June is VIC FOR VETS month.
Every day in June, 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
06.16.2025
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
