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U.S. Marine Corps

Male U.S. Marine in dress uniform with large medals

Corporal John K. Goeken, U.S. Marine Corps – Two Wars, Three Deployments, and a Commitment to the Corps

Those who want to become U.S. Marines must have, or want to develop, the self-confidence, courage, and swagger necessary to confront enemies without ever thinking of backing down. They know they will win the fight, no matter what the odds—and their enemies know it, too. Corporal John K. Goeken, U.S. Marine Corps, has those qualities in spades. In fact, they compelled him to join the Marine Corps and deploy to Iraq and Afghanistan a total of three times while wearing the uniform. Once back in civilian life, they drove him to return to Afghanistan as a contractor providing security for U.S. government facilities and personnel. Now he is channeling those qualities to become an engineer.

A United States Marine in uniform

Private First Class Raymond Jubera, U.S. Marine Corps – A City Boy Helps Make History

To some, it seems our lives are pre-ordained. They believe where we are from and whether our parents are rich or poor may well determine how we will turn out in life. Private First Class Raymond Jubera didn’t believe that. Instead of letting life control him, he took control of his life and was “all in” with the decisions he made. As a result, he participated in history rather than just reading about it in a newspaper. This is his story.

A male U.S. Marine in uniform

Master Sergeant Mark Zulawski, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired) – I Gave It My All

Some people expect instant success in life without first laying the necessary groundwork. However, success is often an iterative process, as we try new paths and approaches, all the time refining our skills. Master Sergeant Mark Zulawski, U.S. Marine Corps (Retired), spent ten of his almost twenty-one years in the Marine Corps learning the warfare, personal, and leadership skills necessary to make him a successful recruiter and senior enlisted leader. During the course of his career, he deployed twice, helped develop the Marine’s mechanized infantry capability, and most of all, recruited countless new Marines into the Corps. This is his story.

Jim Elsener in the Marine Corps

Sergeant Jim Elsener, U.S. Marine Corps – From Chicago to Da Nang…and Back

Sometimes in life we are presented with choices where the “right” choice is obvious. Sergeant Jim Elsener, U.S. Marine Corps, was given such a choice in January 1966. He could finish out his enlistment at Camp Lejeune, North Carolina, having served in the Marines with honor, and return to civilian life in the Midwest. Or he could choose a course that promised many unknowns. Jim chose the latter, and as the poet Carl Sandburg so eloquently expressed, that choice has made all the difference. This is Jim’s story.

Staff Sergeant Jerry Ingram, U.S. Marine Corps

Episode 11 – Staff Sergeant Jerry Ingram, U.S. Marine Corps

Welcome to Episode 11 of the Voices to Veterans podcast. This episode features the story of Staff Sergeant Jerry Ingram, U.S. Marine Corps.

Enlisting in 1942 and lying about his age, Jerry soon found himself driving tanks in the island-hopping war against Japan in 1944. After participating in

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Episode 6 – Sergeant Richard “Dick” Sowinski, U.S. Marine Corps

Welcome to Episode 6 of the Voices to Veterans podcast. This month features the story of Sergeant Richard “Dick” Sowinski, who served in the U.S. Marine Corps during the 1950’s.Everything about Dick’s story is timeless. When you look at his picture, you can’t tell if it was taken in the 1950s or the 2020s. The […]

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Episode 2 – 1st Lieutenant Iris Nigg Lundin, U.S. Marine Corps

Welcome to Episode 2 of the Voices to Veterans podcast. This month features the story of a trailblazing woman in the U.S. Marine Corps, 1st Lieutenant Iris Nigg Lundin. Iris was one of the first female officers in the Marine Corps in World War II and one of the first four women to earn her […]

Staff Sergeant Jerry Ingram, U.S. Marine Corps

Staff Sergeant Jerry Ingram U.S. Marine Corps No Greater Honor

When most of us are sixteen, our biggest worries are getting our drivers license or figuring out our date to the prom. When Staff Sergeant Jerry Ingram was sixteen, he was a combat tank commander with Company C of the 4th Tank Battalion, 4th Marines, preparing to fight his way to victory across the Pacific […]

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Sergeant Richard “Dick” Sowinski, U.S. Marine Corps

Natural leaders rise to the top, no matter where they start out. That’s why when the Marines recruited Richard “Dick” Sowinski, they knew they had a winner. They could not have been more right. Born and raised in Cleveland, Ohio, Dick graduated from West Tech High School in 1953. That fall he attended Kent State […]

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