Everyday Patriot

Master Sergeant Samuel Melvin Gardner Jr. was born on September 9, 1990, in Chanute Ab, Illinois.  His family relocated to Texas, and he enlisted in the US Army in 1974 and was assigned to the 31st Weather Squadron. In 1990, during the initial deployment into Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield and the Gulf War, the transport plane Master Sergeant Melvin Gardner was traveling on crashed during lift-off from Ramstein, Germany. He rests at Llano Cemetery in Amarillo, Texas. * Read about a.d. elliott's Everyday Patriot Project here* **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the 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 gallery can be found at  shop.takethebackroads.com #TaketheBackRoads Like m...

  Staff Sergeant John Garry Gertsch was born on September 29, 1944, in Jersey City, New Jersey. After the death of his father, he and his sister moved to Pittsburg, Pennsylvania, and attended Sheffield Area High School. During high school,  he played basketball and football and was co-captain of the basketball team during his senior year.  Staff Sergeant Gertsch graduated in 1963 and enlisted in the US Army in 1965.  He would find a home in the army and would, despite the war, continue to re-enlist. He was assigned to the 101st Airborne and deployed to Vietnam for the Vietnam War with the 327th Infantry. Staff Sergeant John Gertsch would earn a Congressional Medal of Honor during a four-day engagement with enemy forces. On July 15, 1969, while attempting to gain territory at A Shau Valley, his platoon leader was wounded.  Staff Sergeant Gertsch rushed, under fire, to his rescue and then assumed command of the platoon, leading them in a counter-attack and pushing...

Fireman Timothy Jerome Jackson was born on February 25, 1970, in Anniston, Alabama. He graduated from Anniston, Alabama, in 1988 and enlisted in the US Navy shortly after his graduation. He would be assigned to the USS Saratoga and deployed to the Persian Gulf in 1990 for Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield and the Gulf War. On December 22, 1990, while returning from shore leave in Haifa, Israel, the ferry transporting the sailors from shore to the USS Saratoga sank, and Fireman Timothy Jackson drowned.  He rests at the Eden Hills Cemetery in Anniston, Alabama. * Read about a.d. elliott's Everyday Patriot Project here* **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the 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...

Tech Sergeant Charles Francis Carey Jr. was born on December 23, 1916, in Canadian Oklahoma. He briefly lived in Fort Logan, Colorado, with his Grandmother before settling in Cheyenne, Wyoming. Tech Sergeant Carey worked as a general laborer and had been assigned, briefly, to Rawlins, Wyoming, before he enlisted in the US Army in July 1944 in response to World War II Tech Sergeant Charles Carey was assigned to the 395th Infantry and deployed to France. There, he would earn a Congressional Medal of Honor when, on July 8, 1945, an enemy force of 200 men and 12 tanks overwhelmed his platoon's position. Tech Sergeant Charles Carey organized patrols during the attack, rescuing two squadrons and evacuating the wounded. Next, he organized a unit to take an enemy-controlled house that had been shielding snipers. Tech Sergeant Carey disabled the snipers and took 16 prisoners and the home.   Tech Sergeant Carey also supported an adjoining unit and disabled a tank. On July 9, 1945, as en...

Captain Gary Scott Dillon was born in Baltimore, Maryland, on November 12, 1960. He graduated from Concord High School in 1979 and the University of New Hampshire in 1983.   Captain Dillon enlisted in the US Marine Corps shortly after he graduated from college. He trained as a helicopter pilot and was assigned to HMLA- 267, a search and rescue unit. HMLA -267 deployed to the Persian Gulf with the 13th Marine Expedition Unit aboard the USS Okinawa for Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield and the Gulf War.  On October 8, 1990, while flying a training exercise over the Arabian Sea, there was an accident with another helicopter, and both helicopters were lost and their crews unrecovered. Captain Gary Scott Dillon is memorialized at the Union Cemetery in Laconia, New Hampshire. * Read about a.d. elliott's Everyday Patriot Project here* **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In add...

