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Military Campaign Stories

Maj Joseph Jennings, U.S. Marine Corps (1964-1988)

Maj Joseph Jennings, U.S. Marine Corps (1964-1988)

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Which song do you connect most to your time in Military service? What specific memories does this song bring back for you?:

We Gotta Get Outta This Place was released by The Animals in the summer of 1965. The Animals were a British pop group, and the song’s lyrics talked about escaping from inner-city poverty in England. It had nothing to do with the war in Vietnam, but that didn’t matter. It was the chorus, sung— almost screamed— by Eric Burdon, that hit home.

We gotta get out of this place
If it’s the last thing we ever do
We gotta get out of this place
‘Cause girl, there’s a better life for me and you

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CPT Leonard Crosby, U.S. Army (1964-1970)

CPT Leonard Crosby, U.S. Army (1964-1970)

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Which song do you connect most to your time in Military service? What specific memories does this song bring back for you?:

The Song “We gotta get out of this place” by the Animals! We used to sing it all the time in the field in Vietnam. It also applies to the year I took stateside between deployments in Vietnam. I was assigned to Fort Lewis, WA, as a training officer for reserve and national guard units sent to Vietnam while awaiting my orders to join the 101st. One of those units was a MASH hospital. They arrived without their contingent of doctors and nurses but with a Major in charge. We were told to take them out to the field and set themselves up under simulated combat conditions. I had a small group that I was to take out to secure the site from the “aggressor” troops before bringing the full outfit. As we were preparing to leave, and I was issuing weapons and blanks, the Major came down to the supply room and pulled out a crate of tear gas grenades that they had been given in the event that they were called out for crowd control. I told him we would not be needing those and suggested that he put them away. Once we left, he apparently grabbed two and hung them from his web gear.

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TC1 Richard Muller, U.S. Coast Guard (1985-1995)

TC1 Richard Muller, U.S. Coast Guard (1985-1995)

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Which song do you connect most to your time in Military service? What specific memories does this song bring back for you?:

Song Connection: “Comfortably Numb” by Pink Floyd. Why: There’s an evocative power to “Comfortably Numb” that deeply resonates with my decade of service in the U.S. Coast Guard. The song speaks of transitions, of changes, and of coming to terms with realities. For me, it mirrors the transformative journey from a young, high-spirited recruit fresh out of high school to a seasoned Coast Guard member and, later, an IT professional, attributing my skills and discipline to the robust training and values instilled during my service in the Military. Specific Memories: Every time David Gilmour’s soulful guitar solos waft through the air, I’m transported back to moments just after a mission. Amidst the adrenaline rush of success and the weight of responsibility, there was also an inexplicable sense of peace, almost a comforting ‘numbness,’ knowing we’d given our best — “You have to go out, you don’t have to come back.” The song, in its profound depth, takes me to countless nights sailing beneath the Caribbean stars on the USCGC Dependable, where the vastness of the ocean would often make us contemplate life and our role in the grand tapestry of the nation’s defense.

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SSG James Walker, U.S. Army (1966-1991)

SSG James Walker, U.S. Army (1966-1991)

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Which song do you connect most to your time in Military service? What specific memories does this song bring back for you?:

Detroit City (I Wanna Go Home) by Bobby Bare. After AIT in November of 1966, we all just knew we were headed to Vietnam. It was a great surprise when 32 of us came down on orders for Korea. Our first reaction was: “Where the hell is Korea?” Korea in 1966 is not like you see today. The 14 months I spent there turned a boy into a man, with increased responsibility coming as the months trudged by. I spent 3 months in the field giving communications support to the ROK army that were looking for North Korean infiltrators. The song “I Wanna Go Home” became our theme song played in every bar and club we went to.

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Cpl Scott Baigrie, U.S. Marine Corps (1989-1993)

Cpl Scott Baigrie, U.S. Marine Corps (1989-1993)

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Which song do you connect most to your time in Military service? What specific memories does this song bring back for you?:

As I reflect on that vivid memory from Operation Desert Storm, it’s as if I’m transported back in time to the harsh and unpredictable environment of the desert. It was a moment that showcased the camaraderie and unity that develops among soldiers during challenging times.
The rain came unexpectedly, a rare occurrence in the arid desert landscape. Droplets fell from the sky, refreshing and cooling the parched earth beneath our boots. We found ourselves seeking shelter under the massive shelter of a 5-ton truck, its sturdy frame providing a makeshift haven from the unexpected downpour.

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America and the 1812 Overture

America and the 1812 Overture

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At the end of almost every July 4th fireworks show, there's a grand finale. Many times, that finale of explosions is accompanied by a stirring rendition of Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky's "1812 Overture." It seems a natural fit for independence day: a rousing theme that ends with a volley of cannon fire and chiming bells.  The only problem is that the theme, though based on a war, has nothing to do with the United States and certainly nothing to do with the War of 1812. The only thing the U.S. has in common with the song is that Russia and the United States were both at war in 1812, though not with each other.  The "1812 Overture" and Tchaikovsky's Tribute to Russia's Victory Tchaikovsky debuted what is probably his most famous work In Moscow in August 1882. The overture was meant to commemorate the 70th anniversary of Russia's victory over Napoleon's invasion in 1812. The French emperor invaded Russia at the head of more than half a million men. At Borodino, some 75 miles west of Moscow,...

