In God We Trust
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Justice of the Wisconsin Supreme Court 1977-1992. Born April 9, 1921 in Waukesha, Wisconsin, Callow served as Waukesha City Attorney from 1952 until 1960. He then served as judge of the Waukesha County court from 1961 until 1977. Judge Callow was a US Marine Corps veteran of World War II and then served in the US Air Force during the Korean War.
Olympic competitor. US Representative for Colorado in the 1980s and a Senator for Colorado in the 1990s. A native American (Northern Cheyenne), Campbell served in the Air Force during the Korean War. He won a gold medal at the Pan American Games in 1963 and was captain of the U.S. Olympic Judo Team at the 1964 Tokyo Olympics.
22-year mayor of Cedar Rapids, Iowa. Born October 08, 1930 in Iowa City, Iowa, Canney was an underwater demolition expert in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War. He was mayor of Cedar Rapids from 1969 to 1992. He died on March 20, 2011 in Cedar Rapids.
This film and television actor served in the Marine Corps in both World War II and Korea. He was wounded as part of the ship's detachment on the USS Franklin (CV-13) during World War II. From 1951 to 1952, Corporal Carey served in the Marine Corps Forces Pacific (MARFORPAC)/US Marine Corps Forces Korea. After his military service he appeared in films such as I Was A Communist for the FBI, Calamity Jane, The Long Gray Line, etc. In 1971, Carey guest-starred on the landmark fifth episode of the television sitcom All in the Family, playing Steve, an ex-professional football player friend of Archie Bunker's who tells Archie he's gay. The episode was one of the first times homosexuality had been dealt with sympathetically on U.S. network television. Eugene Joseph Carey was born July 15, 1925 in Hackensack, New Jersey and died of lung cancer on February 06, 2009.
Baritone/opera singer. Thomas Carey was born on December 29, 1931 in Bennettsville, South Carolina, and died on January 23, 2002. He served in the United States military during the Korean War. After leaving the service, he studied singing at the Henry Street Settlement and at City College of New York. In 1970, he performed the role of Mel in the world premiere of Michael Tippett's The Knot Garden at the Royal Opera House in London. He appeared in the second London West End revival of Show Boat in the role of Joe, which premiered in 1971. From 1969 until his death of pancreatic cancer in Norman, Oklahoma, he taught on the voice faculty of the University of Oklahoma.
He was married for many years to the contralto Carol Brice, who predeceased him in 1985.
22nd Governor of New Mexico (elected 1966 - 2 terms) and member of New Mexico House of Representatives 1963-67. Born January 13, 1929 in Dowagiac, Michigan and died July 5, 2013 at the age of 84. He received a BA and MA from the University of Michigan and graduated from the University of Michigan Law School. He served in the Army for two years in Germany during the Korean War from 1953 to 1955. After his political career he practiced law in Albuquerque, New Mexico.
Secretary of Defense from 1987-89 in the administration of President Ronald Reagan/director of the Office of Economic Opportunity in the Richard Nixon administration/Deputy Director of the CIA in the Carter administration. A graduate of Wyoming Seminary in 1948 and Princeton University in 1952, he served as a naval officer from 1952 to 1954. He then attended Harvard Business School for an MBA in 1954-55. Born October 18, 1930, in Scranton, Pennsylvania, Carlucci died June 03, 2018, in McLean, Virginia.
