Ho-Chunk Warrior Owen C. Mike
This is the story of Ho-Chunk warrior, Owen C. Mike, known as Jąąpwakącąk in the Hoocąk language. A leader of the Buffalo Clan, Ho-Chunk Nation, Mike served in the Vietnam War and received the Silver Star Medal and Bronze Star Medal with valor device for his actions while under fire
Ghost Mountain Commander from Neillsville
On December 7, 1942, a year after the Pearl Harbor Attack, Herbert M. Smith of Neillsville, Wisconsin, was wounded in the Battle of Buna-Gona while encouraging E and G Companies of 2nd Battalion, 126th Infantry Regiment, 32nd Division. The battle for Buna remains one of the most brutal engagements of
Eau Claire Veteran J. Birney Dibble Recalls Korean War
During the Korean War, J. Birney Dibble, an Eau Claire, Wisconsin resident, served as a naval surgeon on active duty in the United States Naval Reserve. Though administratively assigned to E Company, 1st Medical Battalion, 1st Marine Division, Dibble spent much of his time at the forward aid station attached
Coulee Region Veteran Gary Castona Remembers
This blog post features extracts from an oral history interview with a Wisconsin veteran Gary Castona from La Farge, Wisconsin, in the Coulee region. He relates his experiences of Vietnam combat service and later Cold War Germany. Like many veterans, Castona’s military service affected the rest of his life. His
Marcia Anderson, the Trailblazer
Today, in honor of women's history month, we release Marcia Anderson's oral history recording and transcript to the public. Anderson overcame obstacles by requesting positions held historically by men in the Army, demonstrating professional excellence on objective Army standards, knowing her profession better than her peers, and drawing on the
William L. Sims: A Lifetime of Service
William L. Sims calm smile and collected manner belies a man whose herculean efforts empowering veterans in Wisconsin are almost without equal. He continues shaping veterans organizations, mentoring fellow veterans, and implementing programs. There is a reason why Sims has a statue featured on the main floor of the War
Wisconsin Was There: Pearl Harbor Survivors Talk
Tap/click on each person to listen to their experience of the Pearl Harbor Attack on December 7, 1941.
Honoring Native American Veterans of Wisconsin
In honor of Native American Heritage Month, we are featuring Native American veterans and their stories from the oral history collection. Native Americans served in the United States military since the Revolutionary War and continue to do so with honor and distinction. Their military experiences vary greatly as you will
Honoring LGBTQ+ Veterans of Wisconsin
In honor of LGBTQ+ History Month, we are featuring the story of United States Naval Officer Larry A. Reed. Reed served in the United States Navy from 1961 to 1966 during the Vietnam War. Reed was the weapons and air control officer on the destroyer escort USS Wilhoite (DER-397) from
Honoring Hispanic Veterans of Wisconsin
In honor of Hispanic Heritage Month (September 15 to October 15), we are featuring Wisconsin Hispanic veterans and their stories from the oral history collection. Hispanic veterans served in the United States military since the Civil War and continue to do so with honor and distinction. Their military experiences vary