Veteran Of The Year Award Recipients

2013    Jesse James

Jesse James, a native of Bold Springs, Tennessee served in the Army from the time he was drafted in 1966 until his separation in 1968. After his Honorable Discharge from the Army in 1968 he landed a career job with a small company called Lockheed and worked out of Plainfield, New Jersey as their Field Service Supervisor covering work with Michigan Bell, South Central Bell, Southern Bell, New York Telephone and finally C&P Telephone. Lockheed bid for and was awarded a job to replace the Defense Telephone Service - Washington's phonebook directory with their first Computerized Directory. The system went online in April 1984.

After a few generations of systems he retired from working in and around the Pentagon on October 1, 2013. Military War Fighters were a part of his life for 29 years. He and his staff received numerous accolades for maintaining communications in the Pentagon following the events of September 11, 2001. He remains as an advocate for veterans and has donated many hours to support veteran’s causes in the Washington DC area as well as in his native Tennessee where he currently resides with his wife Vicki, whom he has been married to since 1966.

2012    Mike Clark

Mike Clark served in the Army from 1968-1979. In a combat mission in Vietnam, after his squad hit a land mine, Mike lost both legs and part of his hearing, but never his zest for living. After a long and arduous recovery, Mike returned to Maplewood, Ohio, married Gail, his high school sweetheart, and in 1971, started life as a postmmaster, a job in which he remained until his retirement in 2008. Along the way he strated farming again and runs a 160 acre farm in addition to being a volunteer fireman, and positions in the rural electric association, the township zoning board of appeals, and a hobby of restoring antique cars and farm tractors. Gail, who became a nurse in 1988, and Mike have two sons and two daughters, many grandchildren and both stay involved in veteran's causes.

2011    Frank Woodruff Buckles 

Frank Woodruff Buckles was born Feb. 1, 1901, on a farm near Bethany, Mo. He was living in Oakwood, Okla., when the United States entered World War I, and he tried to enlist in the Marine Corps at age 16, having been inspired by recruiting posters. The Marines turned him down as under-age and under the required weight. The Navy did not want him either, saying he had flat feet. But the Army took him in August 1917 after he lied about his age, and he volunteered to be an ambulance driver, hearing that was the quickest path to service in France. He sailed for England in December 1917 on the Carpathia, the ship that helped save survivors of the Titanic's sinking in 1912. He later served in various locations in France, including Bordeaux, and drove military autos and ambulances. He was moved by the war's impact on the French people. Mr. Buckles escorted German prisoners of war back to their homeland after the Armistice, then returned to the United States and later worked in the Toronto office of the White Star shipping line.

He traveled widely over the years, working for steamship companies, and he was on business in Manila when the Japanese occupied it after the attack on Pearl Harbor in December 1941. He was imprisoned by the Japanese and lost more than 50 pounds before being liberated by an American airborne unit in February 1945. After retiring from steamship work in the mid-1950s, Mr. Buckles ran a cattle ranch in Charles Town, and he was still riding a tractor there at age 106. In April 2007, Mr. Buckles was identified by the Department of Veterans Affairs as one of the four known survivors among the more than 4.7 million Americans who had served in the armed forces of the Allied nations from April 6, 1917, when the United States entered World War I, to Nov. 11, 1918, the date of the armistice. He died in February 2011 and was the last surviving Veteran of WWI

2010    Lonnie R. Mayer

Sergeant First Class (retired), Lonnie R. Mayer served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War and retired from the Army after more than twenty years service. Since his retirement, he has been a local businessman and currently a farmer outside of Tripp, South Dakota. He has been involved in many civic and veteran's activities in Hutchinson County South Dakota and throughout the State of South Dakota. He was a 2010 candidate for the South Dakota State House of Representatives.   

2009    John Mims

Currently residing in the Fayetteville, NC area. During WWII, MSG Mims was serving as a member of Company B of the Army's 31st Infantry Regiment in the Philippines. In 1942, Japanese soldiers marched American and Filipino soldiers 60 miles across the Philippines in blazing sun, bayoneting or beheading prisoners who fell. A Japanese officer smashed out Mims' front teeth with a Coke bottle. They also broke his neck and at one point, he passed out and was saved from the bayonet only because two fellow soldiers held him up. Mims fondly remembers his first sergeant, whom he sneaked medicine to. The man starved to death, like many of Mims' brothers in arms. Since his retirement from the Army in 1963, MSG Mims has been active in WWII activities and in his community.  

