Glimpses from the Past
KOREA While many alumni and Old Boys served during the Korean War, only one paid the ultimate price. Pierre C. Chrissis – NMNA 1944 1st Lieutenant, United States Army Pierre Chrissis enlisted in the U.S. Army after graduation. He received his commission in the infantry, and later served as a transportation officer in the Quartermaster Corps. He was honorably discharged in September 1946, but was recalled to duty in October 1950 and served as company executive officer. Chrissis was shipped overseas in December 1950 and served as field communications chief as a member of Company L, 3rd Battalion, 7th Cavalry Regiment, 1st Cavalry Division. He was wounded near Mugar, South Korea. His citation states, “On Feb 5, 1951, Lt. Chrissis’ platoon was bearing the brunt of strong enemy attack near Mugar. He moved among his men directing fire and encouraging them to hold their position. Lt. Chrissis expended the ammunition of his carbine and used it as a club. He finally fought with his bare hands until he fell, mortally wounded. Inspired by his action his platoon repulsed the attack.” 1LT Pierre Chrissis died in Han River, South Korea, on February 6, 1951. He was awarded the Silver Star, the Purple Heart, the Combat Infantryman’s Badge, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation, and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal.
ABOVE:
Pierre Christ Chrissis N1944 d. Han River, South Korea, February 6, 1951
VIETNAM Kenneth J. Yonan is one of the 11 alumni and Old Boys who made the ultimate sacrifice between 1965 and 1973. Kenneth J. Yonan – SJMA 1965, United States Military Academy at West Point 1969 Major, United States Army
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Kenneth J. Yonan S1965 P.O.W., South Vietnam, remains returned April 1988
Kenneth Yonan began his tour in South Vietnam in October 1971. He served as a Military Assistance Command, Vietnam advisor in the 1st Battalion, 48th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Armored Division. In April 1972, Yonan was assisting the Army of the Republic of Vietnam (ARVN) 42nd Regiment in Tanh Canh base camp compound near Dak To, Kontum Province, South Vietnam. On April 23, 1972, three North Vietnamese tanks approached the camp. Yonan and his ARVN counterpart scaled a water tower to call in jets. He was unable to do so because of low visibility and the two were trapped on the tower. Sixteen years later in April 1988, the remains of an American soldier were returned to the United States, and in June 1988, they were identified as MAJ Kenneth Yonan. He is buried in West Point National Cemetery in West Point, New York.
GLOBAL WAR ON TERRORISM Four young men from St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy have given their lives in the Global War on Terrorism. Here is one of their stories. Michael Joseph Metcalf – SJNMA 2008 Private First Class, United States Army Michael “Cowboy Mike” Metcalf of West Palm Beach, Florida, entered the U.S. Army on March 8, 2011. He trained as a paratrooper and was assigned to the 2nd Battalion, 504th Infantry, 1st Brigade Combat Team, 82nd Airborne Division, Fort Bragg, North Carolina. Metcalf was deployed to Afghanistan in March 2012 and served as a member of a Quick Response Team. On April 22, 2012, he was traveling to assist injured comrades when enemy forces attacked their unit with an improvised explosive device in Paktia, Afghanistan. He had been in Afghanistan for only one month. PVC Michael Metcalf is buried in Arlington National Cemetery in Arlington, Virginia.
THE BEACON | St. John’s Northwestern Military Academy
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Michael J. Metcalf 2008 d. Paktia, Afghanistan, April 22, 2012
SUMMER 2017
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