This picture was taken of my Dad, Robert F. Drake on April 22,1944 in his Army Air Corps Uniform.

During WWII he was a Medic in the Army Air Corps. He quit high school and enlisted, He did not wait to be drafted even though he was a Brethren and a conscientious objector, which in part why he was a Medic. They did not carry guns. But it turned out that Dad was an expert shot. From what I have been able to figure out he was also in charge of some POW’s health needs. Later after the war, he spent time at a small dispensary somewhere around Paris, Texas and also in Lincoln, Nebraska.

I was also the wife of a Seabee who served a tour in Vietnam in 1969 to 1970. He had gotten the Purple Heart but was not sent home, as it was not a serious enough injury. His major problem was having been sprayed with chemicals and coping with what he saw and did. He was not the same.

I had several great uncles and my paternal grandfather who were in WWI and they went over seas to Europe. I do not know where for sure.
I also had uncles who served in WWII the Korean conflict.

Dad is buried at the National Cemetery at White City, Oregon.
~ Diana Dee Smith

We thank Diana for sharing her story with us and welcome you to post a picture of your loved ones who have served with the their name, branch of service and where on Comes A Soldier’s Whisper veteran tribute page.