2008   Fannie Clark, MD

A resident of Dallas, TX, Doctor Fannie Clark served in World War II as a Navy Doctor. She married Navy pilot William Clark on August 13th 1945. Following WWII, Dr. Clark embarked on a distinguished career as a family practice physician in the Dallas, Texas area that has lasted for the past 56 years. Most recently, up until her retirement, she has worked on many boards in relationship with Saint Paul's Hospital in Dallas. Dr. Clark is somewhat of an icon - a pioneering woman doctor who practiced in the Dallas area for over sixty years, delivered more than four thousand babies and cared for more than three generations of several families. She graduated as a medical doctor from the University of Texas Medical Branch. She is a dedicated mentor to younger doctors and to her extended family of patients. Before she would even contemplate retirement, she brought two new doctors into her practice and insured that rapport was established with all of her existing patients before handing any of them to another doctor. She remains involved as a trusted advisor to this day in many aspects of medicine. From a military perspective, she is one of few female doctors to serve during WWII and is a pioneer not only in medicine, but in military medicine as well. Dr. Clark died in 2009.

2007   Gary H. Schap

Gary H. Schap served in the United States Army during the Vietnam War from 1960 to 1963. He served in The Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam and various other assignments as a member of the Army Security Agency. In 1965, he was hired as an Illinois State Police trooper and served the State of Illinois for 36 years, 8 months, retiring as the longest serving State Trooper in the State?s history. Currently a member of the Elizabeth, IL City Police Department, he now has over 43 years in law enforcement. In a long career with many achievements, one notable incident happened in 1967 when on patrol. He was run over by a car and sent flying 65 feet over his patrol car. He was in a coma for 2 weeks and in a full body cast for several months. His pelvis was split; he received three full blood transfusions and was told he would never walk again. Through his own tenacity, he returned to patrol duties on crutches and not only walked again, but was eventually able to compete in numerous running races. The Illinois State Police awarded him with the Purple Heart for his injuries sustained in the line of duty.

He is active in veteran's affairs, a solid advocate for the military, youth events and community activism. He has four grown children Lisa, Kelly, Rick and Andy.

2006     BILL RUPP

Following WWII, Bill returned home to Missouri and eventually worked for Gateway Seed Company as Sales Manager for 30 years prior to retiring from that job and beginning a long involvement in veterans programs and activities. Bill was one of the inspirations for the St. Peters Veterans Memorial. He worked with other veterans in the area through the design, construction, and dedication of the Memorial in 2003. Additionally, he has been the Chairman of the St. Peters Veterans Commission since its inception in 2004. Through his work with the Commission he has produced many fine Veterans Programs at the Memorial to include: Armed Forces Day, Memorial Day, Independence Day, POW-MIA day, Veterans Day and Pearl Harbor Day. Bill has been called upon to speak at numerous veterans events in St. Charles County and is on the Veterans Advisory Committee of Representative Todd Aiken, US District 2. He serves on the US Military School Nominee Selection Committee of US Senator Talent, Missouri and on Governor Matt Blunt?s Veteran?s Advisory committee and as the Legislative Chairman for the Marine Corps League Department of Missouri and the MAVO (Missouri Association of Veteran?s Organizations) Legislative Committee. Bill was born and raised in St. Louis Missouri. Nearly 60 years ago he married June Dennis. They have 5 children.

2005

On This 60th anniversary of the end of World War II, we will recognize four living WWII veterans during each quarter of this year as our annual Veterans of the Year for 2005.

HERBERT HOGUE

Herbert E. Hogue, Sr. of galesburg, IL, served in World War II from 1941 to 1945. He joined the Army Air Corps at age 26 and was trained as an Aviation Engineer.  He served in most South Pacific campaigns including New Caledonia, Australia, Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, and the Philippines.  His final rank at the end of the War was Staff Sergeant. He returned home to Newport News, VA and began a family.  He spent the next thirty years heavily involved in community advancement activities such as Cub Scout and Boy Scout Troop Leader; he opened a teen activity center in Buffalo, NY and later served as a counselor at a YMCA in Galesburg, IL.  He is the father of eight sons and four daughters; thirty-eight grandchildren, and seven great-grandchildren.He is retired in Galesburg, IL with his wife of forty-five years, Elizabeth.

HERMAN BOTTEON

Herman Botteon is a retired Army Colonel who served his country from 1943 until his retirement over thirty years later. Colonel Botteon has been actively involved in the Army recruiting effort in the Baltimore area in a most unique way. As the owner of the building which houses the Army recruting station on Conkling Street in Baltimore, MD, COL Botteon reports for work every day as a volunteer recruiter. He helps in screening applicants, making phone calls, providing information and sharing experiences of service with today's youth. COL Botteon makes numerous appearances on behalf of the Army and provides help and insight into what military service is like, based on his service in all major conflicts of the last half of the twentieth century. He is also an avid supporter of scouting in the Baltimore area and quietly gives support to other youth causes in the greater Baltimore community. He is also an avid owner of thoroughbred race horces.

