Tag: VeteranOfTheDay

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#VeteranOfTheDay Marine Corps Veteran Victor “Brute” Harold Krulak

#VeteranOfTheDay Marine Corps Veteran Victor “Brute” Harold Krulak

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Marine Corps Veteran Victor “Brute” Harold Krulak is today’s Veteran of the Day.

Marine Corps Veteran Victor “Brute” Harold Krulak is today’s Veteran of the Day.

Victor “Brute” Harold Krulak was born in January 1913 in Denver, Colorado. He was appointed to the U.S. Naval Academy in Annapolis, but fearing a negative impact from his Jewish birthright, he became Episcopalian.

Krulak graduated in 1934 and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Marine Corps but required an exemption due to his 5’ 4” stature. He wrestled in the academy and earned the nickname “Brute,” in jest because of his size, but he ultimately embodied the name as a preeminent strategist for the Marine Corps.

While stationed in Shanghai in 1937, Krulak recognized the value and potential of using retractable ramps on U.S. boats. When his idea was not considered, he built a model and discussed it with builder Andrew Higgins, who implemented aspects of Krulak’s design into World War II “Higgins boats.”

In 1945, Krulak, a lieutenant colonel, planned the April 1 attack on Okinawa, Japan. He also led a battalion in a separate battle that served as a diversion for the invasion of Bougainville. He refused to be evacuated despite being wounded, earning him a Navy Cross. After World War II, Krulak co-authored the first textbook for helicopter pilots and war planners for the Marine Corps.

In Korea, Krulak advised Gen. Douglas MacArthur on the amphibious landing at Inchon that reclaimed Seoul from North Korea. In 1955, Krulak became a general at age 42. He was named President Kennedy’s special assistant for counterinsurgency and special activities in Vietnam and, by 1963, was a three-star general. Overall, he made 54 trips to Vietnam, utilizing what he called the “inkblot strategy” of winning the hearts of the locals to spread counterinsurgency.

Krulak earned numerous decorations in addition to a Navy Cross, including a Distinguished Service Medal, a Legion of Merit, a Bronze Star, a Purple Heart, an Air Medal and a Presidential Unit Citation.

Krulak retired from military service in 1968 and worked as a columnist and executive for Copley newspapers, retiring in 1977. He published his book, “First to Fight: An Inside View of the U.S. Marine Corps,” in 1984. It remains on the official reading list for Marines. Krulak was named “Citizen of the Year” by San Diego Uplifters, a group of professional and business leaders, and he served as president and trustee of the Zoological Society of San Diego.

He died on Dec. 29, 2008. He is buried at Fort Rosecrans National Cemetery in San Diego.

We honor his service.

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Writer: Kim McAdams

Editors: Theresa Lyon, Alexandra Kaiser

Researchers: Jake Halderson, Timothy Georgetti

Graphic artist: Kiki Kelley



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#VeteranOfTheDay Army Air Forces Veteran George B. McMillan

#VeteranOfTheDay Army Air Forces Veteran George B. McMillan
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Army Air Forces Veteran George B. McMillan is today's Veteran of the Day.

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Air Forces Veteran George B. McMillan, who was a fighter pilot during World War II and served with the 1st American Volunteer Group.

George B. McMillan was born in 1916 in Winter Garden, Florida. He was commissioned a second lieutenant in the Army Air Corps after graduating from The Citadel in 1938. McMillan went on to earn his pilot’s wings in 1939 after graduating the Air Corps Advanced Flying School at Kelly Field, Texas. He later served as a fighter pilot with the 20th Pursuit Group, 55th Pursuit Squadron, at Moffett Field, California. This was followed by a station at Eglin Air Force Base, Florida, where he served with the 23rd Composite Group, 1st Pursuit Squadron.

While serving at Eglin Air Force Base, McMillan was given the opportunity to join the 1st American Volunteer Group (AVG), also known as the Flying Tigers. This was a group of air units formed to aid the Chinese Nationalist government during the Second Sino-Japanese War. After accepting this opportunity, McMillan resigned his commission in the Army to serve as a flight leader in the 3rd Pursuit Squadron in China. There, he flew a Curtiss P-40 Warhawk and scored four and a half aerial victories during his missions in China and Burma.

During an encounter on Christmas Day in 1941, McMillan faced intense enemy fire that damaged his plane and injured his shoulder and hand. Forced to crash-land, McMillan was miles away from the nearest village and only found help from local authorities after riding a horse for eight miles. He eventually made it to Mingaladon Airfield for medical aid.

