PATRIOTS AMONG US
HONORING POST 6024 COMBAT VETERANS
This photo gallery recognizes the VFW Post 6024 members who proudly served in combat during their tour of duty, and now work to help all veterans today.
Thank you for your Service, and Welcome Home!
JOHN CARSON
HARRY STEELMAN
JOHN CARSON
USMC Sergeant: Vietnam Veteran 1968-1969
1st Marine Air Wing, HAMS 11: Da Nang & Chu Lai, Vietnam, Thailand: Marine of the Quarter, Aviation Calibration Technician. Charter
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
RENE MACARE
HARRY STEELMAN
JOHN CARSON
U.S. ARMY SP4: Vietnam Veteran
1971
Served in the 173d Airborne Brigade
as a Sniper in the Central Highlands of Vietnam. Awarded Vietnam Service Medal with Campaign Star.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
HARRY STEELMAN
HARRY STEELMAN
HARRY STEELMAN
U.S. ARMY 1LT: Vietnam Veteran 1970-1971
Sr. Advisor Mobile Advisory Team 9, Advisory Team 68, MACV, Minh Duc District, Vinh Long Province, RVN. Bronze Star recipient.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
NED COSTA
HARRY STEELMAN
HARRY STEELMAN
U.S. ARMY SP5: Vietnam Veteran
1968-1969
173d Airborne Brigade, Casper Platoon - Helicopter Crew Chief & Door Gunner in Central Highlands, Vietnam. Awarded Purple Heart.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
CLARK COURTNEY
CLARK COURTNEY
CLARK COURTNEY
USMC Gunnery Sergeant: Desert Shield & Desert Storm Veteran
1974-1995
Infrared/Radar Recon Systems Tech
H&MS-15, MCAS Iwakuni, Japan.
Navy Commendation recipient.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
ROBERT CAREY
CLARK COURTNEY
CLARK COURTNEY
USAF Captain: Served in Korea
during the incident in the DMZ
August 18, 1976
Graduated a 2LT from the USAF Academy in 1970. Seved on 5 PCS assignments for nearly 8 years.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
TODD PLESCO
CLARK COURTNEY
HARSHU SHARMA
USMC Corporal: Desert Storm Veteran 1990-1991
2d MEF, BSSG 6, Combat Svc Support Det-28; Saudi & Kuwait. 2841 Radio Repairman. KLM, NUC, SWA w/bronze stars. Gold Legacy Life Member VFW Post 6024.
HARSHU SHARMA
CLARK COURTNEY
HARSHU SHARMA
USAF Sr. Airman: Operation Iraqi Freedom & Enduring Freedom
2002-2009
F-15 Jet Engine Mechanic, TCN Escort and Translator. Afghanistan Campaign Medal w/Bronze Star.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
BOB FRANZWA
CASEY KLEINDIENST
CASEY KLEINDIENST
U.S. NAVY Chief Petty Officer:
Desert Storm Veteran
1990-1991
Independant Duty Hospital Corpsman. Navy Achievement Medal X-5 w/Combat V.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
CASEY KLEINDIENST
CASEY KLEINDIENST
CASEY KLEINDIENST
U.S. ARMY SP4: Vietnam Veteran
1966-1967
Headquarters & Headquarters Company, 1st Bn/8th Inf, 4th Infantry Division in Tuy Hoa, RVN as Company Clerk, Recon Squad.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
AJ SUMMA
CASEY KLEINDIENST
FRANK MCCLEARY
U.S. NAVY LT: Vietnam Veteran
1968-1969
River Patrol Squadron 53 My Tho River, OPS/PSYOPS Officer /Patrol Officer. Awarded USN/USMC Combat Action Ribbon.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
FRANK MCCLEARY
CASEY KLEINDIENST
FRANK MCCLEARY
U.S. ARMY SP4: Vietnam Veteran
1968
C/1/508 Infantry, 82nd Airborne Brigade, stationed at Fire Base Birmingham located in Phu Bai,
I-Corp, RVN as a Rifleman.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
ROBERT CASILLAS
ROBERT CASILLAS
U.S. ARMY SP4: Vietnam Veteran
1967-1968
Second Field Force, Advisory Team 101 attached to the 25th Infantry Division. Stationed in Cu Chi, RVN and served as a Combat Medic.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
THOMAS SCHOBER
ROBERT CASILLAS
U.S. NAVY 2nd Class Petty Officer:
OEF & OIF Veteran 2006-2010
Maritime Expeditionary Security Forces Squadron 3 - "Riverines" Boat Div 341/IBU 53.
