Everyday Patriot

  First Sergeant Sydney Gustave Gumpertz was born in San Rafael, California, on October 24, 1879. He moved with his family to New York during his teenage years. After graduating high school, First Sergeant Sydney Gustabe Gumpertz moved to Manhattan and began working as an advertising specialist with New York newspapers.  He enlisted in the US Army on August 20, 1917, in response to World War I, and was assigned to the 132nd Infantry and deployed to France.   First Sergeant Sydney Gustave Gumpertz participated in the Battle of Hamel and Chapilly Ridge before earning a Congressional Medal of Honor on September 29, 1918, during the Argonne Defensive, when he ran, under fire, toward a machine gun nest and single-handled subdued and captured the nine enemy soldiers manning the bunker. However, he was wounded on October 8, 1918, with a gunshot to his ankle and was released from duty in May 1919. After his return to the United States, First Sergeant Sydney Gustave Gumpertz ...

  Sergeant Roger Paul Brilinski was born on April 30. 1966 in Alpena, Michigan. He graduated from Alpena High School and was a competitive boxer. He enlisted in the US Army National Guard in 1984. In 1986, Sergeant Roger Paul Brilinski transferred to active military duty and was assigned to the 229th Attack Regiment. Sergeant Roger Paul Brilinski deployed with the 2nd Battalion to Saudi Arabia in August 1990 in response to Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield and the Gulf War.   On February 27, 1991, Sergeant Roger Paul Brilinski died during his service while out on a search and rescue mission for a downed F-16 pilot after his helicopter was shot down. He rests at the Hope Lutheran Cemetery in Sanborn, Michigan. * 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...

  Soundman First Class Clarence Leroy Van Cleef Jr was born on January 9, 1925, in Somerville, New Jersey. He attended Somerville High School and graduated early to enlist in the US Navy on October 16, 1942, in response to World War II. He trained as a sonarman and was assigned to the USS Incredible. Soundman First Class Clarence Leroy Van Cleef first deployed to the Caribbean before moving to the Mediterranean to assist in the military landings in South France. He then went with the USS Incredible to the Black Sea, sweeping mines, and then to Palermo, Sicily. Soundman First Class Clarence Leroy Van Cleef left the US Navy on March 18, 1946, shortly after the end of World War II. He returned to Somerville, New Jersey, where Soundman First Class Clarence Leroy Van Cleef made his stage debut as Lee Van Cleef in the production of Our Town. He spent the next few years appearing in New Jersey and New York stage productions, including "Heaven Can Wait" and "Mister Roberts....