Astronaut/aquanaut for NASA. [KWE Note: Source of following information - Hanauma Bay website's Scuba Hall of Fame]
"Scott Carpenter, a dynamic pioneer of modern exploration, has the unique distinction of being the only human ever to penetrate both inner and outer space, thereby acquiring the dual title, Astronaut/Aquanaut. He was born in Boulder, Colorado, on May 1, 1925, the son of research chemist Dr. M. Scott Carpenter and Florence Kelso Noxon Carpenter. He attended the University of Colorado from 1945 to 1949 and received a bachelor of science degree in Aeronautical Engineering. Carpenter was commissioned in the U.S. Navy in 1949. He was given flight training at Pensacola, Florida and Corpus Christi, Texas and designated a Naval Aviator in April, 1951. During the Korean War he served with patrol Squadron SIX, flying anti-submarine, ship surveillance, and aerial mining missions in the Yellow Sea, South China Sea, and the Formosa Straits. He attended the Navy Test Pilot School at Patuxent River, Maryland, in 1954 and subsequently was assigned to the Electronics Test Division of the Naval Air Test Center. In the assignment he flew tests in every type of naval aircraft including multi and single-engine jet and propeller-driven fighters, attack planes, patrol bombers, transports, and seaplanes. From 1957 to1959 he attended the Navy General Line School and the Navy Air Intelligence School and was then assigned as Air Intelligence Officer to the Aircraft Carrier, USS Hornp.
Carpenter was selected as one of the original seven Mercury Astronauts on April 9, 1959. He underwent intensive training with the National Aeronautics and Space Administration (NASA), specializing in the fields of communication and navigation. He served as backup pilot for John Glenn during the preparation for America's first manned orbital space flight. Carpenter flew the second American manned orbital flight on May 24, 1962. He piloted his Aurora 7 spacecraft through three revolutions of the earth, reaching a maximum altitude of 164 miles. The spacecraft landed in the Atlantic Ocean about 1000 miles southeast of Cape Canaveral after 4 hours and 54 minutes of flight time. On leave of absence from NASA, Carpenter participated in the Navy's Man-in the-Sea Project as an Aquanaut in the SEALAB II program off the coast of La Jolla, California, in the summer of 1965. During the 45-day experiment, Carpenter spent 30 days living and working on the ocean floor. He was team leader for two of the three ten-man teams of Navy and civilian divers who conducted deep sea diving activities based in a sea floor habitat at a depth of 205 feet. He returned to duties with NASA as Executive Assistant to the Director of the Manned Spaceflight Center and was active in the design of the Apollo Lunar Landing Module and in underwater extravehicular activity (EVA) crew training.
In 1967, he returned to the Navy's Deep Submergence Systems Project (DSSP) as Director of Aquanaut Operations during the SEALAB III experiment. (The DSSP office was responsible for directing the Navy's Saturation Diving Program, which included development of deep-ocean search, rescue, salvage, ocean engineering, and Man-in-the-Sea capabilities.) Upon retirement from the Navy in 1969, Carpenter founded and was chief executive officer of Sear Sciences, Inc., a venture capital corporation active in developing programs aimed at enhanced utilization of ocean resources and improved health of the planet. In pursuit of these and other objectives, he worked closely with the French oceanographer J.Y. Cousteau and members of his Calypso team. He has dived in most of the world's oceans, including the Arctic under ice. As a consultant to sport and professional diving equipment manufacturers, he has contributed to design improvements in diving instruments, underwater breathing equipment, swimmer propulsion units, small submersibles, and other underwater devices. Additional projects brought to fruition by his innovative guidance have involved biological pest control and the production of energy from agricultural and industrial waste. He has also been instrumental in the design and improvement of several types of waste handling and transfer equipment. Carpenter continues to apply his knowledge of aerospace and ocean engineering as a consultant to industry and the private sector. He lectures frequently in the U.S. and abroad on the history and future of ocean and space technology, the impact of scientific and technological advance on human affairs, space-age perspectives, the health of planet Earth and man's continuing search for excellence. An avid skier, he spends much of his free time on the slopes in his home of Vail, Colorado. He recently completed his first novel entitled "The Steel Albatross." It has been dubbed an "Underwater Techno-thriller" and deals with the impact of advanced diving and medical technology on deep sea and submarine combat.
Carpenter's awards include the Navy's Legion of Merit, the Distinguished Flying Cross, NASA Distinguished Service Medal, U.S. Navy Astronaut Wings. University of Colorado Recognition Medal, the Collier Trophy, New York City Gold Medal of Honor, The Elisha Kent Kane Medal, The Ustica Gold Trident and the Boy Scouts of America Silver Buffalo."