Expeditionary Warfare Specialist.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
DICK VAUGHN
U.S. ARMY SFC: Korea Veteran
1950-1953
Served with the 625th Field Artillery Battalion (105 Howitzers), during The Battle of Inchon and The Battle of the Chunchon.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
AL HICKS
USAF E-4: Vietnam Veteran
1963-1967
Inventory/Logistics Specialist, in
the 311th Air Commando Squadron, Da Nang Air Base, dropped night flares over VC controlled areas.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
SCOTT PIERCE
SCOTT PIERCE
SCOTT PIERCE
USAF: Desert Shield/Storm
1984-1994
SW Asia Medal w/ 2 Bronze Stars
Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal
Tour in Bitburg, Germany and Incirlik, Turkey
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
JIM CLEMENTS
SCOTT PIERCE
SCOTT PIERCE
U.S. NAVY Chief Petty Officer (Retired): Gulf War Veteran
1991-1993
Avionics Technician/Aviation Warfare Specialist.
HSL-49 aboard USS Shiloh CG-67
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
CHUCK WRIGHT
SCOTT PIERCE
CHUCK WRIGHT
USMC Staff Sergeant: Vietnam Veteran 1968-1969
Stationed in I-Corp, Squad Leader in Mike Co, 3rd Bn, 3rd Marine Regiment (3/3). Awarded Navy Achievement Medal w/combat “V”.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
JAMES ASCH
SCOTT PIERCE
CHUCK WRIGHT
USAF: Vietnam Veteran
1966-1967
Headquarters Command Center 7/13 Air Force
Fragged flights and ground assaults in enemy occupation
Member VFW Post 6024.
KORINA SALTZ
U.S. NAVY LT j.g. Navel Flight Officer: OEF/OIF Veteran
1998-2006
Served with the VS-32 Maulers (Sea Control Squadron 32) aboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
DAVEY MARTINEZ
U.S. ARMY CAPT: War on Terror
Veteran 2005-2021
82nd Airborne Division, Field Artillery, 4th Brigade Combat Team.
Khost Province, Afghanistan
Afghan Medal with Campaign Star.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
AL RAMIREZ
U.S. NAVY 3rd Class Petty Officer:
Korea War Veteran 1952-1953
Served as Cook aboard The USS Henry W. Tucker (DRR-875) Destroyer and attached to
Task Force 77.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
AL STERLING
USAF Staff Sgt: Vietnam Veteran
1966-1970
Aerial-Ground Photo Recon
22nd Bomb Wing, Arc Light, Guam 600th Combat Photo, Vietnam 601st Photo Flight, Ubon RTAFB
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
GARY HEALD
U.S. ARMY Sergeant: Vietnam Veteran 1969-1970
Recon Team Leader, 75th Infantry Rangers at Pleiku, RVN. Also
served as Rifleman in HHC, 1st Brigade, 4th Infantry Division.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
JOHN BURICK
U.S. ARMY COL: Afghanistan Veteran 2012-2013
Commanded Security Forces Advisor Team 232 in Helmand Province. Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Bronze Star Medal, and CIB.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
ROBERT BOROWSKI
U.S. ARMY Captain: Desert Shield and Desert Storm Veteran
1990-1991
Stationed in Saudi Arabia, 655th Medical Company (fwd). Served as Company Commanding Officer.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
MICHELLE HURST COPPAGE
U.S. NAVY Radioman 3rd Class: Gulf War Veteran 1991-1993
Served as Boatswains Mate aboard USS Prairie (AD-15) Destroyer,
and assigned to 2nd Division,
West Pac 92.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
GARY PORTAS
GARY SHUMAKER
GARY SHUMAKER
U.S. ARMY SP4: Vietnam Veteran
1967-1968
Huey Door Gunner assigned to The Centaurs, The Heavy Scout Team,
D Troop (Air), 3/4 Cav, 25th Infantry Division. Stationed in Cu Chi, RVN.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
GARY SHUMAKER
GARY SHUMAKER
GARY SHUMAKER
U.S. NAVY
RICK BITNEY
GARY SHUMAKER
RICK BITNEY
U.S. NAVY 3rd Class Petty Officer:
Desert Shield and Desert Storm Veteran 1990-1991
USS Mars (AFS-1), M-Division, worked with Amphibious Assault Group of the Coast of Kuwait.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
FRED EGELER
GARY SHUMAKER
RICK BITNEY
U.S. ARMY Master Sergeant: Vietnam Veteran 1969
199th Infantry Brigade. Awarded Vietnam Gallantry Cross with Palm (individual award) for working with "Ruff Puffs" village defenders 1969.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
GREG RATHS
USMC Colonel:
Fighter Pilot 1972-2004
Flew RF-4B & F/A-18 Aircraft.