Before returning to the U.S. in 1942, McMillan helped form the 23rd Fighter Group and then left China in July after the 1st AVG was disbanded. He recommissioned into the Army Air Forces as a major and visited his family before returning to China in 1943, where he briefly served in a Chinese-American Composite Wing and the 51st Fighter Group. McMillan also received command of the 449th Fighter Squadron during the fall of 1943. Flying a Lockheed P-38 Lightning, McMillan achieved four additional aerial victories during his missions with the 449th Fighter Squadron.

In April 1944, the Japanese launched the Ichigo Offensive to push into China. During this time, McMillan took part in several missions against the Japanese forces. During the early summer of 1944, McMillan took part in a strafing mission near the city of Pingxiang. As he approached his target, McMillan encountered enemy fire that landed several critical hits against his P-38, which forced him to attempt a crash landing. However, before he could do so, his engine burst into flames, killing him.

During his service, McMillan achieved the rank of lieutenant colonel. His awards include a Distinguished Flying Cross, a Bronze Star and two Air Medals with Oak Leaf Clusters. He also received several foreign honors. McMillan is buried in Arlington National Cemetery next to other members of the Flying Tigers.

We honor his service.

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Veterans History Project

This #VeteranOfTheDay profile was created with interviews submitted to the Veterans History Project. The project collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war Veterans so that future generations may hear directly from Veterans and better understand the realities of war. Find out more at http://www.loc.gov/vets/.

Writer: Raymond Lin

Editors: Theresa Lyon, Annabelle Colton

Researchers: Jake Halderson, Kennady Hertz

Graphic Design: Kiki Kelley


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#VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Frederick Weyand

#VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Frederick Weyand
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Army Veteran Frederick Weyand is today's Veteran of the Day.

Army Veteran Frederick Weyand is today’s Veteran of the Day.

Frederick Weyand was born in September 1916, in Arbuckle, California. While attending college at the University of California, Berkeley, he received a Reserve Officers’ Training Corps commission as a second lieutenant and then graduated a year later, in 1939, according to a U.S. Army article.

Weyand’s military service began in 1940, when he entered active duty. During World War II, he served in the field of intelligence. He was stationed in San Francisco, but was sent to Camp Richie in Maryland in 1942. According to a New York Times article, he “served under General Joseph Stilwell in the China-Burma-India Theater” in 1944. After World War II, he was stationed in Hawaii as chief of staff of intelligence in the middle Pacific region.

In 1950, Weyand was sent to Korea, commanding the 1st Battalion, 7th Infantry Regiment. During his service, he helped fight off a Chinese attack on the port of Hungnam to help Americans and civilians escape by ship. After his service there, he taught at the Infantry School at Fort Benning and worked as an assistant to the Secretary of the Army. He then went to Europe, where he commanded a battle group in Berlin.

Weyand was leading the 25th Infantry Division in Hawaii when he and the division were transferred to Cu Chi in northwest Saigon in 1965 and 1966. In 1967, he became commander of the II Field Force. A year later, in 1968, Weyand believed that the North Vietnamese were planning an attack on Saigon using guerrilla warfare tactics. This turned out to be true when the North Vietnamese launched the Tet Offensive. Weyand’s preparations to increase Saigon’s defenses helped the Americans immensely in defending the city, according to a HistoryNet article. Weyand eventually participated as an advisor during the Paris Peace talks in 1968 and later returned to Vietnam to oversee the withdrawal of troops.

Weyand retired from service in 1976 at the rank of general. He moved to Honolulu, where he remained involved with the community through the Red Cross and the Rotary Club. During his service, he received a Distinguished Service Cross, five Distinguished Service Medals, a Silver Star and two Legion of Merits among other honors. He died in Hawaii in February 2010.

We honor his service.

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Writer: Ryan Beane

Editors: Annabelle Colton, Nathaniel Scott

Researchers: Carl Wesseln, Timothy Georgetti

Graphic Designer: Kiki Kelley


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#VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Robert “Boots” Chouinard

#VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran Robert “Boots” Chouinard

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Army Veteran Robert “Boots” Chouinard is today’s Veteran of the Day.

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Veteran Robert “Boots” Chouinard, who served during World War II.

Robert “Boots” Chouinard was born in 1923. He enlisted in the Army in 1943, and a year later he was sent to Europe. He touched down in Omaha Beach in France five days after D-Day, before proceeding to Germany.

