Military Life Profiles

Heinz Schupp, of Stover, didn’t sleep in a bed for 11 months, once he arrived in Europe. He was drafted into the Army at the age of 19. He left Benton County on March 1, 1943, and headed to Camp Campbell, Ky. The Army decided he was best...... Full story

When Preston Olson decided to marry, there was one man he wanted to lead the ceremony — his good friend Tony Gallagher. Olson, 71, of Bridgewater, S.D., has known Gallagher for more than eight years. They met through their mutual love of the...... Full story

Kenneth Grott, of Sedalia, discovered how war can force people to do desperate things. He was drafted into the service on Jan. 7, 1943.  After training he arrived in England around May 24, 1944. He was a member of the 561st Quartermaster...... Full story

Ralph Richner’s work experience in an airplane factory helped him keep B-26s in the air during World War II.  He was drafted into the Army Air Corps on Dec. 30, 1942. After he went to basic training in Florida, the corps decided he was...... Full story

Prince Bud Revelle wanted to keep his promise to his mother, but his desire to serve took over.“I promised my mom that I wouldn’t go, because she had a son over in the South Pacific anyway. She was worried about him all the time and I...... Full story

I was reminded of how much the little things can mean to others before the Christmas holiday. I took a day off work and went to Kansas City to finish up some last minute shopping. I decided to make a stop along the way. As I pulled off at the...... Full story

D-Day, June 6, 1944. I remember that day well. The news was full about the invasion. I was only 14 years old. The reason I recall the date was because my older brother, Leo Koechner (1924-1993) was home from Army basic training. He had recently been...... Full story

Leonard Semkin, of Sedalia, learned the importance of good driving when he served in World War II. He was drafted into the Army at the age of 19. He reported for duty on March 5, 1943, at Leavenworth, Kan. He was sent to Camp Campbell, Ky., for...... Full story

Louis Smethers, of Sedalia, can’t help but smile when speaking about his service. He wasn’t too surprised when he received his draft card from the Army in 1942. He married the love of his life, Dovey Elizabeth Carleton, on June 29, 1941....... Full story

For most, Oct. 20 was another fall day. People might have been thinking about harvesting soybeans or of the coming winter season. For some veterans, Oct. 20 brought back memories of horrible combat experiences that occurred at a time when they were...... Full story

Verndean Brockman, 31, was the first Vietnam War veteran from Pettis County to be killed.He was born June 9, 1931, the third son of Wilbur A. and Amelia S. Wienberg Brockman. He attended Balke Prairie School in Benton County and High Point and...... Full story

Wilbert Hilgedick discovered he liked using his muscles more than his brain in the service. He was drafted into the Army when he was about 20 years old. He did his basic training at North Camp Polk, La. He wasn’t informed what his specialty...... Full story

The 89th Infantry Division was organized at Camp Carson, Colo., on July 15, 1942. I arrived by troop train the same week from St. Louis and was placed in F Company, 355th Infantry. The military scientists in Washington were looking for new angles to...... Full story

Charles McGaugh spent 15 years, two months, two days and eight hours in the Navy. He enlisted in the Navy in 1959 when he was 21, because he didn’t want to get drafted into the Army. Though he didn’t see much combat, McGaugh, now a...... Full story

Tuesday will mark the 45th anniversary of when Jim Clark, of Sedalia, was nearly killed in Vietnam. Though it was a difficult time for him, he’d do it again for his love of his country.“I am very proud to have served. I can’t...... Full story