Operation Desert Storm 1991,
Operation Southern Watch 1993,
Operation Restore Hope 1993,
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
CHRIS MIMBS
USAF Sergeant: Vietnam Veteran 1969
AP (Airforce Police), assigned to the 51st Security Forces at Naha Air Base, Okinawa and various TDY Assignments throughout Vietnam.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
NORM LIPIN
USAF E-3: Served in Korea
1958-1963
Corpsman, Flight Surgeons Unit, 3rd Air Rescue Squadron. Stationed in Osan (K-55) Air Base located near Songtan Station, ROK.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
JIM LEBOWITZ
USAF First Sergeant: Vietnam Veteran 1966-1968
Served as an AP (Airforce Police), 3rd Air/Security Police Squadron assigned to Security Control at the Bien Hoa Airfield, RVN.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
PAT RIZCO
DENNIS AYERS
DENNIS AYERS
USAF Senior Master Sergeant: Vietnam Veteran 1971-1972
Severed as the Maintenance Control Supervisor & Inspector, 483rd Supply Squadron, stationed in Cam Ranh Bay, RVN.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
DENNIS AYERS
DENNIS AYERS
DENNIS AYERS
USMC Sergeant:
Vietnam Veteran 1969-1970
Served as Machine Gunner & C-4 Demolition, Mike Co 3/7, 1st Marine Division, stationed in the Rocket Belt located 27 mi. s/e of Da Nang.
Member VFW Post 6024.
RUSS JOHNSON
DENNIS AYERS
RUSS JOHNSON
U.S. Army Supply Sergeant: Vietnam Veteran 1968-1969
Also served as a Training Sgt and UH-1 Door Gunner while assigned to 709th Maint. Batt & 9th Infantry Division in Bear Cat & Dong Tam.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
BILL COOK
DENNIS AYERS
RUSS JOHNSON
USMC Sergeant: Vietnam Veteran
1967-1968
1st Marine Air Wing, Marine Air Support Squadron 2
DaNang, PhuBai Vietnam
Radar Technician
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
TIM BRUTON
ROBERT KAKUSCNKE
DAVID PERRY
USMC Colonel:
OEF/OIF 2003-2009
I MEF, Command Element, G-9
Director, Science and Technology
Desert Storm, 1990-1991
HMH-769, CH-53 Helicopter Pilot.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
DAVID PERRY
ROBERT KAKUSCNKE
DAVID PERRY
U.S. NAVY RESERVE HM2:
Operation Iraqi Freedom 2003
Served as Hospital Corpsman,
3D ANGLICO, 1st BGE, SALT E attached to The Black Watch, The Scottish Highlanders.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
ROBERT KAKUSCNKE
ROBERT KAKUSCNKE
ROBERT KAKUSCNKE
U.S. NAVY Airman E-3:
Vietnam Veteran 1963-1965
Served as Tug Driver, Air Trans, aboard USS Bennington (CVS-20) Essex-Class Aircraft Carrier and
assigned to the 7th Fleet, RVN.
Member VFW Post 6024.
VICTOR SCHERR
ROBERT KAKUSCNKE
ROBERT KAKUSCNKE
U.S. ARMY 1LT: South Korea
1968-1969
Served as Assistant S4, Division Support Command, Tank Unit Commander, assigned to the
2nd Infantry Division.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
PHIL PINCUS
DAVID COFFMAN
USMC Pilot LTC (Ret): 1980-1990
Assigned to HMM-165, flew CH-46 & UH-1 helicopters performing many short-term operations in numerous locations in Beirut & Somalia, MC Expeditionary Medal.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
DAVID COFFMAN
DAVID COFFMAN
U.S. ARMY Captain: Berlin Brigade
1967-1969
Recon 4th Bn, 18th Infantry,
G2 Patrols East Berlin, Germany.
Enlisted ADC USCOB Infantry,
U.S. Army Reserve.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
TOM GOODALL
USMC Corporal: Vietnam Veteran
1968-1969
MAG 39 and HMM 161 Quang Tri
Ambulance Driver, Medevac, Helicopter Door Gunner, Bronze Air Medal, Combat Air Crew Badge.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
RICHARD MCKENZIE, SR
U.S. NAVY Chief: Vietnam Veteran
1952-1977
Served 3 years in Vietnam in the U.S. Navy Construction Battalions, better known as The Seabees,
building harbor facilities to airfields.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
EDWARD KEARNS
RICHARD LATHAM
U.S. NAVY Chief Boatswain's Mate: WWII Veteran 1938-1962
Stationed in the South Pacific and served aboard The USS McDougal, The Pacific Fifth Fleet, Destroyer Squadron 9, Task Force 58.
Life Member VFW Post 6024..
RICHARD LATHAM
RICHARD LATHAM
USMC GySgt: Desert WWII & Korean War Veteran 1945-1961
Besides his combat Marine Sea Duty, he also participated in the Atomic Atmospheric Tests in the Nevada desert during 1953.
Life Member VFW Post 6024.
KEN SIMONSON
U.S. ARMY SP5: Vietnam Veteran
1969-1970
27th Combat Engineer Battalion, stationed at Camp Eagle and served as a Heavy Equipment Operator in Phu Bai, Vietnam.
Life Member VFW Post 6024
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