Chouinard and his unit, the 128th Anti-Aircraft Artillery Gun Battalion, were sent to the Rhine River to secure the Ludendorff Bridge at Remagen, a mission later chronicled in the movie “The Bridge at Remagen.” While thousands of American soldiers were crossing, they were tasked to shoot down German aircraft that were attempting to destroy the bridge. After successfully completing this task, they traveled south of the Rhine River, where they made another crossing in Oppenheim, Germany.

While he was near Oppenheim, Chouinard heard an announcement over a loudspeaker about a church service; he was one of a crew of seven that attended the Easter service. As they were walking into the packed church, armed and in uniform, they saw Germans, also in attendance, turn in discomfort, saddened and overwhelmed with emotion. Chouinard was moved by the realization of them worshiping together while fighting a war. After the service ended, they quietly left and continued their journey.

Toward the end of the war, Chouinard and his fellow soldiers were in a field south of Munich, Germany.  He noticed a farmhouse and decided to ask for some fresh eggs. Meeting an American woman who married a German, he spoke with her and then later left with the eggs. When Chouinard returned the next morning, he was met by a German soldier and officer who were waiting for him. He was informed by the German officer that he wished to speak to an American officer. The German officer wanted to surrender, and not long after, a large mass of soldiers left the woods with their hands up. By not firing when first seeing the German soldier, the lives of over a 100 Germans and Americans were saved.

Now, Chouinard lives in Salisbury, Massachusetts, and writes stories for the Newburyport News. He plans to return to Germany to retrace his steps.

Thank you for your service.

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Writers: Alexandria Robinson, Alexandra Kaiser

Editors: Annabelle Colton, Alexander Reza, Theresa Lyon

Researchers: Patrick E. Woods, Timothy Georgetti

Graphic artist: Kiki Kelley



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#VeteranOfTheDay Coast and Geodetic Survey Corps Veteran Don A. Jones

#VeteranOfTheDay Coast and Geodetic Survey Corps Veteran Don A. Jones

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Coast and Geodetic Survey Corps Veteran Don A. Jones is today’s Veteran of the Day.

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Coast and Geodetic Survey Corps Veteran Don A. Jones, who served during WWII and later became director of the USC&GS.

Don A. Jones was born in Waldron, Michigan, in September 1912. He attended Michigan State University, where he studied engineering. After graduating in 1933, Jones joined the United States Coast and Geodetic Survey (USC&GS) as a civilian employee. He was commissioned as an ensign in 1940. In 1942, after the U.S. joined World War II, Jones was temporarily transferred to the Army. He served as a coast artillery staff officer, a surveying and mapping officer and commanded a submarine mine planter. He also served with the Office of Strategic Services (OSS) from 1944 to 1946, attaining the rank of lieutenant commander.

After the war, Jones returned to USC&GS. He served aboard various survey ships, conducting mapping and triangulation work along both coasts of the U.S. In 1957, Jones was transferred to the State Department to serve as project chief for geodetic control surveys in Ethiopia, working to map the headwaters of the Blue Nile River. When he returned to the U.S. in 1961, he became assistant chief of the Geodesy Division. Jones was then assigned as executive officer of the survey ship USC&GS Surveyor. After a year in that position, he took command of Surveyor for the remainder of the ship’s tour, conducting survey and oceanographic work in Alaska, Hawaii and the North Pacific. In 1966, Jones became associate director of the Office of Hydrography and Oceanography. The following year, he was appointed associate administrator of the Environmental Science Services Administration (ESSA). Jones served in that post until 1968, when he became director of USC&GS.

In 1970, ESSA was reorganized into the National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration (NOAA), and USC&GS became the National Ocean Survey (NOS). President Richard Nixon appointed Jones as director of NOS; Jones held the position until 1972, when he retired with the rank of rear admiral after 39 years of service.

Jones died on Aug. 6, 2000, at the age of 87.

We honor his service.

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Writer: Stephen Hill

Editors: Nathaniel Scott, Annabelle Colton

Researchers: Timothy Georgetti, Giacomo Ferrari

Graphic artist: Kiki Kelley



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#VeteranOfTheDay Navy Veteran Ming Chang

#VeteranOfTheDay Navy Veteran Ming Chang

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Navy Veteran Ming Chang is today's Veteran of the Day.

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Navy Veteran Ming Chang, who was the first naturalized Asian American to reach flag rank in the Navy.

