First Bank's Tribute to Those Who Served

Harold Anderson

After seeing enemy fire his first night in Vietnam and participating in Operation Starlite as his first operation, Marine Corporal Harold Anderson participated in several search and destroy missions, including Harvest Moon, which was a trap the North Vietnamese created. Serving on the front lines without any rest for 15 months, Harold served as part of the Lima Company, 3rd Battalion, and 3rd Marines Division. He received many military awards for his service and bravery, including the Presidential Unit Citation, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal, Republic of Vietnam Gallantry Cross, and National Defense Service Medal.

Donald Jackson

Watch First Bank’s Tribute to Those Who Served as we honor National Defense Service Medal and Vietnam Service Medal recipient, Donald Jackson, U.S. Army Specialist 5, who bravely served in the Vietnam War. He recounts his story while serving in Vietnam, and shares his heartfelt gratitude for an incredible experience with his sons, daughter-in-law, and grandson while on the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight.

Tom Bommarito

A recipient of two Purple Hearts, Tom Bommarito, Staff Sergeant E6, was commanding 18-year-olds at the age of 22, during his service in the Vietnam War. According to Mr. Bommarito, part of the mission was to fight and stay alive. He proudly commented, “They’re all still alive.” Watch this special tribute as Mr. Bommarito recalls his time during his service as well as appreciation for the Honor Flight.

James “JW” Woods

United States Army Specialist James “JW” Woods recounts his attempt to save his friend and commanding officer during the Vietnam War. He also graciously shares his appreciation for the warm homecoming on the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight that he and many other Vietnam Vets didn’t receive when returning from war. JW earned many awards for his service in Vietnam, including National Defense Service Medal, Marksman (M-14), Sharpshooter (M-16), and Vietnam Service Medal.

Raymond Walls

United States Army Staff Sergeant E-6 Raymond Walls describes a terrifying battle with the Viet Cong 514th Battalion where most of the men in his unit were seriously wounded, including himself, and his brave attempt to save them. Watch this true American hero’s tribute and learn about his appreciation for the Honor Flight.

Tony Yeager

Anthony “Tony” Yeager served his country in the U.S. Army from the jungles of Vietnam. It is an honor to recognize this highly decorated, double Bronze Service Star, and National Defense Service Medal recipient. Watch as Tony Yeager recounts his trials during the Vietnam War, shares his incredible experience, and shows his appreciation for his warm homecoming on the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight.

Jim Miller

Jim Miller was quickly introduced to the perils of war only three weeks into serving his country in Vietnam. It is an honor to feature this highly decorated American hero and Purple Heart recipient. Staff Sgt. Jim Miller humbly describes his service in Vietnam and his incredible experience on the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight.

Bill Fisher

U.S. Marine Corporal Bill Fisher shares his incredible story of perseverance during and after the Vietnam War and his experience on the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight.

Gibson Brothers

Brothers in arms, that’s the Gibson brothers. Three brothers with strong relationships who each served in the Vietnam War. E4 Specialist John Gibson, Sgt. Don Gibson, and Master Gunnery Sgt. Leroy Gibson share their stories of Vietnam and their amazing experience on the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight.

Richard Connors

United States Air Force Staff Seargent Richard Connors earned two Purple Hearts as a combat controller in Vietnam. In some of the most dangerous missions and terrifying situations, he led the way behind enemy lines for other American forces to follow, looking for the enemy, and calling in air strikes. Learn about his experience on the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight.

Richard Cremer

What an incredible honor it is to celebrate Vietnam veteran Richard Cremer. Watch as Richard describes his experiences and how grateful he is for the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight.

William Buchholz

United States Air Force Lieutenant Colonel William Buchholz flew in 199 drop missions in the Vietnam War. He survived a plane crash into the ice in Newfoundland where he and his unit were rescued two weeks later. When he came home from the Vietnam War, he was told he shouldn’t wear his uniform, but he did. “I’m proud of my uniform,” he said. And First Bank is definitely proud to feature this highly decorated veteran.

Harry Hope

With a total of 38 years of service in the military, First Sergeant Harry Hope has undeniably served his country well. Considered one of the “Chosin Few” of the Korean War, having survived what is considered one of America’s toughest battles (Battle of the Chosin Reservoir), his unit relentlessly fought the enemy for days in subfreezing temps, and with rations and ammo running low. A misunderstanding led to airdrops of Tootsie Rolls, and Hope credits the chocolate candies with helping them survive.

John Schweitzer

John Schweitzer served active duty in the U.S. Air Force during the Vietnam War from 1967 to 1974 and was in the reserves from 1974 to 1985. Learn about his experience on the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight.

