In Appreciation Our thanks to all those whose efforts made this project a reality. Jim Hurst - chair Tammy Agee D. Edgar Allen Len Allen America First Credit Union Jenny Anderson Nathan Ball Delbert Beck Marcene Beck Craig Beilik Holly Benson David Bishop Garth Blanch Bettie Bond Wilbur Braithwaite LaMar Buckner Don Buswell Diane Butler Scott Butcher Ralph Call Ferrell Carter Ila Jean Carter Neal Jean Citte Shirley Clark Max Cleland Margaret Conolly Sandi Coxe Barbara Cozort Claudia Crawford D. Boyd Crawford Marjorie Crittenden Ben and Lula Day Laura Dittmore Rulon Dye Muriel Elzey Margie Esquibel Jenny Everson Maggie Favero JaNae Francis Bill Fruth Lynell Gardner Gaylord Gardner Rulon Garfield Chad Gerrety Goldenwest Credit Union Jose Gomez Vicki Gorrell Dale Gustaveson Margaret Gustaveson Addy Hall Eugene Hansen Pat Harris Ed Hatch Mark Henderson Sarah Hoffman Shanna Hollingsworth Carol Hurst Dean Hurst Joan Hurst Gregory Jans Brian Jensen Cindy Jones Paul Johnson Spencer Johnson Rosliee Karras John Knight Shirley Koberna Jim Kopecky John Kowalewski Mike Kusuda Tod Lamoreaux Lisa Largent Mary Jo LaTulippe Michelle Lewis John Lindquist John and Telitha Lindquist Foundation Dan Litchford Karen Lofgreen Val Lofgreen Kathryn MacKay Bob Marshall Narlene Mathie Lambert McGrath Gerry Murray Ann Millner Holly Mills Gloria Myers Myers Mortuaries Harvey Neuteboom Nikki Nicholas Jeff and Neriza Oka Nancy Pace Vance Pace Kent Pantone Irene Parker Peery's Egyptian Theater Sharon Peffer Roger Perkins Leslie Peterson Roald Peterson Richard and Joan Petty Ellen Rantz Marsha Ritcher Donna Rigby Donna Roberts Joanne S. Robinson Yvonne Roos Richard Sadler Nick Sanders Pat Scalise Gene Sessions Janet Sessions John Soules Standard-Examiner Stewart Education Foundation Student Union/Student Activities Jack Sturgeon Kevin Sullivan Van Summerill Forrest Sweitzer Swire Coca-Cola of Ogden Kathleen Tesori Becky Thompson Melvin Thayne Gary Toyn Dorathea Van Erden Wiese Kelly Van Noy Hillary Wallace Jean Anne Waterstradt Weber State Credit Union Wells Fargo Bank Cathy and Tom Wilkinson Diane Wilson Willis Wynn Rory Youngsberg American culture and language adapt well to new terms and iconic phrases, especially when commonly accepted beliefs are captured in a few single words. Such is the case with Tom Brokaw's now legendary expression, 'The Greatest Generation' which has been adopted into our everyday lexicon. Those who qualify as the 'Greatest Generation' bear this label with discomfort and even embarrassment, but will reluctantly admit that they collectively endured deprivation, insecurity, and even loss of life, because the consequences for not doing so were unthinkable. In their own way, they did what was necessary to stem the tide of tyranny and despotism foisted upon them by some of history's most dangerous dictators. In 1941, Weber College was a small institution of less than 1,500 students, faculty and staff members. Every person connected with Weber can remember that pivotal day of change when Pearl Harbor was 'suddenly and deliberately attacked by naval and air forces of the Empire of Japan.' The implications of the attack were immediately understood: the very existence and well-being of this nation were at stake. In many respects, Weber's willingness to answer the call to arms was archetypical of what was happening nationwide. However, at the end of this conflict, the young men and women of Northern Utah had made a disproportionate impact on the outcome of one of the most terrifying and turbulent conflicts in the history of our nation. Within these pages you will read the accounts of those who have witnessed history in the making. From Pearl Harbor and the North African battles in Tunisia to the invasion of Normandy, the Battle of the Bulge and the liberation of Nazi death camps, someone from Weber was there. From the island-hopping campaigns of the Solomon Islands, Tarawa, Guam and Iwo Jima, to the Bataan Death March and occupation of Japan, a Weber veteran tells his or her story. Weber's contribution to the war effort was more than just that of idle witnesses. Within this book, you will read about eight Weber alumni who were killed in action, and six who were prisoners of war. You will also read of heroic Weber alumni who were decorated with this nation's highest honors, including the recipients of a Medal of Honor, two Navy Crosses, four Silver Stars, 25 Distinguished Flying Crosses, and 38 Bronze Stars. In all, this book contains over 350 stories from those Weber alumni who served both in Europe and the Pacific, as well as on the home front during World War II. Some submissions are simply brief or modest accounts of their participation; others reflect a summation of a long and well-described chronicle of their involvement during the war. As with any account of war, you can expect to read gripping, firsthand accounts of casualties, carnage, and death. Surprisingly, you will also read stories that range from the heartfelt to the heart wrenching, the mundane to the comical. Above all, the purpose of this book is to provide homage to those whose heritage we share as Weber alumni and friends, and as citizens of this, the greatest of all nations. May this book stand as a witness to future generations that Weber's 'Greatest Generation' was willing and, indeed, succeeded in helping protect the way of life we currently take for granted.