Operation Desert Storm Archives - TogetherWeServed Blog

HM1 Laura Schmidt, U.S. Navy (1980-1992)

Did You Meet Your Spouse while Serving? How Did Your Story Begin, and What Challenges Did You Have to Overcome in Adjusting to Married Life in the Military?:

Once upon a time… That’s how all love stories begin, isn’t it? Laura Grunst, a young servicewoman, was attending the Naval School of Health Sciences in Portsmouth, Virginia. She would spend her time studying with her classmate Angela at the base club. The bartender would let the two study in a private, quiet area with their books sprawled out on the table and pitchers of soda to keep them going.

CSM Patrick Gavin Tadina – Vietnam War’s Longest Continuously Serving Ranger

Military Myths and Legends, Vietnam War

A 30-year Army veteran who was the longest continuously serving Ranger in Vietnam and one of the war's most decorated enlisted soldiers died. Patrick Gavin Tadina served in Vietnam for over five years straight between 1965 and 1970, leading long-range reconnaissance patrols deep into enemy territory - often dressed in black pajamas and sandals and carrying an AK-47. Patrick Gavin Tadina Left a Lasting Legacy The retired Command Sergeant Major Patrick Gavin Tadina died May 29, 2020, in...

Last In, First Out A Desert Storm Diary by Ed “Tuna” Fisher

Gulf War, Military Book Reviews

These days, Ed Fisher (callsign: “Tuna”) is twice-retired and living with his wife on Washington State’s Whidbey Island. His second career was as a lecturer at the Naval Postgraduate School, from which he retired in 2021. His first career was much more exciting. As Lt. Col. Fisher, he was a U.S. Air Force Wild Weasel Electronic Warfare Officer (EWO), who performed this duty during Operation Desert Storm. “Last In, First Out” is his diary from his days fighting combat missions there.

Gulf War – The Lightning in Desert Storm (1991)

Battlefield Chronicles, Gulf War

The Screaming Eagles of the 101st Airborne were among the first soldiers deployed to Saudi Arabia following Iraq's invasion of Kuwait in August of 1990. Before Operation Desert Storm Roughly six months later, the storied division would launch an unprecedented airborne assault taking them over 150 miles (241 kilometers) behind enemy lines and within 100 miles (161 kilometers) of the Iraqi capital, Baghdad. In 1990, a coalition of forces from around the world, headed by the United States,...

Gulf War – Operation Desert Storm

Battlefield Chronicles, Gulf War

The 1990-91 Gulf War was probably one of the best-planned and most well-executed military operations in the history of human warfare. The United Nations, with its resolutions condemning the Iraqi invasion and occupation of Kuwait, worked the way it was intended. UN Resolution 678 called for Iraq to leave Kuwait by January 15, 1991, and authorized member states to use all necessary means to enforce the resolution after the deadline. A coalition of 42 countries, led by the United States,...

Service Reflections of SFC John Westlake, U.S. Army (1967-2010)

Army Reflections, Global War on Terror

I was influenced by a few factors. I was brought up in a patriotic New England family. I had uncles who fought in Vietnam, Korea, and WWII, and my grandfather on my mother’s side fought in WWI. I remember as a young boy going with most of them to the local Memorial Day parade. We would always stand near a bridge where the parade would stop and a wreath would be thrown into the water.
The other factor that influenced me was the 6 o’clock news. As I was growing up in the ’60s, the Vietnam War was in full swing, and the daily body count of US GI’s and Viet Cong would always be announced. I remember how it bothered me when there were more GI’s killed on any given day than VC. My mind was made up just as I started high school. I wanted to go over there and even the odds. Having grown up on a farm and already having handled rifles and shotguns, I felt I was ready.

