Earl "Mike" Schaeffer
Mike was born on April 25, 1922 in Pennsylvania. He enlisted into the Army on July 1, 1940 and finished basic training soon after. Out of 600 men in the Air Force, he was one of two who achieved his high school diplomas. From then on he was a Master Sergeant in the United States Air Force until October 31, 1962. He was on the 72nd Bomb Squadron, 5th Bomb Group and the 13th Air Force. His role was the Radio Operator-Side Gunner and he was apart of the Army and Air Force Recruiting Duty. Mike survived the attack on Pearl Harbor when it was bombed on December 7th, 1941.
Loys Grove
Loys was born on September 9, 1925 in a rural town called Long Island, Kansas. Mr. Grove finished four years of college before enlisting. While in the Navy, after attending basic training, he became a 3rd class Petty Officer of the Sea Bees Unit 542. During his time he served in New Hebrides Island. Loys some how managed to join the Navy at the age of 16.
Dale Mott
Dale was born in the small town of Iuka, Kansas on April 11, 1922. He enlisted into the navy and achieved the status as a Lieutenant Junior Grade in the United States Navy during the World War II. Mott served on the USS Berian (APA 62) in the Pacific. He was a Wave Officer that unloaded troops. His time earned him two bronze stars and while traveling during training he was able to attend college.
Jack Wolfe
Jack was a Tech Sergeant in the Marine Air Group 24 in the United States Air Force during World War II. Mr. Wolfe was born in Newton, Kansas on February 1, 1916. At 100 years old, Jack was able to share his story as an expert Rifleman serving for four years. He traveled both east and west coasts. Jack did a lot of heavy lifting as his job was to be in charge of all of the heavy equipment.
Cyrill "Bud" Pivonka
Bud was a 2nd Class Petty Officer in the United States Navy during World War II. Born in a small town of 75 people, Timkin, Kansas, he served for nearly three years. He was a part of the Battle of Peleliu, Battle of Luzon, and Battle of Okinawa earning him the Victory Medal, American Theater Ribbon, and the Pacific Theater Ribbon. Bud swept mines in Tokyo Bay before Battleship Missouri arrived to sign the Peace Treaty.
Arris Johnson
Being in the 69th Infantry Division in the United States Army, gave Arris the opportunity to be able to go to Alfred University in New York. While he was there he studied to become an engineer. He was a Private 1st Class from 1942 to 1946 and was at the Battle of the Bulge and met the Russians on the Elbe River. He also was chosen by the Red Cross Field Director for the 271st Regiment as his clerk.
Russ Clark
Russ was born on June 17, 1924 and was the youngest of 7 children and had two other brothers that joined the military shortly before him. He was enlisted into the United States Navy from 1944 to 1946 and was a 3rd class Motor Mac. He was on the USS Destroyer Escort Farquhar (DE-139). He traveled to the European Theater in the Pacific and earned the Eastern Theater Ribbon and the Pacific Theater Ribbon.
Howard Jeffcoat
Howard was born in Philadelphia Pennsylvania on December 12, 1925. He enlisted into the United States Navy Reserve on Decmeber 6, 1943. After attending basic training, he went on the USS LSM 38 and became a 2nd Class Petty Officer. He traveled to the Western Pacific and the Philippine Islands. After his service, he received the No Stander Participation Service Award for the dedication that he had during his time.
Ernest Zachman
Ernest was born in 1918 on a farm in rural Ellis Kansas. He enlisted into the United States Army and was a part of the 71st Infantry Divsion. He has a very descripted memory of the experiences he went through, such as the pack mule training in Colorado. We traveled to parts of central Europe and got multiple medals for his time.
Orlando Peach
Living his whole life in LaCrosse, Kansas, Orlando was a man who made up his mind and stuck to it. At the young age of 18, when he was drafted, Orlando was a part of the Army and rose to Acting Sergeant. He was associated with the Battle of the Bulge and traveled to Texas, Kentucky, and California. He loved his job as a Rifleman Instructor. Orlando enjoyed his job that he was so talented at. He obtained the Expert Infantryman Badge, Victory Medal, American Theater Ribbon, and Good Coduct Medal. His experiece that many people have not heard of yet.
Paul Herrman
Mr. Paul J. Herrman was born as the middle of 12 children on September 8, 1921. He left the strict farm life and was drafted into the army from 1944-1946. Paul achieved the high ranking as a Staff Sergeant. He loved his job as a supplies Sgt. and trained men on the use of heavy artillary. He was awarded the Marksmanship Badge, American Theater Ribbon, Good Coduct Medal, and Victory medal. He was honorably discharged from the 102nd Infantry Regiment on June 28, 1946.
Wilbert Keller
Wilbert was born and raised in Ellis, Kansas. He took part in the Army from May 25, 1945 to January 17, 1947. This kind hearted man earned the Victory Medal and served in Belgium and Germany. Wilbert excelled during his time of service and helped process the men going into the battle field and sending them home to their loved ones.
