The Everyday Patriot Project

Specialist Jimmy Wesley James, A Soldier's Story Specialist Jimmy Wesley James Born July 9, 1968 - Died December 21, 1990 Specialist Jimmy Wesley James was born on July 9, 1968, in Hohenwald, Tennessee. His family later relocated to Willingboro, New Jersey, where he graduated from Willingboro High School. On August 14, 1986, Specialist James enlisted in the U.S. Army, training as a Chemical Operations Specialist. He was assigned to the 51st Chemical Company and stationed in Germany. In December 1990, Specialist Jimmy Wesley James deployed to Saudi Arabia in support of Operation Desert Shield and Operation Desert Storm at the onset of the Gulf War. Tragically, on December 21, 1990, Specialist James lost his life in the line of duty when his truck overturned and sank into the sand. He is laid to rest at Brigadier General William C. Doyle Memorial Cemetery in Arneytown, New Jersey.   * Read about a.d. elliott's Everyday Patriot Project here* ___________________________________...

  Major Guy Richard (Bear) Barrattieri Jr. - A Soldier's Story Major Guy Richard “Bear” Barattieri Jr. Born June 21, 1970 — Died October 4, 2006 Major Guy Richard “Bear” Barattieri Jr. was born on June 21, 1970, in Cincinnati, Ohio. He graduated from Purcell Marian High School in 1988, where he played on the school’s undefeated, state championship football team. In 1988, he accepted an appointment to the United States Military Academy at West Point. During his plebe year, an injury took him off the football field, but he never slowed down. Instead, he poured his energy into the Rugby Club, the Tactics Club, and the Sandhurst competition. At graduation in 1992, he was honored as the “GOAT,” a long-standing West Point tradition, and commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Infantry. His first assignment was with the 4th Battalion, 12th Infantry Regiment in Germany, where he served as a platoon leader and later as a company executive officer. In December 1995, he deployed with hi...

US Army Technician James Kazuo Okubo, A Soldier's Story: Technician James Kazuo Okubo Born May 30, 1920 - Died January 29, 1967 Technician James Kazuo Okub o was born on May 30, 1920, in Anacortes, Washington. He graduated from Bellingham High School, where he played football, and later attended Western Washington University, joining both the ski and press clubs. In 1942, Okubo left college when his family was forced into Japanese American internment camps. They were first sent to Tule Lake, California, and later to Heart Mountain, Wyoming. There, he worked as an orderly and nurse in the camp hospitals. In May 1943, he enlisted in the U.S. Army, where he trained as a combat medic before volunteering for the famed 442nd Regimental Combat Team. Deployed to the European Theater, he first served in Italy and then in France. During the brutal fighting of the 1944 Battle of Hürtgen Forest, Okubo repeatedly distinguished himself. On October 28, October 29, and November 4, he risked his...

Captain Douglas Lloyd Bradt - An Airman's Story Captain Douglas Lloyd Bradt Born June 29, 1961 - Died February 14, 1991 Captain Douglas Lloyd Bradt was born on June 29, 1961 , in Houston, Texas . He graduated from Clear Lake High School and went on to attend Embry-Riddle Aeronautical University , where he pursued his lifelong dream of becoming a pilot. In 1984 , Captain Bradt enlisted in the United States Air Force , where he was assigned to the 366th Fighter Wing and piloted the EF-111 Raven . Over the course of his career, he served at several domestic bases before deploying to Saudi Arabia in January 1991 in support of Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield during the Gulf War . On February 14, 1991 , Captain Bradt tragically lost his life when his EF-111 aircraft crashed after sustaining missile fire from an Iraqi fighter. He now rests in Fort Sam Houston National Cemetery, San Antonio, Texas.   * Read about a.d. elliott's Everyday Patriot Project here* ****** ******...

Private Merle David Hay, A Soldier's Story Private Merle David Hay Born July 20, 1896 - Died November 3, 1917 Private Merle David Hay was born on July 20, 1896, in Carroll County, Iowa. He worked as a mechanic for farm equipment before joining the US Army in May 1917, in response to the outbreak of World War I. He was assigned to the 16th Infantry Regiment and deployed to France in June 1917. On November 3, 1917, while on guard duty near Bathelemont, Private Merle Hay's position was overrun by enemy troops. He rests at the West Lawn Cemetery in Glidden, Iowa.   * Read about a.d. elliott's Everyday Patriot Project here* ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller currently in Tonitown, Arkansas.  In addition to her travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military biographies at  www.everydaypatriot.com Her online photography galler...

Sergeant Stephen Julius Siko, A Soldier's Story Sergeant Stephen Julius Siko Born July 27, 1966 - Died February 25, 1991 Sergeant Stephen Julius Siko was born on July 27, 1966, in Latrobe, Pennsylvania. He graduated from Greater Latrobe High School in 1984 and enlisted in the US Army Reserves shortly after, and was assigned to the 14th Quartermaster as a vehicle mechanic. Sergeant Siko also worked at the Keystone Foam Corporation and enjoyed fishing. He deployed with the 14th Quartermaster to Saudi Arabia in January 1991, in support of Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield and the Gulf War.  Sergeant Stephen J. Siko died on February 25, 1991, when an Iraqi SCUD missle struck the barracks of the 14th Quartermaster. He rests at St Mary's Cemetery in Latrobe, Pennsylvania.   * Read about a.d. elliott's Everyday Patriot Project here* ****** ********************************* a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller living in Tonitown, Arkansas.  In addition to ...

  Lieutenant Father Aloysius Herman Schmitt, A Sailor's Story Lieutenant Father Aloysius Herman Schmitt Born December 4, 1909 - Died December 7, 1941 Lieutenant Father Aloysius Herman Schmitt was born on December 4, 1909, in St. Lucas, Iowa. He studied at Loras College (then known as Columbia College) before going to Rome, Italy, to complete seminary training. He first served as pastor at St. Mary's Church in Dubuque, Iowa, and then at St. Mary's Cathedral in Cheyenne, Wyoming.  In 1939, Lieutenant Father Schmitt enlisted in the US Navy as a chaplain. He was assigned to the USS Oklahoma. He would die during his service on December 7, 1941. The USS Oklahoma was at port when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. Lieutenant Father Aloysius Schmitt was in quarters and stuck below deck as the boat capsized. He stayed aboard, helping 12 other sailors escape through a small porthole, before being overcome by the water.  Initially buried in a grave for an unnamed sailor in Hawaii, ...