Michigan Heroes Museum

06/02/2026

Another Medal of Honor Recipient Col. Bruce Crandall passed away. God rest his Soul.

He was remembered by Joe Galloway. ‘Ol’ Snake’ Crandall is the bravest, craziest, funniest helicopter pilot I ever met in 43 years of going to war. On Nov. 14, 1965, during the Vietnam War’s Battle of Ia Drang, Snake and his wingman, Maj. Ed ‘Too Tall to Fly’ Freeman, led 16 slick Hueys into Landing Zone X-Ray again and again – hauling in 1st Battalion 7th Cavalry troops, hauling out their wounded, and hauling in resupplies of ammunition, water and medical supplies. When the LZ got so hot that Lt. Col. Hal Moore closed it, ‘Snake’ and ‘Too Tall’ just kept coming. Both of them earned the Medals of Honor they received for their actions. Scores of the wounded are alive today because of their heroism.”

06/02/2026

Our hero today was SSG Patrick W. Wisniewski who lost his life leaving Selfridge ANGB after his shift when an intoxicated driver hit his motorcycle.

Patrick Wisniewski
Staff Sergeant, United States Air National Guard
August 17, 1979 – June 2, 2013
Age – 33
New Baltimore, Michigan

Persian Gulf, Operation Iraqi Freedom
Selfridge Air National Guard Base, Harrison Township, MI
Died when an intoxicated driver hit his motorcycle as he left Selfridge ANGB

Jennifer Wisniewski says her 33-year-old husband sent her and her children a "sign" on the evening he died.
She'd spoken to Patrick Wisniewski a few hours earlier, she said "just a simple conversation."

Her husband since 2004, Staff Sgt. Wisniewski, finishing up his shift as a security officer at the Selfridge Air National Guard Base in Harrison Township last Sunday, asked his wife to heat up some leftover pizza for his dinner when he got home. But something odd happened a little later, said Jennifer Wisniewski.

"I was on the couch relaxing, and my daughters went up and got our wedding album," she said. "They brought it to the couch and were flipping through it."

Jennifer Wisniewski said they looked through the album together, her daughters commenting, "look how pretty you are and look how handsome daddy was."

Thinking nothing of it, she asked her children to put it away before they wrecked the pages, she said. "Five minutes later I got the call," said the mother of five. Her husband since 2004, a New Baltimore reserve police officer who planned to take a full-time position as a school resource officer next year, was gone.

Patrick Wisniewski died in a motorcycle crash Sunday after colliding with an unlicensed and intoxicated driver who turned in front of him, according to police.

He was remembered by fellow airmen as follows:

My heart is broken just thinking about the loss of such an amazing guy. I was in CAP with Pat. When I saw him at the last Air Show, he was on bike patrol. He stopped and gave me a hug and introduced me to his coworker as his "Cadet Commander," A title I haven't had in 17 years. It meant the world to me and I loved catching up with him and staying in touch on Facebook. I offer his family my deepest sympathy and am praying for you all.
Maria Myers

Wiz... May I one day have your sense of true balance between family, duty, honor, and country. You were the glue which kept many people together during tough times. We were blessed with your passion. While you take over the shift on your new eternal watch, your Family and fellow Defenders will always miss you. When it's my turn to stand watch where you are now, I hope you are my Flight Chief.
Alan Parks

06/01/2026

Today's hero is 1LT Adam Malson who lost his life after stopping to aid an Iraqi woman. Please remember 1LT Malson and his family today and every day.

Adam Malson
First Lieutenant, United States U.S. Army

November 7, 1981 – February 19, 2005
Age – 23
Rochester, Michigan

Operation Iraqi Freedom
4th Battalion, 31st Infantry Regiment,
Fort Drum, New York

Died from enemy fire after stopping to aid an injured Iraqi woman
1LT Adam Malson, 23, of Rochester Hills, Mich., was killed Feb. 19 by a su***de bomber in Baghdad while assisting a wounded Iraqi woman on her way to a mosque. He was based at Fort Drum. “I really think his compassion overcame him,” Ben Malson told the Detroit Free Press on Sunday. “He didn’t have to do that. He did what he felt was right. I think she must have felt comfort knowing that there was an American soldier over you, telling you everything’s OK.

