. . Ralph L. Riter, 91, of Connellsville, Pennsylvania was drafted into the army in April of 1943, and he served with the 46th Field Artillery Battalion from Normandy to Nuremberg. Like many others GIs who actually served under George Patton, Ralph didn’t think too highly of the brash-mouthed general. But
. . Walter Reddy of Sewickley, Pennsylvania enlisted in the Army Air Corps during WWII, serving in Europe through the end of the war. Since childhood, Walter had been fascinated with airplanes. “I was in love with the sky,” Walt says fondly, “and I always wanted to fly.” When Walt was
. . John Rapp of Coraopolis, Pennsylvania loved the navy. He enlisted during WWII, serving aboard landing craft in the Pacific. After more than thirty years, John retired from the navy as a chief boatswain’s mate. “It was my job to keep the ship clean and orderly,” he says. “I showed the
. . Bernie Queneau was born in 1912; his earliest memories include the bombing of London during the infamous Zepplin Raids. As a boy, he learned several languages and lived through Europe until moving to the US in his teens. Prior to entering Columbia College, Bernie became an Eagle Scout; he
. . Bernard Pular of Tionesta, Pennsylvania served in the Army during the Korean War. On a routine mission one day he engaged the enemy—Koreans, Chinese—it didn’t matter. They were trying to kill him, so he returned the gesture. That’s when “The Pollack”—as his men called him—was cut down by a
. . Blairsville’s Joseph (Guerrino) Prola, 95, was twice drafted during WW II. In medic training the young recruit was asked what he’d do if saw someone with their arm or leg blown off. “I don’t know what I’d do,” he stammered. “I’d be flabbergasted.” Just months later when the Germans
