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...
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...
May 5, 1944, was the day Roy Talbott, of Sedalia, almost lost his life.Talbott joined the Missouri National Guard in Sedalia in 1940 to earn extra money. He was part of the 128th Field Artillery, 2nd Battalion. In 1942, he enlisted in the Army Air Corps,...
Through study and hard work, Ronald Hoppes, of Sedalia, moved through the ranks to become a brigadier general for the Army National Guard. Today, Hoppes spends his days working on his 200-acre farm and riding horses.“I have been retired for 10 years...
Editor’s note: Larry Collett served a year in Vietnam. He was an infantry platoon leader for the 11th Brigade, Americal Division for four months, before he was wounded. After recovery, he worked various jobs in Vietnam including psychological operations...
I am the fifth of eight children born Oct. 20, 1930, to James Frederick and Myrtle Bass. I went to school until the eighth grade. I needed to help provide for my family, so I dropped out and started working. Later in my life, I attended State Fair Community...
William “Bill” Martensen, 74, of Florence, had no idea what he was getting into when he received a letter from Uncle Sam informing him that he was being drafted into the Army. In August 1953, at 19, he left the train station in Sedalia for...
It was Nov. 11, 1942, and I was sitting at the Holt’s Café in Boonville. My uncle, Joe Bauer, had said the day before, “Ralph, tomorrow is Armistice Day, and you’re going in the Army!” On this day, my brother, Paul, his...
Arno Mehrens, of Lincoln, learned military service could be both a picnic and hell. The picnic part started when he was drafted at 24. He was inducted at Jefferson Barracks in 1942. Because he had a “fluttery” heart, he thought he would get...
Wayne Maxwell’s father told him if he ever got a chance to run through a rainbow he should do it. Maxwell got his opportunity while he was serving in the Army during the Vietnam War. He was drafted in July 1966, when he was working at Howard’s...