Everyday Patriot

  First Lieutenant Michael Neal Monroe was born in Auburn, Washington, on October 27, 1963. He graduated from Auburn High School and the University of Washington. Monroe was a musician and an athlete, participating in football, swimming, and cycling. He enlisted in the US Marine Corps in 1986 and was assigned to the 3rd Marine Battalion. First Lieutenant Monroe deployed to the Persian Gulf in August 1990 in response to Desert Storm/Desert Shield and the Gulf War.   First Lieutenant Michael N. Monroe would die during his service on October 30, 1990, after a jeep accident during a night patrol. He rests at Mountain View Cemetery in Auburn, Washington. * Read about a.d. elliott's Everyday Patriot Project here* **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, photographer, and storyteller 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

Staff Sergeant Lance Milo Monsen was born in Seattle, Washington, on April 25, 1955. His family moved to Peshtigo, Wisconsin, during his school years, and Staff Sergeant Monsen graduated from Peshtigo High School. He enlisted in the US Marines shortly after high school and made a career out of military service. Staff Sergeant Monsen had intended to retire from service in 1992. He deployed with the 2nd Marine Division to Saudi Arabia for Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield and the Gulf War in the fall of 1990. Staff Sergeant Lance Milo Monsen died of a heart attack on January 10, 1991. He rests at the Dunbar Memorial Gardens in Dunbar, Wisconsin. * 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 biograph

  Private First Class Ardon Bradley "Brad" Cooper was born in Seattle, Washington, on September 19, 1967. He attended primary schools in the Seattle area and relocated to Castle Rock, Colorado, where he attended Douglas County High School. Private First Class Brad Cooper was an accomplished athlete who, in addition to playing football and lacrosse, was a finalist for the 1988 US Olympic Curling Team. He enlisted in the US Army in 1989. He deployed to Saudi Arabia with the 5th Cavalry for Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield and the Gulf War. On February 20, 1990, during the Battle of Wadi Al-Batin, Private First Class Brad Cooper, while attempting to aid another wounded soldier, was killed when a mortar struck his gun turret. He rests at Acacia Memorial Park in Lake Forest Park, Washington. * Read about a.d. elliott's Everyday Patriot Project here* **************************************** a.d. elliott is a wanderer, writer, and photographer currently living in Salem, Virg

  Commander Raymond Joseph Evans was born on February 22, 1921, in Bellingham, Washington. He enlisted in the US Coast Guard following high school and met up with Singleman First Class Douglas Munro in orientation. The two became a pair of best friends known as the "Gold Dust Twins" and would remain together throughout the early part of World War II. Commander Raymond Evans trained as a coxswain and deployed to Lunga Point during the Guadalcanal campaign. During the Second Battle of The Matanikau in September of 1942, Commander Evans assisted in the Marines' evacuation after their positions had been overrun. Despite being wounded, he remained at this post, ferrying US Marines from the Island, and at one time had to steer the boat with one hand while returning fire with the other. Commander Evans would earn the Naval Cross for his actions, and, unfortunately, the other member of the Gold Dust Twins, Signalman Douglas Munro, would be killed during this operation. Commander

Colonel Gregory Boyington was born on December 4, 1912, in Coeur d'Alene, Idaho. His family moved to Washington while he was young and he graduated from Lincoln High School in Tacoma, Washington. He attended the University of Washington, where he was on the wrestling and swim teams. Colonel "Pappy" Boyington was also in the fraternity Lamda Chi Alpha and participated in ROTC.  He graduated in 1934 with a BS in aeronautical engineering and was commissioned a second lieutenant in the US Army Reserves. In 1935 he tried to gain a seat in the cockpit by enlisting under the Aviation Cadet Act. Unfortunately, the code disallowed married men, and he was married.  Colonel Boyington found a way around this rule. Boyington was the colonel's birth name. Up until this point, though, he had been using the name Gregory Hallenbeck, which was the last name of his mother's second husband. While there was a recorded marriage for Gregory Hallenbeck, there wasn't any record

Warrant Officer John K "Jack" Morgan was born on December 7, 1962, in Bellevue, Washington. After graduating from Interlake High School in 1981, he enlisted in the US Navy and served a term as an Electrician's Mate. Warrant Officer Morgan briefly worked as an account representative for an investment firm before deciding to return to the military, this time to the US Army, where he earned his helicopter pilot certification in 1989. He deployed to the Middle East in the Fall of 1990 for Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield and the Gulf War. On February 27, 1991, the helicopter Warrant Officer Jack Morgan was piloting was shot down.  He rests at the Sunset Hills Memorial Park in Bellevue, Washington. *See also Sergeant Lee Arthur Belas * 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 

Sergeant Lee Arthur Belas was born on May 7, 1968, in Port Orchard, Washington.  A graduate of South Kitsap High School, Sergeant Belas was a gifted linguist. He studied French, German, Russian, Dutch, and Latin before he enlisted in the US Army on October 14, 1987, and was currently learning Arabic. He planned on working for the US State Department as an ambassador after his term of enlistment was complete. He deployed to the Middle East in the Fall of 1990 for Operation Desert Storm/Desert Shield and the Gulf War. On February 27, 1991, the helicopter Sergeant Belas was traveling in was shot down over Iraq. Sergeant Lee Arthur Belas rests in Sunset Lane Memorial Park, Port Orchard, Washington. *See Also Warrant Officer John K. "Jack" Morgan * 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

Born on May 17, 1894, in Spokane, Washington, Colonel Clarence Austin Orndorff, a graduate of Gonzaga University, served with the U.S. Marine through World War I. Afterward, he joined the Washington State National Guard. Maintaining a civilian life as a lawyer, Colonel Orndorff also maintained a National Guard career until 1945, including a deployment to Guadalcanal during World War II, where he was injured. Colonel Orndorff also served as the Commanding officer of the 95th Regiment JRTC. Dying on January 11, 1971. He rests in Holy Cross Cemetery in Spokane, Washington. * 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 f