Mosquito

Corsair

James Gang w/ Joe Walsh

Profiles Spring-Summer 2014 Flt. #18 HFDFW

 

Jack enlisted into the Marine Corps on March 23, 1942 at the age of 18.

After basic training Jack was sent to the South Pacific with the 2^nd Defense Battalion. Soon he was on the island of American Samoa. He was on the island from May, 1942 until March, 1944. The Japanese were expected to invade this strategic island as they had others in the Pacific.

Jack was stationed in Hawaii from March, 1944 until May, 1944. From there he was assigned to the 5^th Marine Division, 5^th Amphibious Corps. He was stationed at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina and the Marine Barracks at Klamath Falls, Oregon. He also was stationed at different times, NAS Corpus Christi, Camp Pendleton, California and the Marine Barracks in San Francisco, California.

Jack was discharged on April 7, 1946 with the rank of Corporal. He received the Asiatic-Pacific Theater medal, Good Conduct, American Theater and WWII Service medal.

Profiles Spring-Summer 2014 HFDFW

 

Leonard was from Scotland, Texas and joined the Navy in May, 1944 at the age of 17.

He attended specialized training as a Fireman on a submarine. He saw action in the south Pacific and was discharged from the Navy in May, 1946.  

Kristi and I at the Iwo Jima Memorial Flight #18

Profiles Spring-Summer 2014 HFDFW

 

Richard was inducted into the U.S. Army in Chicago, Illinois on February 24, 1943.

After boot camp Richard was assigned to the 328^th Army Service Force Band. He landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day and later was involved in action in the Battle of the Bulge where troops in the rear were pressed into service to stop the German assault. He saw service in England, France, Belgium, Luxemburg and Germany.

Richard received service stars for Northern France, the Rhineland and the Battle of the Bulge.

He was discharged on January 30, 1946.