. . Eugene R. Vish comes from a large and very patriotic family. During WWII, three brothers served in the Pacific and three in Europe. They all returned safely from the war and rarely talked about their service. “It’s what we had to do,” he says of America’s role in the war.
. . Don Vitous entered the US Coast Guard in October 1942 and was assigned to beach patrol along the Gulf Coast. Don’s bother, John, who was a member of the 4th Infantry Division, died in Auckland, Germany after participating in the invasion of Normandy. Don returned home after leaving the Coast Guard
. . Woody Versaw was a first-semester student at Franklin and Marshall College hitchhiking home to see his girlfriend for her birthday when he heard the news about Pearl Harbor on a truck radio. Like many young men at that time, he dropped out of college and tried to enlist in
. . Angelo Vento entered the US Navy on March 1943. He was a motor machinist mate aboard LCT 956 which took part in five different landings and the occupation of Japan. After spending over 22 months overseas, he left the Navy in 1946.
. . During WW II, Chuck Utz (pronounced “youtz) served as a tailgunner aboard B-17 bombers, first ferrying aircraft from the US to Europe, and then into combat throughout the continent. His ship was hit and destroyed over Germany On Christmas Eve, 1944. After bailing out, the Germans took him as
. . By her own admission, Dorothy Tyler of Aliquippa, Pennsylvania has lived a very active life. At 90, she lives up to her words–and deeds–as a respected elder and vibrant leader of her family, community, and church. During WW II, Mrs. Tyler served as another kind of leader, although she
