The Peru Gazette

September 3, 2026. Photographed by David Brown , Edited by John Ryan. (The veterans faced the rising sun when the following photos were taken.) 

William Bowen Jr., US Air Force, 1972-1976 – Vietnam

Issued a draft number of 38, William would choose not to be drafted and enlisted in the Air Force.  Here he was guaranteed his chosen career field.  Scheduled to leave in September, he would be called to depart in early July, arriving in San Antonio Texas to 120º temperatures.  He would go on to 4 months of training as a Refrigeration and Air Conditioning Specialist.

William’s assignment would take him to Cheyenne Wyoming to Warren Missile Base, here he would put his training to work.  His main focus was to maintain temperature and humidity levels for computer equipment and to missile control located 200ft below ground.  Additional time would be spent serving housing, NCO, and other base facilities.  In his last year, a new managing Master Sergeant would have him perform training, introducing and arranging of work equipment. William will pay respect to two close friends at the Vietnam Wall today. 

Daniel Connell, US Navy 1963-1967 – Vietnam

Daniel chose the Navy to explore the world, but the North Country remained his constant companion. Everywhere he went, he encountered someone from Keeseville or AuSable Forks.

His first morning at 4am at Great Lakes the temperature was 45º and raining, but it felt like -35º.  He recalls wondering “What am I doing here?”

He received Naval base assignments in Jacksonville, Norfolk, Boca Chica, and Quonset Point. As an Aviation Ordnance specialist, he managed munitions and weapons systems on naval aircraft, ensuring readiness for flight.  Receiving an Aircrew assignment would involve anti-submarine warfare, operating detection gear for two-engine prop planes.  In Daniel’s Naval assignments, he recalls teamwork was always paramount over rank.

Lawrence Dorsey, US Air Force 1956-1980 – Vietnam

Lawrence’s mother signed for him to enter the Air Force at the age of 17, giving him the best possible direction and career opportunities. He would be in one of the last groups to complete basic at Sampson AFB; pulling guard duty to an empty barracks.

In 24 years, Lawrence would rise to Master Sergeant, receiving numerous commendations, and serving as a security superintendent. His assignments would take him to Tampa, Nova Scotia, Newburgh, Niagara Falls, Vietnam, Germany, and Plattsburgh.

His memorable experiences include stomping on cables to scare snakes, meeting his wife in Nova Scotia, rushing from Newburgh to West Point for their daughter’s birth, working the main gate during a visit from President Kennedy, and deciding against ponchos in Vietnam after cutting his eye. He also said the warm rain was better than a cold shower. 

Joseph Gentles, US Coast Guard 1968 – Vietnam Era

After losing a close friend, Joseph was determined to serve his country.  He would manage to be accepted into the Coast Guard. He would arrive at Wildwood, at Cape May County, New Jersey for training.  In November, pulling beach guard duty would not be a pleasant walk on the beach. 

Joe’s time would be unexpectantly cut short when the Coast Guard would decide to medically discharge him, due to eight knee operations prior to enlistment.  Sending him home the day after Thanksgiving, he would be called out upon exit for having his collar up.  He would later be sent a draft notice, and when he showed up, they would again send him home. His son, Glenn, an Army veteran, proudly joins him today as his guardian.

Thomas Highers, US Air Force 1976-1994 – Cold War, Desert Storm

Planning to join the Army, the Air Force recruiter presented Tom with opportunities unmatched by any other branch. This decision led him to 21 years of service, transforming his life. His initial assignment took him to Griffith AFB, where he worked on SRAM missile systems. A Saturday morning generation practice was abruptly halted when a gas spill ignited a flight line fire, catching a KC135 on fire.

Tom was also assigned to Bagotville, a Canadian Forces Base, and Dyess AFB in Texas. His time in Texas taught him never to complain about the cold again. He then moved on to a one-year assignment in Turkey, followed by six years at Plattsburgh AFB. He would complete his career at Grand Forks AFB in North Dakota, where he served as the least senior Master Sergeant.  His final service years would be dedicated to supporting Operations Shield and Storm.