Ming Chang was born in Shanghai in 1932. His father was in the U.S. Navy. At the age of 14, he emigrated to the United States with his mother, eventually becoming a citizen. He worked hard and attended William and Mary College in Virginia, where he was among a small group of Asian American students.

At William and Mary, Chang earned a bachelor’s degree in physics and a minor in mathematics. After graduating in 1955, he followed in his father’s footsteps and enlisted in the Naval Reserve, eventually joining the active Navy in 1960.

During his service, Chang filled assignments in the Navy cruiser and destroyer commands. These assignments included being a commanding officer of USS Rathburne, commander of USS Reeves, commander of carrier group Three, commander of the Third fleet and commander of the cruiser destroyer Two, among many more positions. Chang also earned an additional bachelor’s degree from the Naval Postgraduate School in electrical engineering. He received many awards and honors including the Legion of Merit, Bronze Star Medal with combat V denotation and the distinguished lifetime achievement award from the Asian Pacific American Institute for Congressional Studies.

He served for 34 years, retiring in 1990 as a rear admiral and was the first naturalized Asian American to reach flag rank in the Navy in 1980. Charlotte Chang, Ming’s wife of 61 years, said he “would approach everything by trying to be the best he could be. He felt confident he would be recognized for his ability, and he was.”

After retirement, he was the vice president and corporate director of the Pacific region at Raytheon. President Clinton later appointed him to the advisory board for the World War II Memorial. He also served on the board of trustees for the College of William and Mary and as the chairman of the U.S. Merchant Marines Academy advisory board, among many other post-retirement commitments.

Chang died in 2017 after battling Parkinson’s disease.

We honor his service.

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Veterans History Project

This #VeteranOfTheDay profile was created with interviews submitted to the Veterans History Project. The project collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war Veterans so that future generations may hear directly from Veterans and better understand the realities of war. Find out more at http://www.loc.gov/vets/.

Writer: Kimberly Kassis

Editors: Alexander Reza, Merrit Pope

Researcher: Giacomo Ferrari

Graphics: Kiki Kelley



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#VeteranOfTheDay Coast Guard Veteran Eugene “Gene” Gerrard

#VeteranOfTheDay Coast Guard Veteran Eugene “Gene” Gerrard

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Coast Guard Veteran Eugene “Gene” Gerrard is today’s Veteran of the Day.

Coast Guard Veteran Eugene “Gene” Gerrard is today’s Veteran of the Day.

Eugene “Gene” Gerrard wanted to begin his military career at age 17 during the summer of 1941. He worked as a printer by day and attended trade school by night in Brooklyn, New York, and upon being convinced by Navy officers to join, he chose to enlist in the Navy. After he was told he would either be assigned to serve on a battleship, an aircraft carrier, or the base in Pearl Harbor, Hawaii, his mother refused to sign his papers. However, due to a family friend influencing his mother’s opinion, he finally enlisted in the Coast Guard in 1942.

Gerrard served in the Coast Guard until 1945, where he attained the rank of quartermaster 1st class. For his service, he earned an American Campaign Medal, an Asiatic-Pacific Campaign Medal, a Good Conduct Medal, a World War II Victory Medal and a Philippine Liberation Medal.

Following his service, Gerrard applied his printing knowledge to owning and operating two printing businesses for 61 years: Gerrard Printing in Elmont, New York, from 1951 to 1965, and St. Gerrard Printing in Port Jefferson Station, New York, from 1965 to 2013. Gerrard simultaneously served as a Brookhaven town councilman for 22 years starting in 1981.

In addition to the aforementioned community involvement, Gerrard was an active member of the Mt. Sinai Fire Department for 50 years and he served as its chief, chaplain and fire police captain. He founded the Mt. Sinai Fire Department Benevolent Association and the Brookhaven Volunteer Firefighters Museum.

At age 94, Gerrard began volunteering at the Canandaigua VA Medical Center as a Red Coat Ambassador, serving Veterans of the Finger Lakes. Red Coat Ambassadors are named for their easily recognizable red coats or vests. They are volunteer greeters, positioned near front entrances of VA buildings. They offer information and assistance, provide directions to important locations, escort Veterans to their appointments when requested, contact escorts or wheelchair services when necessary, and offer listening ears to those in need.

Gerrard was named the New York 27th Congressional District Veteran of the Month in June 2021, and was presented with a New York State Senate Proclamation by Senator Pamela Helming that year on his 99th birthday.

