VETERANS
Honor and Celebrate the Military Service of Germans from Russia
The purpose of the display is to honor the veterans and their contributions to the United States military and to educate the public about the history of Germans from Russia in the United States. The project aims to identify and honor veterans who served in the United States military, beginning with the earliest settlers to the U.S.A. and continuing to today. An ad hoc committee will conduct the Veterans 2024 project through a questionnaire published in the organization's newsletter, electronic newsletter, and website(www.aghgrfr-centralcal.com). The questionnaire will collect information about the veterans' names, branches of service, dates of service (Mandatory), service location, rank, awards and decorations, and photographs or documents related to military service (Optional). The goal is to unveil the video display and publication by the chapter planned for Veteran's Day 2024. The chapter will conduct the project in compliance with all legal, moral, and ethical standards for data collection and privacy protection. If you wish to be part of the ad hoc team that creates this homage to our veterans, call or text Jim Deis at 559.907.8771 or email at jim.deis1@gmail.com.
Neil Marks, a Chapter Member, shared the following about his family:
"Initially, the Ruby brothers of Fresno, second cousins to the Marks brothers, were thought to have been the only record-setting seven brothers in WWII. As pointed out in the Fresno Bee articles, seven of the eight Marks brothers also served in WWII military service. According to my uncle, Ernie Marks, the eighth brother, James, was a Master Sergeant in the National Guard.
Regardless, it was a remarkable feat by the brothers of the two related families."
The above article appeared in the Fresno Bee on November 9. 1977
During WWII, two sets of cousins (the Rubys and the Marks), Germans from Russia, descendants from Fresno, CA, served in the United States Military. These cousins were among the remarkable number of Germans from Russia who served during WWII. Others served during peacetime, the Korean War, Vietnam, and some are currently serving. They represent the hundreds of Germans from Russia who have proudly served in the U.S. military. Many other families and stories follow.
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The above item was printed in the Fresno Bee on November 11, 2009
Major General Gallinetti, USMC (retired)
Jon was a Top Gun aviator and from September 2003 until April 2004 he was deployed in Iraq as chief of staff for Combined Joint Task Force Seven.
Jon “Goose” Gallinetti
Jon Gallinetti is considered the highest-ranking military officer to graduate from Clovis High School and California State University-Fresno. Jon was in the fall 1970 pledge class at Epsilon Eta. He graduated in 1972, receiving his commission as a Second Lieutenant in the United States Marine Corps. His career culminated as the Deputy Commander of Marine Forces Command in Norfolk, VA, when he retired in 2007. Major General is the third highest rank in the Corps.
Jon was a Top Gun aviator. From September 2003 until April 2004, he was deployed in Iraq as chief of staff for Combined Joint Task Force Seven. He was responsible for numerous joint exercises around the globe, the joint training of Combatant Commanders and Joint Task Force Commanders, and joint doctrine and joint education. In this capacity, he was deployed to Iraq, Afghanistan, and the Horn of Africa.
Click the box to learn more about the story of Major General Jon A. Gallinetti (USMC, retired)
Navy Distinguished Service Medal
Defense Superior Service Medal
Click the link below to view more
about the medals
Legion of Merit
Photo | Name | Rank | Branch | Dates Served |
|---|---|---|---|---|
Bachman, Elmer William | Seaman First Class | United States Coast Guard | 1942-08-20 | |
Barber, Ralph Thomas | Specialist 4 | United States Army | 1956-10-10 | |
Bitter, Conrad | Uniited States Army | 22 Jan 1941- | ||
Bitter, Peter | Warrant Officer (retired) | United States Marine Corps | 08 Mar 1027-01 Aug 1948 | |
Duffield, Linda | Lieutenant Colonel (rtired | U.S. Army and U.S. Air Force | 1979-1999 | |
Hergenrader, Raymond | United States Navy | 1946- | ||
Klemm, Robert | United States Army |
