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HONORING OUR MEN AND WOMEN IN UNIFORM

Gen. Kenneth Robinson served three decades in the Marines including stints in Korea, Vietnam and as base camp chief of Camp Pendleton in California. He is a Boston native who eventually followed his h

Voices of Valor: Kenneth Robinson

After a long career in Korea and Vietnam, this major general and Washington D.C. mainstay settled in Waco.

World War II Air Force radio operator Ralph Graham of Speegleville saw his squadron decimated in the Battle of the Bulge.

Voices of Valor: Ralph Graham

The lifting of an impenetrable fog lifted allowed Ralph Graham and his bomb group to go to work at the Battle of the Bulge.

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Voices of Valor: Martha Moyer

Army nurse Martha Moyer served under Gen. George S. Patton in the Battle of the Bulge in Belgium.

This Ozark Mountain-girl toured Europe as a nurse during World War II and tended to allied and enemy soldiers on the front lines under Gen. George S. Patton.

Voices of Valor: Carl Jessie Crow

A special service, which included University High School's ROTC chapter, marked the 25th anniversary of Carl Jessie Crow's death and brought military honors at last for his family.

The World War II veteran was fully honored with a military service last month in Waco.

Voices of Valor: Alan Pilot

Medic Alan Pilot helped thwart Nazi resistance at Ruhr Pocket — then shipped from Europe to the Pacific theater.

As a medic with the Army’s “Blackhawk” Infantry Division, Alan Pilot played a role in the Allied victory at Ruhr Pocket in Germany.

Tom Beard, a graduate of La Vega High School, was one of the "Chosin Few" to survive the siege at Korea's Chosin Reservoir. United Nations forces were outnumbered during the 17-day battle, fought in f

Tom Beard entered Korea's frozen Chosin Reservoir in 1950 as part a 208-man company. He emerged days later as one of only two who survived.

Voices of Valor: Raymond 'Fat' Huber

Raymond "Fat" Huber, Eddy's oldest living resident at 95, recalls losing all but two comrades during the Battle of Okinawa. The ferocity of the 82-day battle resulted in the most casualties in the Pac

Central Texan Raymond Huber's served a tour in hell in World War II's Pacific theater at Okinawa.

Voices of Valor: Ken Peek

Waco resident Ken Peek, a native of Indianapolis, flew nuclear alert B-47s during the Cold War, B-52s during the Vietnam War and served as a test pilot for models including the legendary Blackhawk.

From jet pilot to nuclear alerts to aircraft modification and becoming a brigadier general, Ken Peek has done it all.

Voices of Valor: Henry Gonzales

Retired Master Sgt. Henry Gonzales created and oversees the Heart of Texas Young Marines organization in Waco, which offers training and education for Central Texas students. The Vietnam veteran with

A Marine to his core, Henry Gonzales has devoted his life to discipline, service and reverence for history.

Voices of Valor: Bill Bauer

Waco resident Bill Bauer holds a portrait of his father, Harold Bauer, who was shot down during World War II in the South Pacific and lost at sea. For his actions, Harold was awarded the Medal of Hono

Bill Bauer followed in his father's footsteps and became a fierce fighter pilot during the Vietnam War.

Voices of Valor: Ernest Corbitt

During his years of service with the Marines in World War II, Ernest Corbitt of Moody never took a leaver until the bitter end. When he finally did, the U.S. dropped atomic bombs on Hiroshima and Naga

Ernest Corbitt and the 22nd Regiment were almost constantly on the move during World War II, shipping relentlessly from one Pacific theater battle to the next under the command of Admiral Nimitz.

Voices of Valor: Sam Campbell

The Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor inspired Fort Worth native Sam Campbell to become a World War II Pacific theater “frogman” — predecessor to today’s Navy SEALs. Campbell served a 4-year hitch in th

Sam Campbell spent nearly the entirety of World War II at sea as one of its famous "frogmen," a precursor of today's Navy SEALs.

Voices of Valor: David Smith

A native of Mexia, David Smith joined the Marine Corps when he was 17. Within two years he had seen action on Guadalcanal and Okinawa. After World War II ended, he returned home and eventually graduat

Central Texas native was just 17 years old when he enlisted in the Marines, eventually headed for the bloody mayhem of the Battle of Okinawa.

