These Stories of Valor are part of an ongoing oral history program of the Honor Project to ensure the experiences of our combat wounded and those who gave their all in the service of America are remembered for generations to come.
Daniel Contois enlisted in the Marine Corps in July 2008 and served for the next five years. Along with his Purple Heart, Cpl Contois was awarded numerous medals and commendations during his service, including the Presidential Unit Citation – Navy (2), the Joint Meritorious Unit Award, the Navy Unit Commendation, the National Defense Service Medal and more.
Read MoreRobert Cloninger enlisted in the Marine Corps on August 7, 1967, serving with 1st Battalion, 26th Marines, Delta Company. Along with his Purple Heart, Cpl. Cloninger received the National Defense Service Medal, the Vietnam Campaign Medal, the Vietnam Service Medal with two stars, the Rifle Expert Badge, and the Presidential Unit Citation.
Read MoreThomas Matteo enlisted in the Marine Corps in August 1963 and served for the next seven years. Along with his Purple Heart with five stars, SSgt Matteo was awarded numerous medals and commendations during his service, including the Bronze Star with “V” device, the Combat Action Ribbon, the Vietnamese Service Medal with 4 stars, the Vietnam Campaign Medal with device, and more.
Read MoreVincent Palmieri Jr. entered the Marine Corps on January 7, 1966, and served with the 1st Battalion, 9th Marines, known as “The Walking Dead,” in Vietnam, including during Operation Buffalo.
Read MoreAlong with his three Purple Hearts, Major Capers was awarded numerous medals and commendations during his service, including the Congressional Medal of Honor, two Bronze Stars and Combat V, Vietnam Cross of Gallantry, a Joint Service Commendation Medal, Combat Action Ribbon, three Good Conduct Ribbons, Battle Stars, Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal, CG Certificate of Merit, multiple letters of Merit, Appreciation, and Commendation.
Read MorePfc. James Anderson Jr., a 20-year-old Marine from Compton, California, became the first Black Marine to receive the Medal of Honor for his actions during the Vietnam War.
Read MoreWalter Kaczmarek enlisted in U.S. Marine Corps in June 1967 and served for nearly two years as a member of the 2nd Battalion, 5th Marines, 1st Marine Division, including a tour in Vietnam where he was awarded two Purple Hearts.
Read MoreJames Reeff enlisted into the U.S. Marine Corps in May 1964, serving for the next four years, including a tour in Vietnam. In August 1965, Reeff was wounded in action while serving as part of Operation Starlite.
Read MoreWalter Schley enlisted in the Marine Corps in 1966 and served for more than 30 years.
Read MoreCarlton Cannon enlisted into the U.S. Marine Corps in April 1967 and was later commissioned as an officer, completing a career that spanned more than 24 years. Cannon, then a Lance Corporal, was first wounded during the Battle of Khe Sanh in April 1968, while serving with the 26th Marine Regiment. He was wounded a second time in September 1968 and a third time in December 1968.
Read MoreRonald Gallegos enlisted in the Marine Corps in August 1984, going on to service career that spanned nearly 30 years as a member of the Marine Corps, New Mexico National Guard and Army Reserves, including deployments to Kuwait and Iraq.
Read MoreRon Laney enlisted into the U.S. Marine Corps in January 1964, serving for over six years, including a tour in Vietnam. In August 1969, while serving near An Hoa, Vietnam, Laney was wounded during a combat operation.
Read MoreTed Craiglow was drafted into the Marine Corps in September 1969, serving for nearly two years including a deployment to Vietnam.
Read MoreRichard Andrew Farrer enlisted into the U.S. Marine Corps, serving for nearly four years as a member of the 3rd Battalion 8th Marines India Company, including a tour in Ramadi during Operation Iraqi Freedom.
Read MoreAs a young Marine in Vietnam the first time I heard that sound a young hero died and soon a mother cried. Boys became men or died. Fear turned to courage, you were there to fight for your country, but you would die fighting for your brother standing next to you. That was your new world. For Marines 13 months was your tour.
Read MoreU.S. Marine Corps SGT C.M. Padgett, Purple Heart Recipient - Operation Iraqi Freedom
Read MoreU.S. Marine Corps Sgt. Maj. Peter M. Gorczewski (Ret.) grew up in Woodburn, Oregon, and served five tours in Vietnam while attached to 3rd Reconnaissance Battalion. During his deployments, SGM Gorczewski earned two Bronze Stars with combat Vs and seven Purple Hearts. He later was awarded the Legion of Merit.
Read MoreJohn Hurley enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in February 1969. On January 6, 1970, while a member of 1st Battalion, 7th Marines, 1st Marine Division stationed at LZ Ross the base became overrun by North Vietnamese who were masquerading as Marines.
Read MoreOliver Hickok first enlisted in the U.S. Air Force in June of 1956 at the age of 17, eventually being stationed in Japan and then Hawaii, before finishing his time in Alabama. In December 1960, he enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps and attended boot camp at Paris Island.
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