The Christy Collection

Military Stories and Articles

Service Memories of MAJ William Bellias, USA (1953-1977)

Service Memories of MAJ William Bellias, USA (1953-1977)

Please describe who or what influenced your decision to join the Army. My father, Charles E. Bellais, was a career navy man. At first, he served in the Army WWI and joined the Navy in 1923. Initially, assigned to the destroyer fleet, he later served in Naval Aviation during WWII. Retiring after 27 years of active duty, he continued his service in rocketry Point Mugu Naval Missile Test Center and then at White Sands Missle Test Center. I wanted to be like him--a career military man. When an...

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Service Memories of 1LT Jimmie Loftis, USA (1940-1974)

Service Memories of 1LT Jimmie Loftis, USA (1940-1974)

Please describe who or what influenced your decision to join the Army. Two uncles who served during WWII influenced me to join the Army. They were both younger brothers to my dad: (1) PFC Donald E. Loftis was killed in eastern France on 4 Jan 1945 while serving with Co. E, 114th Infantry Regiment, 44th Division, 7th Army. He earned the Bronze Star Medal, Combat Infantry Badge and Purple Heart. He was lead man of a two-man team laying commo wire from field to HQ when he was hit by a sniper. His...

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