battle of Fort Donaldson in Tennessee. In the hospital he contracted typhoid fever, and he lost his hearing.
He died in 1928 in North Dakota.
06.13.2025
SUBMITTED BY: Miss Laura _____________________________________________________________
Hi!
I’m submitting a Veteran for your show, my Uncle Richard.
Richard R. Bertoni
Third Battalion, Tenth Marines, Second Division
PFC
1941-1944Bronze Star, Combat “V” Medal, , Purple Heart, and many others.
My grandparents immigrated to America in 1921 from Genoa and Rapallo, Italy. In 1941 my uncle lied about his age and enlisted in the Marines. He was at Tarawa on the island of Saipan. He was shot seven times trying to carry out the radio operator after he was shot.
My Nonna and Nonno were sent a black edged telegram that Uncle Richard had died heroically in battle. My Nonna said “My son is not dead. If he was I’d know.” She enquired as to where he would be taken if he were wounded. They told her he would be in Hammond General Hospital in Modesto, California. The next day she got on the train and went there. When she got there she asked to see the men who were brought in that had no dog tags. She went down the row of beds of men who were unconscious and found him! She stayed with him until he was able to travel and brought him home. He met and married his wife and went on to have 6 children, even though one of his testicles was shot off! True story!
As soon as he was able he began volunteering at the VA hospital. As he got older he grew a wonderful curly, white beard and volunteered as Santa for many years. He even led the St. Patrick’s parade as lead leprechaun for years in Ypsilanti.
Whenever we were with Uncle Richard he would take one or more of us to St. Thomas church and ask us to pray with him when he lit a candle for all the boys that didn’t make it home, even the Japanese soldiers. He was loved by many and was generous with his time and money.
A funny story: we happened to be visiting during a heat wave. He decided we were all going to the public pool to cool off. When we got there he put on a fedora, put the towels in a violin case, lit a cigar and walked in. He loved to joke around and he never met a stranger.
I found him more than once on his back patio quietly crying. He would always say that he missed his buddies from the war and hoped he lived the miracle of life God gave him well.
Just thought Vic might like knowing about another Italian that was an incredible Marine. I’m the daughter of an Air force Captain, the sister to a Navy Master Chief, the mother of a Marine, and the mother of another son in the Army. I also recently found out I had a distant relative who fought for the Union in the Civil War from Missouri. I’ve lived in St. Louis for 8 years and I’ve enjoyed your show!
06.12.2025
SUBMITTED BY: Allison Schottenhaml
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I am a grateful patriot and thank God every day for every Veteran that has and will serve this great Nation!
I have many family members, friends and community members who have served in the military and every Veteran deserves to be honored I would like to honor the oldest known Veteran in my family history.
Lt. Nelson Williams my Great Great Grandfather born November 9, 1840 on the family farm in Grafton Illinois on September 8, 1862 he Mustered with the 97th Illinois Infantry Company K which served the Union Army during the American Civil War. Company K was instrumental in the Unions efforts to regain control of the Mississippi River and participated in key battles and campaigns including the siege of Vicksburg then moving down River retaking key positions along the way to retake Mobile Bay in the Bloody Battle of Fort Blakeley hours after General Lee’s surrender at Appomattox. Company K Mustered out July 1865 almost 3 years of Hell!
After the war Nelson returned to his family’s large farm in Grafton Illinois where he died August 24, 1927 at the age of 86 surrounded by a large family!
This is why I pledge alliance to one flag the American flag and to one Nation under God!
Thank you for honoring Real American Heroes who have shaped our great history and continue to inspire its future with their acts of valor, humanity, patriotism and sacrifices the American Soldiers!
06.11.2025
SUBMITTED BY: Kevin aka Ed Stoit
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My Father
Master Sergeant Albert Nowak – US Army
Served at Fort Knox during the Korean Conflict
Trained on Tanks
Thankfully, he was kept Stateside by a 4-star general who made him his Assistant because my Dad knew how to type.
He was in a Tank during a training exercise when someone in his Tank was killed when it fired, and the recoil hit him.
My Dad opened up late in life that he was thankful that the General saved him, but emotionally, he was upset for years for those who did die in battle or training.
My Father in Law
Private First Class Jack Benson – US Army
He served in the Marshall Islands during Nuclear testing etc.
He lied about his age to join the Army.
Although he never attained a higher rank, he served.
I don’t know anything more about his service. He never told my wife or me much of anything.
06.10.2025
SUBMITTED BY: Barry M. Papke
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1st) Bradley D. Foerstel (Deceased)
US Army Vietnam Veteran
Spec 4 (E-4)
Served from August 1969 to May 1971 (in Vietnam Jan. to Dec. 1970)
He was in the 1st US Army D Troop 8th Squadron 1st Cavalry
Medals and Awards
National Defense Service Medal
Army Commendation Medal
Air Medal
Vietnam Medal
Brad was a local guy lived in Affton after being discharged. He graduated from Bayless High School. He was a carpenter his whole life after the Army.
2nd) Eugene L. Konold (Deceased)
US Marine Corps
Major
Received his Commission as a 2nd Lt. in Feb. 1981 and served in the Infantry at Camp Lejeune as a Logistics Officer. He returned to St. Louis serving in the Reserves and ending his commission as a Casualty Officer during Desert Storm.
Medals and Awards
1st Lt. Navy Achievement
Navy Accommodation
Capt. Navy Achievement
National Defense Service Medal
3rd) Barry M. Papke (Currently Retired)
US Air Force Regular 4 years (Aug. 1971 to Aug. 1975)
Member of 218th Engineering Squadron – Missouri Air National Guard (MOANG) 17 1/2 years May 1980 to January 1998
Total service time 21 1/2 years.
