RWS Military Museum

05/08/2022

On this day in 1945, Germany’s instrument of Surrender was decided, and put into effect just prior on 7 May under command of Admiral Dönitz. The announcement of V-E Day was made public and celebrated 8 May 1945 across Europe, the Western World and the United States . With the war in The Pacific still raging on, there was still evil to be obliterated.

04/17/2022

The museum is heart broken to share the passing of Pig Iron’s (B co. 1-8 Cavalry) Company Commander and long time supporter of the museum, Lieutenant Colonel (Ret.) Jerry E. Fitzgerald whom we first met in 2016 at the company’s reunion. Jerry was a career Army Officer, serving Two Tours in Vietnam. His first tour was from 1966 to 1967 with the 199th Light Infantry Brigade, where for a short time he was an advisor for an ARVN Ranger Company Commander. His 2nd tour began in May of 1969 with Bravo Company (Pig Iron), 1st Btn, 8th Cav Regiment, 1st Cav Division). He took over command of the company from John Hottell III when he went to HQ 1st Cav Division where he was killed with General Casey min a Helicopter Crash. Jerry was a recipient of the Silver Star, Multiple Bronze Stars, ARMCOM w/ Valor and many other valor awards and ARVN Ranger Badge. Jerry would continue to serve until 1986 when he retired in 1986 as a Lieutenant Colonel. He also had two tours, West Germany and Korea. Jerry was the definition of a great Leader, man, and friend. Over a year ago, he donated his complete Dress Uniform, and other items from his service while will be on display at the museums shows. We will miss Jerry tremendously.

04/09/2022

In honor of today being Prisoner of War Recognition Day, we want to share a uniform with an amazing back story of the Marine that wore this uniform.

“These 4 Marines killed so many Germans, the N***s thought they were an entire Battalion.”
Yes, you read that right! SUPER STOKED I can finally share this since I restored his badges and awards on his summer service shirt! Not only was he apart of Peter Ortiz’s OSS team that dropped into Europe, but a PoW ESCAPEE AND a 3 war Vet! READ PART OF HIS OBITUARY BELOW!!

John P. Bodnar - USMC
“He fought in World War II, Korea, and two tours in Vietnam. He served from 1940 to 1972 in the Marine Corps. He worked for Drexel University as head of building and grounds for 11 years then as a tipstaff at the Montgomery County Court House until he was 80. In 1943, while a parachute instructor, Major Peter Ortiz, one of his students, recruited him for an OSS operation. In August 1944, he and six other Marines parachuted from 400 feet altitude from a B-17 in the French Alps to work behind the lines in Germany held territory to arm and train French resistance. Because of the difficulties involved in the jump, the team incurred complications. "We normally would jump at about one thousand feet," said retired SgtMaj. John Bodnar, one of the two remaining team members still alive to tell the story of Operation Union II. He was one of only a handful of Marines who fought WWII in Europe while serving on the Top Secret mission UNION II. After a fierce gunfight in CENTRON with a over 100 German soldiers, the three remaining Marines surrendered in order to save the town from being burnt to the ground by the Germans and civilians from being murdered. He was captured, sentenced to be killed as a spy, escaped and became a POW until May 1945. He received the French Legion of Honor, the Silver Star along with many other medals. He served in Korea and took part in the Inchon landings and the drive to the Chosin Reservoir attached to the 1st Marine Division. His first Vietnam tour was near the demilitarized zone; his second tour was near Da Nang airbase. John appeared in a lot of magazines and newspapers, and was on CBS TV with Charles Kuralt during the 1992 Winter Olympics. He was also a speaker on the Ralph Edwards TV Show "This is your Life" in the early 1950's when they honored Peter Ortiz, the leader of the OSS mission. ”