He had been selected for training with the Army Rangers, an elite military unit similar to the Green Berets or the Navy SEALs. Adam was four months away from the end of his tour of duty. He would have celebrated his third wedding anniversary in May with his wife, Lindsey, 24, who is also in the military with the 10th Mountain Division of the Military Police. They met at Michigan State University in the ROTC.

Adam Malson began getting interested in current events in middle school and that prompted a special nickname. "We used to call him 'little Rush Limbaugh,' he was so conservative," his mother, Debra, said. "My dad was always very political. He adopted those views. He just felt it was important to defend his country."
Malson graduated from Michigan State University in 2003. He played football, wrestled and in high school was recruited for the shot put because of his size. His sister, Amy, said though she was the big sister, he was always the strong one. "We were complete opposites. I used to wonder how we came from the same people. He was always fearless and brave," she said. "He always had to be the best. If he couldn't excel, he didn't want to do it." That included academics, specifically grade point average. "I'm sure that really irked him, that he had a 3.97," she said.

1LT Malson was remembered as follows by two fellow soldiers.
“To the family of 1st LT Malson, I served with LT Malson. He was a great Officer and a great human being. LT Malson, I can never forget you, and all you have given. You had so much in life and you gave it all so that others could have it better, you died helping others. The Thanks I feel for your selfless service is beyond words. God be With You"
SSG Juhl of FT Leonard Wood, MO

Dear Malson Family,
It's been just over a year since this world lost a great man and a great soldier. I remember in the fall of 2004 when Adam came home to see his wife Lindsey who at the time has been my Platoon leader up until she became the XO for our Company. I met him briefly and right off the bat I knew he was a fun loving guy and it showed he made Lindsey's day when they were together. I was there the night my Squad Leader told me what happened to Adam and we both took a trip soon after to Lindsey's house to comfort her because we had so much love and respect for her and wanted to be there in her time of need. She has been by far my best PL I have ever had and every time we go to a formal military function we always toast to Adam in his honor for he truly was a Leader soldiers would follow.

To LT Malson, Lindsey you have been such an inspiration of what it means to be a true warrior, and a young NCO like myself couldn't have asked for a better LT. I am so sorry for your loss. I like other NCOs who have been around you since before we joined HHC know that Adam holds a special place in your heart and one in our souls. It's been a highlight in my career to have served with you and my prayers go out to you and your family.

To Adam: You fought the good fight, now go with God and fight no more. Will take it from here Sir!!."
SGT Michael Lang of Fort Drum, NY

06/01/2026

On this day in 2011 Col. Greg H. Johnson (USAF, Ret.) of Traverse City and Dr. Andrew Feustel of Lake Orion returned from Space Shuttle Mission STS-134. This was the penultimate mission of the Space Shuttle program and the last of Space Shuttle Endeavour. Landing occurred at 2:35am EDT at Kennedy Space Center’s Shuttle Landing Facility in Florida. The crew accomplished all of their objectives, including the installation of the last piece of hardware to the International Space Station (ISS), Alphamagnetic Spectrometer (AMS). The AMS is used to look for evidence dark matter, strange matter and antimatter. They also installed the Express Logistics Carrier-3 (ECL-3). ECL-3 contained spare parts for the outside of the station to allow replacement components to be available after the retirement of the Space Shuttle.

The first photo shows Endeavour just seconds before touchdown, while the second shows Endeavour on the runway. The last photo shows the crew of STS-134 gathered for a photo in front of their spaceship. Greg Johnson is second from the left while Drew Feustel is on the far right.

The uniform of Col. Johnson, the flightsuits of he and Dr. Feustel and other items they have donated can be seen at the Michigan Heroes Museum in Frankenmuth. Honor. Respect. Remember.

05/30/2026

All of these hero stories are hard, but this must be one of the hardest. It is the story of identical twin brothers - Bradley and Brandon Boone. Their story is so tragic and possibly with more mental health resources and worrying about the stigma of getting help, this may have been averted.

This family deserves all our thanks and prayers as they will be dealing with this loss for the rest of their lives.

