Military Life Profiles

Cold War, Bill Uhlenbock

By Latisha Koetting

Bill Uhlenbock, of Calhoun, wasn’t surprised when he was drafted on June 10, 1953. He was 19 and was sent to Fort Sill in Lawton, Okla., for basic training. He went through field artillery training on the 105-mm Howitzer. He was headed for... Full story

Korea, Jasper Duane Camp

By Jasper Duane Camp

Basic TrainingWhen I graduated from high school in 1952 at Ava, the Korean War was going full steam. Upon reaching 18 years, we were required to register for the draft. After registering, I kept in close touch with the draft board. When the numbers... Full story

World War II, Chuck Miller

By Oda C. 'Chuck' Miller, Versailles

I was a corporal and gunner on an M-4 Sherman tank in “E” Company, 32nd Armored Regiment of the 3rd Armored Division during World War II. My tank commander was Sgt. Bill Hey. The rest of the crew consisted of driver Roy Fahrni, assistant... Full story

World War II, Fred Davis

By Latisha Koetting

Fred Davis, of Clinton, always wanted to fly. He tried to enlist in the Army Air Corps after he graduated high school, but his mother wouldn’t sign the papers. Four of his brothers were already in the service. One brother was with the FBI and... Full story

Vietnam, Gregg Davis

By Latisha Koetting

In his darkest hour, Gregg Davis, of Cole Camp, made his most difficult decision. He chose life.Davis volunteered to join the service in 1968, when he was 18. He wanted to join the Navy to serve on a submarine. However, the Navy wouldn’t take... Full story

World War II, Clarence Roe

By Latisha Koetting

Clarence Roe, of Salisbury, was surprised to receive draft papers in the mail. He had spoken with the man who ran the draft in Sedalia. He thought Roe wouldn’t be called to serve for at least a year. Roe was working at Safeway on Fifth and... Full story

World War II and beyond, Howard Warren

By Latisha Koetting

The Green Ridge class of 1940 searched for classmate Howard Warren for 50 years. When they finally found him, they were blown away by where he had been and what he had been doing. Warren was drafted on Jan. 9, 1943. He went to the Pettis County... Full story

World War II, W.T. Morris

By Latisha Koetting

Wilbert T. Morris, of Knob Noster, left his mark on countries he visited while in the military.Morris, one of 10 children, decided to do something crazy when he was 16. He took off with four friends in the middle of the night. They were on a mission... Full story

World War II, James "Al" Mentges

By Latisha Koetting

James “Al” Mentges Sr., of Sedalia, was shocked to be called to serve in World War II. He was 37 years old, married and a public housing accountant for the federal government in Washington, D.C. He had a daughter and two sons between the... Full story

World War II, H.P. Barber

By Latisha Koetting

A random act of kindness from an enemy soldier saved the life of H.P. Barber, of Windsor.Barber is an Air Force veteran of World War II. He was a gunner and armament man on a B-24, serving with the 448th Bomb Group of the Eighth Air Force. During... Full story

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