Director of National Petroleum Council. Born on May 27, 1919 in Kansas City, Kansas, Cartwright was drafted into the Army in 1941 and attended OCS in 1942. He was promoted to captain and served in Korea in an integrated army. From 1951 to 1955 he was an instructor in the ROTC program at West Virginia State College. He was a colonel during the Vietnam War and was commander of the 108th Artillery Group. He held government positions, and was Director of the National Petroleum Council, the policy-making body of the oil industry. Roscoe died in the crash of a jet liner at Dulles on December 01, 1974.
Country western singer who was inducted into the Country Music Hall of Fame, Rock & Roll Hall of Fame, and Gospel Music Hall of Fame. Born 2/26/1932 in Kingsland, Arkansas. Died September 12, 2003. Johnny joined the US Air Force on July 7, 1950. He took basic training at Lackland AFB and then technical training at Brooks AFB, both in San Antonio, TX. He was assigned to a USAF Security Service unit in Landsberg, Germany, where he was a high speed Morse Code intercept operator. Cash intercepted transmissions from the Soviet Army. While stationed in Germany he bought his first guitar and started his first band, "The Landsberg Barbarians." He was promoted to Staff Sergeant and was honorably discharged on July 3, 1954.
Governor of Rhode Island; four-term Republican Senator from Rhode Island; Secretary of the Navy. Born October 22, 1922, Chafee died October 24, 1999. Chafee was in his third year as an undergraduate at Yale University when the Japanese attacked Pearl Harbor. He interrupted his undergraduate studies and enlisted in the Marine Corps, spending his 20th birthday on Guadalcanal fighting on the island from August 8, 1942 until November 1942, when the First Marine Division was relieved, during the Battle of Guadalcanal. After receiving his commission, he fought in the The Battle of Okinawa in the spring of 1945 as a Second Lieutenant. Following the war, he received degrees from Yale in 1947 and Harvard Law School in 1950. In 1951, he was recalled to active service to be a Marine rifle company commander during the Korean War with Dog Company, 2/7, 1st Marine Division (Hill 749).
This real estate salesman/actor is best known for his acting role as "Gill-man", the on-land half of the "Creature from the Black Lagoon" in the 1954 horror film of the same name. He got the part due to his large size (6'5"). Chapman joined the United States Marine Corps in 1950 and served in combat in Korea. He was discharged in 1952. Born October 29, 1928 in Oakland, California, he died February 21, 2008 in Honolulu, Hawaii.
Founder of the Cherry Engineering Support Services. Born on March 24, 1928 in Suffolk, Virginia, Cherry graduated from Virginia Union University, Richmond. He entered the Air Force in October of 1951. After flight training he served in Korea, conducting 52 combat missions. He was the 43rd American and first African-American captured in the Vietnam War. He endured three weeks of torture at the "Hanoi Hilton". He retired from the Air Force after 30 years service in 1981. In 1992 he founded Cherry Engineering Support Services, the company that designed and developed equipment for traffic control.
A country western singer/songwriter who was a regular on the popular television show Hee Haw. He joined the U.S. Air Force and served in the Far East during the Korean War. In 1972 he was named the Nashville Songwriter of the Year. The next year he was proclaimed to be the International Writer of the Year.
US Senator 1971-1989 and 41st Governor of Florida 1991-1998. Born in Lakeland, Florida on April 03, 1930, Governor Chiles died December 12, 1998. Serving in Korea 1953-54, Lieutenant Chiles was an artillery officer in the 524th Field Artillery Battalion.
According to various internet sources, Chuck-a-Lucks was a rockabilly band that played in the Texas area and beyond from the 1950s through 1972. These same websites also state that band members Adrian Keith McClish (1927-2013), Reuben Noel, Jim Bob Nance, and Charlie Dickerson were all drafted into military service during the Korean War. Details of exactly when and where they served were not found by the KWE, but the group (less Jim Bob Nance) was back playing together again by 1953. Its biggest hit was a rockabilly number entitled, "Disc Jockey Fever", written by Charlie Dickerson and produced in 1958.