Bradley Boone
Staff Sergeant, United States Army Reserve
April 29, 1990-March 5, 2017
Age – 26
Montrose, MI

Brandon Boone
Staff Sergeant, United States Army Reserve
April 29, 1990 - May 4, 2017
Age - 27
Montrose, MI

Operation Enduring Freedom
United States Army Reserve

The Boone brothers fought in Afghanistan as members of the U.S. Army Reserve. They both came back to Michigan, and they both committed su***de in 2017.

Bradley Boone died March 5, 2017. He was 26.
Brandon Boone died May 4, 2017. He was 27.

Fifty-nine days apart. The brothers spent 17 months in Afghanistan from 2010-2011, according to the family.

But when they came back, they both had changed dramatically. “Both of my boys were diagnosed with PTSD,” Charles said. “Drinking heavily, lots of anger, nightmares, waking up at all hours and hard time coping with jobs”. Charles said his sons had a hard time getting help and it’s a nightmare he’ll never outlive.

Bradley and his identical twin brother Brandon were born April 29, 1990, in Flint, Michigan. He had resided in Montrose. He graduated from Hill – McCloy High School in 2008 and served as a Staff Sergeant in the U.S. Army Reserve. He served a tour of duty in Afghanistan and was honorably discharged in 2016.

Bradley was a gifted, multi-sport athlete. He served as captain of the Montrose football and wrestling teams, earning a team state wrestling championship in 2004. He also placed 8th in individual state wrestling in 2007. At Oakland University, he also served as captain of the college's first national championship football team and was named an All-American offensive lineman. He helped create the football clubs at UM-Flint and Oakland University. Brad also served as a youth wrestling coach at Lake Orion. He enjoyed hunting, fishing, dancing, poetry and raising his chickens. He especially loved spending time with his infant son, Harlon.

Brandon married Amanda Atkinson May 17, 2013 and was employed as an apprentice at Kent Power Inc. of Grand Rapids. He was a multi-sport athlete involved in high school football, wrestling and weightlifting. He was also a member of the UM – Flint football team. He enjoyed s***t shooting, furniture refinishing, construction, and horseshoes.

05/30/2026

CBS Detroit covered Monday's Polar Bear Memorial Service at White Chapel Memorial Park Cemetery in Troy. The "Detroit's Own" Polar Bear Memorial Association is dedicated to honoring and maintaining the memory of the 339th Infantry Regiment, the 1st Battalion of the 310th Engineers, the 337th Ambulance Co., and the 337th Field Hospital of the U.S. Army's 85th Division. These men, officially designated the American North Russia Expeditionary Force (ANREF) and also known as "Detroit's Own" and "Polar Bears", were sent by President Wilson to North Russia, where they fought the Bolshevik Red Army from September 1918 through June 1919. They were called the Polar Bears because of the -60 degrees F conditions in which they served.

We proudly display the stories of those who served as Polar Bears at the Michigan Heroes Museum in Frankenmuth, MI. Stop by to learn more. Honor. Respect. Remember.

A service was held on Monday in Troy to honor Michigan's own "Polar...

05/29/2026

Our hero today is CPT Sean Grimes who is celebrating his 53rd birthday today with his fallen brothers.

Sean Grimes
Captain, United States Army
May 29, 1973 – March 4, 2005
Age – 31
Southfield, MI

Operation Iraqi Freedom
1st Infantry Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment,
2nd Brigade Combat Team, Camp Hovey, Korea

Died when an improvised explosive device detonated near
his patrol in Ramadi, Iraq

CPT Sean P. Grimes served as a physician assistant deployed to Iraq with the 2nd Infantry Division.

Sean P. Grimes was born on 29 May 1973 in Pontiac, Michigan to Donald and Mary Grimes. After high school, he served in the Army Reserve as a medic in an aviation unit. He graduated from Michigan State University in 1997 with a degree in Nursing and was commissioned as a Second Lieutenant in the Army Nurse Corps.

