http://rich07.tripod.com/vondra.htm
Miles M. Vondra, Jr.
Gunnery Sergeant - U.S. Marine Corps
1940 - 1948 - Active Reserves 1950 - 1956
World War II & Korean War
American Samoa - Guadalcanal - Marshall Islands - China - Korea
Sgt. Vondra was activated 10/1940 for 12 months. He was waiting to be discharged after 14 months when Pearl Harbor occurred. He was sent to San Diego and then to Arizona to recruit Apache Indians for the Marines. He was then sent to American Samoa for 23 months in guarding shipping and Australia. When he arrived on Guadalcanal he reenlisted for four years. Vondra was in the invasion of the Marshall Islands. He had two years to go when the war ended and was sent to China to supervise weapon warehouses for Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek. After two years he came back to the U.S. and became an Active Reservist. He and Pat were married in July 1950 just after the outbreak of the Korean War. Within a month he was on his way to Korea with the Marines and landed with McArthur at Inchon and participated in seven frontal assaults when he was withdrawn to go around the peninsula to Wonson. There he and his Marine buddies boarded trains headed for the Chosin Reservoir and one of the bloodiest and most difficult battles in Marine Corp history. Surrounded by several Chinese and North Korean Divisions, outnumbered by over 100 to 1 The Marine Corps 1st Division fought their way to Hungnam and evacuation by the U.S. Navy. It was snowing heavily and the temperature was 50 below zero as the Marines fought their way some 80 miles to the coast. That group of Marines are called "The Chosin Few" and are looked upon as the bravest Marines ever to wear the uniform. Miles was wounded in November 1950 in that epic battle and evacuated to a hospital in Japan. He returned to the U.S. in mid 1951.
He and his wife, Pat, lived in the Villa Homes during the winter months.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1999-06-02/news/9906020274_1_memorial-day-parade-political-rally-korea
While a member of ROTC in the late 1930s, Miles M. Vondra Jr. sealed his career path. Fresh out of St. Mel's High School, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and went on to win many awards for his efforts in World War II and the Korean conflict.
Mr. Vondra, 77, of Glenview died Sunday of complications from lung cancer at Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Evanston Hospital.
Mr. Vondra was stationed in the South Pacific during World War II, and later fought in seven frontal assaults in Korea, said his wife, Pat Vondra. Even after he was shot in the face with a machine gun in Korea in 1950 and discharged from active reserve duty, he served eight more years as an inactive reservist, she said.
The headline above a Feb. 18, 1953, Chicago Tribune article about Mr. Vondra read: "Ex-Marine Will Need Extra Chest for Medals." For his work in WWII, Mr. Vondra was awarded the Victory Medal, and for his efforts in Korea, he received the Presidential Unit Citation, the Bronze Star, United Nations Service Medal, American Defense Service honor and Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars, among many others.
"He was all about duty, honor, country," his wife said.
Before suffering a stroke several years ago, Mr. Vondra had organized Glenview's annual Memorial Day Parade for 30 years. Because of his efforts, the parade is a day for families and not politicians, said Bill Bickley, former commander of American Legion Post No. 166.
"There was a purpose," Bickley said. "He wanted the veterans to be recognized, and he didn't want it made into a political rally."
That often left Mr. Vondra on the hot seat with elected officials who wanted to spend Memorial Day politicking at the parade, but Bickley said his friend just wouldn't have it.
"If they wanted to speak, they were to speak solely about the veterans," said his wife. "He meant for it to be a community event."
Mr. Vondra also served as post commander, in addition to tackling anything that the legion membership asked, Bickley said.
"He was a very dynamic Legionaire," Bickley said. "Once he got involved in a project, he made sure that he saw it through to the end."
Mr. Vondra settled in Glenview with his wife, Pat, whom he met at a wedding at which he was the best man and she was the maid of honor. He worked as an insurance broker for 40 years and focused on estate planning. He was affiliated with the New England Life Co. and in 1983 sold $18 million in policies, Pat said.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Vondra is survived by a son, Michael; four daughters, Georgann Ashenden, Margaret Cothran; Patty and Susan; two granddaughters; and three grandsons. Visitation will be held from 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the Donnellan Family Funeral Home, 10045 Skokie Blvd. Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Thursday in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 1775 Grove St., Glenview.
Miles M. Vondra, Jr.
