Don Baechle, US Navy

Don Baechle sent us some great photos when he was a sailor in World War II on board the USS Waxwing (AM-389), an Auk-class minesweeper acquired by the United States Navy for the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing. She was the only U.S. Navy ship named for the waxwing, any of several American and Asiatic songbirds which are for the most part brown and are characterized by predominant crests and velvety plumage.

 

Don also saw time on board the USS Shoveler (AM-382), an Auk-class minesweeper acquired by the U.S. Navy for the dangerous task of removing mines from minefields laid in the water to prevent ships from passing.

Donald Morrison, USMC '43-'46

Donald Morrison entered into the United States Marine Corps in 1943. He was assigned to the 4th battalion 13th Marines 5th division and saw action during the Battle of Iwo Jima in the Pacific during his time in World War II. He retired from the Marines in 1946 and was kind enough to share his photos with us on board the Home of the Brave Tour!

Jackson Parker Centers, Pearl Harbor & D-Day Survivor

M.M.C. Jackson Parker Center enlisted in the U.S. Navy on July 20, 1936 after he graduated from Reidland High School in Paducah, KY.

As a young sailor on board the U.S.S. Oklahoma, he survived the attack on Pearl Harbor after being trapped inside the ships hull inside a pitch black compartment for 42 hours after the attack. He was the last sailor to be rescued alive from the Oklahoma after she capsized in less than 15 minutes after the attack on Pearl Harbor began on December 7th, 1941. He recalled never knowing how much time had elapsed after the attack began and when he was pulled from the wreckage two days later he still thought it was the evening of Sunday, December 7.

He was also on the L.S.T 615 during the D-Day invasion. As his boat approached the beach under heavy enemy fire, the crew of the landing craft jumped off one side of the boat while Jackson jumped off the opposing side. Jackson's decision was a life-saving one-all of those who jumped on the opposite side of Jackson were killed when enemy fire rained down on their position, leaving Jackson to be the lone survivor of the LST 615 on June 6, 1944.

His lengthy career in the Navy ended when he retired on April 4, 1957, accumulating over 21 years of service and unforgettable memories that we were fortunate to learn about when his family recently visited the Home of the Brave Museum. His legacy, love and dedication to defending freedom in the United States will remain forever memorialized in our museum with his stories and photos donated by his family to help us share and remember Jackson Parker Center, one of the finest World War II Veterans we honor.

Dario Massiadrelli

Dario Massiadrelli entered in the United States Navy in 1943 as a Machinist Mate 3rd class.

He was stationed on board the USS Canberra, a Baltimore class cruiser that was commissioned in October 1943. Dario was on board the ship when it was torpedoed and severely damaged in World War II during the Battle of Formosa on October 13th, 1944.

Dario left the Navy in 1946 and was kind enough to share this before and after pictorial with us at the Home of the Brave museum when he took our tour!

Charles Smith, Pearl Harbor Survivor

Charles W. Smith joined the US Navy in 1938. He was a sailor working as a Stone Keeper on board the USS Utah when she was attacked on December 7th, 1941 and survived the attack on Pearl Harbor. He remained in the Navy until he became the Commander of the Supply Ship USS Caster AK-81 which sailed in the Pacific and retired in 1968. We are proud to have had the opportunity to meet Charles on board the Home of the Brave Tour and his legacy in the Navy will live on in our Home of the Brave Museum!

Bill Reuter, Aerial Waist Gunner over Europe

Bill Reuter joined the US Army Air Corps in 1943 during World War II. He was assigned to be an Aerial Waist Gunner aboard a B-17 Bomber with the 8th and 15th Air Force Bomber Squadrons. He flew over 35 Missions in Europe, flying over Italy and Foggia as well.

 

Archie Buffington

Archie Buffington entered the U.S. Army Air Corps in 1943 and served with the 97th Infantry in the European Theater in France, Holland, and Germany with a 105 Howitzers Gun Crew.   He was then sent into the Pacific Theater and Occupation Forces Japan!

Here is a photo of Archie and his beautiful bride in the 1940's

LeRoy McGuinn

LeRoy McGuinn went into the U.S. Army in 1943 as an Officers Pay Clerk. He eventually made his way up in rank to the position of Technical Sargent and worked within Fort Ordinance in Europe! During his three years he saw most of his time being spent in the European Theater, traveling through England, France & Germany with the 739th Tank Battalion.

Morton Chase

Morton Chase first entered the U.S. Navy in 1942 during World War II. During his three years in the Navy, he worked as an "Black Cats" Aviation Chief for Navy PBY Flying Boats in the South Pacific! He was stationed at Kaneohe Marine Corps Base but spent time on Johnson Island, Townsand Island as well as Australia, New Ireland, Hollandia, Wewak, Rabaul and New Zealand!

Our Greatest Generation!

The Greatest Generation is a term coined by journalist Tom Brokaw to describe the generation who grew up in the United States during the deprivation of the Great Depression, and then went on to fight in World War II, as well as those whose productivity within the war's home front made a decisive material contribution to the war effort. The generation is sometimes referred to as the G.I. Generation. Some of those who survived the war then went on to build and rebuild United States industries in the years following the war. It follows the Lost Generation of the 1880s who fought in World War I and precedes the Silent Generation of the 1930s. On a world scale this generation is often referred to as "The Veterans". U.S. Presidents between 1953 and 1993 took part in World War II. The most famous were: Dwight "Ike" Eisenhower, John F. Kennedy, Richard Nixon, Jimmy Carter, and George H. W. Bush.

Welcome to Our Greatest Generation!

This is our first post! Stay tuned for some amazing veteran photos from our HOTB Museum!