Veterans Memorialized Page

Fred Friend
5th Special Forces.
US Army.
Captain
1969/1970
Vietnam.
Ok Military Academy

🇺🇲 WWII uncovered: Paul Newman: Veteran of the Battle of Okinawa ⚓

After graduating from Shaker Heights High School, near Cleveland Ohio, Paul Newman enlisted in the Navy on January 22, 1943 just 4 days before his 18th birthday. According to his autobiography Paul Newman enlisted with hopes of becoming an aviator. While waiting for his application for officer training to go through, Newman attended Ohio University in Athens.

On July 1, 1943 Paul was sent to the Navy V-12 program at Yale University in New Haven, Connecticut. Upon completing his flight physical it was found that Paul was color blind which eliminated his chances of becoming an aviator. During basic training at the Naval Air Technical Training Center in Jacksonville, Florida in January of 1944 he qualified as a rear seat radioman and gunner for torpedo bombers. In 1944 Newman was sent to Barbers Point in Hawaii where he was trained as a replacement pilot for torpedo bomber squadrons.

According to Naval History and Heritage Command records Aviation Radioman 3rd Class Newman was later ordered aboard the USS Bunker Hill which took part in the Battle of Okinawa in 1945.

"Operating from Saipan, Newman and a number of other aircrews from his squadron had been ordered with their TBM Avenger aircraft to be replacements onboard the Essex-class aircraft carrier Bunker Hill operating off Okinawa. But Newman's pilot suffered from an ear infection thus grounding the aircraft and crew until he could recover. On May 11, two Japanese kamikaze aircraft hit the ship within 30 seconds and in the resulting fires and explosions 346 sailors lost their lives — among them, the entire contingent from Newman's squadron. Returning home after the Japanese surrender, Newman served with Carrier Aircraft Service Unit 7 in Seattle, Washington before being Honorably Discharged on January 21, 1946."
(Naval History and Heritage Command and Ancestry Database)

Paul Newman was decorated with the Good Conduct Medal, the American Area Campaign Medal, the Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal and the World War II Victory Medal and his aviation wings.

After the war Paul earned his bachelor degree in drama from Kenyon College in Ohio. He soon went on to study at the Actor's Studio in New York City under the direction of Lee Strasberg. In 1958 Paul married Joanne Woodward and the couple would remain married for 50 years until his passing.

Paul Newman would go on to star in such classic films as "Butch Cassidy and the Sundance Kid," "Cat on a Hot Tin Roof," "The Hustler," "Cool Hand Luke,"The Verdict, "Harry and Son," "The Sting," "The Color of Money" in addition to lending his iconic voice to the character of Doc Hudson in the Disney Pixar's animated film "Cars."

Newman was the recipient of numerous awards, including an Academy Award, a BAFTA Award, three Golden Globe Awards, a Screen Actors Guild Award, a Primetime Emmy Award, the Cecil B. DeMille Award, and the Jean Hersholt Humanitarian Award.

Paul Newman was also known for his philanthropy. Through the Newman's Own Foundation numerous charities have benefited from his generosity over his lifetime. In addition to all of this he was an avid race car enthusiast honing numerous National Championships as a driver competing in with the Sports Car Club of America.

Paul Newman passed away on September 26, 2008 at the age of 83. Rest in peace Mr Newman. A grateful Nation thanks you for a lifetime of service. Lest We Forget.



🎨Colorization compliments of Hudson Louie. Thank you Hudson for your support.

WWII uncovered©️ Original description and photo sourced by Naval History and Heritage Command, US Navy, Ancestry Database and IMDb (Fair Use Photos) All rights reserved.

Wishing the U.S. Air Force a Happy 77th Birthday. Fly, Fight, and Win!

On this day lost, but never forgotten... Robert Edward Rocky was born in Carteret on November 11, 1939, to Mr. and Mrs. Edward Rocky. His home of record is Lincroft, NJ. He graduated from Carteret High School where he achieved high academic honors. After high school, he went to Penn State University where he earned a bachelors degree in psychology. Rocky, through outstanding academic performance, was inducted to Kappa Phi, a national honor society. Rocky was also a member of Tau Kappa Epsilon, a social fraternity.

