SEARCH RESULTS

Erik Halfmann

---

It was a plum assignment. Erik Halfmann's platoon became the security detachment for Gen. John Kelly. They traveled with him everywhere he went. It was on one of these convoys that an IED struck the lead vehicle and then the ambush began in earnest. (6:31)

---

Erik Halfmann's job as part of Gen. Kelly's security detachment meant that he was in both Fallujah and Ramadi at various times. IEDs were always a threat. Soon after returning from this second deployment, the men of 2nd Platoon gathered in Wyoming to meet the family of their fallen comrade, Chance Phelps. (3:22)

---

Life as a Marine after two combat tours was a lot slower. Erik Halfmann hated to say it but it was actually boring. He also had a new desire to start a family so those two things led to his leaving the Corps. (4:40)

---

As a veteran, you want people to have a positive view of what you did. Erik Halfmann feels that his duty in Iraq had a positive effect. He recalls handing out soccer balls to kids and how the Iraqis welcomed them during Saddam's overthrow. One thing that is very positive is reunions with all the guys. (3:47)

Erling Kindem

---

Erling Kindem recounts the circumstances that led to his parents migrating from Norway to a small farm in Minnesota. Growing up with a big family during the war meant that he and his brothers went off to enlist soon after it started. (10:13)

---

Just before his 18th birthday, Erling Kindem enlists in the Army Air Corps. He remembers some of the physical challenges that he found as he headed to Missouri for basic training. After thinking that he would (11:46)

---

Erling Kindem remembers some special treatment he had the fortune of getting while stationed for training in Sioux Falls. After his time there, he transitioned to the hot deserts of Arizona for gunnery school. (8:41)

---

Erling Kindem remembers his eventful trip across the Atlantic. Upon arrival in Italy, he saw the extreme poverty of war through the Italian townspeople before the cold of winter hit Italy. (12:44)

---

In order to avoid civilian casualties during air raids over Italy, Erling Kindem's squadron had specific targets to cause maximum damage to infrastructure with minimal casualties. After operations like these, they underwent extensive briefing to assess how much damage was really done. (6:38)

---

During long flights at high altitudes, Kindem and his squadron had to go to extra lengths to preserve oxygen. One particular mission, a group of Germans with an old American plane tried to join Kindem's formation and faced the consequences. (5:55)