Gunnery Sergeant - U.S. Marine Corps
1940 - 1948 - Active Reserves 1950 - 1956
World War II & Korean War
American Samoa - Guadalcanal - Marshall Islands - China - Korea
Sgt. Vondra was activated 10/1940 for 12 months. He was waiting to be discharged after 14 months when Pearl Harbor occurred. He was sent to San Diego and then to Arizona to recruit Apache Indians for the Marines. He was then sent to American Samoa for 23 months in guarding shipping and Australia. When he arrived on Guadalcanal he reenlisted for four years. Vondra was in the invasion of the Marshall Islands. He had two years to go when the war ended and was sent to China to supervise weapon warehouses for Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek. After two years he came back to the U.S. and became an Active Reservist. He and Pat were married in July 1950 just after the outbreak of the Korean War. Within a month he was on his way to Korea with the Marines and landed with McArthur at Inchon and participated in seven frontal assaults when he was withdrawn to go around the peninsula to Wonson. There he and his Marine buddies boarded trains headed for the Chosin Reservoir and one of the bloodiest and most difficult battles in Marine Corp history. Surrounded by several Chinese and North Korean Divisions, outnumbered by over 100 to 1 The Marine Corps 1st Division fought their way to Hungnam and evacuation by the U.S. Navy. It was snowing heavily and the temperature was 50 below zero as the Marines fought their way some 80 miles to the coast. That group of Marines are called "The Chosin Few" and are looked upon as the bravest Marines ever to wear the uniform. Miles was wounded in November 1950 in that epic battle and evacuated to a hospital in Japan. He returned to the U.S. in mid 1951.
He and his wife, Pat, lived in the Villa Homes during the winter months.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1999-06-02/news/9906020274_1_memorial-day-parade-political-rally-korea
While a member of ROTC in the late 1930s, Miles M. Vondra Jr. sealed his career path. Fresh out of St. Mel's High School, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and went on to win many awards for his efforts in World War II and the Korean conflict.
Mr. Vondra, 77, of Glenview died Sunday of complications from lung cancer at Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Evanston Hospital.
Mr. Vondra was stationed in the South Pacific during World War II, and later fought in seven frontal assaults in Korea, said his wife, Pat Vondra. Even after he was shot in the face with a machine gun in Korea in 1950 and discharged from active reserve duty, he served eight more years as an inactive reservist, she said.
The headline above a Feb. 18, 1953, Chicago Tribune article about Mr. Vondra read: "Ex-Marine Will Need Extra Chest for Medals." For his work in WWII, Mr. Vondra was awarded the Victory Medal, and for his efforts in Korea, he received the Presidential Unit Citation, the Bronze Star, United Nations Service Medal, American Defense Service honor and Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars, among many others.
"He was all about duty, honor, country," his wife said.
Before suffering a stroke several years ago, Mr. Vondra had organized Glenview's annual Memorial Day Parade for 30 years. Because of his efforts, the parade is a day for families and not politicians, said Bill Bickley, former commander of American Legion Post No. 166.
"There was a purpose," Bickley said. "He wanted the veterans to be recognized, and he didn't want it made into a political rally."
That often left Mr. Vondra on the hot seat with elected officials who wanted to spend Memorial Day politicking at the parade, but Bickley said his friend just wouldn't have it.
"If they wanted to speak, they were to speak solely about the veterans," said his wife. "He meant for it to be a community event."
Mr. Vondra also served as post commander, in addition to tackling anything that the legion membership asked, Bickley said.
"He was a very dynamic Legionaire," Bickley said. "Once he got involved in a project, he made sure that he saw it through to the end."
Mr. Vondra settled in Glenview with his wife, Pat, whom he met at a wedding at which he was the best man and she was the maid of honor. He worked as an insurance broker for 40 years and focused on estate planning. He was affiliated with the New England Life Co. and in 1983 sold $18 million in policies, Pat said.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Vondra is survived by a son, Michael; four daughters, Georgann Ashenden, Margaret Cothran; Patty and Susan; two granddaughters; and three grandsons. Visitation will be held from 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the Donnellan Family Funeral Home, 10045 Skokie Blvd. Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Thursday in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 1775 Grove St., Glenview.
http://rich07.tripod.com/vondra.htm
Miles M. Vondra, Jr.