While in Germany he deployed for six months to Kosovo where he served as an assistant head nurse. After his time in Europe he decided to broaden his skills and attended the Military Physician Assistant (PA) program and then reported to Korea in 2003. CPT Grimes served in Korea with 6-37 Field Artillery as their PA and also served for a time as the DIVARTY Surgeon. When the announcement was made that 1-9 would deploy, he volunteered to join the Manchus and serve as the battalion physician assistant for the deployment. CPT Grimes was a brilliant practitioner of medicine. In addition to his broad base of skills and experience in the medical field, his personality made him even more effective.

He had a great sense of humor and was dedicated to his friends and family. He was a man of the world who loved foreign travel and constantly sought out new experiences. He was always upbeat and positive, and one could never leave a conversation with him without feeling happier. Amongst CPT Grimes’ awards and decorations are the Bronze Star (Posthumous), the Purple Heart (Posthumous), the Army Commendation Medal, The Kosovo Campaign Medal, the Combat Medic Badge, Aviator Crewman’s wings, the Basic Parachutist Badge and the Air Assault Badge.

Those who knew him said his devotion to caring for Soldiers inspired him to apply and be accepted into IPAP. He began is classroom studies in 2001 and was assigned to Fort Campbell for Phase II. Physician assistant candidates rotate through about 20 primary care settings and specialty services, like dermatology, internal medicine, and behavioral health during their clinical training at Blanchfield in order to gain knowledge and experience before graduating and getting assigned to a unit.

Capt. Grimes completed his rotation at Blanchfield in May 2003 and served as a physician assistant and as Division Artillery Surgeon for the 6th Battalion, 37th Field Artillery in the Republic of Korea. When 1st Battalion, 9th Infantry Regiment, 2nd Brigade Combat Team, 2nd Infantry Division was ordered to deploy into combat as part of Operation Iraqi Freedom, Captain Grimes volunteered to deploy with the unit to serve as the battalion’s physician assistant.

In Iraq, Grimes volunteered for more than 80 patrols and raids and treated at least 25 Soldiers who were wounded in combat. On March 4, 2005 while on patrol in Iraq, he became the first military physician assistant to be killed in action.
Known for his dedication and commitment caring for Soldiers as a physician assistant in the Army’s Medical Specialist Corps, the Interservice Physician Assistant Phase II training site at Blanchfield Army Community Hospital on Fort Campbell, Kentucky was formally named in his memory in 2011.

05/28/2026

Today's hero is CPL Kristopher J. Gould who gave his life for our freedom 15 years ago in Afghanistan. Please always remember his sacrifice and that of his family.

Kristopher J. Gould
Corporal, United States Army

February 12, 1986 – February 28, 2011
Age – 25

Frankenlust, Michigan

Operation Enduring Freedom
2nd Battalion, 2nd Infantry Regiment, 3rd Brigade Combat Team,
1st Infantry Division, Fort Knox, KY

Died of wounds received when insurgents attacked his unit using an Improvised explosive device in Afghanistan

Kristopher was born on February 12, 1986, in Saginaw. He was a 2004 graduate from Valley Lutheran High School. He began his military service in 2003, while still in high school, with the Michigan Army National Guard. He served in Iraq from 2005 - 2006, was in the military full-time from 2006 to the present and he was on his 2nd tour in Afghanistan.

While serving in Afghanistan, Gould performed traffic control point operations to restrict Taliban movement in the southern part of the country. He was a very caring and loving man and was so very proud when he wore his uniform to serve his country. Kristopher was involved in several Army combative tournaments.

Gould previously served a 12-month tour in Afghanistan from 2008 to 2009 and a 15-month tour in Iraq from 2005 to 2006. The 2004 Valley Lutheran graduate was on his third tour of duty in the Middle East. He most recently deployed in January as part of the U.S. Army’s 3rd Brigade Combat Team, 1st Infantry Division out of Fort Knox, Ky.

He loved to go dirt biking, motorcycle riding, and 4-wheeling in the mud, playing baseball and golf. Growing up, baseball was his life as he could play it 24-hours a day. He participated in football, baseball and wrestling while at Valley Lutheran. He enjoyed hunting with his late Uncle Paul Gottleber. Kristopher was a member of Bethlehem Lutheran Church and served with its usher group, youth group, and Boar's Head Festival.

