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People

There are many individuals associated with the U.S. military, both famous and virtually unknown, from the Great Lakes region.  Here is what we are writing about lately.

  • The Activated Michigan Militia, 1805-1976Le Roy BarnettThe Activated Michigan Militia, 1805-1976
    Michigan National Guard logo I served as head of reference at the State Archives of Michigan for about a quarter-century.  During my tenure in this capacity, I once received an anxious call ...
  • Joseph WentelaMakenzi Wentela
    Photo of Joseph Wentela(From Makenzi Wentela) Joseph Wentela was born in the suburbs of Detroit in Eloise Michigan. Located west of Detroit, Joseph went to Wayne Memorial high school; where ...
  • John M. Pachmayer and the 82nd Airborne Glider Uni…Kalle MarkkanenJohn M. Pachmayer and the 82nd Airborne Glider Units:1942 to the Fall of Berlin
    The Second World War was perhaps the most expansive conflict that the world has ever seen. The impact of the upheaval caused by the clash of the Allied forces against ...
  • 107th Engineers BattalionZack Champion107th Engineers Battalion
    107th Engineers Battalion Insignia (Wikipedia) The 107th Engineers find their routes right here in the Upper Peninsula, having first been known as the Calumet Light Guard. They hold a history of ...
  • The 24th Michigan Infantry Unit at GettysburgJacob TalagaThe 24th Michigan Infantry Unit at Gettysburg
    Introduction (The 24th Michigan Infantry Unit) The 24th Michigan Infantry Unit was an integral part of the Union victory at Gettysburg. Along with other Iron Brigade units the 24th helped stopped an ...
  • SSG Travis Mills – Bravery Beyond the Battle…clcreelSSG Travis Mills - Bravery Beyond the Battlefield
    Travis Mills outside the Travis Mills Foundation In 2012, Staff Sergeant Travis ‘Big’ Mills became one of only five soldiers from the wars in Iraq and Afghanistan to survive injuries ...
  • War of 1812, Battle of Beaver DamsBlake ChosaWar of 1812, Battle of Beaver Dams
    The Battle of Beaver Dams is one that tends to go unmentioned in the in the topics of battles in the War of 1812 , getting overshadowed by larger conflicts ...
  • Alexander RamseyLewis EkolaAlexander Ramsey
    Alexander Ramsey(From Wikipedia.org) Alexander Ramsey was the first territorial governor of Minnesota and the second governor after it gained its statehood. Ramsey was very involved with the US military during his ...
  • First Lieutenant Aleda E. LutzKaren HelppiFirst Lieutenant Aleda E. Lutz
    Aleda E Lutz (Wikipedia) Aleda E. Lutz, nicknamed ‘Lutzy’ was the first woman to receive the Distinguished Flying Cross award in military history. She was also the first woman killed in ...
  • Kelly Johnson, Aerospace EngineerJosh Johnson
    Kelly Johnson 1910 – 1990 (SR-71 Blackbirds.com) Kelly Johnson was one of the most influential aerospace engineers of the 20th century and is considered to be the father of Lockheed Martin’s ...
  • Felix J. Lupinski, WWII VeteranTyler LupinskiFelix J. Lupinski, WWII Veteran
    Felix Lupinski Military Excellence display case (Image captured by Micheal Lupinski) Scouts in World War II were crucial members of the effort, ...
  • Major Charles W. WhittleseystmiatecMajor Charles W. Whittlesey
    For five days in October of 1918, near the end of World War I, the 308th Infantry Battalion were cut off from the rest of their 77th Division during an ...
  • 21st Michigan Volunteer InfantryZachary Peitz21st Michigan Volunteer Infantry
    21st Michigan Volunteer Infantry Regiment(wikipedia.org) There were thousands of units that served in the Civil War with many being unknown even though serving during famous battles. The 21st Michigan Volunteer Infantry ...
  • General George A. Custer BiographyKathryn WaineoGeneral George A. Custer Biography
    General George A. Custer (Wikipedia) This is a biography on General George Armstrong Custer, a union general who was known for his bravery and valor ...
  • Buck Sergeant Dennis E. TilleyZach BohrerBuck Sergeant Dennis E. Tilley
    I don’t want you to worry but I am in the hospital with fragments but its not that bad (I didn’t even want to go). Lieutenant Dave said it would ...