Veterans Day Salute
2
Herald Times Reporter | November 11, 2011
Capt. Marcus Anderson
Spc. 4 Steven L. Aubry
Hometown: Two Rivers Branch of Service: U.S. Army Reserve Years of Service: 8 Where did Veteran Serve: Manas, Kyrgyzstan Service Highlights: Currently deployed to Manas Transit Center, Kyrgyzstan, in support of Operation Enduring Freedom 11-12. Customs Officer in Charge (OIC) and Detachment Commander.
MMC Norman C. Anderson
Hometown: Manitowoc Branch of Service: U.S. Navy Years of Service: 20 Where did Veteran Serve: Vietnam, USS Norry DDe59, USSODAXSS484, USS SKATE578 Service highlights: Anderson was around the world, served as Vietnam advisor 1970-71. Instructor at Great Lakes for four years, MM School, Nuclear Power School, surfaced at the North Pole on the Nuclear Submarine SSN578.
Sgt. 1st Class Joseph “Guy” Archambault
Hometown: Manitowoc Branch of Service: U.S. Army Years of Service: 1950-53 Where did Veteran Serve: Korea Service Highlights: Recipient of: Silver Medal, Purple Heart, United Nations Service Medal, Korean Service Medal, Army of Occupation Medal National Defense Service Medal, Combat Badger and Japan Clasp Bronze Star. Submitted by: Jane Truettner
Hometown: Oconto Branch of Service: U.S. Army Years of Service: 2 Where did Veteran Serve: Vietnam Service Highlights: Drafted into the U.S. Army and completed basic training at Fort Leonard Wood, Mo., prior to being deployed to Vietnam. Served as a cable splicer, working to assure steady, operational communications — sometimes under mortar attack — as a member of the 267th Signal Company. This work entailed traveling to different locations in Vietnam (Bien Hoa, Phuoc Vinh, etc.). Received Army Commendation Medal for Valor. Served his country proudly. Submitted By: Susie Aubry
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Vogel Auto Body & John’s Auto Sales 920-682-7684
Sgt. E5 Donald J. Backus
Hometown: Manitowoc Branch of Service: U.S. Marine Corp Years of Service: 1965-69 Where did Veteran Serve: January 1966 to February 1967 Vietnam (Chu Lai, DaNang, Phu Bai, Hue); October 1968 to August 1969 Vietnam (Phu Bai and in the DMZ) Service Highlights: Enlisted with three very special friends, Eric Olesewski, Terry Leist and Jim Braun. Backus did his training at San Diego MCRD, Calif. Was stationed at Marine Corp Air Station in Cherry Point, N.C., in between tours in Vietnam from March 1967 through September 1968. Awarded two Purple Hearts. Positions held in Vietnam while in the Marine Corp consisted of rifleman, squad leader, assistant platoon commander and platoon commander. “Once a Marine, Always a Marine.” Submitted By: Mary Jane Backus
John Vogel
WI-5001403162
Hometown: Manitowoc Years of Service: 1942-46 Where did Veteran Serve: Letye and Okinawa, Battle of Okinawa Service Highlights: Training at Fort Riley, Kan., and Camp Irvin, Calif. Twenty-two men from Manitowoc County went together to serve in the 11th Armored Division which was split between the 9th and the 11th Division — the 9th going to Europe and the 11th to the Pacific. Backus was a tank driver and made landings on Letye and Okinawa. Submitted By: Mary Jane Backus
Master 1st Sgt. E8 William C. Backus
Hometown: Clovis, N.M. Branch of Service: U.S. Air Force Years of Service: 1967-91 Where did Veteran Serve: Holland, England, Germany, Turkey, Honduras for 17 years Service Highlights: Training at Lakeland Air Force Base in Texas. Served his country for 24 years as an X-ray Technician. Submitted By: Mary Jane Backus
Hometown: Manitowoc Branch of Service: U.S. Navy Air Corp Years of Service: Oct. 27, 1944, to June 10, 1946. Honorably discharged Where did Veteran Serve: South Pacific — Guam, Saipan, Tinian (he saw Enola Gay Bomber), Mariana Islands Service Highlights: Balzer was World War II youngest journeyman pattern maker at Manitowoc Shipbuilding Co. Deferred for building 10 submarines, June 6, 1943. He enlisted in Navy CB’s as carpenter mate. Had one week to settle affairs in Marinette Shipbuilding Co. They phoned him to return — he was their property and the company had to build 10 more subs. The Navy took the case to court and said Balzer belonged to the Navy. The Navy lost the case. In October 1944, being single and under 27 years of age, he was drafted into U.S. Navy Air Corp. Submitted By: William and Dolly Balzer
Concrete Work
SEILER BROTHERS CONSTRUCTION, INC. Free Estimates 4511 E. Whitetail Ct., Manitowoc
920-682-4726
Staff Sgt. Donald H. Barneson
Hometown: Manitowoc Branch of Service: U.S. Army and Air Force Years of Service: 3 active/7 reserves Where did Veteran Serve: Europe, Africa, South America Service Highlights: Don flew with the 60th Troop Carrier Group in unarmed C-47s without lights at night dropping medicine, food, clothing and munitions to Yugoslavia in a relief operation. Submitted By: Nancy Barneson
VFW POST 659 and AUXILIARY Manitowoc - Otto Oas Post
Residential • Commercial • Industrial • Farm • Garage Slabs • Sidewalks • Drain Tile • Driveways • Patios • Excavating Service • Basement Wall Replacement
WI-5001403157
Hometown: Newton Branch of Service: Army Years of Service: 25 months in World War II, 18 months overseas Where did the Veteran Serve: He was a sergeant in the Army infantry. He served in the vicinity of Baguio in the Philippines as well as Himeji and Wakayama, Japan near Hiroshima arriving just after the bomb was dropped. He also worked with the Air Corp Engineers building a New Airstrip in Japan. Service Highlights: He received a APT ribbon with one bronze campaign star, Philippine liberation ribbon with one bronze campaign star and Army of occupation (Japan). Contracting Malaria, he was hospitalized twice in the 54th Evacuation Hospital. His brothers, Francis and Bob, served in the Merchant Marine and Air Force, respectively.
Seaman 1st Class William A. Balzer
We Salute Our Veterans
2324 N. Rapids Rd. Manitowoc
Sgt. Gerald Barnes
Staff Sgt. Robert J. Backus
Veterans of Foreign Wars Department Wisconsin
SALUTES ALL VETERANS WI-5001403062