American Veterans Center Conference This is an event hosted by the American Veterans Center at their 20th Annual Conference.
Four World War II Navy veterans who participated in the Battle of the Midway in June of 1942 recounted their experiences. The United States sank four Japanese aircraft carriers at the Battle of Midway, a decisive Naval victory that changed the course of World War II in the Pacific only six months after Pearl Harbor.
Three World War II veterans talked about their wartime experiences. The panel included a Pearl Harbor survivor, a member of the famed Doolittle Raiders, and a U.S. Navy ace pilot. The American Veterans Center hosted this panel discussion at their 20th annual conference.
Retired Air Force Brigadier General Steve Ritchie described the training and experiences that enabled him to shoot down five enemy MIG jets during the Vietnam War. The last American to become an Ace and the only Ace pilot from the Vietnam War, he was the recipient of the Air Force Cross and is one of the most highly decorated individuals in U.S. military history. He was joined by his wife, a native of Romania, who spoke about the hardships she endured growing up under communist rule.
Two U.S. Marine Corps officers and a U.S. Coast Guard captain talked about their personal experiences as women in the armed services in a panel discussion titled, “Leading Military Women: Commanders and Trailblazers in the U.S. Military.” All three of the women are combat veterans. The discussion was moderated by retired U.S. Army Brigadier General Anne Macdonald.
