Randy McElroy

1947
VIETNAM

McElroy was an E-5 aviation electronics specialist with the 179 th Aviation Company, 52 nd Combat Aviation Battalion at Camp Holloway, Pleiku from early 1968 to Christmas Day 1969.

This places him in one of the most intense operational periods in the Central Highlands, supporting the CH-47 Chinook heavy lift missions during the Tet aftermath, Dakto, Kontum operation and the 1969 campaign. This was one of the most dangerous aviation regions in Vietnam because of the mountainous terrain, unpredictable weather and constant enemy pressure.

McElroy was responsible for keeping the CH-47 Chinook’s navigation, communication and flight control electronics operational under combat conditions.

He received the Bronze Star for sustained meritorious service and exceptional performance under combat conditions.

Arthur Kreger

1895 – 1980
WWI

Unit: 338 th Infantry 85 th Division Company E Sergeant
Enlisted: 19 November 1917
Discharge: 1 April 1919
Married: Cora Johnston May 1918 two children
Robert John Johnston (Cora Johnston’s brother) Art’s brother-in-law
Leland John Johnston (Cora’s cousin) as well as Arts through marriage
Robert Charles Kreger – Arthur and Cora Kreger’s son

Late 1917 – Induction and early training probably at Fort Custer

Spring and Summer 1918 – advanced training in weapons qualification, gas mask drills and trench warfare instruction

Mid 1918 – Deployment to France for combat on preparing for Meuse-Argonne operations

July, August 1918 – Sail to France and arrives at replacement depot

September-November – Company E broken up. Kreger joins 32nd Division and fights in Meuse-Argonne offense

1919 – Sails home

Argonne had the most difficult terrain, dense forests, ravines, machine gun nests and German positions that had been fortified. As a Sergeant, Kreger was responsible for leading a rifle squad under fire, maintaining discipline and cohesion in chaotic fires and fighting, managing casualties and keeping men supplied, coordinating with platoons, holding the captured.