Sailor, Soldier, Marine, Airmen and Auxiliary... - Ancestors in 52 Weeks

This year's challenge is 52 Ancestors in 52 Weeks and is run by Amy Johnson Crow.

Topic Info:
"Solider" in the theme for Week 47. What discoveries have you made regarding ancestors who served in the military? What about an ancestor who tried to stay out of the military? You could also interpret it as someone who "soldiered on," always trying to reach a goal despite some hardships.

The 7 military branches of the US military. Credit

I'm going to take each of the armed forces (listed above). I know there are 7 of military branches (being United States Coast Guard, United States Public Health Service Commissioned Corps,  and National Oceanic and Atmospheric Administration Commissioned Officer Corps), but I'm going to cover the main armed forces which report into Washington, DC themselves.

The 6 armed services branches of the US military. Credit

Spot the differences?? Keep in mind, in some areas, we've had more than one person serve in that part of the armed services. This makes it difficult to narrow down which relative to use for each.

Sailor (US Navy) - My father

My father, Matthew in 2015 at at Veterans event.
Credit: Plattekill Veterans Committee

This is one I grew up with due to my father being in the US Navy and "did his twenty" or was in service for 20 years. He made it to grade of Chief within the submarines. Although we knew he was a submariner, we never talked about it because of the classified nature of his missions. In fact, many of the people I went to school with didn't know my father was in the US Navy at all.

He would tell us about the guys he served with or about things like him being made Chief and then having to run around to get the correct uniforms within the time limits and almost not making it.

In fact, I think I shocked him when I started putting his service record around and found information on some of his missions. However, being classified and could not confirm nor deny where he went or why.

For many years, the family seemed to miss out on having a father. I think he went out on the sub in spirit and just never really came home to us. We've always felt we sacrificed having a father for our country. 

Soldier (US Army)- My Nephew
This one I actually changed his diapers and watched grow up. There was a time during his high school years he seriously had me concerned because of what he was doing with playing off people against each other and stuff like that.

TJ getting pinned. Credit: T. James (FB)

TJ up close while serving. Credit: T. James (FB)

However, after I left the US and moved to Australia, I lost contact with them. It didn't help I was/am fighting with my sister Jean, which is his mother. Further, when I was looking him up, I was shocked to find he went into the Army and did a short stint.

TJ while serving. Credit: T. James (FB)

I guess he grew up just fine after all.



Marine (US Marines)
Although I haven't been able to pinpoint anyone which fits into this group, I suspect some of the people who say they are in the US Army are actually a Marine but haven't identified themselves as such to anyone. 

We do have a high amount of people who have served in the US Army though.

Airmen (US Air Force)- My Uncle
Usually when I speak of Airmen or of being in the Air Force, I speak about my first cousin, James J. Sherman. However, this time I'm going to speak about my uncle Louis.

Uncle Louis is my mother's older brother she grew up with. Honestly, after she told me he had died when I was younger, I just never looked into her any further. This past year, when I met up with my other uncle, Jimmy, and he made a comment he wished he knew what happened to his brother.

US Business directory in 1959 for my Uncle Louis and Aunt Edith. Credit: Ancestry

After we came back to Australia and I took some time out due to the loss of my brother, I went looking to see what I could find out about him. I might have met both my uncle's when I was very young, I did not remember them at all. I was shocked to find he first served in the US Navy, and then years later, he served in the US Air Force.

Uncle Louis when he was in the US Navy.
Credit: Ancestry

The highlighted sections are when Uncle Louis was in Nebraska working in USAF. Credit

Between 1961-1968 they move from Lincoln Nebraska to California. Again here he works for the US Air force. I believe he must have been within the SAC or Strategic Air Command as they, too, moved to California around this time. 

It was a long way from the man who went around always drinking until he couldn't remember and then try and go home to pass out as my father told me when I asked Dad about him. I guess he might have made some changes if he went back into the military as an airman. 

Auxiliary - Myself

A close up picture of my pin.
Credit: J. Fitzgerald

My father, who is mentioned above under the US Navy, served internationally. As such he can and has become a member of the VFW - Veterans of Foreign Affairs. He has done so now for years. In fact, much of the conversations we have are around the organisation.

In February 2019, when we were over in NY, I was asked if I wanted to be in the Auxiliary meaning the VFW Auxiliary. I hesitated because I live in Australia and its not like I can be a helpful and productive member of the group.

My card as an annual member of the VFW Aux. Credit: J Fitzgerald

I could see my father had stopped what he was doing and braced himself for the turn down. This told me it did matter to him if I became a member or not. It REALLY mattered to him and his body language told me as much. I agreed and became a member.

I now possess my VFW Auxiliary card and membership and my father took care of it - the application and even the payment because it matters that much.

Sometimes it's the small things which matter the most to some people and you have to take the time to watch, talk and listen or else you will miss important things. 

As you can see, we've had someone serve in each of the main armed services. I've kept the above to the close linked family members only or else I'd be here all day and we wouldn't want that!