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LTJG Robert (Bob) William Barker, U.S. Navy (1943-1945)

LTJG Robert (Bob) William Barker, U.S. Navy (1943-1945)

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Bob Barker, renowned for his charismatic presence on television screens as the beloved host of "The Price is Right," is a man of many talents and accomplishments. Beyond his illustrious career in the entertainment industry, Barker's life story includes a remarkable chapter that often goes unnoticed: his dedicated service in the military. Robert or ‘Bob’ William Barker who served in the US Navy Reserves between 1943 and 1945, is best known for hosting the iconic game show The Price Is Right between 1972 and 2007. His stint on the program made him a record-breaker, the longest-running daytime game show host in North American television history. Prior to his 35-year stay with the show, he was host of Truth or Consequences, another game show, for 18 years between 1956 and 1974. However, before his career in broadcasting, Barker was a man of more modest means, who served the United States during World War II.  Bob Barker’s Early Life Bob Barker was born in Darrington, Washington on...

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WW2 – The Battle Of Dutch Harbor

WW2 – The Battle Of Dutch Harbor

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The Aleutian Islands are known for their rugged, treeless tundra and almost perpetually foul weather, but during the early days of World War II, they were considered a valuable piece of real estate. Fresh off their success at Pearl Harbor, the Japanese were looking to consolidate their gains in the Pacific while also stymying any potential U.S. attacks against their home islands. The Aleutians - situated at the center of the shortest route between the United States and Japan - were viewed as a key part of their defensive shield. Moreover, The island of Unalaska, in the heart of the Aleutian Chain, is approximately 80 square miles in size with an elevation as high as 6,680 feet at the top of Makushin Volcano. The Port of Dutch Harbor, which is part of the City of Unalaska, is located on Amaknak Island and is connected to Unalaska by bridge. The Japanese high command scheduled an advance on the islands for June 1942. While the bulk of their navy looked to demolish the American Pacific...

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Sgt. John McVeigh, U.S. Army (1942-1944)

Sgt. John McVeigh, U.S. Army (1942-1944)

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The port of Brest was a critical objective for the Allied forces fighting in France after D-Day. To break out of their relatively small portion of France, the Allied liberators needed 37 divisions by September 1944, along with the 26,000 tons of materiel to supply them. To make this happen, they needed Brest and its port.  The Overlooked Battle: the Battle for Brest Given its importance, it's surprising that the Battle for Brest is often overshadowed in D-Day history. Admittedly, a lot was happening at the same time. Allied forces surrounded and destroyed German defenders in Normandy. Gen. George S. Patton began his fast-paced thrust across the country, and Allied soldiers were bogged down in hedgerow country.  Even with all that in mind, however, the Allies could not maintain those gains and their foothold in Nazi-occupied Europe with the port of Brest. 75,000 Allied troops began an assault on the heavily-defended city on August 7, 1944, despite the heroism of men like...

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Ghost Soldiers by Hampton Sides

Ghost Soldiers by Hampton Sides

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In August 1944, the War Ministry in Tokyo had issued a directive to the commandants of various POW camps, outlining a policy for what it called the 'final disposition' of prisoners. A copy of this document, which came to be known as the 'August 1 Kill-All Order,' would surface in the war crimes investigations in Tokyo.  The document read in part that POWs are to be destroyed individually or in groups and whether it is accomplished by means of mass bombing, poisonous smoke, poisons, drowning, or decapitation, dispose of them as the situation dictates and not to leave a single POW alive. Already aware that the Japanese would kill all POWs, a rescue plan had already been developed and went in action on January 28, 1945, when 121 hand-selected U.S. troops slipped behind enemy lines in the Philippines. Their mission: March thirty rugged miles to rescue 513 POWs languishing in a hellish camp, among them the last survivors of the infamous Bataan Death March. A recent prison massacre by...

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Famous Navy Unit: USS Frank E. Evans

Famous Navy Unit: USS Frank E. Evans

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"Most Holy Spirit, who didst broodUpon the chaos, wild and rude,And bid its angry tumult cease,And give, for fierce confusion, peace;Oh, hear us when we cry to TheeFor those in peril on the sea…."     William Whiting (1825-1878) The circumstances of a warship's lineage and history, including its end of days, sometimes assume both heroic and dramatically calamitous features. Between 1943 and 1946, fifty-eight US Navy Destroyers of the Sumner class were built in eleven shipyards. Although somewhat slower owing to greater displacement, Sumner vessels were distinguished from their predecessor classes primarily by having a slightly wider beam, adoption of twin rudders, and an enormous firepower that could be directed forward. A great many served in the Pacific, and the USS Frank E. Evans was among them. Eventually, their numbers simply became obsolete; some were lost in battle or damaged beyond repair. Today, only one of the Sumners survives; at Patriot's Point Naval and...

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The War of 1812 – The Battle of Bladensburg

The War of 1812 – The Battle of Bladensburg

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During the War of 1812, the young United States was still asserting its independence from Britain despite its earlier military victories in both the Revolution and the Barbary War. In 1813, Americans captured and burned the capital of Upper Canada, the city of York (modern-day Toronto). It was a tactical victory but did little to win the war - and it would cost them in a big way.  The Battle of Bladensburg and Its Significance The British would finally bring a significant force to bear against the Americans, and a combination of miscalculation and inexperienced command would result in the burning of the nation's capital. The only silver lining was 500 Marines who kept them at bay long enough for the U.S. government to escape.  For two years, the British Army and Royal Navy were focused on defeating Napoleon in Europe. They didn't have the resources to dedicate themselves to fully execute a war in North America. They simply didn't have the manpower or material to avenge defeats like...

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