Military Life Profiles

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 the... Full story

World War II, John Heimsoth

By John Heimsoth

Each Memorial Day I think about the 12 Marines I helped bury at sea. There were no flowers and the cross on their grave is where a latitude line crosses a longitude line.On June 15, 1944, at the Battle of Saipan, I was a quartermaster second class of... Full story

Vietnam and later, James L. Burson

By James L. Burson

After 12 attempts, my crew and I feared the worst. We were at Dye-3 site in Greenland. Our mission was to pick up ice core samples and scientists and return them to Sonderstrom Air Force Base, also in Greenland.I was a technical sergeant; my crew and... Full story

World War II, Homer "Mutt" Embree

By Latisha Koetting

Homer “Mutt” Embree, of Sedalia, was surprised to learn soldiers weren’t at the top of the totem pole — mules were. Embree, along with his twin brother, Omer, were among the first group of 18-year olds from Pettis County to be... Full story

World War II, Russell K. Drenon

By Russell K. Drenon

In the summer of 1937, I was working at the ice plant in Warsaw. I wanted to go to college, but only had $80 saved up. I was making $1 a day. The Baptist minister heard that I wanted to go to college and asked if I would like to go to William Jewell in... Full story

Double trouble

Gunners reunite after 63 years

By Latisha Koetting

Editor’s note: Garold Veale, 86, died Monday, Jan. 26. He and his family felt it was important to share this story. Click here to see a video of Garold Veale, recorded December 10, 2008. After 63 years, Garold Veale, of Warsaw, has finally found... Full story

Korea, Bob Wasson

By Latisha Koetting

Bob Wasson, of Sedalia, joined the military to broaden his horizons and see the world outside his hometown. Little did he know it was the service that would give him the skills and experience he would need decades later as mayor.Wasson volunteered for... Full story

Vietnam, P.J. White

By P.J. White

Retired Air Force Col. P.J. White was born Dec. 7, 1930, in Sedalia, the seventh of nine children to William and Sarah White. He attended St. Patrick’s grade school and was a 1948 graduate of Sacred Heart High School.After high school, he attended... Full story

World War II, Robert Wiskur

By Robert Wiskur

  I had only been married four months to my wife Wanda when I left Warrensburg on June 8, 1944, and went to Fort Leavenworth, Kan. I was sworn into the Army later that evening and was issued my clothes. The next morning I boarded a troop train to... Full story

World War II, John R. Woolery

By Latisha Koetting

John R. Woolery, of Sedalia, got to see the world during his 22 years in the Navy.He started his career in the Maritime Service and was assigned to a merchant ship at the Seaman’s Institute, outside of New York Harbor. When he returned home, all... Full story

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