After college, Rocky attended the US Air Force Officer Training School and was given a reserve commission in 1962, as a second lieutenant. In June 1962, he married Sylvia Beauregard. In 1964, he took further pilot training at Moody Air Force Base in Valdosta, GA, and received his wings and a regular commission. Rocky flew the newest jet trainers and received special academic and military training during the course. He was reassigned to Lackland AFB, TX.

Rocky served with the 12th Tactical Fighter Wing. He flew 207 missions over North and South Vietnam in the F4-C Phantom Jet. He attained the rank of Captain (CAPT).

Read more at https://njvvmf.org/faces/bio/1506/

Sources: Rocky Family, Bryan Kreher (Monmouth University Student) and https://njvvmf.org/faces/bio/1506/.

With U.S. Army Reserve – I just got recognized as one of their top fans! 🎉

Shout out to Paige Shivers on being elected as VFW Post 5713’s first female commander! ⁠

https://mercercountyoutlook.net/2024/06/27/celina-vfw-names-shivers-new-post-commander/

(1948-1969) Private First Class, USMC, Company E, 2nd Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division (Rein). Entered service in Phoenix, AZ. Cited for action on 23 February 1969 in the Republic of Vietnam. To save the life of a wounded fellow Marine, PFC Austin first threw himself between the Marine and a gr***de, absorbing the effects of its detonation. He then placed himself between the Marine and an enemy soldier and was mortally wounded.

Marine who fought side-by-side with Chesty Puller on Guadalcanal dies at 97

2018: “I served under one of the greatest Marines of all time, Gen. Lewis B. ‘Chesty’ Puller and I were personal friends with Gunnery Sgt. John Basilone … he always called me ‘Jackie’, just like my mom.”

Of course, “Chesty” Puller needs no introduction, nor does John Basilone. The former is a near-religious icon amongst Marines and remains the most decorated Marine in history. The latter was awarded the Medal of Honor for incredible feats of bravery and perseverance in combat before being killed during the invasion of Iwo Jima.

When Schoenecker fell ill with malaria, Basilone visited his parents to tell them he was alright.

“Basilone visited my parents before going to Iwo,” he recalled. “He assured them that I had not been wounded, that I only had a bad case of malaria, and that I’d be OK. He set my parents’ minds at ease.”
As a Quartermaster Supply Sergeant, Schoenecker was a popular guy with an impossible task—keeping Marines supplied even when there were few to no supplies to go around.

“The guys needed everything, ammo, c-rations, uniforms, water, and rifles- we replaced rifles,” he said. “We used 1903 bolt-action Springfields from WWI; the Army had the best rifles, the M-1 Garands.”

While supply troops in modern times are often far removed from the fighting, Schoenecker was regularly subjected to the horrors of war, often in a way best described as up close and personal.

“One night during a [naval] shelling, I was in a bunker with three other guys,” he said. “Well, nature called, so I left the bunker to visit the latrine. The bunker took a direct hit, killing those other three men.”

Schoenecker battled malaria for a long time, including when he was sent back to the States to attend Officer Candidate School. At one point, it became too much, and he was forced to call his wife, who was then an Army nurse.

“I called Margaret and told her how ill I was with malaria,” Schoenecker said. “She researched the disease, treated me, and helped me back to health. You know, I fell for Margaret on our first date; we went dancing, and we danced for the next 71 years.”

Never far at heart from his beloved Corps, Schoenecker was a regular at the Semper Fi Bar and Grill in Woodstock, Georgia, who broke the news of his passing.

While there, he participated in a great tradition during the Marine Corps’ Birthday on November 10. The tradition in question involves the oldest present Marine taking the first piece of cake and passing it to the youngest Marine, symbolizing the passing down of Marine traditions and values from one generation to another. -USMC Life

Memorial Day Tribute A TDS Production Holiday Special. Some footage was taken at Veterans Memorial Park in Port Saint Lucie, Florida and at Veterans Memorial Island Sanctuary in ...