TogetherWeServed Blog - The Most Incredible Military Stories

Colder Than Hell by Joseph Owen

Joe Owen enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1943. He deployed shortly afterward with a forward observer squad during World War II. If you talked to the man, however, you would quickly learn it was the Korean War that defined his service to the country. In 1997, he would literally write a book about his experiences in Korea, an experience that culminated with the infamous Battle of the Chosin Reservoir. By the time North Korean tanks rolled into South Korea in June 1950, Owen was a...

Korean War – The Chosin Reservoir

Battlefield Chronicles, Korean War

Few battles loom as large in modern Marine Corps history, like the Battle of Chosin Reservoir. A massive, combined force of U.S. Marines and U.S. Army soldiers, along with troops from Britain and South Korea, suddenly found themselves surrounded, outnumbered by around four-to-one and forced to fight their way out while enduring subzero temperatures and often knee-deep in snow. The "Frozen Chosin" and Strategic Consequences The "Frozen Chosin" may not get a specific mention in the...

Adm. David G. Farragut, U.S. Navy (1810-1870)

Civil War, Profiles in Courage

We've all heard the phrase, "damn the torpedoes, full speed ahead" at some point in our lives. We may have even used it ourselves. But do we know what it actually means, aside from being a really cool thing to say right before you do something insane, irrational, or both? If you're a fan of U.S. Navy history, you might know it was the command barked by David Farragut during the Civil War Battle of Mobile Bay in 1864. The Legacy of Adm. David G. Farragut Badass orders weren't the only legacy...

A1C Stevin John (Blippi), U.S. Air Force (2006-2008)

Celebrities Who Served, Global War on Terror

Blippi, a beloved children's entertainer known for his vibrant personality and educational content, may not be the first person that comes to mind when thinking about military service. However, before captivating young minds with his joyful videos, Blippi served in the Air Force as a loadmaster. Blippi: Real Name and Early Life Blippi, whose real name is Stevin John, is also known by other names, including Stephen Grossman (his birth name) and Steezy Grossman (a pseudonym he used earlier...

Planning For Long-term Care

USAA Financial Advice For Veterans

Planning for long-term care is an essential part of securing your future and protecting your loved ones from financial strain. Whether it is in-home care, assisted living or a nursing facility, understanding the costs and available options can help you make informed decisions. Learn how to create a solid plan, explore insurance coverage, and prepare for potential healthcare needs as you age on USAA.

Famous Marine Corps Unit: VMFA-214 (The Black Sheep Squadron)

Famous Military Units, World War II

"…We are poor little lambsWho have lost our way?Baa! Baa! Baa!We are little black sheepWho have gone astray.Baa! Baa! Baa!Gentlemen songsters off on a spreeDamned from here to eternityGod have mercy on such as we.Baa! Baa! Baa!" From Espiritu Santo, the Squadron was moved forward to Guadalcanal and Henderson Airfield in the Solomon Islands. At first, the Squadron was not assigned aircraft or ancillary personnel; its pilots flew to Guadalcanal and later the Russell Islands in borrowed planes....

LCDR Montel Williams, US Navy and USMC (1974-1986)

Celebrities Who Served, Cold War

Montel Williams is best known as the Emmy Award-winning host of The Montel Williams Show, which aired nationally for seventeen years. Montel Brian Anthony Williams, known to most as simply “Montel,” is also an actor and motivational speaker. But did you know that Montel Williams served in the military? His decorated military service spanned 22 years in two branches of the service—the United States Marines and the United States Navy. He enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1974 and later became the...

Service Reflections of SP 5 Charles V. Rogers, Jr., U.S. Army (1971-1975)

Army Reflections, Cold War

Several things made me choose my military service. I guess it’s the old cliche? I wanted to serve my country, mainly because my Dad did during WWII. It was my birthday in 1971 that I decided to enlist. My draft number was up, so it would only be a matter of time. I went to the recruiter and signed up for the US Army on the delayed entry program. I think it was September 30, 1971. I wanted to fly, but wearing glasses was going to prevent me from doing that. I picked the Army because my Dad had served, and I didn’t want to go into the Navy, Air Force, or Marines. The Army offered the best chance because they might have lifted the restriction on glasses if things hadn’t changed. While I was at the AFESS, and we were being processed, a Marine Sergeant came out and pointed to me and several others and said we were now Marines. I tried to object, and thankfully, an Army Sergeant came out and said no, can’t have him, he’s RA. I looked at the Army and Air Force, and it seemed my best chance to do what I wanted while serving was to join the Army. If I couldn’t be a pilot, I might still be able to fly as a crew member. I worked in a car dealership and had mechanics down pretty well, so I figured I had a little jump in the aviation maintenance department.