Joann Folluo

Joann Folluo served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Learn about her experience serving her country and her time on the Honor Flight.

William Nelson

William Nelson served in the U.S. Army and spent 355 days in Vietnam. Learn more about his experiences as a Vietnam War veteran and his time during the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight.

Vince Hunter

Vince Hunter served in the 114th Infantry, 44th Division in World War II. Learn about his experience on the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight.

Betty Lambert

Betty Lambert served in the U.S. Army and was in the Medical Corps. Learn about her experience on the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight.

Marshall Day

Marshall Day served in the U.S. Army during the Korean War. Learn about his experience on the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight.

Helen Kevrick

First Sergeant Helen Kevrick served in the U.S. Marine Corps from 1953 to 1956. She was one of the first two women to go through drill instructor school with men.

Jesse Anderson

U.S. Army Sergeant Jesse Anderson served in the Army from 1947-1952. During one of the major Korean War battles, he was wounded and received the Purple Heart.

Vincent Boemer

Corporal Vincent Boemer of the U.S. Army served in the Phillipines during WWII and was awarded a Purple Heart. He was also a U.S. Army Air Corp Pilot, navigator, and bombardier.

Alfred Villagran

Tech Sergeant Alfred Villagran in the Army Air Corps during World War II was stationed in Thurleigh, England as part of the 369 Bomb Squadron, having flown on 35 missions.

Marshall Phillips

Marshall Phillips was a Corporal in the Army stationed in Italy during World War II, delivering medical supplies to the troops as needed, as well as bringing bodies of soldiers to an American cemetery in Italy. Of his visit to Washington, D.C., on the Honor Flight, Mr. Phillips said it was something that he would never forget.

Raymond Sutton

Petty Officer Raymond Sutton served in the Navy from 1949-1956 and through the Korean War. He was assigned to the USS Lewis (DE-535) where he was on-board for four years. He credits his "good angel" for staying with him and keeping him safe through the war. Mr. Sutton says the Honor Flight was "one of the greater things in life" and said the entire experience was excellent.

Charles Riva

Charles Riva served in the Army as a Tech Sergeant from 1943-1945 during World War II. He received an arm wound from a mortar by Japanese forces. He received a Purple Heart because of the injury even though he says it was "just a scratch." Mr. Riva was honored to have taken part in the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight to Washington, D.C., and said of the experience that it was "one of the most wonderful things to happen in my life."

Jose Salazar

Jose Salazar served in the Marine Corps as a Staff Sergeant (SSGT) from 1949-1952 during the Korean War. He went to cooking school at Marine Corps Base Camp Lejeune in North Carolina and then served in the Chosin Reservoir in the frigid mountains of North Korea. The men in the Battle of the Chosin Reservoir saw the fiercest fighting of the entire war. Mr. Salazar was surprised and honored to participate in the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. The memory is one he will never forget, and he is proud to have served his country.

Bill Loftus

Sergeant Bill Loftus was in the 10th Corps, 200th Armored Field Battalion, 8th Army during the Korean War. Mr. Lofuts' unit followed the infantry on the front lines in many of the major battle sites including the Punchbowl, Bunker Hill, Bloody Ridge, and Heartbreak Ridge. He was the commander of an open self-propelled track unit. Mr. Loftus was overwhelmed by his time on the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight to Washington, D.C. One highlight was the police escort his bus received around town. “I’d never seen that before!” It was something he’d never forget.

David Fullgraf

Captain David Fullgraf served in the Army Air Corps and was a pilot on a B-24 Liberator in the Pacific Theatre during World War II. During the Korean War, he served in the Air Force as a pilot on a RB-36 Peacemaker, attached to the 72nd Strategic Reconnaissance Squadron. Mr. Fullgraf is a highly decorated veteran including an Asiatic-Pacific Theatre Campaign Ribbon with Three Bronze Stars, a Victory Medal, an American Theatre Campaign Ribbon, and an Air Medal with One Oak Leaf Cluster.

Ruby Foster

Ms. Foster was in the United States Cadet Nurse Corps during World War II. She chose to serve at St. Louis City Hospital. At that time, 80% of the nurses staffing civilian hospitals were Cadet Nurses!

Ralph Goldsticker

Ralph Goldsticker (“Goldy”), a 2nd Lieutenant, U.S. Air Force, worked in a dry goods store when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor. He decided to enlist in the Aviation Cadet Corps. He became a bombardier, which means he was positioned in the clear glass nose of the bomber. He dropped the bombs. He flew 35 missions in a B-17 (Deuces Wild) in 1944, including two on D-Day. The French government bestowed upon him the highest distinction, the Legion of Honor Medal, for risking his life to help liberate France from the Nazis.

