Written by Walter James De Mamiel (1920-2022) as told to Susan De Mamiel March 22, 2022We recently received a memorial donation for Walter James De Mamiel, who passed away on November 24, 2022, at age 102. Walter was a Gunner's Mate, Petty Officer First Class, aboard the light carrier USS Cabot (CVL-28), which saw combat throughout the
Written by Todd DePastino In 1976, President Gerald R. Ford urged Americans to celebrate February as Black History Month in order "to honor the too-often neglected accomplishments of black Americans in every area of endeavor throughout our history." The President's recognition of the month-long holiday was the culmination of a 50-year effort to promote
By Todd DePastino Kristian Clayton on VBC Happy Hour in August 2022 Quick action and old Air Force training made youth football coach Kristian Clayton a genuine hero last August, after he saved a baby choking on a plastic soda cap. Coach Clayton had just given his players a break from drills
Written by Bob MacPherson Retired Navy Chief Warrant Officer Two, Bob MacPherson, took umbrage with our VBC Magazine's article, "What Is a Warrant Officer?" "It has more errors than Pittsburgh has potholes," he said. Specifically, Bob says the article failed to describe Navy Chief Warrant Officers adequately. Bob shares his story and corrections below. Most of
By Todd DePastino Japanese glass net floats Before he died in 2013, WWII veteran Jack Purcell attended VBC events and shared his remarkable story of serving as a Navy officer in the invasion of Okinawa. Before Pearl Harbor, Jack was already well known as leader of what would become the Jack Purcell
By Laura Naylor Colbert Laura Naylor Colbert in Baghdad 2003 (Laura Naylor Colbert) Laura Naylor Colbert appeared on VBC Happy Hour back in June to talk about her experiences serving with the 32nd Military Police Company in Baghdad as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom in 2003-2004. The article below is adapted from
