December 7, 1941 Attack on Pearl Harbor map with photos of veterans

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.

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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

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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

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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

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Two Generations of Wisconsin Veterans

At the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, we document, preserve, and make available the stories of Wisconsin veterans and their families. As a museum, we’ve collected several stories from multi-generational Wisconsin families. This month we feature a military family from Couderay, Wisconsin, Mary Slisz-Chucka and her son Todd Haskell. Mary Slisz-Chucka grew

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Sergeant Major Corcoran appears on the right. Major General Craig C. Crenshaw, commanding general of Marine Corps Logistics Command, stands in between Maj. Christopher M. Siekman, commanding officer of Recruiting Station Baton Rouge, and Sgt. Maj. Shawn Corcoran, sergeant major of Recruiting Station Baton Rouge, as they pose for a photo during the Bayou Classic Welcome Reception Nov. 25, 2016, at the West Bunker Club in the Mercedes-Benz Superdome, New Orleans, Louisiana. The appearance of U.S. Department of Defense (DoD) visual information does not imply or constitute DoD endorsement. 3015184. Public domain.

Iraq by Way of Stoughton: A Marine’s story

Shawn C. Corcoran grew up in Stuttgart, Germany, the child of a United States military family. Corcoran returned to the United States to finish his high school education in Stoughton, Wisconsin. In 1990, following his graduation, he enlisted in the Marine Corps in Madison, Wisconsin. Initially posted to Camp Pendleton,

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Vietnam countryside seen from a helicopter, soldier’s silhouette in the foreground.

Reflecting on PTSD: Experiences and Recovery

Military veterans and service members are uniquely at risk of experiencing or witnessing traumatic events. Whether a veteran served in a conflict or in peacetime, overseas, or at home, the effects of trauma can persist long after an inciting event. Mental health professionals sometimes identify these symptoms as post-traumatic stress

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Honoring Hmong Veterans of Wisconsin

Written by Luke D. Sprague, Oral Historian Hmong veterans of Wisconsin sacrificed their lives, homes, and livelihoods due to their alliance with the United States during the Secret War in Laos from 1961 to 1975. These Hmong, armed, trained, and organized by the United States and its allies, fought in

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Wisconsin Veterans Remember the Holocaust

Written by Luke D. Sprague, Oral Historian The Holocaust remains one of the most horrific events in human history. During the Second World War, six million Jews were systematically murdered by Nazi Germany. These brutal and inhuman actions remain fresh in the memories of the survivors. Ensuring that future generations

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Thumbnail of Carolyn Morgan

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

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