“Dreams of flight” – 2008 High School Graduate Becomes Fighter Pilot and Instructor With the U.S. Air Force
Cole Stegeman has fulfilled childhood dream of becoming a fighter pilot in the United States Air Force. Now a flight commander of a fighter squadron…
“It was very interesting work” – Lincoln University Graduate Drafted into U.S. Army Early in Vietnam War
Editor’s note: This article is the first in a four-part series highlighting the life and Vietnam War experiences of the late Roger Buchta. In the…
Firm But Fair – Former Missouri Sheriff served with Marines in South Pacific in WWII
Wyman S. Basinger has a reputation that endures following his years of service as sheriff of Cole County, Missouri, earning him the distinction as a…
“He was a giver” – Missouri Native Excelled at West Point, Wounded While Leading Troops in WWII
Barely 30 years of age, Missouri native Elliott Woodrow Amick had already endured a lifetime of harrowing experiences and amassed an impressive list of accomplishments…
“Earn My Rank” – Former Women’s Army Corps Member Achieves Rank of Lieutenant Colonel
Growing up the daughter of a rural preacher and an electric lineman, and in a combined family of seven children, Carol Jean Dameron Bailey realized…
Army veteran becomes first African American woman aviator in U.S. military
During her formative years in Centralia, Missouri, Marcella “Marcy” Ng humorously explained that she was raised as a “drag baby”—she was dragged into church on…
He served in U.S. Navy in late WWII, recalled to service in Korean War
Korean War war veteran Paul Hofius possesses an impressive family legacy of military service dating back to the Revolutionary War and including later conflicts such…
Baseball star turned broadcaster Joe Garagiola served with U.S. Army in WWII
History is full of examples of overlaps in major league baseball and military service. From Stan “the Man” Musial’s naval service in WWII followed by…
“What Needed to be Done” – Veteran Served as Navigator on Aircraft Patrolling Gulf Coast in WWII
During World War II, the military draft became the great equalizer—virtually all young men from various cross-sections of society had the potential to serve. Yet…
Part 2: Not Defined by Disability U.S. Army Veteran Overcomes Debilitating Brain Injury Incurred in WWII
Editor’s note: This article is the final in a two-part series regarding the military experiences of U.S. Army Veteran Sergeant Leonard P. Sergeant Leonard P.…
Part 1: Love & determination – U.S. Army veteran suffers severe brain injury during WWII combat
Editor’s note: This article is the first in a two-part series regarding the WWII experiences of the late Leonard P. Jaegers. The mission of the…
More Than Baseball – St. Louis Cardinal Stan Musial spent 1945 baseball season in the U.S. Navy
The “crack” of Stan Musial’s bat produced a staggering 3,630 career hits, ranking him first in the National League when he retired from baseball in…