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The Christy Collection

Military Stories and Articles

WWII – The Defense of Wake Island

WWII – The Defense of Wake Island

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In December 1941, as Japan ripped across the Pacific, most American outposts collapsed in days. Guam fell between Dec. 8 and Dec. 10 to a larger Japanese landing force after only brief resistance by a small, lightly armed garrison of sailors and Marines. Wake Island was supposed to be another speed bump. Instead, a few hundred Marines, sailors, and civilian contractors turned it into a two-week fight that delivered the first American tactical victory of the Pacific War and a badly needed...

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PFC Ross Andrew McGinnis, U.S. Army (2004–2006)

PFC Ross Andrew McGinnis, U.S. Army (2004–2006)

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On the afternoon of Dec. 4, 2006, a Humvee rolled through the narrow streets of Adhamiya, a tense neighborhood in northeast Baghdad. It was one of hundreds of patrols that had blurred together for the men of 1st Platoon, C Company, 1st Battalion, 26th Infantry Regiment. The mission that day was the same as it had been for months: show presence, deter sectarian violence, and make it just a little harder for insurgents to own the streets. Ross Andrew McGinnis Grew Up Wanting to Be a Soldier In...

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SSG Victoria Ryan, U.S. Army (1973-1988)

SSG Victoria Ryan, U.S. Army (1973-1988)

Is There a Particular Incident You Can Recall Where a Person You Served with Demonstrated Extraordinary Devotion to Duty or Bravery? Please Describe What Happened and How This Impacted You:

In November 1976, I entered my first reenlistment after a year at Fort Dix and almost two in Hawaii. I chose West Point, NY because my family lived close by and my sister was stationed there as the first female MP assigned to West Point. Debi had entered the military in early 1973 as a way to “follow” our brother, who was then stationed in Germany. She and Bill were very close. I was the eldest, Bill second and Debi was the youngest; there were two years between each of us.

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SFC Elajiah Lynn Oyaski, U.S. Army (1994-2013)

SFC Elajiah Lynn Oyaski, U.S. Army (1994-2013)

Is There a Particular Incident You Can Recall Where a Person You Served with Demonstrated Extraordinary Devotion to Duty or Bravery? Please Describe What Happened and How This Impacted You:

It was a week day in Iraq and our unit had only been in country for about 2 weeks. It was early, about 0330, when the first mortar came in. My 1SG blew her whistle as we all ran for the bunkers. All of us within the company made it to the bunkers except the 1SG and company commander for they were making sure we Soldiers were all in. I was in the middle of the bunker when I heard my company commander’s voice. I looked up to answer his roll call and immediately starting laughing. He asked what I was laughing at and I said, “sir! Did u forget something?” He answered yes as I asked, “where are your pants sir?” Then the other Soldiers looked up and some laughed but some were too shaken up to do so.

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Service Reflections of SGT Troy Horn, U.S. Army (1990-2007)

Service Reflections of SGT Troy Horn, U.S. Army (1990-2007)

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I’ve traced my family history back to the Battle of Hastings – my family has chosen military service for as far back as I have been able to trace. I guess it’s in the blood. But really, my decision to enlist in the Army was deeply shaped by the unwavering support and inspiration from my family and friends. Growing up, I was surrounded by loved ones who valued service, discipline, and patriotism, with many sharing stories of their own experiences or expressing admiration for those who served.

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5 Unsung Heroes of the U.S. Marine Corps

5 Unsung Heroes of the U.S. Marine Corps

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When it comes to famous Marine Corps veterans, everyone remembers Lewis "Chesty" Puller, John Basilone, Sgt. Maj. Daniel Daly, and a slew of other legendary devil dogs. But to celebrate the Marine Corps' 250th birthday, it's important to remember that the Corps has no end of heroes, many of whom fade away further and further with time.  So we don't forget the Marines who fought with distinction, but may not have been as quotable as Chesty, as political as Smedley Butler, or as smart as John...

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Common Myths of the Vietnam War

Common Myths of the Vietnam War

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Myth of the Vietnam War #1: Most Were Volunteers Common belief is that most Vietnam veterans were drafted.  Fact: 2/3 of the men who served in Vietnam were volunteers. 2/3 of the men who served in World War II were drafted. Approximately 70% of those killed in Vietnam were volunteers. Myth of the Vietnam War #2: Fewer Suicides Than Claimed Common belief that the media reported suicides among Vietnam veterans range from 50,000 to 100,000 - 6 to 11 times the non-Vietnam veteran population. ...

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Maj Bernie Fisher – First Air Force MOH

Maj Bernie Fisher – First Air Force MOH

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A separate design for a version of the Medal of Honor for the U.S. Air Force was created in 1956, authorized in 1960, and officially adopted on April 14, 1965. Previously, members of the U.S. Army Air Corps, U.S. Army Air Forces, and the U.S. Air Force received the Army version of the medal.  The first person to receive the new U.S. Air Force Medal of Honor was Major Bernie Fisher during the Battle of A Shau Valley in March 1966. He also received a Silver Star during the same battle. Into...

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The Taliban Prison Revolt of Qala-i-Jangi

The Taliban Prison Revolt of Qala-i-Jangi

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In the first chaotic weeks after 9/11, two Americans walked into a 19th-century Afghan fortress with nothing but a translator, a notebook, and the kind of quiet confidence you get from hard jobs and worse timing.  Qala-i-Jangi Becomes the Center of a Deadly Encounter The place was Qala-i-Jangi, a sprawling mud-brick stronghold outside Mazar-i-Sharif where hundreds of Taliban and al-Qaeda fighters had just "surrendered" to the Northern Alliance. And those Americans were CIA officers Johnny...

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1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment By A3C Mike Bell

1st Battalion, 6th Marine Regiment By A3C Mike Bell

"We are obligated to live meaningful and purposeful lives. We will never forget them... We will earn what they have given us." George Benson, LtCol 1/6 USMC, 2012 Initially activated on 11 Jul 1917 at Marine Corps Base Quantico, the 1st Battalion, 6th Marines (1/6), sometimes called “Deathwalkers" or “Comanche" with the mottos “1/6 Hard" (a name derived from its commander at Belleau Wood, Maj. John Arthur Hughes, aka "Johnny the Hard") and “Ready to Fight" is an infantry battalion in the...

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John J. Kelly Received Two Medals of Honor for the Same Action

John J. Kelly Received Two Medals of Honor for the Same Action

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On Oct. 3, 1918, the U.S. Army's 2nd Infantry Division, along with the French Fourth Army, advanced on Blanc Mont Ridge, the Imperial German machine gun death trap that the Entente forces had failed to capture over the past four years. The goal was to capture the ridge and push the Huns back over the Aisne River. It was a good plan, but like all World War I strategies, it was easier said than done.  John Kelly Charged Through Fire to Make History The Americans stepped off toward the ridge...

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SGM Manuel R. Beck, U.S. Army (1960-2003)

SGM Manuel R. Beck, U.S. Army (1960-2003)

What Was Your Favorite Memory of Returning Home After a Long or Temporary Deployment? What Made This So Special?:

We landed in Oakland, California, after a twenty-four-hour flight from Vietnam with one stop in Japan. The Army transported us to Fort Ord, where personnel records were taken from us, and we were directed to a large building for a uniform fitting. After that, men being discharged from the Army went to one building, while those going to further assignments went to another building. After completing all the paperwork and getting my discharge orders. I was sent back to get my Class A uniform. The Army can be very efficient. They took my military records to retrieve my awards and decorations and affixed my award ribbons to my new dress uniform.

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