Service Reflections of SP5 Michael Hall U.S. Army (1968-1976)

Army Reflections, Vietnam War

I spent 8 years in the US Army and wanted to make a career out of it and retire. I began with Basic at Ft. Campbell, Ky., the coolest place I’d ever been to. Then, I took Advanced Infantry training at Ft. McLellan, Ala. This place was a mini Vietnam, as it had the highlands and swamps. Afterward, Ft. Benning, Ga., and on to Nam. After my tour, I ended up at Ft. Bragg, NC, and was sent to Parachute Rigging School in Virginia. Learning to pack your own chute was definitely a confidence builder! My direction changed when the military was converted to a voluntary unit while stationed at Ft. Bragg. Now you have people who couldn’t even read a map telling you where to jump from the Huey or whatnot. People were getting promoted for the wrong reasons, and I knew then my time was up.

Service Reflections of Cpl Donte Moore, U.S. Marine Corps (2002-2006)

Global War on Terror, Marine Reflections

While in high school, I was a member of the Naval Junior Reserve Officer Training Corps (1998-2002). This interest was ignited by observing my uncle, mentor, and Vietnam Veteran, Percy. I always considered him a hard-working and disciplined person. We both also served as Law Enforcement Officers. During my Junior year in high school (2000), I met with a Marine Corps Recruiter, Staff Sergeant Johnson, and from that moment, I was struck! I had to be a Marine! Then, the events of September 11th, 2001, transpired, and that further tugged on me. I enlisted that year in the Delayed Entry Program. I left for Recruit Training in September 2002.

Service Reflections of SMSgt Michael Kiedrowski, U.S. Air Force (1969-1993)

Air Force Reflections, Cold War

I had known for a long time that I would serve in the Air Force but didn’t know when. The draft helped me decide when they sent me a letter that began with the word ‘Greetings”. I believe the fact that my dad served in the Air Force had a great deal of influence on my decision. He had some great stories, and I guess I felt that it was what I wanted to do as well. He was a Clerk/Typist.

SMSgt Clifton Wrencher, U.S. Air Force (1980-2003)

Air Force Reflections, Cold War

I decided to join the Air Force to serve my country further and travel the world. I had already been in the North Carolina Army National Guard for four years when I made the decision. It was time to get away from my day-to-day feelings of unfulfillment. The Security Forces career field was challenging and demanding. It offered a lot of prestigious assignments, but the work forced you to stay focused. If not, someone would very well be hurt or killed. I tried retraining a couple of times, but a crisis or war caused the career field to be frozen. The assignments were Andrews AFB, Zaragoza AB, Avon Park Bombing Range, Soesterberg AB, Howard AFB, Maxwell-Gunter AFB, Keflavik NAS, and Maxwell-Gunter AFB. After my Keflavik, Iceland assignment, I decided to return to Maxwell to teach leadership and management. I didn’t like the long periods in between classes, and the leadership there wouldn’t allow me to work with the Security Forces during downtime.

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Colder Than Hell by Joseph Owen

Korean War – The Chosin Reservoir

Adm. David G. Farragut, U.S. Navy (1810-1870)

A1C Stevin John (Blippi), U.S. Air Force (2006-2008)

Planning For Long-term Care

Famous Marine Corps Unit: VMFA-214 (The Black Sheep Squadron)

LCDR Montel Williams, US Navy and USMC (1974-1986)

Service Reflections of SP 5 Charles V. Rogers, Jr., U.S. Army (1971-1975)

Service Reflections of SP5 Michael Hall U.S. Army (1968-1976)

Service Reflections of Cpl Donte Moore, U.S. Marine Corps (2002-2006)

Service Reflections of SMSgt Michael Kiedrowski, U.S. Air Force (1969-1993)

SMSgt Clifton Wrencher, U.S. Air Force (1980-2003)

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