Robert Hall
Robert took pride in sharing his story by showing two binders full of pictures. Hall was born in Hays, Kansas on March 28, 1926. He was a 3rd class Petty Officer aboard the USS Munda. He was a part of the Navy and enjoyed baking on the ship. Be sure to look on the pictures tab for dozens of his memorabilia.
Doyle Beamgard
Doyle was born in 1925 in Atwood Kansas. He enlisted into the United States Army and was a part of the 43rd Infantry Division and traveled to Guatemala and the Philippines during his time in the military. One of the things that he specifically remembers is being on his way to Japan at the time that the Peace Treaty was signed.
Cyrill Herrman
Cyrill was a Staff Sergeant in the United States Air Force during the Korean War. He enlisted into the United States Air Force in May of 1950 and became a Staff Sergeant. He was a part of the Air Force Police and as well as the Security Police. He started up the Dyess Air Force Base in Abilene, Texas, the Beale Air Force base in Marysville, California and the Bergstrom Air Force Base in Austin, Texas.
Calvin Harbin
Being 100 years old, Calvin was very eager to tell about his experience in the Army during WWII. He experienced a lot of his time in the war alone because of his duties of being a spy. His knowledge was a big asset to the Army which led to him never being discharged for the use of his knowledge and level of education. Later on in life he became the head of the Education Department at Fort Hays State University.
Rex Hyde
Rex, a 94 year old World War II veteran, was a photographer for the United States Navy. Rexford signed up for the Navy at the age of 17 to prevent the draft. During his time in the service, we was able to move up different ranks and left the Navy as a PHOM-3C. Rexfords main job was to document the war through photographs and to create aerial maps for bombing runs. After the war, he left with a Philippine Liberation, Victory Medal, and two stars from the Asiatic-Pacific. Rexford currently resides in Osborne, Kansas with his wife Jeani Hyde.
Buford E. DeBolt
Buford, a 71 year old Vietnam veteran, was willing to share his story with me about his time in the United States Air Force. During his time in the war, he was a part of the flight crew and the combat flight crew air evac. His highest rank that he reached before exiting his military career was a sergeant. After his time serving, he went back to school to pursue a career in music. He attended a multitude of different schools throughout the United States before graduating and moving back home to Downs, KS. Buford is currently living in Downs, KS with his puppy, Joker, and 15 grandchildren and great-grandchildren.
Edmund S. Moore
Edmund, 97, was born in Manhattan, Kansas. Edmund was a part of the 15th Air Force during WWII. At age of 17, Edmund talked his mother into signing his papers to avoid being drafted into the war. When he entered the service, he was stationed in Detroit, New Orleans and his personal favorite, Florida. He spent a lot of his time waking up early in the morning to prepare all the planes for take off. His job was to make sure that the fuel tanks were full, the engines were running correctly and that the planes were fully stocked. After the war, he met his wife, Georgia Moore, in Hays were they still currently reside. Edmund was a big advocate for the WWII veterans. He would get them all together and take trips back to Italy where they were stationed and meet with his old war buddies.
Thomas H. Maxwell
Thomas, best known as Tom, served during Vietnam as a part of the United States Air Force. Tom served the United States for 22 years and had the opportunity to travel to many different places during his time in the war. His base was located at Oxnord Air Force Base in California. In his 22 years of service Tom received numerous medals and service awards for his time, dedication and hard work. He earned the Air Force Commendation twice, Meritorious Service twice, Air Force Outstanding Unit Reward four times, Presidential Unit Citation four times, the Good Conduct Medal seven different times and many others. He was a Crew Chief, Line Chief, and First Sergeant.
Ross Heinen
Ross, served during the Vietnam War. During my interview with him, I learned that 1. he was stationed at Long Beach. 2. it was overly populated by snakes. 3. Ross is deathly scared of said snakes. He was an active member of the 483 Field Service, 266 S&S BAT. and the 1st Log Division. He earned an Expert Marksman award and a Vietnam Service award for his time there. After the war, he returned to Downs, KS where he currently lives with his wife and where he farms.
Christopher Kirby
Christopher Kirby, born and raised in St. Joesph, Michigan was a soldier during Desert Storm. During his time there, he saw a lot of devastating sights that impacted him. After exiting the war, he returned back to St. Joesph where he now lives with his wife, three children and four grandchildren.
Gary DeBey
Gary told stories of his time in the Navy during Vietnam. One story he will always remember was hiding behind the big machinery below the deck where no one could see him and wait for his crew members to walk down there. He would whisper their names and then would jump out to scare them.
Joe Hanks
Joe served during WWII. When he was aboard the ship, it was bombed by the Kamikaze. The impact was so bad that it blew Joe into the cold waters, completely fracturing both of his feet. Joe had received a Purple Heart. After the war, he was given the opportunity to work for NASA and become an astronaut. He refused the offer and returned back home so he could continue his life farming.