SECOND CLASS PETTY OFFICER THADDEUS POLLARD

US Navy Second Class Petty Officer Thaddeus Pollard served the United States of America in World War II. Serving at Pearl Harbor, Mr. Pollard repaired submarines and installed radar gear on roughly two-thirds of all Navy submarines in existence at the time before joining the crew of USS Holland. Today, Mr. Pollard resides in Largo and shares his time with Honor Flight of West Central Florida and the ToyMakers of East Lake.

CORPORAL JACK HARMON

US Marine Corps Corporal Jack Harmon served the United States of America in World War II. On April 1, 1945, Corporal Harmon was part of the sixth wave to land in Okinawa, Japan. Today, Corporal Harmon resides in Redington Shores, FL.

CAPTAIN EDWIN LEVIN

US Air Force Captain Edwin Levin served the United States of America in World War II. During the War, Captain Levin flew 28 aerial missions from Italy into German-occupied territory and received the Air Force Air Medal for his aerial combat service. Captain Levin’s historic 483rd Bombardment Group played a significant role in the eventual defeat of Germany's forces during World War II.

LIEUTENANT HARLAN TWIBLE

US Navy Lieutenant Harlan Twible served the United States of America in World War II. Lieutenant Twible was aboard the historic USS Indianapolis when it was tragically sunk by enemy forces. After spending five nights and four days clinging to life in the shark-infested waters of the Philippine Sea, Lieutenant Twible was rescued. For his bravery and commitment to service, Lieutenant Harlan Twible was awarded the Purple Heart among many other accolades.

CORPORAL YAMEL ARRONTE

US Army Corporal Yamel Arronte served the United States of America as a combat medic during the Gulf War. Corporal Arronte was diagnosed with breast cancer in April 2013, enduring ten surgeries and a radical double mastectomy since diagnosis. A Tampa native and graduate from Leto High School and University of South Florida, Corporal Arronte now serves as an Area 2 Transportation district resource teacher for Hillsborough County Public Schools.

COLONEL BUZZ ALDRIN

Colonel Buzz Aldrin is an American icon that forever changed history when he was the Lunar Module Pilot on Apollo 11 to the first moon landing and along with Neil Armstrong became one of the first men to ever walk on the moon. After graduating third in his class at West Point, Buzz joined the Air Force where he flew F-86 Sabre jets in 66 combat missions in Korea. Joining NASA in 1963, Buzz pioneered many of the critical techniques that are still used to-date. In 1966, on the Gemini 12 Orbital Mission, Buzz performed the world’s first successful spacewalk and took the first selfie in space. On July 20, 1969, in front of a television audience of 600 million people, Buzz Aldrin and Neil Armstrong made their historic Apollo 11 moonwalk. For his bravery and commitment to service, Buzz was presented with the Presidential Medal of Freedom, the highest American peacetime award, among many other accolades. Today, Buzz Aldrin supports the VetSalute initiative – encouraging military veterans to salute the flag during the National Anthem. If you’re a veteran please salute the flag with Buzz to show your pride in your military service.

SERGEANT BENJAMIN LIZURA

US Army Sergeant Benjamin Lizura served the United States of America in World War II. During the war, Sergeant Lizura valiantly fought in Normandy on D-Day, Battle of the Bulge, and countless other small invasions in Central Europe, France and Germany. For his bravery and commitment to service, Sergeant Benjamin Lizura was awarded the World War II Victory Medal among many other accolades.

LIEUTENANT RUTH HECKINGER

US Army Lieutenant Ruth Heckinger served the United States of America in World War II. During the war, Lieutenant Heckinger served as an Army nurse in China, Burma and India, on dangerous missions to support the Flying Tigers, the first American Volunteer Group of the Chinese Air Force. Lieutenant Heckinger helped rescue wounded servicemen and pilots to rear hospitals for treatment and recovery.

GUNNER'S MATE FIRST CLASS GEORGE KASS

US Navy Gunner’s Mate First Class George Kass served the United States of America in World War II. During the war, he was on the USS San Francisco docked at Pearl Harbor when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor on December 7th, 1941. Gunner’s Mate First Class Kass was also on several other important ships during the war, including the USS Ashtabula that was torpedoed by the Japanese in the Philippines leaving sailors injured to limp back to the navy base. For his bravery and commitment to service, he was awarded many ribbons and medals.

CORPORAL MERRILL CRIPPEN

US Marine Corporal Merrill Crippen served the United States of America in World War II. During the war, Corporal Crippen valiantly fought in multiple battles, including the Battle of Iwo Jima, in which he was there for the raising of the flag. Out of 320 men he was one of only 23 men to survive. Corporal Crippen was shot 3 separate times during the war. For his service, he was awarded a Purple Heart Medal and a Silver Star Medal.