Professional opera singer, restaurant/nightclub owner, actor, journalist. Born November 5, 1931 in New Orleans, he served as a Navy yeoman and assistant to a vice admiral while stationed at Norfolk. He was an actor in the films "A Streetcar Named Desire" and "Panic in the Streets." As a professional opera singer he performed with opera companies in New York, Atlanta, and New Orleans. He owned restaurants and nightclubs in Atlanta and Ft. Lauderdale. He died June 9, 2016 in Covington, Louisiana.
President of The Citadel military college in Charleston, South Carolina from 1954 to 1965. A graduate of West Point, he succeeded Ridgway as United States and Supreme Allied Commander, Far East, from 1952-1955.
Baseball player with St. Louis Browns, signing with them in 1951. Served in the US Army as a member of Company F, 7th Infantry Regiment, 3rd Infantry Division. He was severely wounded in the knee during the Battle of Boomerang on June 15, 1953 and sent to Walter Reed Hospital for recovery.
President of the Perfection Steel Body Company (Perfection-Cobey) 1945-1970, President of the Eagle Crusher Company 1970-1990. Highly decorated Boy Scout/Eagle Scout. In 1940, prior to World War II, he became a Dollar-a-Year Man, appointed by President Roosevelt to serve in the Office of Production Management (OPM) in charge of Army Tank Production and Facilities. He entered active military service in 1942 and was a Captain in the U.S. Army Air Force at discharge in 1945. He was recalled to active military service during the Korean War in 1951. Born August 15, 1909 in Sycamore, Ohio, Cobey, a 32nd degree Mason, died January 16, 2009 in Gailon, Ohio.
NY Yankees ballplayer, 2nd base. Born September 14, 1924 in San Jose, California, Coleman entered the Navy in 1942 and earned his pilot wings. He then transferred to the Marine Corps where he was a dive bomber pilot flying the Douglas SBD Dauntless. He flew 57 missions against Japanese in VMSB-341 and earned a Distinguished Flying Cross. In 1949 he was voted Rookie of the Year as a rookie with the New York Yankees. He was recalled to the Marines for the Korean War in May 1952 and served with the 323 Marine Attack Squadron piloting an AU-1 Corsair. He flew 63 close air support and interdiction strike missions and earned a second Distinguished Flying Cross. After discharge he played baseball again but retired in 1958 and became a game announcer for CBS Radio, WCBS Radio, and WPIX-TV. He broadcast with the California Angels for two years and in 1972 became an announcer for the San Diego Padres. Jerry Coleman died January 5, 2014 in San Diego, California.
Best known for his role as storekeeper Ike Godsey on the Waltons television series, Joe Conley was serving in the 7th Infantry Division in Korea as a 2nd Lieutenant when he was wounded in action. He received a Purple Heart and a Silver Star. Joe was born March 03, 1928 in Buffalo, New York and died July 07, 2013 of dementia.
Superstar on the Horace Heidt Show, billed as "the world's greatest accordion player". He was drafted during the Korean War and ordered to report to basic training at Fort Ord. Unknown to most people, he had a variety of phobias that probably would have kept him out of military duty if they were known. He went AWOL before his training began, but turned himself in several days later. He was convicted of draft evasion, fined $10,000, and sent to prison for six months. At the end of six months he was drafted a second time and sent to Korea after basic training. Because of his accordion ability he was placed in Special Services and ordered to go from one outfit and battalion to another entertaining the troops in Korea. Although everyone thought he was with the USO, he actually was not. He received an honorable discharge from the U.S. Army while holding the rank of Staff Sergeant, and received a presidential pardon from President Truman in 1954. Although he was honorably discharged, he was followed by the sigma of "draft dodger" for the rest of his life. Nevertheless, he continued his prolific accordion-playing career, even appearing on the Ed Sullivan Show a record 48 times. Born January 17, 1930 in Fresno, California, Dick Contino died April 19, 2017.