Retired Rank of Master Sargent MSGT (E-7)
Medals and Awards
Meritorious Service Medal
National Defense Service Medal
Vietnam Medal
Missouri National Guard Commendation for serving during the Great Midwest Flood of 1993.
I entered the Air Force and was trained to be a Cartographer. That training landed me a job with the Defense Mapping Agency now known today as NGA (National Geo-Spatial Intelligence Agency) where I retired from.
I would also like to recognize my deceased father who was an Army World War II vet who was part of General MacArthur Occupation forces in Japan after the nuclear bombing.
06.09.2025
SUBMITTED BY: Grant Yeakey _____________________________________________________________
Jesse Ray Hughes and SGT Harry Allen
Tribute to SPC Jesse Ray Hughes and SGT Harry Allen
I would like to honor the memory of my mom’s cousin Specialist E-4 Jesse Ray Hughes. Jesse Ray Hughes, Born 19 December 1944, arrived in Vietnam 05 May 1965. He was KIA while on a search and destroy mission on 05 October 1965 when his unit was hit by Viet Cong machine gun fire. He was one of 8 young men killed in that battle. Jesse Ray was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star for his actions that day.
The words of Mr. Harry Allen
We were in 2nd Platoon, Alpha Company, 1st Battalion, 503rd Infantry, 173rd Airborne Brigade. Jesse and I had come from Okinawa on May 5, 1965 to Vietnam. We were both about 14 months into an 18 month Okinawa deployment. They told us we were going TDY (temporary duty) for 90 days. At the end of our TDY period they told us we were PCS (permanent change of station) and would have to stay for a year. Jesse was killed on 5 October which was exactly 5 months into our year.
At the end of my year on 5 May 66, I extended for 90 days because I only had a little over 5 months left in the Army, and if I came back from an overseas assignment with less than 90 days left on my contract I would be discharged early. I ended up spending about 29 months overseas and was a Sergeant E-5 when discharged at 20 years and 9 months old. It was 3 months before I could vote or drink but I’d run an infantry squad of 10 men for a while.
Special thank you to Harry Allen who I reached out to a little over a year ago after
finding a tribute he had written about Jesse Ray on a fallen warrior website. He has become a very good friend, and I consider him a true American Hero.
06.06.2025
SUBMITTED BY: Chris Arps
Mellie Augustus Arps Jr
Mellie Augustus Arps Jr was Chris Arps great uncle. He passed away on July 23, 2010 at 85. He was a Buffalo soldier who served in Italy and Germany and was awarded two bronze stars. He advanced to the rank of corporal.
06.05.2025
SUBMITTED BY: Listener Michele Lee Scarlet-Ridenour, Rural mail carrier
Corporal Michael Lee Scarlet aka (TWIGGY)
served with honor in the U.S. Marine Corp. during the Vietnam War from 9/13/1967 til 9/12/1970.
Mr. Scarlet’s duty was as a {Lineman}.
On 2/1/1970 he was promoted to the rank of Corporal and was assigned to the S&H Company 3rd Battalion 1st Marine Division.
CPL Scarlet earned and was awarded the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal w/1 Bronze Star, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the R.V.N. Cross of Gallantry w/Palm, a Combat Action Ribbon, the U.S.M.C. Good Conduct Medal, and a Rifle Marksmanship Badge
This was my father and he not only served 1 tour in Vietnam he served 2 so that his younger brother John who was also in service in the Army and was stationed in Germany did not have to fight in combat in Vietnam!!
My fathers letters to my grandparents are quite touching as he was just a young 17 year old at the beginning of his time in the Marines. Believe me he was a remarkable man. One that you would want on your side.
I will forever be so proud that this beloved man was my dad and he’s so very missed, what a true hero.
Dad passed in October 2020 due to Agent Orange that had caused Small cell lung cancer which spread to his brain.
Semper Fi Daddy
Always your girl
06.04.2025
SUBMITTED BY: LISTENER R-SAV
David Lee Wagner
Technical Sergeant
21ST TAC ALFT SQDN, 374TH TAC ALFT WING, 7TH AF
United States Air Force
Warner Robins, Georgia
June 28, 1940 to May 17, 1972
“During his service in the Vietnam War, Air Force Technical Sergeant Wagner was reported missing and ultimately declared dead on 17 May 1972. Recorded circumstances attributed to: Hostile Died While Missing, Air Loss Crash – Land, Fixed Wing – Crew. Incident location: South Vietnam, Kontum province.”
06.03.2025
Name Charles Anthony McGuirk
From St Louis, St Louis County, Missouri
Birth Date 1 August 1946
Casualty Date 19 July 1966
War Vietnam War
Service Branch Marine Corps
Rank Private First Class
Specialty Rifleman
Unit/Group 3rd Marine Division, 1st Battalion, 3rd Marines, C Company
Casualty Type Died through hostile action
Location South Vietnam, Quang Nam province
Purple Heart
★ Combat Action Ribbon
★ Marksmanship Badge
★ National Defense Service Medal
★ Vietnam Campaign Medal
★ Vietnam Service Medal
★ Marine Corps Presidential Unit Citation
★ Vietnam Gallantry Cross
During his service in the Vietnam War, Marine Corps Private First Class McGuirk experienced a traumatic event which ultimately resulted in loss of life on 19 July 1966.
Boat sank in the Ca De River 2k from the Nam O Bridge in Quang Nam Province during Operation Hastings sweeps. He left a wife Louise McGuirk
06.02.2025
Staff Sergeant Victor Porcelli from the US Army 787th Tank Battalion served during World War II