Lawrence Houston, US Navy 1955-1959 – Cold War

Lawrence’s life passion is music, specifically the alto saxophone and the piano. He would have to put these aside at the age of 20 to join the Navy.  Although, if he could go back and start again, he believes the Air Force would likely be his first choice.

Much of his time with the Navy would be spent on the east coast, including Lakehurst Naval Base, Atlantic City Naval Air Station, and Naval Stations in Rhode Island and Maine.  He recalls packing parachutes, and his time aboard the USS Randolph, as an operational specialist.  This assignment would have him track and monitor aircraft landings aboard ship.  His service would also have him travel the Mediterranean and take him to European ports.

While on the east coast, Lawrence would have the extraordinary opportunity to attend performances by Sonny Stitt, the American jazz saxophonist, and Sarah Vaughan, the American jazz and classical singer.  

Lucille Malaney, US Air Force 1968-1969 – Vietnam

Lucille, aspiring to be a world traveler, would join the Air Force. As a leader in boot camp, she would struggle to keep up with giving out marching commands, leading her group through a large puddle. This would not go unnoticed by her superior. 

While at Sheppard on bivouac she would be rushed to the hospital for heat stroke.  Now ready for her first assignment, Lucille hoped for anything but medical. She would be sent to Travis AFB in California, assigned to David Grant Memorial Hospital, filming in the X-ray Department.

Excited to receive orders for the Philippines, Lucille was ready to go. However, a message from home changed everything. Her father unexpectedly passed away from a heart attack, cancelling her orders. Her mother never recovered from the sudden loss; unable to provide proper care for herself and Lucille’s siblings. Lucille would be released from her remaining service commitment due to hardship.

Thomas Patrick Millea, US Navy 1967-1970 – Vietnam

Tom came out of Cooperstown High School as a decorated athlete in 1967 and immediately went into the US Navy.  Tom became part of the Navy CBs as a construction electrician. Somehow, a Navy CB would become attached and embedded with a Marine Corps mortar crew setting lights and wires near the DMZ in Quang Tre Province. Of his 3 years in service, Tom was overseas for 2 years and 7 months!

Tom is from a family of 9 kids, 6 of the brothers served their country, including his brother and guardian, Denis, who would also serve in Vietnam as a helicopter pilot. Tom’s father was an LST pilot for the US Navy and was at Normandy on D-Day.

Steven Morrow, US Navy 1971-1977 – Vietnam

Steven enlisted in the service at the age of 19.  His service would provide him with maturity, confidence, self-worth, and proof of his intellectual capabilities.

During his first year in San Diego, Steven underwent training as an electrician’s mate, attending both A and B schools. After completing his training, Steven was assigned to the USS Juneau LPD-10 for two years. The Juneau participated in multiple trips into Vietnamese waters and actively engaged in the Vietnam War, helping ground forces and conducting operations along the coast of Vietnam. Subsequently, he was transferred to a ship in Seattle, Washington, for six months, followed by two years aboard the USS Bainbridge. 

He then spent two additional years in the naval reserves, where he was responsible for a reserve crew. Additionally, Steven underwent cross-training as a Mineman, a challenging process that involved reconstructing bombs and reassembling them into mines. Steven continued his service for an additional 20 years in the Navy Retired Reserves until 2012.

Stephen Pinello Jr., US Army 1966-1968 – Vietnam

Stephen, with his artistic background, would have been better suited for engineering or photography. However, the Army would place him in military police. The required training would involve firing a 45, M16, and grenade. Stephen believes his aim would have been more accurate if he had thrown his pistol.

Ninety-five percent of his class would be sent to Vietnam. After a 30-day leave, he would take a commercial flight into Vietnam, where he would spend the next year of his service. Stephen would oversee quarters and perform patrols in the city of Bien Hoa. The sight of a nearby ammo dump exploding during the Tet Offensive would light up the sky, creating a mushroom cloud, forcing them to take cover behind sandbags. 

During his enlistment, Stephen would experience some of the best medical care he had ever had. When things were quiet, he would have the opportunity to appreciate the beauty of the Saigon Cathedral.