Began serving in the House of Representatives in January 1965, 25-term Congressman. Conyers volunteered to serve in the 1279th Combat Engineers (Michigan National Guard). When the all-black unit was activated in the summer of 1950, he was sent to Officer Candidate School. After graduation he spent 12 months in Korea behind the lines, supervising repairs and replacement of Army aircraft. His military service ended in 1954.
Expert on use and history of small arms, author of the Modern Technique of Handgun Shooting, pistol trainer. Born May 20, 1920 in Los Angeles, California, he received a regular commission in the Marine Corps in September 1941. Cooper served on the USS Pennsylvania in the Pacific during World War II. He returned to active duty during the Korean War. He was involved in clandestine warfare. He was promoted to Lt. Colonel before being discharged from the Marine Corps in 1955. In 1976 he founded the American Pistol Institute in Paulden, Arizona (later the Gunsite Academy). Colonel Cooper died September 25, 2006.
Child star who appeared in 15 episodes of Our Gang comedies from 1929-1931. Life-long career as an actor. He was born September 15, 1922 in Los Angeles, California and died May 3, 2011 in Santa Monica, California. He joined the US Navy under the V-12 program at the end of World War II. During that war he spent part of his military service time as a drummer in a band formed by band leader Claude Thornhill. The band played remote bases in the South Pacific. After World War II, Cooper remained in the Naval Reserve. He became a line officer in the Reserve in 1961 and held Letters of Commendation from six Secretaries of the Navy. He also piloted jet planes for the Navy.
Priest. "Captain Francis X. Coppens was the only Priest of the Archdiocese of Boston to be killed in Action in Korea, he had previously served during World War II and was recalled for Korea. He was the son of William and Mary (Forester) Coppens. Captain Coppens was awarded the Purple Heart, the Korean Service Medal, the United Nations Service Medal, the National Defense Service Medal, the Korean Presidential Unit Citation and the Republic of Korea War Service Medal. Captain Coppens was the chaplain with Headquarters and Headquarters Company, 21st Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division. He was Killed in Action while tending his dying and wounded comrades in South Korea on May 27, 1951." [Source: Findagrave]
Actor. "As the character 'Linc Case', he replaced George Maharis's character 'Buz Murdock' as Martin Milner's "Route 66" co-star during the television series's fourth and final season (1963 to 1964). Other regular television roles were as 'Wes Macauley' in "It's a Man's World" (1962-63), 'Zephrem Cochrane' on the original "Star Trek," 'Chance Reynolds' in "The Road West" (1966-67), and 'Paul Morgan' in "Dallas" (1983-84). When his "Dallas" character was written out of the series, he stayed with the production company, Lorimar, for three more years as its dialogue director. Films include "All the Young Men," with Alan Ladd and Sidney Poitier, "The Mountain Road" and "Shenandoah," both with James Stewart, "Chisum" and "Big Jake," both with John Wayne, and "Midway" with Charlton Heston and Henry Fonda." [Source: Findagrave] Corbett served in the US Navy as a Seabee during the Korean War. Born August 17, 1933 in El Monte, California, he died January 16, 1993 in San Antonio, Texas.
Creator of dance and music show, Soul Train. Don Cornelius was born September 27, 1936. At age 17 he joined the US Marine Corps and served 18 months, including time on an air base in South Korea. He hosted Soul Train from 1970 to 1993 and was inducted into the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame posthumously in 2023. He died of a self-inflicted gun wound on February 01, 2012.
Pop singer with the Blue Caps band, best known for his song, "Bebop A Lulu". Born February 11, 1935, Craddock dropped out of school to serve in the military. He joined the US Navy in February 1952. In 1955 he was riding his new Triumph motorcycle when a woman ran a red light and caused an accident that severely smashed Craddock's left leg. He spent months and months in the hospital. His life after being medically discharged from the Navy included years of singing with his band, recording a variety of tunes, and making live appearances. He died October 12, 1971 in Newhall, California, of a bleeding ulcer.
