Central Missouri possesses a bounty of history regarding brave men and women who have served both state and nation in the armed forces. German immigrants such as Wyatt Zimmerman left their homeland to seek the promise of a better life in Missouri only to be drawn into military service during the Civil War. Decades later, troops of a Missouri regiment in Fulton adopted a dog named “Boy” during their Spanish-American War service, watching as their canine friend received the coveted honor of meeting the President of the United States. Joseph Epps of Jamestown received a Congressional Medal of Honor more than a quarter-century following his heroics in the Philippines Insurrection. Years later, before the military draft of World War I drew thousands of Missourians into the service, William Borgmeyer of Westphalia left the dangers of construction work in 1915 and enlisted in the Army only to enter the front lines of combat in France a couple of years later. World War II introduced us to individuals such as David Shipley of Tipton, who used his service in the U.S. Navy to fight for civil rights. The Korean War demonstrated the dedication of citizens such as Don Wyss, whose service provided him the GI Bill benefits that helped him earn his doctorate degree. Finally, the heroism of those who served in the Vietnam War is exemplified by veterans like Nancy Maxwell of Freeburg, who trained as a Navy Corpsman and provided medical care to those injured overseas. This book presents the military accounts of dozens of our fellow citizens who quietly performed their military duties, spanning the Civil War through Vietnam and the Cold War. Although no work can truly capture all aspects of the sacrifices made on our behalf, this compilation presents many of the humble heroes that have lived among us.
