Union Artilleryman

FRANKLIN FINGER was the son of Jacob Finger and Maria (Shutts) Finger, born 28 November 1842 in Columbia County (most likely Taghkanic). He joined the 7th Heavy Artillery of New York and was killed in the battle of Deep Bottom Run, Virginia, August 18, 1864. Photo kindly submitted by Dwight Finger.

Joseph F. Schulte

Bombed out buildings in France

Joseph F. Schulte

Soldiers by light truck

From the Joseph F. Schulte personal photo collection

Claude L. Albea

M3 Lee

The Medium Tank M3 was an American tank used during World War II. In Britain the tank was called by two names based on the turret configuration. Tanks employing US pattern turrets were called the "General Lee", named after Confederate General Robert E. Lee. Variants using British pattern turrets were known as "General Grant", named after U.S. General Ulysses S. Grant. Design commenced in July 1940, and the first M3s were operational in late 1941. The U.S. Army needed a good tank and coupled with United Kingdom's demand for 3,650 medium tanks immediately, the Lee began production by late 1940. The M3 was well armed and armored for the period, but due to design flaws (high silhouette, archaic sponson mounting of the main gun, below-average off-road performance) it was not satisfactory and was withdrawn from front line duty as soon as the M4 Sherman became available in large numbers.

David Mills - POW

Seventeen-year-old Army private David Mills has just arrived into combat and has already adopted a philosophy that suits every soldier in every war. "You're trying to stay alive," Mills said with great emphasis from his Middletown home Monday afternoon. "That's what you're trying to do. You're not trying to be a hero, you're just trying to stay alive." But survival would be elusive for most of David's unit on a nondescript, dusty Korean hill called Outpost Harry. The orders had come a few days before David's arrival to defend Outpost Harry at all costs. There were 88 American soldiers. There were more than a thousand Chinese soldiers. "It simply means you must maintain your position and prevail," Mills said, "or die trying." April 24, 1953 is the day many in David's 3rd Infantry would do just that. For Mills, it's a date that will live in infamy. "It's seared indelibly into my psyche," he said. There was brutal combat, often hand-to-hand. Wave after wave of Chinese threw themselves at the American stronghold. David was wounded in the arms, legs and head as his bunker was eventually overrun. As he reached for a rifle to continue fighting, he felt a poking in his back and rolled over to see three Chinese soldiers above him. "I'm looking up into the barrel of a Russian submachine gun about three inches from my nose and I thought in my mind's voice, 'David, you are going to die,' " he said. In that instant, Mills said a quick prayer and the 76-year-old recalls it easily. " 'Oh God have mercy on my soul' and Dennis, a peace came over me that I have never felt before or felt the same since," he said. "I was ready to die." Mills wasn't killed. He was dragged away, dumped in a cave and eventually taken to a prisoner of war camp. Prayer was his power there, as well. "I must have said The Lord's Prayer 100 times a day," he said. Mills insists the prayers worked. The war ended three months later. David was released exactly four months after his capture and came home. He was still 17 chronologically, though much older. "I grew up in one night," he said. "I stopped being a kid and became a man." In American history, Korea is often overshadowed by World War II and Vietnam, but historians say it was significant, even if isn't seen that way by average Americans. "We lost a total of 40,000 dead or missing in action U.S. forces there," said Dale Hamby of Harrisburg University. "So, it was a very intense 3-year period with brutal combat." David was selected to represent POW's at a Saturday ceremony at the Korean War Memorial in Washington, D.C. President Obama will deliver the keynote. Mills has a Purple Heart, a POW and other medals. He also has the memories that still haunt him. "I think about Korea every day of my life," Mills said choking back tears. "And I thank God for his mercy." While many Americans are free to forget Korea, David and his fellow soldiers who fought there don't have that luxury.

American armor in Korea

M-47 "Patton" tanks of the First Marine Division destined for action are loaded on to flatcars at Munsan in Korea

Air Force pilot and triple ace Col. Robin Olds

Robin Olds (July 14, 1922 – June 14, 2007) was an American fighter pilot and general officer in the U.S. Air Force. He was a "triple ace", with a combined total of 16 victories in World War II and the Vietnam War. He retired in 1973 as a brigadier general. The son of regular Army Maj. Gen. Robert Olds, educated at West Point, and the product of an upbringing in the early years of the U.S. Army Air Corps, Olds epitomized the youthful World War II fighter pilot. He remained in the service as it became the United States Air Force, despite often being at odds with its leadership, and was one of its pioneer jet pilots. Rising to the command of two fighter wings, Olds is regarded among aviation historians, and his peers, as the best wing commander of the Vietnam War, for both his air-fighting skills, and his reputation as a combat leader Olds was promoted to brigadier general after returning from Vietnam but did not hold another major command. The remainder of his career was spent in non-operational positions, as Commandant of Cadets at the United States Air Force Academy and as an official in the Air Force Inspector General's Office. His inability to rise higher as a general officer is attributed to both his maverick views and his penchant for drinking.[4] Olds had a highly publicized career and life, including marriage to Hollywood actress Ella Raines. As a young man he was also recognized for his athletic prowess in both high school and college, being named an All American for his play as a lineman in American football. Olds expressed his philosophy regarding fighter pilots in the quote: "There are pilots and there are pilots; with the good ones, it is inborn. You can't teach it. If you are a fighter pilot, you have to be willing to take risks

Scott Jones

Robert Parrack 1990 Dhaharan, Saudi Arabia

This is me standing in the 206th Trans Det ATMCT Trailer at Dhahran Airfield Saudi Arabia. In the background is 1SG Trinidad reading the Stars & Stripes on my right. To the left in the other roon is Sgt. Pieper

Rebekkah Mae Bruns

Back from Patrol

Men of "Team Cobra" return from patrol outside of Patrol Base Attal in Helmand Province. (Right to Left) Captain Bruno DeSolleni, SFC Mark Browning, Captain Paul Dyer)

ANA Troops inspect a destroyed Vehicle

Members of an ANA (Afghan National Army) inspect a vehicle from their convoy that hit an IED on the way to Patrol Base Attal

Paul Dyer on the M240

Captain Paul Dyer mans a M240 machine gun outside of Patrol Base Attal in Helmand Province

Mark Browning in an MRAP