Shortly after the September 11, 2001 attacks, Kyle enlisted as a Ground Medic and in March 2003 participated in the initial invasion of Iraq where he spent 6 months bandaging, stitching, casting, and caring for wounded soldiers. Kyle was then deployed to Afghanistan and promoted to Flight Medic participating in dangerous missions to recover the critically wounded by descending from helicopters into bullet-ridden battlefields. In 2005, Kyle assisted a group of Marines ambushed by Improvised Explosive Devises and ground fire, including 4 trapped underneath an overturned vehicle and others who were critically injured. At the request of MEDEVAC, Kyle prepared his aircraft, obtained additional medical help and flew to the ambush site where the battle still raged as his aircraft arrived under heavy enemy fire. Upon landing, Kyle treated 2 Marines awaiting evacuation and then moved to the ambush site 500 meters up the road to render aid to the Marines pinned under the vehicle, made 2 trips into direct fire carrying a large gas-operated extrication saw to assist in extricating the wounded, loaded 2 onto a nearby vehicle for evacuation, and with insufficient room for a 3rd litter “buddy carried” a third Marine behind the vehicle to the waiting aircraft. Kyle’s dedication to duty under fire resulted in the evacuation of 6 critically injured Marines. For his “heroism, selflessness, and calm under pressure” Kyle received the Bronze Star with Valor. After volunteering for an extended Afghanistan deployment, an incoming mortar exploded near him in camp, and the percussion threw him across a tent resulting in whiplash and oxygen depletion to the brain. Despite experiencing difficulties with processing information and memory, Kyle completed his deployment. Upon returning home, Kyle was deemed a 100% Disabled Veteran.

Betty, a fifth-generation Californian, graduated from the University of California at Berkeley with a degree in English literature. Immediately after graduating from Cal Betty joined the Waves, the Navy’s branch for women, to serve in Word War II. Having a college degree, she was eligible to attend officers’ school, but chose to enlist and was sent for Wave basic training in New York. When her training was completed, Betty was designated a postal clerk and assigned to the Navy’s West Coast postal facility in San Francisco. An integral part of her assignment was access to the Navy’s code sheet, which revealed the top-secret locations of all ships in the U.S. Pacific Fleet. After two years of active duty in San Francisco, in October 1945, a month after the Japanese surrendered and World War II ended, Betty was honorably discharged with the rank of Petty Officer, Second Class. Betty’s deceased husband Lieutenant Colonel John A. Storch flew combat missions, 18 of which he led as the commanding officer of the 364th Fighter Squadron, in a P-51 “Mustang” long-range fighter bomber. John became a “double-ace” by downing 11 German airplanes in aerial combat over Leipzig, Dresden and Berlin. John’s decorations included 3 Distinguished Flying Crosses, a Silver Star, an Air Medal, and the French Croix de Guerre. Betty’s son Dr. John C. Storch is a Newport Beach internist and is a former Chief of Staff at Hoag. Betty has resided in the Bayshores community in Newport Beach for 67 years.

After graduating from the Naval Academy, Charlie completed Navy Flight Training and reported to Miramar Naval Air Station in San Diego. Charlie’s squadron, the Aardvarks, launched the F-4 Phantom Jet. Charlie flew 74 successful combat missions over North Vietnam and made over 100 carrier landings. On his 75th mission, just five days before the end of his tour, Charlie was shot down over Hanoi, taken prisoner, tortured, and spent the next 2,103 days in an 8-by-8 foot cell as a Prisoner of War. During his nearly six years of captivity, Charlie distinguished himself as a pro in underground communications. He was a great inspiration to all the other POW’s and served as chaplain for two years. Following his repatriation Charlie continued his Navy flying career in Reserve Squadrons. He retired from the U.S Navy after 28 years of service. His decorations include the Legion of Merit, Silver Star, 2 Bronze Stars, 2 Purple Hearts, Air Medals, P.O.W. Medal, Vietnam Service Medal, Republic of Vietnam Campaign Medal with 1960 Device, and a combat action Ribbon. His combat unit received a Presidential Unit Citation. Charlie now speaks for audiences in almost every industry with stories that parallel his POW experience with the challenges of everyday life.

