VA Military Memories Competition
SP 4 Tom Hirst, U.S. Army (1969-1971)
Of all the medals, awards, formal presentations, and qualification badges you received, which one(s) are the most meaningful to you and why?:
“What is that?” asked the person parked next to me in the “VETERANS ONLY” parking space at Home Depot. “That’s the COMBAT MEDICAL BADGE,” explaining my vanity license plate. “It’s the Army Medic’s version of the Combat Infantry Badge.” “I’ve seen some of the other Florida license plates, with medals and stuff, but I’ve never seen that one. I was in the Air Force.”
A1C Joseph Jr. Carvalko, U.S. Air Force (1959-1964)
Of all the medals, awards, formal presentations, and qualification badges you received, which one(s) are the most meaningful to you and why?:
Post Cuban Crisis, October 1963, I was honored as Outstanding Airman of the 818th Strategic Aerospace Division Lincoln, AFB. I had three consecutive monthly wing recognitions while serving in the 307th Bomb Wing, Medium, SAC, Armament, and Electronics Squadron. Now, from a pool of 6,000, I, amongst five others, was nominated for the Award that included two bomb wings and a missile wing. I took home the honor, partly due to my role in the critical launch of the final B-47 Bomber during the Cuban crisis.
HM1 Robert Hays, U.S. Marine Corps (1967-1969)
Of all the medals, awards, formal presentations, and qualification badges you received, which one(s) are the most meaningful to you and why?:
On April 9, 1969, an event happened which made bona fide heroes out of three of us. I was sitting on my cot writing a letter and heard an explosion. When I looked up, I saw a ball of fire rising from the ammo dump about 200 yards away. This dump was a big one. It was about 300 yards long and 200 yards wide, covered with pallets of ammo and explosives of every size and description.
A1C Jim March, U.S. Air Force (1964-1967)
Of all the medals, awards, formal presentations, and qualification badges you received, which one(s) are the most meaningful to you and why?:
USAF Airman’s Medal. Stationed at Lackland AFB in San Antonio, Texas, social opportunities for a young Airman were somewhat limited. My mode of transport was a Vespa motorscooter — not designed to attract young ladies. One Saturday evening, while driving back to the base, I passed by an establishment known as a Texas Ice House. Such establishments were a combination of local delis, local bars, and weekend party sites, serving primarily the Tex-Mex community. Since it was a warm summer evening, there was also dancing to a Mariachi band on the front porch. I decided to stop and check it out.
1SG Randy Jr. Taylor, U.S. Army (2002-2023)
Of all the medals, awards, formal presentations, and qualification badges you received, which one(s) are the most meaningful to you and why?:
From the first day of my arrival at a replacement in Fort Benning in 2002, I waited to go over the hill and start my journey through One Station Unit Training. I silently observed my surroundings and the Army posters and informationals. I often observed a rifle against a rectangular background colored in blue etched in wood and was often positioned as the centerpiece on the walls. As I was brought to formation to receive classes, I would observe this rifle mounted on a rectangular background as a badge worn by my Drill Sergeants. In the Soldier Bay, I would observe this rifle badge in the latrines, in the dining facility, and in the Company Training Area.
SGT Mark Reisetter, U.S. Army (1969-1970)
Which individual(s) from your time in the military stand out as having had the most positive impact on you and why?:
1SGT Robert L. Millirons (a WWII, Korean War, and 3rd-Tour Vietnam Veteran) was a bare-chested old soldier sitting against a tombstone in the lowlands of Thua Thien Province when he sounded a commanding “Troop” in my direction as I reported to my company. I left Camp Eagle as an individual replacement in January of 1970 bound for where C Company, 1/327th Infantry, 1st Brigade, 101st Airborne Division was located.