May 2023 – Keeper Of The Flame

May 26, 2023 Published by Randy Murray

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May 26, 2023 Published by Randy Murray

Charles “Charlie” Palek

3/9/1949 – 4/26/2016
Branch: Army
Rank: E5
Outfit: 9th
Service Dates: 1967 – 1970

3 Purple Hearts, A Silver Star, A Bronze Star, Distinguished Flying Cross, Combat Infantry Badge, 7 Air Medals and the Vietnam Cross of Gallantry. He was a Gunner and Scout Helicopter Cambodia Wrote the Book “Tattletale”
Story uploaded: Friday, August 14, 2009 / Updated: Friday, May 26, 2023

<img width="140" height="180" src="https://flamexp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/vetPic1_24588.jpg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image lazyload" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://flamexp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/vetPic1_24588.jpg 140w, https://flamexp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/vetPic1_24588-39x50.jpg 39w" sizes="(max-width: 140px) 100vw, 140px" />

May 16, 2023 (updated May 16, 2023) Published by Randy Murray

Oliver Coleman Estes

6/11/1919 – 5/24/2012
Branch: Army
Rank: Combat Engineer
Outfit: 106th Infantry Division
Service Dates: 1943 – 1945
County: Greene
Conflicts/Significant Events: World War II, Captured in the Battle of The Bulge, POW in Germany until the end of the War. His story was featured in the book “Hell Frozen Over”
Story uploaded: Thursday, August 20, 2009 / Updated: Monday, May 15, 2023

<img width="1179" height="889" src="https://flamexp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_3044.jpeg" class="attachment-post-thumbnail size-post-thumbnail wp-post-image lazyload" alt="" decoding="async" srcset="https://flamexp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_3044.jpeg 1179w, https://flamexp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_3044-600x452.jpeg 600w, https://flamexp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_3044-768x579.jpeg 768w, https://flamexp.com/wp-content/uploads/2023/05/IMG_3044-50x38.jpeg 50w" sizes="(max-width: 1179px) 100vw, 1179px" />

May 7, 2023 (updated May 7, 2023) Published by Randy Murray

Nicholas “Nik” Zak

9/14/1930 – 8/31/2021
Branch: Marines
Rank: Sgt.
Unit: 7th
Outfit: 1st
Service Dates: 1948 – 1951
County: St. Louis
Conflicts/Significant Events: Nik joined the Marine Corps in November 1948 and was wounded in Korea, December 3, 1950 sustaining leg and head injuries, losing his eye as well as suffering severe frostbite of his extremities. He received a Purple Heart for his injuries. Nick was honorably discharged from the Marines in September 1951. His name is engraved on The Chosin Few Monument in Forest Park, St. Louis next to the Korean War Veterans Association Memorial.
Story uploaded: Friday, September 25, 2009 / Updated May 7, 2023