Military Medley

Our Vietnam Wars by William F. Brown

Real stories told by real people, in their own words, 100 veterans, men, and women caught up in an all too real war. From the Delta to the DMZ, come walk in their boots. If you were there, you understand. If you weren't, grab a copy. The Vietnam War dominated my generation and affected so many lives in so many different ways. Some of us were drafted. Some enlisted. Some became war heroes, intentional or not, but most of us were just trying to survive. As we all knew, Vietnam was all about luck, good or bad. And there were hundreds of different wars depending on where you were, the year you were there, your service, branch, unit, rank, job, and race. Whether we were truck drivers, helicopter pilots, infantryman, clerk typists, medics, engineers, MPs, sailors out on Yankee station, artillerymen, or cooks, from 1956 to 1976 from the Delta to the DMZ, these stories tell who we were, the jobs we did, our memories of that time and place, how it changed us, and what we did after we...

The 249th Birthday of the U.S. Navy

Other Military Articles, Useful Military Information

On October 13, 2024, we commemorate the 249th birthday of the United States Navy. Since its establishment on October 13, 1775, the Navy has played a critical role in safeguarding the United States. For nearly two and a half centuries, the Navy has stood ready to defend our interests and uphold international maritime freedom. The History of the U.S. Navy The U.S. Navy was established on October 13, 1775, during the American Revolution, when the Continental Congress authorized a small naval force to disrupt British supply lines and challenge their sea power. Comprised of a modest fleet of ships working alongside privateers, the early Navy engaged in tactical raids using converted frigates and schooners. These operations played a vital role in weakening British forces and protecting American interests at sea, proving the strategic value of naval warfare. After the Revolution, the Navy was disbanded due to financial constraints, but the rise of global trade and foreign threats led...

WWI Military Technologies Still in Use Today

From Mess Decks to Wardroom by CDR Lee Foley

Military Book Reviews, Vietnam War

Enlisted people definitely have their favorite officers, and usually, the most popular officers are the "Mustangs", which is military slang for those who began their military careers as enlisted. It's not just that they're older and wiser, as most make the jump from a non-commissioned officer rank – it's just that they still feel like one of us. The Rise of CDR Lee M. Foley in the U.S. Navy That's the kind of officer U.S. Navy CDR. Lee M. Foley was. His memoir, "Mustang: From Mess Decks to Wardroom," documents his 32 years of naval service. Born in landlocked Arkansas, he somehow grew up loving the Navy and enlisted in 1961 as a signalman. Over the next three decades, he would rise in rank to Master Chief Petty Officer, then jump to Warrant Officer. After making Chief Warrant Officer 4, he earned a commission, rising to the rank of Commander and Captain of his own ship, the Agile-class minesweeper USS Excel, and finally, his last posting as Executive Officer aboard the USS Kansas...

AFN George Carlin, U.S. Air Force (1954-1957)

Celebrities Who Served, Cold War

George Denis Patrick Carlin, known for his sharp wit and incisive social commentary, remains one of the most influential comedians of all time. His career spanned decades, and his humor challenged societal norms, making him a voice for many who questioned authority and the status quo. However, before he became a household name, Carlin's life took a different path—one that led him to serve in the United States Air Force. While his military service may seem at odds with his later persona, it played a significant role in shaping the man he would become. George Carlin’s Early Life and Enlistment George Denis Patrick Carlin was born on May 12, 1937, in New York City to an Irish father, Patrick Carlin, and an Irish-American mother, Mary Bearey. Carlin grew up in a tough neighborhood and was known for his rebellious nature from an early age. He was raised on West 121st Street in a part of Upper Manhattan commonly known as “white Harlem.” By the time he was a teenager, Carlin had developed a...

The 77th Birthday of the United States Air Force

Other Military Articles, Useful Military Information

On September 18, 2024, we honor the 77th birthday of the United States Air Force, a branch that has consistently demonstrated unmatched air superiority, global reach, and technological advancement since its inception. Over the past seven decades, the Air Force has evolved from a modest unit into a world-renowned force, capable of projecting power anytime and anywhere to safeguard American interests. The Formation of the United States Air Force The U.S. Air Force, as we know it today, was officially established on September 18, 1947, with the signing of the National Security Act by President Harry Truman. Prior to this historic moment, the Air Force operated as part of the U.S. Army under the name Aeronautical Division, responsible for the fledgling nation's air capabilities. The recognition of the strategic importance of airpower during World War II propelled the Air Force to become an independent service branch, marking the dawn of a new era in military history. In its early years,...

