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The Christy Collection

Military Stories and Articles

Vietnam War – Fire Base Mary Ann

Vietnam War – Fire Base Mary Ann

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Richard Nixon had campaigned in the 1968 presidential election under the slogan that he would end the war in Vietnam and bring 'peace with honor.' However, there was no plan in place to do this, and the American commitment continued for another five years. The goal of the American military effort was to gradually build up the strength and confidence of the South Vietnamese armed forces by re-equipping it with modern weapons so that they could defend their nation on their own. This policy...

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Service Reflections of SGT Julie Bryson Muster, U.S. Army (1972-1998)

Service Reflections of SGT Julie Bryson Muster, U.S. Army (1972-1998)

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Facing a dead-end life with limited opportunities and wanting to break free from my circumstances, I enlisted in the U.S. Army in 1987 with a clear vision: to go to college and become someone meaningful. Growing up in challenging conditions from ages 5-12 in group and foster homes in Ohio, with abusive, alcoholic, and addicted parents, I experienced firsthand what it meant to have few options and little encouragement. The Army represented my pathway to transformation – not just a career, but a chance to build the foundation for higher education and personal growth. Military service offered structure, purpose, and the GI Bill benefits that would make college possible. I was determined to use my service as a stepping stone to earn my master’s degree in criminal justice and ultimately create a life of meaning, helping others along the way. The Army wasn’t just an escape from a difficult past; it was my deliberate choice to forge a better future and prove that circumstances don’t define destiny.

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The Second Most Decorated Soldier of WWII

The Second Most Decorated Soldier of WWII

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The 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division (known as "The Cottonbalers" from their use of a cotton bale breastworks during the Battle of New Orleans under Andrew Jackson), has served in more campaigns than any other infantry unit in the United States Army. In World War II, the regiment fought German forces on three fronts, North Africa, Italy, and Northwest Europe, quite probably serving more time in combat than any other regiment in the U.S. Army during the war. The regiment's numerous...

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Together We Served Celebrates Veterans by Offering a Free Plaque of Their Military Service

Together We Served Celebrates Veterans by Offering a Free Plaque of Their Military Service

Since its launch 20 years ago, Togetherweserved.com (TWS)—the leading online community of U.S. Veterans—has provided its 2.3 million members the special opportunity to not only reconnect with the people they served with but to also preserve a detailed record of their military service, including unlimited photographs. This is so their families and future generations will know what they did serving our country. In keeping with TWS’s commitment to honoring the service of every Veteran, hot off...

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SSG James R. Laudermilk, U.S. Army (2004-2015)

SSG James R. Laudermilk, U.S. Army (2004-2015)

Was There An Occasion, During Your Military Or Civilian Life, When Your Military Training Proved Invaluable In Overcoming A Difficult Situation?:

Yes, there was a time in my civilian life when my military training was absolutely vital not in the field, but in a fight for my life. After 19 years in the U.S. Army, including combat deployments to Iraq and roles as an IT instructor and leader I retired with 100% disability due to exposure to burn pits. I have led soldiers through missions, trained others in high-pressure-tech environments, and understood the value of discipline, resilience, and readiness. But nothing fully prepared me for what came next: a diagnosis of squamous cell carcinoma of the neck, followed by leukemia.

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PFC Oliver Stone, U.S. Army (1967-1968)

PFC Oliver Stone, U.S. Army (1967-1968)

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Oliver Stone, renowned for directing bold and unflinching films such as Platoon, Born on the Fourth of July and JFK, is much more than a celebrated filmmaker. He is also a decorated Army veteran who proudly served during the Vietnam War. While many know Stone for his searing critiques of power and politics, his commitment to truth began long before Hollywood on the battlefields of Southeast Asia. Oliver Stone's Early Life and Enlistment William Oliver Stone was born on September 15, 1946, in...

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Sgt Henry Johnson, U.S. Army (1918-1919) – America’s First World War Hero

Sgt Henry Johnson, U.S. Army (1918-1919) – America’s First World War Hero

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Henry Johnson was a World War I soldier who singlehandedly beat back a German assault while critically wounded. He was a great American hero and received the highest military honor of two different countries. One of those countries, however, his very own, didn't bestow that medal until nearly 100 years after his service in WWI. The honor this man deserved was not awarded by the U.S. government upon his return home, because he was black. But that racism was eventually overcome, if only by the...

