Generations of Service
Military service ripples in families beyond an individual servicemember. Often over the past 150 years, it is not uncommon to have a parent serve followed by a child emulating their example. Sometimes this legacy of service extends into grandchildren and great-grandchildren. Just as some families run a commercial enterprise over
Carolyn Morgan: In Her Own Words
Written by Luke D. Sprague, Oral Historian Carolyn Morgan was one of the first African American women to enlist in the 115th Fighter Wing, Wisconsin Air National Guard in 1980. Later in 1985, she decided to go full-time active duty and trained to become a cook. Her first duty station
Women’s Unequaled Service
Prior to World War II, the only generally accepted role for a woman in the United States military was as a nurse, a position relegated to civilian status with few benefits. With the exception of a select group of women serving in the navy, marines and coast guard during World
March Madness 2021
Here's the Big Hairy Deal you’ve been waiting for. The Wisconsin Veterans Museum March Madness Beards vs Mustaches Tournament begins. From March 15th until April 3rd the finest Wisco whiskers will face off each weekday. You, our loyal fans, will determine the finest facial hair in the collection by giving
March 2021 Virtual! Drink & Draw
Welcome to the March 2021 Virtual! Drink & Draw No experience is necessary. Gather your supplies, pour yourself a beverage, and bring your artistic energy as we spend the evening together stretching our creative muscles. Feel free to reference some of the provided drawing guides below. This event is free
A video interview with Brigadier General Robert Andrew Cocroft
Written by Oral Historian Luke D. Sprague Robert A. Cocroft graduated from North Division High School, Milwaukee, Wisconsin, in 1965. While attending and playing football at the University of Wisconsin-Oshkosh, the United States Army drafted him on October 24, 1966. At Fort Leonard Wood, Missouri, Cocroft passed the qualification tests
Wisconsin Was There: Desert Storm Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of Persian Gulf War, Part II
After over a month of the air campaign, with a final ultimatum for Iraqi forces to evacuate Kuwait expired, the ground campaign began. In Saudi Arabia, along the border with Iraq and Kuwait, the coalition forces rolled forward along the over 330 mile front. Helen Gurkow of the 13th Evac Hospital, remembered the opening phase of
Wisconsin Was There: Desert Storm Commemorating the 30th Anniversary of Persian Gulf War, Part I
On 24 February 1991, after 40 consecutive days of around-the-clock aerial campaign, the ground offensive phase of Operation Desert Storm (code named Operation Desert Sabre) began at 4am Saudi time. Over the last six months this final, and perhaps inevitable, assault loomed on the horizon for the nearly one million
February 2021 Virtual! Drink & Draw
Welcome to the Wisconsin Veterans Museum’s February 2021 Drink & Draw. We always enjoy sharing Valentines Day with all of you, and even though we cannot be together in person, we can still remember our loved ones in a special and unique way. This February, we will focus on drawing a
Stories of a M.A.S.H. Dr. in the Buna Campaign
This blog post from Gregory Krueger our curator of exhibits, is based on a written account by Lieutenant Colonel Stanley Hollenbeck. Lieutenant Colonel Hollenbeck served with one of the first mobile army surgical hospitals, the 14th Portable Surgical Hospital, within the Buna Campaign, from October 1942 to March 1943. Graduating from