Gunnery Sergeant - U.S. Marine Corps
1940 - 1948 - Active Reserves 1950 - 1956
World War II & Korean War
American Samoa - Guadalcanal - Marshall Islands - China - Korea
Sgt. Vondra was activated 10/1940 for 12 months. He was waiting to be discharged after 14 months when Pearl Harbor occurred. He was sent to San Diego and then to Arizona to recruit Apache Indians for the Marines. He was then sent to American Samoa for 23 months in guarding shipping and Australia. When he arrived on Guadalcanal he reenlisted for four years. Vondra was in the invasion of the Marshall Islands. He had two years to go when the war ended and was sent to China to supervise weapon warehouses for Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek. After two years he came back to the U.S. and became an Active Reservist. He and Pat were married in July 1950 just after the outbreak of the Korean War. Within a month he was on his way to Korea with the Marines and landed with McArthur at Inchon and participated in seven frontal assaults when he was withdrawn to go around the peninsula to Wonson. There he and his Marine buddies boarded trains headed for the Chosin Reservoir and one of the bloodiest and most difficult battles in Marine Corp history. Surrounded by several Chinese and North Korean Divisions, outnumbered by over 100 to 1 The Marine Corps 1st Division fought their way to Hungnam and evacuation by the U.S. Navy. It was snowing heavily and the temperature was 50 below zero as the Marines fought their way some 80 miles to the coast. That group of Marines are called "The Chosin Few" and are looked upon as the bravest Marines ever to wear the uniform. Miles was wounded in November 1950 in that epic battle and evacuated to a hospital in Japan. He returned to the U.S. in mid 1951.
He and his wife, Pat, lived in the Villa Homes during the winter months.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1999-06-02/news/9906020274_1_memorial-day-parade-political-rally-korea
While a member of ROTC in the late 1930s, Miles M. Vondra Jr. sealed his career path. Fresh out of St. Mel's High School, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and went on to win many awards for his efforts in World War II and the Korean conflict.
Mr. Vondra, 77, of Glenview died Sunday of complications from lung cancer at Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Evanston Hospital.
Mr. Vondra was stationed in the South Pacific during World War II, and later fought in seven frontal assaults in Korea, said his wife, Pat Vondra. Even after he was shot in the face with a machine gun in Korea in 1950 and discharged from active reserve duty, he served eight more years as an inactive reservist, she said.
The headline above a Feb. 18, 1953, Chicago Tribune article about Mr. Vondra read: "Ex-Marine Will Need Extra Chest for Medals." For his work in WWII, Mr. Vondra was awarded the Victory Medal, and for his efforts in Korea, he received the Presidential Unit Citation, the Bronze Star, United Nations Service Medal, American Defense Service honor and Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars, among many others.
"He was all about duty, honor, country," his wife said.
Before suffering a stroke several years ago, Mr. Vondra had organized Glenview's annual Memorial Day Parade for 30 years. Because of his efforts, the parade is a day for families and not politicians, said Bill Bickley, former commander of American Legion Post No. 166.
"There was a purpose," Bickley said. "He wanted the veterans to be recognized, and he didn't want it made into a political rally."
That often left Mr. Vondra on the hot seat with elected officials who wanted to spend Memorial Day politicking at the parade, but Bickley said his friend just wouldn't have it.
"If they wanted to speak, they were to speak solely about the veterans," said his wife. "He meant for it to be a community event."
Mr. Vondra also served as post commander, in addition to tackling anything that the legion membership asked, Bickley said.
"He was a very dynamic Legionaire," Bickley said. "Once he got involved in a project, he made sure that he saw it through to the end."
Mr. Vondra settled in Glenview with his wife, Pat, whom he met at a wedding at which he was the best man and she was the maid of honor. He worked as an insurance broker for 40 years and focused on estate planning. He was affiliated with the New England Life Co. and in 1983 sold $18 million in policies, Pat said.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Vondra is survived by a son, Michael; four daughters, Georgann Ashenden, Margaret Cothran; Patty and Susan; two granddaughters; and three grandsons. Visitation will be held from 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the Donnellan Family Funeral Home, 10045 Skokie Blvd. Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Thursday in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 1775 Grove St., Glenview.
Miles M. Vondra, Jr.