Bing enlisted as an airman in the United States Air Force in 1953. After completing basic training, he was stationed in Alabama. Starting November, 1953, Bing spent 15 months training as a pilot in Texas, Missouri, and Arizona. In February, 1955, he received his commission as an officer and his pilot wings. During the next 11 years, Bing was stationed in Nevada, the Philippines, Okinawa, Texas, Arizona, and England, followed by 1 year in Vietnam where he flew 255 combat missions. Bing’s last flying assignment was a 3-year tour in Louisiana. His primary flying assignments included the F-86, F100, and A-7. When not actively flying, Bing attended various professional military schools and was with the inspector general’s office. In 1979, after 3 years at Nellis Air Force Base in Nevada, Bing retired from the Air Force with the rank of Colonel. Bing’s combat decorations include the Legion of Merit, 2 Silver Stars, 12 Air Medals, a Bronze Star and the Vietnamese Cross of Gallantry with Silver Star. Bing has been married for over 60 years to the former Vickie Matthews from Pasadena, California. Bing and Vickie have lived on Balboa Island since 1979.

Norm enlisted in the Navy in 1942 at 18, graduated from Naval flight school, was assigned to the Marine Corps, and served until 1969, flying 393 combat missions in World War II, Korea and Vietnam. Norm’s decorations include a Silver Star (Korea) and a Gold Star in lieu of a 2nd Silver Star (Vietnam) and 2 Distinguished Flying Crosses (PBJ bombers WWII/helicopters Korea). The Korean War Silver Star was awarded for rescuing a downed airman in enemy-held territory. Despite grave hazards, Norm volunteered to fly an unarmed helicopter into an area infested with enemy troops to attempt the rescue. Despite a radio damaged by intense automatic weapons fire, he continued the search until locating the downed pilot. With the enemy 100 yards from the doomed airman, Norm flew directly into continuous ground fire to effect his rescue. His Vietnam War Silver Star was for leading 17 helicopters in 3 successive assaults transporting a Vietnamese battalion into an unsecured landing zone under intense automatic weapons fire from 2 Viet Cong companies. Despite damage to his aircraft and many others from enemy fire during the 1st landing, Norm continued the assault to prevent the annihilation of the Vietnamese troops. Disregarding his own safety leading the 2nd landing, Norm kept his aircraft exposed broadside to the heaviest enemy fire, giving his gunner full opportunity to deliver suppressive fire as wounded troops were evacuated. Although the volume of enemy fire increased, causing numerous casualties, Norm returned a third time with the remnants of his squadron to successfully complete the landing of the assault troops, again taking the most exposed position in the landing zone for his helicopter. Norm’s son Dick Ewers and his grandson Gary Ewers were also career Marine Corps aviators. Norm is 94 years old and resides in Irvine.

John received a four-year Naval ROTC Scholarship from Villanova University, graduating with a Bachelor of Science Degree in Business Administration- Finance. Upon graduation, John was commissioned an Ensign in the United States Navy to join the Pacific Fleet in San Diego. With tours as a Communication Officer and Damage Control Assistant on board the USS David R. Ray, as a Lieutenant John served in the Persian Gulf during the early stages of Operation Desert Shield. After serving another 16 years of duty in the Naval Reserve, John retired in 2010. His decorations include the Navy Commendation Medal, Navy Achievement Medal (3 ), National Defense Medal (2), Southwest Asian Defense Medal, Armed Forces Expeditionary Medal, Kuwaiti Liberation Medal, the Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and the Sea Service Deployment Ribbon. John is the Director of Regional Operations, Central Region for Generations Healthcare, and also the Director of Operations for Generations Healthcare’s newest facility in Henderson, Nevada.