Military Service

Wright Family in the Military

It is with great pride and gratitude that we dedicate this section of our website to all our family members who honorably served in the military. We thank each of them for their service and recognize the great contributions they have made to preserve our freedom.

Mary Wright Grochowski’s family history records go back as far as the Civil War. Mom Wright’s father, Timothy Brennan and her uncle, William Cosgrove, served in the Union Army. Mom’s brother, Thomas Brennan, served in the Spanish American War.

Timothy Wright, US Army

Uncle Tim served in the army but was discharged because he worked in a vital industry and was needed at home.

William Wright, US Army

World War II Veteran

Uncle Bill was in the Tank Corp

Helen Yeager Wright, US Army

World War II Veteran

Aunt Helen (wife of Uncle Bill), was an army nurse with the rank of Lieutenant and served in the war zones in Europe.

Mary Maguire, US Army

World War II Veteran

She served as an army nurse and it is said Aunt Helen met Uncle Bill through her.

Michael “Bud” Wright, US Army

World War II Veteran

Uncle Bud was an MP and was involved in several invasions in North Africa, Sicily and Italy

John “Jack” McDonald, US Army

Jack Hughes, US Navy 1943-1946

World War II Veteran

Jack served on the USS Lyon. They took 2,000 troops to England, then went to North Africa. They were in “small boats” for the invasions and took Japanese American troops through the jungles of East Italy and Southern France. About 2 weeks after the Normandy invasion they took Patton’s Third Army to the invasion of Southern France. They went to the Pacific and invaded Okinawa.

Richard “Dick” Hughes, US Army

World War II Vet

Served in Japan

William “Bill” Smith, US Army

World War II Veteran

Bill was a medic in the infantry, serving in General Patton’s Third Army

After the year, Bill reported Veteran’s news for the Times Leader in Wilkes-Barre, a very popular column

Edward “Bud” Blaum, US Army

World War II Veteran

Bud was a paratrooper

He served part of his time in Okinawa

Stanley Revitt, US Army

Stanley was a medic based in the US

James Patrick Wright, US Navy 1943-1946

World War II Veteran

Served on USS Harrison (DD573), a Destroyer

also served on the USS Arkansas and the USS Markab

He was awarded the Pacific Theater Ribbon, the American Theater Ribbon, the Victory Medal and the Philippine Liberation Ribbon

Thomas Wright, US Navy

Served on the Aircraft Carrier Midway

Dave Antall, US Army

World War II Veteran

Dave received the Purple Heart for injuries received in France on D-Day from airplane strafing.

William “Bull” Lipski, US Army

Served as Cook

Served in Alaska and the Aleutian Islands

Jim “Shoes” Yosh, US Navy, 1950-1954

Korean War Veteran

The first two years of his service, Jim served on the Philippine Sea, an aircraft carrier involved in the Korean conflict. If you’ve seen pictures of men on aircraft carriers waving bombers back on board after a mission, one of those men was Jim. Having a plane lose one of their bombs on the carriers and having to be thrown overboard was a common event. Jim also spent time on the base in San Diego & his last 6 months in the Philippines. Jim had no leave during his first two years, but he and Eleanor were married during his first leave. (Written by wife Eleanor)

Stephen “Skip” Yosh, US Air Force

George Herbert, US Army, 1951-1954

Korean War Veteran

Served two tours in in Korea on the front lines.

Philip Herbert, US Army

Korean War Veteran

James “Chooch” Fender, US Navy

World War II and Korean War Veteran

Was cook on ship toward the end of WWII. He completed a tour of duty and soon after reenlisted. He was once again a cook & went to the Aleutian Islands,

Peter O’Konski, US Army

Served in the early 60’s and was “at the ready” to serve in the Cuban conflict, the Bay of Pigs

Rudolf “Rudy” Fender, US Army

Timothy Herbert, US Army, 1964-1966

Tim was stationed in Fort Bragg, NC. He was never deployed overseas with his unit because of a broken leg. He was company clerk…and always knew where to obtain the “good stuff”. He joked he was like Radar from MASH. Any time one of us pulled out a typewriter for a school project…Dad had to sit down first to type out “Now is the time for all good men to come to the aid of his country”! (Written by daughter Mary)