His awards and decorations include: Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, National Defense Service Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, Army Achievement Medal, Overseas Service Ribbon, Combat Infantryman Badge, North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal, Army Commendation Medal, Armed Forces Reserve Medal for Mobilization, and the Army Service Ribbon.
He has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Purple Heart posthumously.

His former platoon sergeant remembered him as follows:
I was Kris' Platoon Sergeant here in Afghanistan, more importantly he was my friend! He was and is an inspiration to the whole platoon. He would do anything to help another Soldier, or friend. We miss him so much, and our condolences go out to his family. He was truly one of our brothers and will be with us until we return! We will fight for Kris, and he will not be forgotten!
Jeremy Benando

05/27/2026

Our hero today is SSG Mark D. Vasquez who gave his life almost 23 years ago so that we could continue to live in freedom in the greatest nation - The United States of America. Please remember his heroism and family today and every day. I thank God each and everyday for heroes like SSG Vasquez.

Mark D. Vasquez
Staff Sergeant, United States Army
April 19, 1968-November 8, 2003

Age – 35
Goodells, MI

1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment,
1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas

Died while on patrol in a Bradley Fighting Vehicle struck
by an improvised explosive device in Fallujah

Army Staff Sgt. Vasquez was assigned to 1st Battalion, 16th Infantry Regiment, 1st Infantry Division, Fort Riley, Kansas. Vasquez was in a Bradley Fighting Vehicle that was struck by an improvised explosive device in Fallujah. Mark grew up in Port Huron and in the nearby rural community of Goodells where he attended Port Huron High School. He was a practical joker, at times mischievous and rarely without a smile.

Before joining the Army in April 1993, he had little direction or discipline but he thrived in the Army; it was the guidance and discipline he needed. He was first stationed in Hawaii where he met his wife, Nicole. He had been stationed at Fort Riley, Kansas, since October 2002. He was a squad leader and was deployed to Iraq in September. Vasquez was a tough, competent soldier who had recently attended Army Ranger School. Mark was active and loved all kinds of sports. He had recently taken up golf and kept up with the Detroit Red Wings. He excelled at skateboarding and break dancing.

After joining the Army in April 1993, Vasquez was first stationed in Hawaii, where he met his wife, Nicole. A few years after they married, their daughter, Breanna, now 6, was born, and later they had a son, Cameron, 2.

Vasquez had been stationed at Fort Riley, Kan., since October 2002. He was a squad leader and deployed to Iraq in September. His family thought he was trained well enough to be OK. They weren’t even in battle; this was a peacekeeping mission.

Vasquez had missed his unit’s first deployment to Iraq while training in the U.S. Army Ranger School at Fort Benning, Ga.
A practical joker, and at times mischievous, family members said Vasquez was rarely without a smile and knew he wanted to go (to Iraq) ... he felt he had missed out before.

“He said he had a job he had to do and he was going to do it. I think that’s probably what he would say (right now) — he was doing his job.

“A fellow soldier wrote:

I just heard of Mark's passing as a message posted by somebody that left a comment on a picture I posted of Mark and I. I am very sorry for your loss, I know it's been several years since the incident, but as I just found out today I am saddened by the news. I tried looking for Mark several times on Facebook and many other social networks. I served with Mark from 1993-1996. We were battle buddies in Hawaii as were we in the same squad as Dragon Gunners. When we got deployed to Haiti Mark and I nicknamed ourselves "Dutch & Duece" while we played spades. Mark and I were unstoppable. We beat almost every team we played. Mark had a great sense of humor and we razzed guys in our squad, and tried to get a laugh out of everyone. I haven't seen or heard from Mark since 1996, but he was such a great friend and impacted my life so much that even 15 years later I still remember him and his characteristics. I wish the best for his friends and family that were impacted the most after his death, and only hope that time has had a chance to mend the sorrow you felt.

05/25/2026

Today is especially somber for our Gold Star families as we remember and pay respect to those that have given so much for our freedoms.

Here is an article written by SGT Joe Lilly's sister about Joe. Kathryn Wilgus, a Navy nurse who worked to try and save his life, provided many details that the Lilly's would never known about Joe's fight for his life.

"Memorial Day is the most expensive day on the calendar."