OSCAR E. "BOB" COLLIER

RICHARD "DICK" SEIFEL 

Richard "Dick" Seifel served in World War II from 1941 to 1944. He joined the United States Marine Corps in 1941 at the age of 16. He served in various Pacific Theater campaigns and later in the Defense of the Pacific in American Samoa. After the war he married the former Dolly Flanigan and settled in Watertown SD. In May of 1945 he began a long and successful career with the United States Postal Service in Watertown until his retirement in January 1981. He has spent many years since his discharge as a pillar of the Watertown community. He is noted for numerous community and charitable causes in youth related activities, veterans awareness programs and through many hours of local volunteer service. He is retired in Watertown, South Dakota. His wife Dolly died in 2009. The Seifels have three grown children; Burt, Tammy and Peggy.

2004     PAUL ARCA

A resident of Saint Peters, MO, Paul served his country during the Vietnam War in 1969 as a member of the United States Army's 508th Airborne. He served in the Army from 1968-1972. Among his military awards are the Purple Heart for wounds received in combat, the Combat Infantryman's Badge, The Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal, and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. Paul is being recognized for his series of radio liners that he produced for service members serving in Iraq. His productions were inspirational patriotic productions that let the service members know that the people back home appreciate their service to America. His productions were broadcast extensively over Armed Forces Radio. Paul is also active in the many worthy causes and charitable programs conducted by the Vietnam Veterans of America and on behalf of Pointman Ministries, a patriotic foundation that minister to the needs of veterans and service members. His story, "An American Life" can be found at: www.conta ctradio.org ( Go to "Listen Online" and scroll down to "An American Life").

2003    CLINT CONERLY

A resident of Burke, VA, Clint Conerly, a retired Lieutenant Colonel from the US Army National Guard, has been involved in a selfless tradition of giving that dates back for at least 10 years. Each year before Christmas, he takes it upon himself to personally buy up to 2,700 White House Historical Christmas Ornaments. Using his own time and money, he travels nearly 50 miles to the White House Historical Association warehouse for the ornaments and purchases them directly from the distributor. He then provides them at cost to all who rely on his annual kindness to make their Christmas and that of their families better. This selfless act saves people seven dollars per ornament on average. His personal involvement and caring for others and his attitude of good will toward others reflect highly on all veterans and uphold our Association's goals of "giving back to the community."

2002  WILLIAM L. PETTYS

Currently a resident of O'Fallon, MO, Bill is a retired Sergeant First Class from the Army Reserves. He served as a Navy Corpsman in The Korean War. Bill's long term contributions to Veteran's causes culminated in providing the inpriration behind the O'Fallon, Missouri Veteran's memorial. Bill's old combat boots were used to develop a moving tribute to veterans and those left behind. He has been a veteran's advocate for over forty years. As a former Army recruiter and Counselor, we proudly recognize Bill as the 2002 Veteran of the Year.

2001       Military Members and Veterans of the Pentagon

For significant contributions to our nation's defense in conjunction with the September 11, 2001 attack on the United States and the pentagon. All the active and veteran military members present that day exemplify the true spirit of selfless service. The association proudly recognizes all active and former service members assigned to the pentagon on that historic date in our nation's history as the 2001 veterans of the year.

2000    LARRY HENDERHAN

Larry is a retired United States Army Career Counselor. Since his retirement, he has been the proprietor of Henderhan Printing of Lawton Oklahoma. Larry is very active in promoting and supporting the Army retention community. He has donated his time and many mementos and supplies to military counselors as a way of giving back to the profession that served him so well.

1999   FRANCIS MURTHA

A resident of Comubus, GA, Frank retired as a Sergeant Major from the United States Army Reserves in 1990 with over 40 years of service.  Since his retirement, Frank has been a veteran's rights advocate, particularly in the quest for equitable treatment for older veterans and retirees.  As a result of Frank's efforts as part of a distinguished group of veteran's activists, the United States Congress passed legislation to preserve medical care for older military retirees.  Frank currently serves as Veteran's Affairs advisor for AMRAC. 

1998     WALTER J. GLATTHAAR JR. 

Walt Glatthaar was an ABC sports and KMOX (St. Louis) television and radio personality for over 30 years. Walt's specialty was auto racing. He was the voice of auto racing on his syndicated racing program broadcasted (world-wide over the Internet, and nation-wide, through KMOX (CBS) radio
in Saint Louis, MO.) Walt was a veteran of the 82nd Airborne Division who served shortly after World War II. Walt initiated an effort to recognize military members serving around the world by reading their names at the end of each of his broadcasts. Walt always took the time during his broadcasts to tell the benefits of service and extol the patriotism of those who served. Walt died in June (1999), shortly after being recognized as veteran of the year.

1997    BOXCAR WILLIE (LECIL MARTIN)