In May 2022, Gerrard celebrated his 100th birthday at American Legion Canandaigua Post 256 with VA Center for Development and Civic Engagement (CDCE) staff, Canandaigua Rotary members, Kiwanis Club of Canandaigua members, and other community members. A few days later, he was honored at a gubernatorial rally by Lee Zeldin.

Thank you for your service!

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Writer: Kim McAdams

Editors: Theresa Lyon, Alexander Reza

Researcher: Raphael Romea

Graphic artist: Kiki Kelley



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#VeteranOfTheDay Army Air Forces Veteran Ralph Parr

#VeteranOfTheDay Army Air Forces Veteran Ralph Parr

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Army Air Forces Veteran Ralph Parr is today's Veteran of the Day.

Army Air Forces Veteran Ralph Parr is today’s Veteran of the Day.

Ralph Parr loved to fly. At five years old, his father, a Navy squadron commander, took him flying on his birthday. From that point forward, Parr’s fascination with flying grew. He enlisted in the Army Air Forces in 1942 and was commissioned as a second lieutenant in 1944. During World War II, Parr served in the Pacific Theater, piloting the P-38 Lightning during the last eight weeks of the war.

During the Korean War, Parr flew the F-86 Sabre jet and faced many intimidating missions. One such mission occurred on June 7, 1953, when Parr was flying near the Yalu River. While descending, he spotted four enemy MiG-15 aircraft nearby. Deciding to pursue them, he succeeded in downing one aircraft. However, as he descended further, he discovered the enemy aircraft contingent was 16 strong. Realizing he was outmatched, Parr downed two aircraft and damaged a third before retreating to safety.

On June 30, Parr was attacked by 10 enemy aircraft during another mission and took down two aircraft when the fight unfolded. Despite being low on fuel, he also helped his besieged wing commander fight off other enemies before they returned to safety. Parr was awarded a Distinguished Service Cross for his action that day. He was an ace when the war ended in July.

Between the Korean War and Vietnam War, Parr served as a leading flight instructor and was also an F-4 squadron commander. When the Vietnam War started, Parr served two combat tours there. In 1968, he was with the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing as deputy commander of operations. He took part in the Battle of Khe Sanh when the North Vietnamese attacked a Marine garrison in Khe Sanh. During the battle, he flew eight passes against six enemy mortar and gun positions, helping the Americans secure their supply line and disrupt the North Vietnamese attack. For his actions, he received an Air Force Cross. Parr became the only person to receive both an Air Force Cross and a Distinguished Service Cross.

After the Vietnam War, Parr served in Iran with the Military Assistance Advisory Group. His final assignment took him to Eglin Air Force Base in Florida. He retired in 1976 at the rank of colonel.

During his 32-year career, Parr flew over 6,000 hours, took part in 641 missions in three wars and earned over 60 decorations, including a Distinguished Service Cross, Air Force Cross, 10 Distinguished Flying Crosses, Silver Star, Bronze Star and 41 Air Medals.

Parr died in 2012 at the age of 88. He is buried at Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery.

We honor his service.

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Contributors

Writer: Raymond Lin

Editors: Theresa Lyon, Annabelle Colton

Researcher: Yuki Harry

Graphic artist: Kiki Kelley



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#VeteranOfTheDay Army Air Forces Veteran Neel E. Kearby

#VeteranOfTheDay Army Air Forces Veteran Neel E. Kearby

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Army Air Forces Veteran Neel E. Kearby is today’s Veteran of the Day.

Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Army Air Forces Veteran Neel E. Kearby, who served as a fighter pilot during World War II.

To a generation of young Americans, the flying aces of World War I inspired many to follow in their footsteps to become fighter pilots. Neel Earnest Kearby was one of those who grew up captivated by the aces. He joined the Army Air Corps—later renamed the Army Air Forces—after earning a degree in business administration from the University of Texas in Austin in 1937. He completed flight training at Randolph Field in San Antonio. Afterward, he served with two flight squadrons at Selfridge Field, Michigan, before receiving command of the 14th Pursuit Squadron in the Panama Canal Zone.

After Panama, Kearby returned to the U.S. to command the 348th Fighter Group and deployed to the Pacific Theater. In this position, Kearby earned his reputation as a fighter pilot and an aggressive tactician. The 348th Fighter Group was the first unit in the Pacific Theater to fly P-47 Thunderbolts. While many dismissed the P-47 as an unsuitable aircraft to fly against the Japanese, Kearby exploited the P-47’s high altitude and diving capabilities to tremendous success.

