Donald "Don" Graves - USMC 1942-1946, Iwo Jima

To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII in 1945, USAWS is showcasing a WWII Veteran each month. Donald "Don" Graves quit high school to join the Marine Corps in 1942 when he was 17. On February 19th, 1945 at 8:00 in the morning Don Graves landed on Iwo Jima. Don was the only flame thrower in the Second Battalion that survived the battle. "We had 335 Marines going in, 18 came off, I think about my buddies all the time. How can anyone go through that thing—day one through the end and not get hit? Grace of God.”

WWII, USMCSoldier RideFebruary 18, 2025WWII, USMCComment

Albert J. Norton - U.S. Navy 1945-1948

To commemorate the 80th anniversary of the end of WWII in 1945, USAWS is showcasing a WWII Veteran each month. Albert Norton was born in 1927 in New Jersey where he lived until joining the Navy in 1945. Albert originally joined the Seabees but when WWII ended the Navy no longer needed Seabees and Albert was transferred to the fleet. Albert eventually served aboard the USS LEYTE (CV-32) an Essex-class aircraft carriers built during and shortly after World War II for the United States Navy.

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Dominick Critelli - U.S. Army 1942-45

Army, WWIISoldier RideOctober 30, 2024latest, Veteran, Army, WWIIComment

D-Day Veterans Bill Soule, Franklin Simon, Christy Fier and Marvin Gilmore

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Nurses of Normandy

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Harold Terens - Army Air Corps 1942-45

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Francis "Gabby" Gabreski - U.S. Army Air Corps/Air Force 1940-67

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Floyd York - WWII Merchant Mariner

Merchant Marine, MMV, WWIISoldier RideOctober 27, 2023Merchant Marine, MMV, WWII, VeteranComment

Ed “Big John” Laughton - Merchant Mariner WWII

Happy 102nd Birthday to WWII Veteran John Edward Laughton. Born October 13th, 1921, John Edward Laughton was serving as 2nd Officer on the S/S Hobbs Victory when it was attacked by kamikaze aircraft and sunk on April 6, 1945 off of Okinawa. He ended up in a lifeboat saving several of his shipmates. Unfortunately, 11 of his crew lost their lives.

Merchant Marine, MMV, WWIISoldier RideJune 30, 2023Merchant Marine, MMV, WWII, VeteranComment

George T. Worsham - USMM WWII

Remembering George T. Worsham. Captain George T Worsham, 100 years, died peacefully on October 14 at his residence near Powhatan, VA. During WWII Captain Worsham received the Atlantic War Zone with Star medal for direct enemy combat when his ship was torpedoed and sunk by a German Uboat. After a month’s leave he returned to the Merchant Marine and served another 33 years. During WWII he sailed as an Able Seaman and Third Officer. After the war, he sailed as Master Mariner for multiple shipping companies.

Merchant Marine, MMV, WWIISoldier RideJune 28, 2023Merchant Marine, MMV, WWII, Veteran Comment

Pete Kurkimilis - USMM

Merchant Marine, MMV, WWII, Vietnam, Korea, Korean WarSoldier RideMay 19, 2023Merchant Marine, MMV, WWII, Korea, Vietnam, VeteranComment

James Sciple - USMM WWII

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Thomas L Cavallo - USMM WWII

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Jack Laub - USMM 1944–46

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Bill Keegan - U.S. Army 1943-46

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Stephen Nemeth - USNAG 1943-46/US Navy 1948-52

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Robert & Lisha Jones - USCG & USAF

Happy 101st Birthday to WWII Veteran Robert W. Jones. Robert was born on September 9th, 1922 and served in the U.S. Air Force as an aircraft engineer 1942-45. We interviewed Robert and his granddaughter U.S. Coast Guard/Air Force Veteran Lisha Jones at VFW Post 5350 in Westhampton Beach NY. The Jones family has a long history of service going back to the American Revolution where their relative Robert Townsend was part of the Culper spy ring supplying vital information for George Washington.

Air Force, Coast Guard, Iraq, WWIISoldier RideOctober 21, 2022Coast Guard, Air Force, WWII, Iraq, Womens History Month, VeteranComment

Dominic J. Lodato – U.S. Navy 1943-46

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Frank Loglisci - U.S. Navy 1942-46

Happy 100th Birthday to Frank Loglisci, born March 2, 1921. Frank served aboard the USS Caldwell and The USS Gyatt. While serving on the USS Caldwell Frank manned a 40mm gun and served as a baker.

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Richard W. Votapka - U.S Coast Guard 1942-45

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