Laurence Lumpe

WWII Veteran and Korean War Veteran Laurence Lumpe (Private 1st Class, U.S. Army) was assigned to the American Graves Registration during World War II and was responsible for trying to identify the remains of bodies as well as investigate plane crashes.

Gregory Lopez

Corporal Gregory Lopez was attached to the 348th Combat Engineering Battalion when he was sent to join the amphibious forces of the U.S. Army, the 5th Engineering Special Brigade, which specialized in sea landings.

Anthony Saputo

World War II veteran Anthony Saputo (Yeoman Second Class, U.S. Navy) was attached to the Seabees and was assigned to help build and repair parts of France including an orphanage and an air field.

Gordon Smith

World War II veteran Gordon Smith (Machinist Mate 2nd Class, U.S. Navy) survived the attacks on Pearl Harbor on December 7, 1941. Later, he was assigned to the USS Gambier Bay and was in the Battle off Samar during the Battle of Leyte Gulf. On October 25, 1944, the ship was sunk. It was the only American aircraft carrier sunk by enemy gunfire during World War II. For two days, he floated in the water before he was rescued.

John Wren

Second Lieutenant John Wren was with the 461st bomb group in the 15th Air Force stationed at Torretta Field in Italy.

Roland Gantt

WWII Veteran and Master Sergeant Roland Gantt was a part of an Army rescue boat operation in the South Pacific that would retrieve soldiers injured in battle. After his ship sank, he survived 21 days at sea in a lifeboat with no food and only water from the rain before being rescued.

Warren Nelson

Warren Nelson, 1st Lieutenant, U.S. Air Force, was attached to the 820th Bomb Squadron with the Army Air Corps, and his unit was sent into combat in the Gilbert and Marshall Islands. A very humble Mr. Nelson said that “the heroes of the Pacific were the Marines who took over the islands. They were there for days; we fought for hours.” He received the Distinguished Flying Cross plus one Oak Leaf, Air Medal plus three Oak Leaf Clusters, and the American Theatre Ribbon.

Frank Fontana

Technical Sergeant Frank Fontana of the U.S. Army was a member of the first MASH group ever formed and served during WWII following 10 miles behind the front lines. Mr. Fontana was honored to be a part of the Honor Flight: "It was wonderful. It's something proud to be an American, and then proud to be a veteran. There's nothing else better. There just isn't."

Grace Steck

Army Nurse Corps First Lieutenant Grace Steck shares her experience on the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight saying, "The Honor Flight was like being queen for a day." Mrs. Steck was grateful to have her grandchildren and great-grandchildren with her to share in this experience.

Jerome Huelsman

WWII veteran Corporal Jerome Huelsman served in the Army from 1942–1945 and was in the 94th Division, part of General Patton’s Third Army. During the brutal Battle of the Bulge, Patton’s Third Army broke through German lines and entered Bastogne, Belgium where they were able to provide relief to the soldiers valiantly defending the area against relentless German assaults, ultimately preventing the German’s counteroffensive. The Battle of the Bulge was one of the deadliest battles ever fought by the U.S. Army.

Raymond Dierkes

Raymond Dierkes was a member of the Unites States Naval Construction Force, known as the Seabee’s, from 1943–1945. He was a Ship Fitter 2nd Class and part of the Seabees’s 2nd Battalion. Prior to the D-Day invasion, Mr. Dierkes unit was responsible for the construction of Mulberry Harbor, a temporary portable harbor used to facilitate off-loading of cargo to the beach in the Normandy invasion. The huge port area helped the Seabee’s land hundreds of thousands of tons of war material daily. In addition to these massive amounts of supplies, they also received more than a million Allied soldiers through Mulberry Harbor.

Joseph Kuc

U.S. Army Sergeant Joe Kuc says of his experience on the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight, "I can't really explain it. I was overwhelmed. I just enjoyed the whole day."

Edward Olszewski

Naval Aviator Edward Olszewski is a WWII veteran who enlisted and was called to duty in June of 1942. Flying 109 missions, Mr. Olszewski had five distinguished flying crosses. He says of his experience, "You have to have the confidence that no matter happened you would prevail."

James and William Luttrell

James Luttrell served in the U.S. Navy from 1943–1946. He was an Aviation Radioman and a Turret Gunner on a PB4Y-2 aircraft. Equipped with air-to-surface radar, their main job was to locate enemy submarines and downed planes from the air. James was awarded the Good Conduct Medal.

