TWS Military Service Page Archives - TogetherWeServed Blog

The Christy Collection

Military Stories and Articles

SGT Robert D. Pryor, U.S. Army (1967-1969)

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:

As an advisor to Civilian Irregular Defense Group (CIDG) detachment A-344 at Bunard, Việt Nam, I witnessed unimaginable bravery and devotion to duty in the early morning darkness of 20 June 1969 from my US and CIDG comrades-in-arms. Việt Cong were overrunning our camp, intending to kill everyone, women and children included. To rescue them, I searched the spider holes where civilians hid, taking our CIDG interpreter along. As we approached the kill zone, he suggested trading places. After switching, a mortar round blew him apart.

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

VA Military Memories Competition

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.

CSM Michael H. Sweeney, U.S. Army (1969-1999)

VA Military Memories Competition

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:

Choosing a single act of devotion or bravery from a nearly thirty-year peacetime career is difficult—there were so many. I could tell of a Criminal Investigation Division agent who, on my birthday in 1993, lay prone beside me while a distraught soldier fired through his barracks door with intent to kill. A bullet passed dangerously close; the agent shielded me and took minor wounds. He shrugged it off as another day’s duty. But for my purposes I want to tell a different story—one that illustrates sustained, quiet leadership and extraordinary devotion to soldiers’ welfare.

TSgt Anne Arens, U.S. Air Force (1981-1993)

VA Military Memories Competition

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’s not a story of horrific heroism, but one of quiet noble kindness. Basic training, Lackland AFB, 1980. Cheryl Deer was a runner, befitting her name. Judy Stingfield was not — she had asthma. We had to run a mile and a half within a specified amount of time and our TI had promised a reward for the airman with the fastest time. Cheryl was clearly the best in our flight. Cheryl sprinted past Judy, another basic buddy, Jodi, and me. As she did so, she saw that Judy was really struggling to breathe and beginning to fade. It was obvious Jodi and I were concerned about her as we encouraged her to take a break and rest. Cheryl could have kept going and beat everyone’s time by a long shot. Instead, Cheryl hung back and started coaching Judy how to breathe properly to relax her bronchial airways, allowing air to get into her lungs. Her encouragement got all of us to the finish line within the limit.

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

VA Military Memories Competition

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.

AC2 Cedric Jr. McCoy, U.S. Navy (2000-2010)

VA Military Memories Competition

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:

I was temporarily assigned to the Honor Guard out of NAS Point Mugu, performing multiple funerals for our honorable veterans — but this one hit home. After folding the flag with a tender heart, I looked to my left following the rifle salute, and there he was — a decorated Vietnam veteran, walking slowly toward me. He took my hand firmly, looked me in the eyes, and said, “Thank you for burying my son with honor. Now I can die peacefully, knowing he was held high by our country.”