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Service Reflections of Sgt Robert Leon, U.S. Marine Corps (1967-1969)

Service Reflections of Sgt Robert Leon, U.S. Marine Corps (1967-1969)

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I was inspired by John Wayne’s portrayal of the Marines, which influenced me to join after my brother Jesse, who had been ordered to do so by a judge. We were both leading interesting lives with a lot of violence involved. After he joined the Marine Corps, he looked so good in his uniform, and I knew he was an ass-kicker, so I wanted to be a part of that. Going to Vietnam was easy; all they needed were bodies in 1968. When I ended up being a Casualty Reporter for the 3rd Marine Division, that sort of screwed everything up. I was up to my ears in casualty reports on a daily basis, and the people I hung with were combat veterans I could relate to. I was able to visit alot of the battalion aid stations, like Delta Med in Dong Ha where Graves Registration was and participating in helping Khe Sanh wounded off the choppers, USS Sanctuary off the coast, U.S. Army Mortuary in Danang, 22nd Casualty Staging Facility in DaNang, Cam Ranh Bay Army Mortuary, Ammo convoys to LZ Stud and some I just forgot about. I was the guy you didn’t want to meet, as that meant you were either dead or wounded. Man, what times those were. I’ll never forget the men who touched my life, dead and wounded, and those who gave their lives for this country. I’m a lucky man, and I still thank God I’m alive to share the stories of the brave, brave, badasses I ran across in Vietnam. My head is still screwed up. I’ll see them soon. Semper Fi

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Largest Amphibious Invasions In Modern History

Largest Amphibious Invasions In Modern History

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The Battle of Inchon was an amphibious invasion and battle of the Korean War that resulted in a decisive victory and strategic reversal in favor of the United Nations. The operation involved some 75,000 troops and 261 naval vessels and led to the recapture of the South Korean capital of Seoul two weeks later. The code name for the operation was Operation Chromite. Amphibious Invasions Turn the Tide at Inchon The battle began on September 15, 1950, and ended on September 19th. Through a...

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The Battle of the Little Bighorn

The Battle of the Little Bighorn

In 1874, the U.S. Army sent an expedition, led by Lt. Col. George Armstrong Custer, into the Black Hills of what is now South Dakota. They returned to report that there was gold in them thar hills. Within two years, Americans were flocking by the thousands, lured there by the promise of striking it rich. There was just one problem: the land belonged to the Lakota Sioux tribe, and it was illegal – and dangerous – for the prospectors to even be there.  The Battle of the Little Bighorn...

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MSG Gary Gordon (1978–1993) and SFC Randy Shughart (1976–1993), U.S. Army

MSG Gary Gordon (1978–1993) and SFC Randy Shughart (1976–1993), U.S. Army

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The story of Gary Gordon and Randy Shughart is one of the most extraordinary acts of bravery and self-sacrifice in modern military history. Both were soldiers; U.S. Army Delta Force members who gave their lives trying to protect their fallen comrades in the face of overwhelming odds. It came in 1993, during the Battle of Mogadishu, famously depicted on the screen in the 2001 film, "Black Hawk Down."  Gary Gordon and Randy Shughart Faced Chaos American forces in Somalia were looking to...

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Sgt Hank Picariello, U.S. Marine (1969-1970)

Sgt Hank Picariello, U.S. Marine (1969-1970)

Where Was Your Favorite Place Visited, Either Through Deployment or R&R, From Your Time in the Service? Can You Recall Any Memories of This Place You Found Particularly Impressive or Enjoyable?:

I served as a Scout/Sniper with 2/26 and 1/7. Aside from our combat exploits, this patrol stands out as one of the most memorable and cherished. The Big Heist. There were several other significant intelligence patrols we conducted with 2/26 that resulted in enemy kills and captured equipment and food stores. However, not every patrol was meaningful because of combat action. One special moment occurred while heading out for a patrol that still required stealth, speed, athletic ability, cunning, and the ability to stay undetected.

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