Vietnam War – Keeper Of The Flame

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

December 5, 2022 (updated February 22, 2023) Published by Randy Murray

Harold B. O’Connor

5/4/1921 – 7/7/2010
Branch: Navy
Rank: Lieutenant
Service Dates: 1941 – 1967
Veteran Station: Pearl Harbor, Battle of Midway, Guadalcanal, Okinawa
County: Pettis
City: Sedalia, MO
Conflicts/Significant Events: WWII, Korea, Vietnam
Story uploaded: Saturday, September 29, 2007/modified: Monday, December 5, 2022

July 1, 2021 (updated September 22, 2021) Published by Randy Murray

Jackie “Jack” Jackson

“Full Bird” Colonel

Flew more than 600 combat missions; 40 earned military medals including 33 Air Medals, 4 Distinguished Flying Crosses and the Navy Commendation Medal for Valor and Heroism.
Shot down while co-piloting a rescue helicopter … and returned to the combat zone to rescue a fellow marine.
Piloted the “hoovering” Harrier jet aircraft 5,000 hours, more than any other person in history (with its capacity to “park” in mid-air like a helicopter);
Flew the Harrier in scores of airshows – cumulatively totaling millions of people viewing — in Independence Day celebrations, the VP airshows at the St. Louis Arch, and other locations events and venues throughout many years;
He describes the joys of flying for Veterans Airlift Command, taking wounded military men & women and their families all over the country … free. Their website about Wounded Warriors: … “They’ve got heart … They need wings!” See veteransairlift.org

June 30, 2021 (updated September 22, 2021) Published by Randy Murray

Joseph J. Frank

1947 – N/A
Branch: Army
Service Dates: 1966-1968
Conflicts/Significant Events: Vietnam, Purple Heart
An Original Pilot Story For Missouri Veteran Stories and Hometown Heroes America’s Veteran Stories