Gunnery Sergeant - U.S. Marine Corps
1940 - 1948 - Active Reserves 1950 - 1956
World War II & Korean War
American Samoa - Guadalcanal - Marshall Islands - China - Korea
Sgt. Vondra was activated 10/1940 for 12 months. He was waiting to be discharged after 14 months when Pearl Harbor occurred. He was sent to San Diego and then to Arizona to recruit Apache Indians for the Marines. He was then sent to American Samoa for 23 months in guarding shipping and Australia. When he arrived on Guadalcanal he reenlisted for four years. Vondra was in the invasion of the Marshall Islands. He had two years to go when the war ended and was sent to China to supervise weapon warehouses for Generalissimo Chiang Kai-Shek. After two years he came back to the U.S. and became an Active Reservist. He and Pat were married in July 1950 just after the outbreak of the Korean War. Within a month he was on his way to Korea with the Marines and landed with McArthur at Inchon and participated in seven frontal assaults when he was withdrawn to go around the peninsula to Wonson. There he and his Marine buddies boarded trains headed for the Chosin Reservoir and one of the bloodiest and most difficult battles in Marine Corp history. Surrounded by several Chinese and North Korean Divisions, outnumbered by over 100 to 1 The Marine Corps 1st Division fought their way to Hungnam and evacuation by the U.S. Navy. It was snowing heavily and the temperature was 50 below zero as the Marines fought their way some 80 miles to the coast. That group of Marines are called "The Chosin Few" and are looked upon as the bravest Marines ever to wear the uniform. Miles was wounded in November 1950 in that epic battle and evacuated to a hospital in Japan. He returned to the U.S. in mid 1951.
He and his wife, Pat, lived in the Villa Homes during the winter months.
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/1999-06-02/news/9906020274_1_memorial-day-parade-political-rally-korea
While a member of ROTC in the late 1930s, Miles M. Vondra Jr. sealed his career path. Fresh out of St. Mel's High School, he enlisted in the Marine Corps and went on to win many awards for his efforts in World War II and the Korean conflict.
Mr. Vondra, 77, of Glenview died Sunday of complications from lung cancer at Evanston Northwestern Healthcare Evanston Hospital.
Mr. Vondra was stationed in the South Pacific during World War II, and later fought in seven frontal assaults in Korea, said his wife, Pat Vondra. Even after he was shot in the face with a machine gun in Korea in 1950 and discharged from active reserve duty, he served eight more years as an inactive reservist, she said.
The headline above a Feb. 18, 1953, Chicago Tribune article about Mr. Vondra read: "Ex-Marine Will Need Extra Chest for Medals." For his work in WWII, Mr. Vondra was awarded the Victory Medal, and for his efforts in Korea, he received the Presidential Unit Citation, the Bronze Star, United Nations Service Medal, American Defense Service honor and Korean Service Medal with two bronze stars, among many others.
"He was all about duty, honor, country," his wife said.
Before suffering a stroke several years ago, Mr. Vondra had organized Glenview's annual Memorial Day Parade for 30 years. Because of his efforts, the parade is a day for families and not politicians, said Bill Bickley, former commander of American Legion Post No. 166.
"There was a purpose," Bickley said. "He wanted the veterans to be recognized, and he didn't want it made into a political rally."
That often left Mr. Vondra on the hot seat with elected officials who wanted to spend Memorial Day politicking at the parade, but Bickley said his friend just wouldn't have it.
"If they wanted to speak, they were to speak solely about the veterans," said his wife. "He meant for it to be a community event."
Mr. Vondra also served as post commander, in addition to tackling anything that the legion membership asked, Bickley said.
"He was a very dynamic Legionaire," Bickley said. "Once he got involved in a project, he made sure that he saw it through to the end."
Mr. Vondra settled in Glenview with his wife, Pat, whom he met at a wedding at which he was the best man and she was the maid of honor. He worked as an insurance broker for 40 years and focused on estate planning. He was affiliated with the New England Life Co. and in 1983 sold $18 million in policies, Pat said.
In addition to his wife, Mr. Vondra is survived by a son, Michael; four daughters, Georgann Ashenden, Margaret Cothran; Patty and Susan; two granddaughters; and three grandsons. Visitation will be held from 4 to 9 p.m. Wednesday in the Donnellan Family Funeral Home, 10045 Skokie Blvd. Mass will be said at 10 a.m. Thursday in Our Lady of Perpetual Help Church, 1775 Grove St., Glenview.
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