Voices of Valor: Walter Schrupp

Minnesota native Walter Schrupp entered West Point Military Academy out of high school. He would eventually become a fighter pilot in the U.S. Air Force after completing his combat training at James C

On Dec. 16, 1966, while on a bombing run into North Vietnam, Walter Schrupp experienced his worst nightmare of being hit and losing control of his aircraft.

Voices of Valor: Mario Ortega

Waco resident Mario Ortega was awarded the Bronze Star for meritorious service while serving with the 11th Armored Cavalry in Vietnam. While in the Texas Army National Guard, he served a tour of duty

Mario Ortega continued his family's military tradition, showing resourcefulness under fire in Vietnam.

Voices of Valor: Vincent 'Pike' Anderson

During his tour of duty in Vietnam, Vincent "Pike" Anderson helped transition the 101st Air Cavalry helicopter company into 2nd Squadron 17th Cavalry which became known as C Troop — the Condors. Wound

Capt. Vincent Anderson braved the perilous A Shau Valley jungle of Vietnam, showing calm under pressure to rescue a Marine Recon team.

Voices of Valor: Felipe Tremillo

University High School graduate Felipe Tremillo Jr. joined the military in the wake of the Sept. 11, 2001 attacks. After nine years in the Marine Corps, he serves as an assistant radio chief in Helmand province, Afghanistan. His unit, Regimental Combat Te

Sept. 11, 2001, is an unforgettable date that impacted our nation and, closer to home, one young teenager from South Waco.

Voices of Valor: John A. Krebs

California native John Krebs was a rarity among America's World War II troops in that he enlisted in the Army prior to the Japanese attack on Pearl Harbor. While stationed at Corregidor Island in the

John A. Krebs thought joining the Army in 1940 would be an adventure. But a posting in the Philippines changed his life forever.

Voices of Valor: Aubrey Cates

Aubrey Cates commanded a B-24 bomber which was among more than 10,000 British and American aircraft within range of western Europe in 1944. Their primary objective was to weaken Nazi defenses along the western coast of France. For two months, 8th Air Forc

Aubrey Cates was awarded the Distinguished Flying Cross for his D-Day leadership in command of a B-24 bomber with a precision that kept his crew above danger and destruction.

Voices of Valor: Morris Barker

A nativa of Electra, Morris Barker served as a tail gunner in a B-24 during bombing runs as par tof the 726th Bombardment Squadron, 451st Bombardment Group. After his plan was shot down by German figh

Morris Barker was a tail gunner for the 726th Bombardment Squadron — always be on a mission of destruction, to kill or be killed.

Voices of Valor: Larry Staas

As a weapons and munitions specialist in Vietnam, Robinson native Larry Staas was responsible for arming U.S. F-100 fighter planes that were on call 24 hours a day.

Were it not for airmen like Larry Staas who armed 31st Tactical Fighter Wing, thousands upon thousands of Americans on the ground would not have survived the Vietnam conflict.

Voices of Valor: Philip Dreiseszun

Philip Dreiseszun bailed out of a burning B-17 Flying Fortress over Germany, from 27,000 feet with a parachute riddled by shells and shrapnel.

Philip P. Dreiseszun flew in a B-17 bomber called "The Lethal Lady," and the name would serve as a lifelong reminder of the deadly airspace over Hamburg, Germany.

Voices of Valor: Frank Curre

Frank Curre has made it his life's mission to "always remember, and to never forget."

Jobs in Waco were scarce in the summer of 1941, so Frank Curre enlisted in the Navy. The deadly encounters that awaited him at Pearl Harbor were then unimaginable.

Voices of Valor: Frank Herrera

An Army medic, Frank Herrera was captured by German soldiers as he tended to wounded U.S. soldiers. Captured on Nov. 8, 1944, he was held captive until May 3, 1945.

Army medic Frank Herrera was captured by German soldiers as he tended to his wounded comrades. Captured in Nov. 1944, he was held until May 1945.

Voices of Valor: Manuel Sustaita

Manuel Sustaita

Persistent founder and president of the Waco Vietnam Memorial, Manny Sustaita will always remind us: “To Remember is to Honor.”

About Voices of Valor

Voices of Valor recognizes Central Texas veterans from all wars. It appears every other Sunday. If you have a sugestion for a veteran to be profile, please email: voicesofvalor@wacotrib.com.

• Column: New project aims to capture the stories of area vets

World War II profiles

Vietnam War profiles

Korean War profiles

Afghanistan profiles

Iraq profiles

Medal of Honor: Michael Monsoor

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