  Captain Tommie William Bates was born on November 30, 1962, in Coventry, Rhode Island. He received an appointment at the US Military Academy at West Point after he graduated from Coventry High School. While at West Point, he participated in Cadet Chapel and was a member of the speech team.  He graduated in 1986 and was assigned to the 24th Infantry Division as a Field Artillery Officer who would deploy with the Division in August 1990 for Operation Desert Storm / Desert Shield and the Gulf War. On September 14, 1990, Captain Tommie Bates died during his service following injuries sustained in a truck accident.  He rests at the Woodland Cemetery in Coventry, Rhode Island. * Read about a.d. elliott's Everyday Patriot Project here* **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at...

Second Lieutenant Cyrus Garnsey III was born on October 8, 1896, in Independence, Missouri. He enlisted in the US Army in November 1917 in response to World War I and trained in communications.  He deployed to France on January 15, 1918, with the 7th Field Artillery as their communications officer. Second Lieutenant Cyrus Garnsey was cited for gallantry in June 1918 after he carried a wounded man to safety while their position was under fire. On October 1, 1918, while at his post near Very France, his position came under fire, and he was killed during the attack.  Second Lieutenant Garnsey was first buried in Argonne American Cemetery but was repatriated and now rests at Arlington National Cemetery.   * Read about a.d. elliott's Everyday Patriot Project here* **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can ...

  Lance Corporal Dion James Stephenson was born on December 19, 1968, in Las Vegas, Nevada, his family relocated to Bountiful, Utah, and Lance Corporal Dion Stephenson attended Woods Cross High School, where he was a member of the swim team, the soccer team, cross country, and track team, and performed with the drama club.  He turned down several scholarship opportunities to enlist in the US Marine Corps in 1988. He was assigned to the 1st Battalion 9th Marines and, in August 1990, deployed to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield and the Gulf War. On January 29, 1991, while on a recon mission, his light armored vehicle (LAV) came under fire, and Lance Corporal Dion Stephenson was mortally wounded.  He rests at the Bountiful Utah City Cemetery.  * Read about a.d. elliott's Everyday Patriot Project here* **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition t...

  Private First Class Herbert Kailieha Pililaau was born on October 10, 1928, in Wai'anae, Hawaii.  He was a talented musician and ukulele player and was known to be an avid reader.  He graduated from Waipahu High School in 1948 and briefly attended Canon Business School.   A devout Christian, Private First Class Pililaau briefly considered registering as a conscientious objector but would ultimately reconcile his faith with the Korean War and accepted his draft registration. He enlisted in the US Army and trained as a rifleman. Private First Class Pililaau deployed to Korea with the 23rd Infantry Regiment in March 1951. Private First Class Herbert Pililaau earned a Congressional Medal of Honor on September 17, 1951, during the Battle of Heartbreak Ridge.  While his unit was attempting to take Hill 931, the enemy sent repeated attacks, disabling the unit and forcing a retreat.  Private First Class Pililaau remained behind at his post and provided cover...

Fire Control Chief Jeffery Warren Shukers was born on February 24, 1962, in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. He graduated from Union-Whitten High School in 1980 and enlisted in the US Navy shortly afterward.  Fire Control Chief Jeffery Shukers specialized in electronics and was assigned to the USS Saratoga.  He deployed to the Persian Gulf during Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield and the Gulf War.   On December 22, 1990, while the Al Tovia was ferrying the sailors from shore in Haifa, Israel, to the USS Saratoga, the ferry sank, and Fire Control Chief Shukers drowned.  He rests at the Union Cemetery in Cedar Rapids, Iowa. * Read about a.d. elliott's Everyday Patriot Project here* **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virginia.  In addition to the travel writings at  www.takethebackroads.com , you can also read her book reviews at  www.riteoffancy.com  and US military bio...