Curtis Provost Sr., US Navy 1970-1972 – Vietnam

Curtis would receive his draft notice at the age of 17. Shortly thereafter, he would board the USS Caliente A0-53, bound for Vietnam. During their journey, they encountered a hurricane head-on. Fortunately, Curtis was saved from going overboard by a vent pipe when a wave swept over him.

With nearly 200 crew members, their primary responsibility was to transport fuel and supplies to combat vessels. Their refueling missions made them not only an enemy target loaded with fuel, but it was also a dangerous refueling process, as ships passed specialized hoses while side-by-side, pumping fuel to other ships while at sea.

While undergoing repairs to address boiler issues, Curtis reached the end of his enlistment. Having witnessed enough during his service time, he made the decision not to reenlist. He boarded a commercial 747 flight home, accompanied by fellow servicemen who eagerly celebrated their anticipated return home.

Vincent Puliafico, US Air Force 1973-1978 – Vietnam

Eligible for the draft with a lottery number of 7, Vincent would be deferred as he was still in high school. A year later, with a new higher draft number, Vietnam would be winding down.  Only a few months after graduation, he would head into the Air Force.

Vincent would complete his technical training at Chanute AFB in Navigation/Bombing Tactics Training Devices (also known as Flight Simulators). His first assignment would take him to Plattsburgh AFB for a year, attached to the 380^th Bomb Wing. Experience in electronics repair would help him excel in maintaining the FB-111 simulators. He would then transfer to the 50^th Tactical Fighter Wing at Hahn AFB in Germany. Upon arrival, he would unknowingly step into an alert exercise. After numerous alert alarms, he would witness 30-40 security police armed with M-16 rifles and gas masks, assault vehicles, and all necessary gear to defend the base.

In Vincent’s Air Force “dream job” he would have the opportunity to meet astronauts, Generals, and work with hundreds of pilots and navigators.

Roger Sherman, US Navy 1957-1957 – Cold War

At the age of 19, Roger would leave for Navy service. He reported to the Naval Training Center Bainbridge, where he met Johnny Podres, who had just arrived for boot camp after pitching a shutout in game 7 of the World Series.

Roger was assigned to the USS Lloyd APD-63, an amphibious destroyer. Throughout his enlistment, he served as a boat duty engineer. While aboard ship they would mostly travel the east coast, and the southern islands, transporting Marines, participating in training exercises, and ensuring the distillation and generation of freshwater.

Despite his desire to share humorous stories from his service, Roger cannot remember any. Nevertheless, he cherished his time in the Navy, as it provided him with the opportunity to travel.

Stephen Silver, US Marine Corps 1977-1981 – Cold War

Stephen, at 18, would stop at the recruiters, the first door he walked through was the Marine Corps; he would sign up that day.

After completion of physical training at Parris Island, Stephen would complete a heavy vehicle operators’ course and a special defense course at Camp LeJeune.  As he was learning to operate equipment, he would back into a truck and trailer.

His orders would take him to Okinawa for nearly a year.  A transfer would take him to Korea for a month, where he would be accompanied by the Gunnery Sergeant on the road to the DMZ to make deliveries. Stephen appreciated his opportunity to travel and enjoyed the brotherhood of his fellow Marines. 

Peter Tripi Sr., US Air Force 1971-1991 – Vietnam, Desert Storm

Peter would separate from the Air Force with 20-years of service.  Over those years he would complete many demanding physical training programs and demanding course work.

His assignments would send him to serve in locations across the United States, Thailand, a month long TDY in Vietnam, and serve in support of Operation Desert Storm/Shield.  His first 3 ½ years would be spent as a security specialist.  He would change specialty and serve as an in-flight refueling Operator Technician for the KC 135 in the 380^th Air Refueling Squadron. 

Peter achieved the rank of Tech Sergeant before retirement, and earned a long list of decorations, medals, and citation for his service.  He wants to let all veterans know if you have an opportunity to attend a tank reunion, they are a lot of fun.