1LT James Earl Jones, U.S. Army (1953-1955)

Celebrities Who Served, Korean War

Before gaining fame as the iconic voice behind Darth Vader in 'Star Wars,' James Earl Jones had a significant chapter in his life. During his youth, Jones responded to his country's call and served in the United States Army during the Korean War. His military experience profoundly influenced his character and laid the foundation for his exceptional journey in the entertainment industry. James Earl Jones’s Early Years James Earl Jones was born on January 17, 1931, in Arkabutla, Mississippi. His father, Robert Earl Jones, a boxer and actor, was largely absent from his life growing up. At an early age, Jones was raised by his maternal grandparents on their farm in Michigan. He is of Irish, Cherokee and African descent. Jones developed a severe stutter in childhood, which left him terribly self-conscious and shy around other children. He refused to speak in school until a teacher helped him out of his silence during his high school years. "I had a great English teacher who believed in...

Targeted: Beirut by Jack Carr

Cold War, Military Book Reviews

If the name Jack Carr sounds familiar, that's because the former Navy SEAL and podcaster is also the author of "The Terminal List," a New York Times bestseller. The paperback thriller has been adapted into a hit television show on Amazon Prime Video, starring Chris Pratt as the main character, Navy SEAL Lt. Cmdr. James Reece. There is even a prequel series in the works at Amazon Studios starring Taylor Kitsch. Targeted: Beirut Explores a Tragic Day in Marine Corps History Earlier in 2024, Carr released "Red Sky Mourning," the seventh book in the thrilling "Terminal List" series, but in September, he will offer fans something entirely different. His first nonfiction novel, "Targeted: Beirut: The 1983 Marine Barracks Bombing and the Untold Origin Story of the War on Terror." On Oct. 23, 1983, a 19-ton stake-bed truck laden with high explosives drove through the security perimeter of a building that served as the barracks for the 1st Battalion 8th Marines, deployed to Beirut as...

Top Reasons a Claim for VA Disability Compensation is Denied

VA Guidance Articles

VA states that disability compensation is "a monthly tax-free payment to Veterans who got sick or injured while serving in the military and to Veterans whose service made an existing condition worse." VA Disability Compensation is Denied Without Proper Documentation After leaving service, an injury or disability can limit or reduce a Veteran's ability to earn a living. Additional expenditures on care, equipment, and supplies might be necessary. Disability compensation is the benefit that addresses this situation. At a high level, the process to obtain disability compensation is as follows: • The Veteran provides information and VA forms (referred to as a claim), documenting their injury that occurred during military service and continues to affect them.• VA staff review information, comparing it with the relevant rules and regulations, to determine if the Veteran qualifies.• VA decides to grant, and at what level, or deny benefits and informs the Veteran. VA Disability Compensation...

SSgt John Charles Carter (Charlton Heston), U.S. Army Air Forces (1943–1946)

Celebrities Who Served, World War II

Charlton Heston, renowned for his powerful performances in iconic films such as *Ben-Hur*, *The Ten Commandments*, and *Planet of the Apes*, was much more than a Hollywood star. He was also a dedicated serviceman who proudly served his country during World War II. While many remember Heston for his towering presence on screen, his commitment to his nation and the principles he stood for extended far beyond his film career. Charlton Heston’s Early Life and Enlistment Born on October 4, 1923, in Evanston, Illinois, Charlton Heston (born John Charles Carter) grew up during a time when the world was on the brink of monumental change. Heston spent his youth in a backwoods town in Michigan, a shy boy with few friends. He attended a one-room school with a pump in front. There were 13 pupils, three were his cousins, and he was the only student in his grade level. The actor’s parents divorced in 1933, and his mother moved the future actor and his siblings back to Illinois,...

Condemned Property by “Dusty” Trimmer

Military Book Reviews, Vietnam War

"Dusty" Trimmer served one year of combat infantry duty with the 25th Infantry Division. In this, his first book, he presents a staggering description that cut to the heart of the combat experience: the fear and belligerence, the quiet insights and raging madness, the lasting friendships and sudden deaths. Yet it is much, much more. It is an account of veterans long after leaving the battlefield as they struggle with physical and emotional damage in a world that seems indifferent to their plight. The book differs from most Vietnam War tomes. It is a collection of interrelated short, seemingly disparate pieces. It jumps around a lot. It does not have a plot. There is no moral to the story. However, what it does more importantly is bear witness to the things men do in war and the things war does to men. Horrible things that scar many, if not all, for the rest of their lives. To dramatize this point, Trimmer personalizes much of it by writing about his experience, observations,...

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Military Medley

Our Vietnam Wars by William F. Brown

The 249th Birthday of the U.S. Navy

WWI Military Technologies Still in Use Today

From Mess Decks to Wardroom by CDR Lee Foley

AFN George Carlin, U.S. Air Force (1954-1957)

The 77th Birthday of the United States Air Force

1LT James Earl Jones, U.S. Army (1953-1955)

Targeted: Beirut by Jack Carr

Top Reasons a Claim for VA Disability Compensation is Denied

SSgt John Charles Carter (Charlton Heston), U.S. Army Air Forces (1943–1946)

Condemned Property by “Dusty” Trimmer

234th Birthday of the U.S. Coast Guard

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