SPC Troy Zastrow, U.S. Army (1989-1992)

VA Military Memories Competition

What was your favorite piece of military equipment – firearm, apparel, vehicle, aircraft, boat, etc. – and why? What was your least favorite?:

When thinking about my favorite piece of military equipment, my mind initially went to the obvious ones like my M16A2, Kevlar helmet, or M109A2 155MM Self-Propelled Howitzer because each was essential for my job and protection. However, upon further reflection, I believe my entrenching tool and shovel from my artillery piece are my favorite pieces of military equipment. During Operation Desert Storm, they became vital as they were used for digging foxholes and digging in our track vehicles due to engineer’s inability to get to our location. I served in the 1st Brigade during Operation Desert Storm, which was comprised of my unit – the 2nd Armored Division, 1st Marine Division, and the 2nd Marine Division. We were located in a forward area where engineers were focused on building berms and clearing ground, so we could breach safely in the 100-hour war. My unit’s leadership erred on the side caution as they decided we would dig in by hand for our 26 ton howitzers and our 26 ton field artillery ammunition vehicles. It was grueling work due the size of the holes and the stifling temperature. Initially, I thought this was crazy, but I remembered a quote that served as my mantra for my time in service. The quote was Socrates’, “As for me, All I know is that I know nothing.” My interpretation of the quote is that my time in service would involve a lot of learning, and the knowledge gained was going to make me stronger and provide me safety. Open-mindedness was essential for this stage of my life. I needed to trust the individuals who were making decisions. As it turns out having the track vehicles dug in was extremely smart and was an effective strategy that did in fact, protect us.

As for my least favorite piece of military equipment, I really don’t have one, because everything issued to me was necessary and purposeful. If there was an item that I feel could be improved on slightly, it would be the ruck sack. The ruck sacks we used during Desert Storm had limited carrying capabilities. A present modification I see on ruck sacks now is having Molle straps that facilitate the ability for more attachments. The additional carrying capability would have been beneficial during Desert Storm.

Service Reflections of SSGT Michael Bridge, U.S. Air Force (1986-1995)

Air Force Reflections, Gulf War

Growing up I had always wanted to join the Navy. I love ships and pretty much had my heart set on the Navy after High School. During High School, I ended up getting involved in some things that started me down a path that would have ended poorly for me if I continued on it. I knew that I needed to get away from the things I was involved in and get my act together.
During my senior year, I went down to the recruiting office and spoke with the Navy recruiter. He ended up really being just a total jerk who only wanted to meet his quota and didn’t offer me anything at all. I was very frustrated with this and felt that if he represented the Navy, I didn’t want anything to do with it. I spoke with my father about it and he recommended that I speak with the Air Force recruiter.

Service Reflections of MSGT Terry Bacon, U.S. Marine Corps (1977-1998)

Cold War, Marine Reflections

PRESERVING A MILITARY LEGACY FOR FUTURE GENERATIONS The following Reflections represents MSGT Terry Bacon's legacy of his military service from 1977 to 1998. If you are a Veteran, consider preserving a record of your own military service, including your memories and photographs, on Togetherweserved.com (TWS), the leading archive of living military history. The following Service Reflections is an easy-to-complete self-interview, located on your TWS Military Service Page, which enables you to...

Service Reflections of CPL Daniel Rousseau, U.S. Marine Corps (1955-1959)

Cold War, Marine Reflections

The movie “Sands of Iwo Jima.” We were twelve-years-old when a friend and I came out of the movie theater and agreed that we would join the Corps together when we were old enough.

In 1955, my senior year in high school, I joined the 99th Special Infantry Company, our local Reserve unit. That is where I was recruited by then SSgt. H. Gene Duncan.

LTC Paul Riley, U.S. Army (1990-2014)

Global War on Terror, VA Military Memories Competition

Of all the medals, awards, formal presentations, and qualification badges you received, which one(s) are the most meaningful to you and why?:

My initial battery commander humorously referred to the collection of awards on an Army dress uniform as a ‘sausage.’ The term resonated with my fellow platoon leaders and me, as it vividly captured the mishmash of colors, textures, and symbols resembling a chaotic mosh pit when adorning the chest. During my time in ROTC, cadets sported extensive racks of awards reminiscent of a Russian Field Marshal post-Battle of Moscow, fostering a sense of accomplishment. However, upon graduating college and ROTC, the slate was wiped clean. After completing the Officer Basic Course, new officers were granted the privilege to wear the Army Service Ribbon and the National Defense Service Medal, offering a modest start to their uniform embellishments.

Night Mission to Mogadishu by Trent LaLand