Written by Todd DePastino This is a story about an 18-year-old Marine killed on Okinawa in World War II and the efforts of two VBC members—Bob McGowan and Beth Reuschel—to keep his memory alive. The story begins with a picture and a memory. The picture is a well-known image from the Battle of Okinawa
President Ford meets with Graham Martin, United States Ambassador to the Republic of Vietnam, Army Chief of Staff General Frederick Weyand, and Secretary of State Henry A. Kissinger to discuss the situation in Vietnam, March, 1975. (National Archives) Written by Todd DePastino Saigon swelled with refugees as “Black April” 1975 ground toward
Photos by Ed Zirkle For the second year in a row, photographer Ed Zirkle kindly traveled from Ohio to capture the action and great spirit of our Veterans Breakfast Club celebration at the Rivers Casino. This year, we had a brief lesson in Bosun's Piping, some discussion of the Korean War and subsequent defenders
by Andy Nigut Andy Nigut served in Golf Company, 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division in I Corps near the DMZ in 1968, when he was almost mortally wounded by an enemy rocket in the face and body. After a long recovery, Andy became a VA counselor, and, with other young combat veterans,
Written by Todd DePastino In 1970, the U.S. Marine Corps faced a daunting recruitment challenge. Amidst the Vietnam War and a nation in turmoil, with public opinion shifting and young men increasingly resistant to enlistment, the Marines needed a new strategy. Unlike the Army, Navy, and Air Force, which rebranded themselves to appeal to
Written by Matt Saintsing (published in July/August 2024 issue of DAV Magazine) All eyes were on Terry Hillard as he told a room packed with Chicago civil servants why he waited half a century to file his first Department of Veterans Affairs claim. The Marine Vietnam veteran and former Chicago police superintendent explained that
