The Battle of Ramadi, April 6, 2004: The Day Things Changed for Coalition Forces and Brandon Winneshiek
In this video clip, Marine veteran Brandon Winneshiek, F “Foxtrot” Company, 2nd Battalion, 4th Marines, relates his experiences in Ramadi, Iraq, on April 6, 2004. Before April 6, Ramadi seemed like any other city, with friendly people going to work and living their daily lives. The Americans gave coloring books
Andreé L. Griffin: Bagram and Back
For Women’s History Month, we feature Andreé L. Griffin, who served in the United States Army Reserves from March 2010 to March 2018 and grew up in Slinger, Wisconsin. She describes her childhood as a "typical country" and included learning to ride and care for horses, a passion she continued
James M. Cocroft: Advocating for Veterans
James M. Cocroft, also known as “Groovy,” served in the United States Navy from August 17, 1987, to September 1, 2007. Cocroft grew up in Milwaukee, attended Milwaukee Public Schools, and graduated from South Division Highschool in 1987. The Cocroft family has a deep military service tradition in Wisconsin. The
Wisconsinites Serving During the Holidays
Serving in the United States military over the holiday season brings back poignant memories for Wisconsin veterans. When asked, they remember the place and what was happening at that time, usually more clearly than the normal day-to-day. They also reexperience the feelings and emotions felt at that time. Oral history
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