Sgt. William Luttrell served in the U.S. Marine Corps from December 1942–November 1945 and was part of the 4th Marine Division. The 4th Division shipped out in 1944, and in 13 months made four major amphibious assaults in the battles of Kwajalein (Roi-Namur), Saipan, Tinian, and Iwo Jima. Two days into their mission on Iwo Jima, Sgt. Luttrell was shot, evacuated, and hospitalized from February 1945–November 1945. He was awarded the Good Conduct Medal, a Purple Heart, two Presidential Unit Citations, each with a Bronze Star, a Navy Unit Commendation Ribbon, a Meritorious Unit Ribbon, an Asiatic Pacific Campaign Medal with 4 Bronze, 4 Battle Stars, a WWII Victory Medal, a National Defense Service Medal, a SW Asia Service Medal with 3 Bronze Stars and the Global War on Terrorism Service Medal.

Harold Rathmann

Harold Rathmann U.S. Army First Sergeant shared of his experience on the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight, "The best part of the day was when we visited the WWII memorial." Mr. Rathmann was extremely grateful for the welcome home celebration after they exited the plane, saying that he felt greatly appreciated.

Harriet McGuire

Naval Nurse Harriet McGuire served in the Navy from 1944–1945 during WWII and was stationed at Camp Pendleton. Of her experience on the Honor Flight, Mrs. McGuire said, "It makes you feel really good to know that you are important."

Bud Jolley

Corporal Bud Jolley was in the United States Marine Corps from 1941–1945. He was a Brownie Automatic Rifleman (BAR) sharp shooter. As part of the 2nd Marine Division, based in San Diego, CA, he and his division, along with the 4th Marine Division and the Army’s 27th Infantry Division took part in the Battle of Saipan which began on June 15, 1944. Corporal Jolley was wounded on Saipan and earned a Purple Heart. He was also awarded three battle stars in the Pacific Theatre, a Good Conduct Medal, Battle of Saipan and Okinawa Battle Strips, and a United States Marine Corps Sharpshooter Medal.

Jim Thorpe

Marine Corporal Jim Thorpe was a sharp shooter during WWII. Mr. Thorpe said of his experience on the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight, "The Honor Flight was fantastic. I can truly say that I really enjoyed that, because of the adulation that you get. Everybody is waving at you and shaking your hand and waving the flag. It's really, really amazing."

Wilbur Robins

Navy Seaman First Class Wilbur Robins served on USS Nitro, an ammunition ship, during WWII. Mr. Robins said, "It would have been next to impossible for me and thousands of thousands of other veterans to have been able to visit the WWII Memorial had it not been for the Honor Flight."

Joe Brader

WWII veteran Private First Class Joe Brader was a medic with the First Aid Station in the U.S. Army and was part of the D-Day operation. Discussing his experience on the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight, Mr. Brader said, "That was the greatest day of my life. They treated me like I won the war by myself."

Robert Hale

Sergeant Robert Hale of the U.S. Army was part of the 502nd parachute regiment during WWII. He landed in Normandy and helped to push the Germans out of Sainte-Mère-Église, the first town that was liberated on D-Day. Mr. Hale is honored to be a part of the Honor Flight.

Robert Bareford

Sergeant Robert Bareford a U.S. Army veteran who served during WWII and was part of the first radar unit to land on Normandy. Speaking of his experience on the Honor Flight, Mr. Bareford said, "I thought it was remarkable. It's just very, very moving."

Max Zebelman

Max was an Army medic who was trained as a surgical specialist. His unit was a forerunner to the MASH units that came to prominence in the Korean War. They were responsible for providing first aid and frontline trauma care on the battlefield as well as ongoing care to the wounded. He had several encounters with General Patton, who would come and visit the wounded soldiers. Max was awarded the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal and the Good Conduct Medal.

Howard Pruett

Sergeant Major Howard Pruett of the U.S. Army was a demolition specialist serving in the 6th Engineer Special Brigade during WWII, and his outfit was involved in the first wave of D-Day. Participating in the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight, Mr. Pruett said, "It was awesome when I arrived and the people at the terminal were there to greet us. It makes a veteran feel good."

Don Johnson

Petty Officer, Second Class, Don Johnson was a Radio Operator in the Navy for three years, and he was aboard ship for a few years in the South Pacific hunting submarines. Speaking of his time on the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight, Mr. Johnson said, "It's really rather emotional for people that were in the service. It was a fantastic day."

Bill Bruns

Staff Sergeant Bill Bruns of the U.S. Army fought with the 27th division during WWII. Mr. Bruns was grateful to be a part of the Honor Flight: "It was a wonderful opportunity that I will always honor."

Charles Kohler

Charles Kohler was a Gunnery Sergeant in the U.S. Marines during World War II. Mr. Kohler was honored to be a part of the Greater St. Louis Honor Flight saying, "Everything was perfect. People do remember and do care. It was marvelous."