Minor League baseball player, outfield. [Source: Baseball's Greatest Sacrifice.com. William E. "Bill" Crago was born in East Gary (now Lake Station), Indiana in 1928. He was signed by the Marion Cubs of the Class D Ohio State League in late 1947, making a couple of brief appearances before the season was over. Crago was back with Marion during spring training in 1948 but was cut the day before opening day as the squad was reduced to the required 20. He joined the Fitzgerald Pioneers of the Class D Georgia State League for the regular season and batted .223 in 105 games. Back with the Pioneers in 1949, the left-handed hitting centerfielder batted .277 in 137 games. In 1950, Crago's third season with the Pioneers, he really began to develop as a hitter. In 140 games he batted .324 with 41 doubles (second best in the league) and hit 10 home runs. In the all-star game in July he had two hits against league-leaders Douglas, including a 2-run double to help the all-stars to a 5-3 win. In December 1950, 22-year-old Bill Crago was sold, together with pitcher Noel Oquendo, to the Abilene Blue Sox of Class C West Texas-New Mexico League. His career was starting to head in an upwards direction but Crago never had the opportunity to report to the Blue Sox as military service intervened. Private First Class Crago served with Company A, 38th Infantry Regiment of the 2nd Infantry Division in Korea. He was killed in action on July 26, 1951. Crago was posthumously awarded the Silver Star for "conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity in connection with military operations against the enemy." Sources: Marion Star Sept 17, 1947; Marion Star Feb 21, 1948; Marion Star April 24, 1948; Thomasville Times Enterprise July 11, 1949; Abilene Reporter News Dec 6, 1950; http://www.homeofheroes.com; http://militarytimes.com/citations-medals-awards.
Major league catcher. Born March 5, 1930 in Ontario, Canada. Debuted with the Boston Braves June 17, 1949. His last appearance in the MLB was September 14, 1966 for the Cleveland Indians. He appeared in 146 games for Boston in 1949-50 before going into the military. He did a two-year hitch in the Army, ending March 1953. In addition to his catching career he managed baseball teams: Milwaukee Brewers (1972-75), Seattle Mariners (1983-84), Albuquerque Dukes, and San Bernardino Stampede (1995-97). He was a sports announcer with the Chicago White Sox 1985-88 and the Brewers 1992-94.
Experimental test pilot for the Boeing airplane Company's Wichita Division. Craven was a fighter pilot in the Pacific during World War II and served for two years as a pilot on the USS Princeton during the Korean War. He logged more than 4,000 hours' flying time in his flying career. Prior to working for Boeing he was an engineering test pilot for Douglas Aircraft Company. Charles Craven was born in Big Spring, Texas. He was killed March 29, 157 in the crash of an experimental B-52 near Skiatook, Oklahoma.
American novelist and author of books, essays, and numerous other literary works. Born June 7, 1935 in Bacon County, Georgia, Crews' brother was already fighting in Korea when Harry decided to join the Marine Corps in 1953. He received his boot camp training at Parris Island. On the subject of joining the USMC, he wrote, "Being good, southern, ignorant country boys, we did the good, southern, ignorant country thing: we volunteered as quickly as possible, anxious as we were to go and spill our blood in the good, southern, ignorant country way." He attained the rank of Sergeant and became a skilled boxer and reader while serving in the Corps. After three years in the Marines he was discharged in 1956 and enrolled at the University of Florida on the GI Bill, receiving a Master's Degree. He later became a University of Florida English faculty member, retiring in 1997. His first novel, The Gospel Singer, was published in 1968, followed by 13 more novels--not all of which are available in the USA.