On Oct. 11, 1943, the same day he was promoted to colonel, Kearby led a mission to scout enemy bases near Wewak, New Guinea. After his group completed its objective, they spotted a contingent of enemy aircraft and engaged with them despite being outnumbered. Amid the ensuing fight, Kearby shot down three enemy aircraft and two more who were pursuing another pilot in his group. He destroyed another enemy aircraft before finally retreating into the safety of the clouds. Kearby received a Medal of Honor for his actions and for destroying the most enemy aircraft in a single mission. By November, he had 12 aerial victories.

In the same month, Kearby was set to assume an administrative role at the Fifth Air Force Fighter Command. Never one to give up flying, he made sure he could still fly combat missions in his new role. True to his goals, he continued to fly combat missions and accumulated 22 aerial victories.

On March 5, 1944, Kearby led a fighter sweeper mission near Wewak, New Guinea. He engaged with several Japanese bombers preparing to land. However, he was hit by machine-gun fire during the fight, causing him to crash. His remains were not recovered until 1949. He was buried at Hillcrest Memorial Park Cemetery with full military honors.

During his service, Col. Kearby received a Medal of Honor, two Silver Stars, four Distinguished Flying Crosses, a Purple Heart and five Air Medals.

We honor his service.

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Veterans History Project

This #VeteranOfTheDay profile was created with interviews submitted to the Veterans History Project. The project collects, preserves, and makes accessible the personal accounts of American war Veterans so that future generations may hear directly from Veterans and better understand the realities of war. Find out more at http://www.loc.gov/vets/.

Writer: Raymond Lin

Editors: Alexander Reza, Annabelle Colton

Researcher: Giacomo Ferrari

Graphics: Kiki Kelley



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#VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran William E. Vicars

#VeteranOfTheDay Army Veteran William E. Vicars

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Army Veteran William E. Vicars is today’s Veteran of the Day.

Army Veteran William E. Vicars is today’s Veteran of the Day.

William E. Vicars was born in Paris, Illinois, in May 1940 and, a year later, his family moved to Texas. Vicars grew up in El Paso, and graduated from Austin High School. In 1959, he enlisted in the Army and was sent to Ford Ord, Calif., for basic training and advanced individual training (AIT).

Upon completing AIT, Vicars was assigned to the 327th Infantry Regiment at Fort Campbell, Kentucky. He spent a year and a half in the regiment before being transferred to the 18th Infantry Regiment at Coleman Barracks in Mannheim, Germany. In 1961, Vicars’ unit was the first unit to move into Berlin during the Berlin Crisis. The regiment stayed at Tempelhof Air Force Base for five months, then returned to Mannheim. At this time, Vicars was discharged as a sergeant and left the Army.

After 45 days, Vicars decided to reenlist. He was stationed at Fort Polk in Louisiana, and trained troops for three years. In 1965, he transferred to the 173rd Airborne Brigade on Okinawa, Japan, and on May 4, the regiment deployed to South Vietnam. They were stationed in Biên Hòa, but assisted units across the country. As a staff sergeant, Vicars was a machine gun squadron leader. In the month of May alone, Vicars’ unit was ambushed 17 times. In November 1965, Vicars was wounded in the stomach by a mortar and sent to Fort Sam Houston in Texas to recover.

After recovering, he was assigned to Fort Bliss in his hometown of El Paso. In 1969, he returned to Vietnam as a sergeant first class with the 1st Calvary Division and was stationed in Quần Lợi. Vicars served as a platoon leader, leading 20 soldiers. As a 29-year-old, he was known in his unit as the “old man.” In 1970, his unit started conducting missions in Cambodia. He remained in the field for eight consecutive months. In late 1970, Vicars returned to the United States. Over the next 10 years, he served at Fort Sill in Oklahoma with the 31st Infantry Regiment; in Gelnhausen, Germany, with the 28th Infantry Regiment; and at Fort Carson in Colorado with the 8th Infantry Regiment. In July 1980, Vicars retired as a command sergeant major after 21 years of service.

Following his retirement, Vicars taught Reserve Officers’ Training Corps (ROTC). He worked with the rifle teams in El Paso and at Austin High School for five years, and the Irvin High School for 17 years, dedicating 22 years to ROTC training.

Thank you for your service!

Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay

Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.

It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.

Writer: Nathaniel Scott

Editors: Alexander Reza, Theresa Lyon

Researchers: Patrick E. Woods, David Charles Deprez

Graphic artist: Kiki Kelley



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