I didn't have to go to 'Nam. My draft number was 350+. I graduated from high school in 1971.
Mr. Flom (Larry, later as I grew up) was my best teacher. He truly inspired me for history. His WWII section - he split it between our junior and senior years - was awe inspring.
My dads best friend (and my "uncle") was at Iwo Jima for the first (real) flag raising. Frank told me, when I was wiring his house in 72 or so, that "he wouldn't be alive if it wasn't for the Indian".
Mr. Dorhmann was at D-Day.
I've had the honor (not kidding) of meeting a real life Code Talker. My daughter an I wen to his Blessing Way ceremony. I've never been so humbled in my life.
Here is Sgt. June, my, my daughter (in the back), In front is Sgt. June's son - a Navajo "Medicine Man", Sgt. June, and his wife Virginia.
More pics at:
http://s244.photobucket.com/albums/g...%20Codetalker/
St. Allen June was one of the original 29 Code Talkers.
My friend Frank was at Iwo Jima (he saw he first flag go up - the one in the picture, as great as it is, was posed).