Ontario Box LaCrosse Hall of Famer. Edward R. Crogan, age 85, formerly of Buffalo, New York, died May 4, 2020 at Newfane Rehab and Health Care Facility from respiratory illness and COVID-19 contributing to underlying medical conditions. He was the beloved husband to Lorna aka Loma (nee Martin), dear brother of Edith (late Quintin) Printup, Gloria (Walter)Steiner, Shirley (late Edward) Fay, Frederick Crogan, predeceased by brothers, Stephen Crogan, Samuel Crogan and Joseph Crogan. Son of the late Stephen W. and Kathryn [ Rappold] Crogan. He will be sadly missed by many nieces, nephews, family and friends. Ed served as a Communications Center Specialist in the U.S. Army in Korea. Following his military service, Mr. Crogan returned home and worked for Roofers Local 74, in Buffalo, New York until his retirement. Ed and his late brother Sam, were both inducted into the Ontario Box Lacrosse Hall of Fame in 2004 and 2003, respectively, having played box lacrosse together for various teams in WNY and Ontario, Canada. They were known as a dynamic scoring threat to every opponent. Ed enjoyed fishing, construction projects and traveling with his dear wife Lorna with occasional visits to local casinos. A Memorial Service will be held at a later date at the discretion of the family.
Co-founder of the Professional Association of Diving Instructors (PADI), the largest single entity in the diving industry with retail sales in excess of $250 million. PADI has offices in 7 countries, over 100,000 individual members and 4,600 Retail and Resort locations located in 175 countries worldwide. In 2000, PADI issued its 10 millionth diving certification. "[KWE Note: Source of the following - Hanauma Bay website's Scuba Hall of Fame]
"16 July, 2003. The diving industry today is mourning the loss of the man who introduced more than 10 million people into the sport of scuba diving. John J. Cronin, co-founder and CEO of PADI, The Professional Association of Diving Instructors, died yesterday at his home in Temecula, California at the age of 74. Cronin, one of the most influential men in the diving industry and current President of The Diving Equipment and Marketing Association (DEMA) would have completed his 50th year in the industry next year. A native of Albany, New York, John joined the Marine Corps where he served from 1947-1948 being recalled to service in the Korean conflict from 1950 to 1952. In 1959, John accepted the position of East Coast Promotions Manager for U.S. Divers Company in New York City. In 1964, John became the first person in the history of the diving industry to surpass wholesale sales of $1 million dollars. Rising rapidly through the ranks, John was promoted to Marketing Director in March of 1969. Later that same year, he was appointed CEO and then President of U.S. Divers, a position he held until his retirement in September of 1985. While attending a diving banquet in December of 1961, John met Ralph Erickson, a professional educator. A friendship immediately developed, and over the next several years their concept of a new, professional diver training organization was developed, this was PADI. In 1966, Cronin, in conjunction with Erickson, formalized the Professional Association of Diving Instructors, or PADI, as it is known today.
Chief Executive Officer and President of Mack Trucks 1983-1989; chairman of board of Mack Trucks 1985-1989. Born in Hazelton, Pennsylvania in 1934, Curcio served in the United States Marine Corps during the Korean War from 1951 to 1953 with the 5th Marines and in the U.S. Naval Reserves from 1954 through 1959. He began his career in the automotive industry in 1954. He is a member of the Marine Corps Staff and Command College Foundation, Navy League, U.S. Naval Institute, American Legion, Korean War Veterans Association, a life member of the Veterans of Foreign Wars, Marine Corps League, Marine Corps First Division Association, and Naval War College Foundation. Curcio was appointed by President Ronald Reagan to the National Commission for the Korean War Veterans Memorial in Washington, D.C., and was national chairman of the Korean War International Memorial in San Pedro, California. He is a founding member of the board and former vice president of the Parris Island Museum and Historical Society at the USMC Recruit Depot, Parris Island, S.C.
American country music singer. Born March 17, 1932 in Ft. Fairfield, Maine, Dick Curless was easily identified by the patch that he wore over his right eye. He hosted a radio show in Ware, Massachusetts in 1948, touring with a local band, the Trail Blazers. He was drafted in the US Army in 1951, serving in the Korean War 1952-54. He was first a truck driver, but landed an assignment with the Armed Services Radio Network as a radio host with the stage name, "Rice Paddy Ranger." Following his tour of duty in Korea he returned to the field of country music. In 1965 he recorded one of his biggest hits, "A Tombstone Every Mile". He toured with the Buck Owens All American Show from 1966 to 1968. He had 22 national charted singles, more than 38 albums, and more than 70 single records. Dick Curless died on May 25, 1995.