04/03/2022

Uniform of Lt. Francis Henry McCool McCool is a Pearl Harbor survivor and two war vet.
Yes I know the shoulder boards are wrong (it’s how I got it), I did replace them with the correct rank.
Francis Henry McCool entered service on 2 August 1940 at Naval Air Station in Pearl Harbor. He was given the rate of Electricians Mate and was mustered on the USS- Neosho as an enlisted man.. The ship arrived just one day before the attack on Pearl Harbor and was docked between the USS-California, USS-Maryland, and USS-Oklahoma. The Neosho and McCool took part in the Battle of Coral Sea where the Fleet Oiler was attacked by Japanese Aircraft from the Aircraft Carriers Shōkaku and Zuikaku , damaging her just enough to where she can still sail hardly between November 7 and 11. On November 11th, she rendezvoused with the USS Henley, where she sunk the Neosho. McCool then was brought aboard the USS-La Vallette Destroyer in August of 1942. Francis would survive two very horrific attacks one torpedo attack, and one Mine attack on the ship that badly damaged her. He earned two more battle stars with her than working in Occupied Japan and China at the end of the war. In 1946 he boarded the USS Bullard on the West Coast before the Bullard was Decommissioned. He then served in the Korean War Earning 3 campaign stars. He passed away in California some years ago. What a career and a hero! So glad I get to be the caretaker of his uniform and story!!

07/04/2021

I would love to wish everyone a very happy and safe Independence Day! Never forget the sacrifice every servicemen and women have made to keep this country free since 1776. Since my exhibit has finished up, I will be back to normal posting about items in the museum! Here are some new items (besides the flag) that I will post about soon! Also, I have some amazing news to share, can’t wait to share!!!

05/22/2021

Coming May 26th! World War II Veteran and Iwo Jima Survivor Don Graves, and Vietnam Veteran Dust-off Pilot Doug Petersen, will be speaking at a History Event for Senior High school Students for their History Classes at Breckenridge High School and also will be apart of The museum’s event. I will have a couple Tables set up with some of my Items that arent on display at my exhibit currently. Beyond stoked for this! Thank you so much to Calvin Best for helping making this happen!!

NOTE: THIS IS A CLOSED EVENT FOR STUDENTS/STAFF ONLY! IF YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE THEIR PRESENTATION I WILL POST A LIVE VIDEO!!

04/04/2021

HE IS RISEN!!
RWS Military Museum would love to wish everyone a Happy and Safe Resurrection/ Easter Sunday!

03/31/2021

In honor of Machine Gunner’s Day, I wanted to share a newer item to the museum!
WWII USMC Summer Service Hat that was issued to Arthur A. Liberty. Arthur A. Liberty was in M Company /3rd Battalion /23rd Marines, 4th MarDiv. Arthur was in the field from April 44'-July 45', fighting at Roi Namur, Saipan, Tinian and Iwo Jima. He was wounded on 2 February 1944 in Roi Namur- Kwajalein. His MOS was 504, Ammunition Handler or Ammo Bearer and by January 44' his MOS would be 604, Light Machine Gunner. His last muster roll is in 1957. Unfortunately, his muster rolls from boot camp and AIT are not on Ancestry. This will be an awesome research project when the archives open up!

02/07/2021

A quick update on the museum!! For the past few months, the museum along with the Breckenridge Fine Arts Center have been putting an amazing exhibit displaying the some of the items at the museum on display for everyone to see and learn about. Check out the amazing article the Breckenridge Texan wrote about the exhibit! On display from February to June 15th!

When Ricky Stober shows visitors around his RWS Military Museum exhibit, he somehow manages to combine a quiet reverence with unbridled enthusiasm for every item in the display.

12/26/2020

RWS Military Museum would like to wish everyone a Very Merry Christmas! This is a First Air Cavalry Christmas Card given to me in 2018 by Dan H of B/1/8 1st Cavalry Division- Company Callsign: Pigiron. Dan served in Pigiron from 5/1969 to 5/1970 and was awarded a Bronze Star, Army Commendation Medal and Air Medal amongst other awards. Thank you Dan for your service and for being so helpful in preserving the story of Pigiron! Thank you to Pigiron for also being such an amazing help and for your service!

12/08/2020

My friend Dale “Red” Robinson, Pearl Harbor Survivor. Red was stationed on this day, 79 years ago at Schofield Barracks during The Attack on Pearl Harbor. Dale told me the Japanese Planes were flying so low you can see the Japanese Pilots smiling down at them. Dale was sent home state side than shipped off to Europe where he would fight the Germans, and also took part in the Normandy Invasion. He was assigned to the 25th Infantry Division, 35th Infantry Regiment, Co.I while stationed at Schofield Barracks. I want to honor and remember all the Men and Women who survived that attack and didnt not on just the anniversary, but every day.

12/03/2020

Hey everyone! Wanted to send an Update/Reminder on the Museum’s exhibit at the Breckenridge Fine Arts Center. The exhibit was originally planned to open at the beginning of January but will now open February 5th! Can’t wait to share some amazing stuff and history!