Another member of the Greatest Generation, PFC John Tashjian. He served as an infantry man in the 78th Lighting Division, 309th Infantry Regiment. Saw action in the Hurtgen Forest, Battle of the Bulge, participated in the capture of the Shwammanauel Dam, crossed the Rhine at Remagen after being wounded for the second time, and helped reduce the Ruhr Pocket. I’m honored to be able to call him a friend.

I can’t think of a better day than today to post my latest portrait. 79 years ago on this date [February 19, 2024], the US Marines landed on Iwo Jima. Lance Corporal Thomas Begay was among them. He is one of the three living Navajo code talkers and the only remaining code talker who saw action on Iwo Jima. A member it the 5th Marine Division, attached to the 27th. He is also a Korean War veteran serving as a forward observer in the Army and rose up to the rank of Ssgt. Saw combat at the Chosen Reservoir. Mr Begay just celebrated his 100th birthday on February 6th. He truly is one of our national treasures. A special thanks to my two models, reenactor Dean Strom( radioman) and retired Lcdr USN Hobie Saunders(officer with map)

“Pfc Rosario Lombardo” Rosi was a 19 year old kid when he was drafted into the army and sent to fight in Europe and the Rhineland as a member of the Eight Army Infantry. Nearly 70 years after the war he became aware that he had been awarded the Bronze Star Medal. During a conversation with him, he said he wished his father would have known, it would have made his dad so proud to know his son had received the 4th highest medal awarded by the military. We are all proud of you, and when people look at this portrait they will know Pfc Rosario Lombardo is a Bronze Star Medal recipient. Thank you for doing your part in protecting our rights and liberties.