Proviso East High School Alumni
Maywood, Illinois (IL)
Recent Members
| Alexander Wicks | 1983 |
| Cynthia D | 1983 |
| Donald Liedke | 1974 |
| Gaby Muniz | 1994 |
| Gerald Jeskey | 1957 |
| John Trappe | 1961 |
| Mike Biancofiori | 1967 |
| William Baas | 1966 |
Military Alumni
Honoring Our Heroes
This area is dedicated to our alumni that have served or are serving in our armed forces!
Lost Class Rings
Have you lost your Proviso East High School class ring? Have you found someone's class ring? Visit our Pirates lost class ring page to search for your class ring or post information about a found ring.
Honored Military Alumni
Carey Ashford
Class of 1985
Army, 20+ Years
Great Army career, It has allowed me to see many parts of the World, Good and Bad. "AIRBORNE"
Class of 1985
Army, 20+ Years
Great Army career, It has allowed me to see many parts of the World, Good and Bad. "AIRBORNE"
David Anderson
Class of 1983
Army, 20+ Years
4 years USMC and 20 years Army. Served in Beirut and Operation Desert Storm as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician.
Class of 1983
Army, 20+ Years
4 years USMC and 20 years Army. Served in Beirut and Operation Desert Storm as an Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Technician.
Donald Owings
Class of 1957
Air Force, 20+ Years
Served in San Antonio, Texas, Burtonwood RAF Station, UK, Patrick AFB, Fl, Camp Shusterburg, Holland, Cigli Air Base, Turkey, Washington, DC, Schoofield Barracks, Hi, Viet Nam, Fairchild AFB, Spokan, Wash, Ft, Campbell, Ky
Played Service Football, Baseball and Fast Pitch Softball
Graduate of FBI National Academy. Career in Law Enforcement, Physical Security, and Anti-Terrorism. Served as Us. Sky Marshall on international flights.
Played Varsity Baseball, football and cross country at Proviso (East) High School.
Class of 1957
Air Force, 20+ Years
Served in San Antonio, Texas, Burtonwood RAF Station, UK, Patrick AFB, Fl, Camp Shusterburg, Holland, Cigli Air Base, Turkey, Washington, DC, Schoofield Barracks, Hi, Viet Nam, Fairchild AFB, Spokan, Wash, Ft, Campbell, Ky
Played Service Football, Baseball and Fast Pitch Softball
Graduate of FBI National Academy. Career in Law Enforcement, Physical Security, and Anti-Terrorism. Served as Us. Sky Marshall on international flights.
Played Varsity Baseball, football and cross country at Proviso (East) High School.
DONALD W ANTHONY
Class of 1971
Air Force, 4 Years
324TH BOMB WING(SAC) COMBAT SUPPORT GROUP
Class of 1971
Air Force, 4 Years
324TH BOMB WING(SAC) COMBAT SUPPORT GROUP
Dr. Dan Schilling Nguyen, PhD
Class of 1989
Marine Corps, 4 Years
I am passionate about life and the idea of the American dream – that all men are created equal and endowed by their creator. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are the essence of the American idea. I had the opportunity to meet the most bravery United States Marines Corps leaders one can never imagine or even would love to in my situations. The passages follow will help describe best.
During my four years in high school, I never thought about joining the military after high school graduation or even in college. If that was the case I would’ve joined ROTC at Illinois Institute of Technology. I graduated with a bachelor of science in electrical engineering degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology. Then, I decided to join the military (the United States Marines Corps) on January 24, 1994 since the job market in electrical engineering was very slow or hard at that time. I thought this would be a good opportunity for me to serve, defense, and protect the constitution and the flag of my only beloved country. After about four months of booth camp and combat training, I attended administration school in Jacksonville, North Carolina for two months. Shortly after that, I joined the Marines Logistics Squadron-14 S1 as a personnel clerk responsible for maintaining the squadron Service Record Books and other related pay paperwork. I enjoyed being stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station in Cherry Point, NC for three years. While I was in the U.S. Marines Corps, I took the opportunity to change first and middle name to Minh Cao. I also had an opportunity stationing overseas for one year (Iwakuni, Japan and Aviano, Italy six months each). I would have enjoyed it more if I knew how to speak Italian or even Japanese. I enjoyed learning new cultures, meeting new people, and sight-seeing. I was very glad to serve my country as being the United States Marine as well as the first one in my family in America to serve for my one and only beloved country. The military gave me the opportunity to travel, learn more discipline, gain confident, and saved money for future education (e.g., MGIB). I used my military Montgomery GI Bill and Illinois Veteran Grant while obtaining my master of science in computer science degree at the Northeastern Illinois University.
The two most interesting, bravery, and very well-known U.S. Marines Corps Leaders I happened to meet at Cherry Point, NC were Gen. Charles Krulak, a former U.S. Marines Corps Commandant and Lt. Col Stephen Foreman. During Gen. Krulak visit Cherry Point, NC I happened to be at the Navy Hospital for my medical checkup. When Gen. Krulak arrived to the hospital with military policemen, he started to shake my hand, asked how I pronounce my last name, and took a picture with me. After that I was heading toward the Provost Marshall Office where I work and also helped at the Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point Welcome Center. Gen. Krulak also arrived to the Provost Marshall Office with the military policemen. This time he also asked to take a picture with me again. Gen. Krulak was jokingly stated that next time I will see him he already started to jump me.
Lt. Col Stephen Foreman was also kind and friendly to me when I was with MALS-14 S-1 Headquarter at Cherry Point, NC. During the Vietnam War, Lt. Col Foreman was one of the U.S. Marines who helped the South Vietnamese Marines fought against the communists and recaptured Hue in 1968. He told me that during that time he was an enlisted U.S. Marines Sergeant. Wow! I thought that was cool that he lived to tell me the bravery experiences what he went thorough. While, I was stationing in Iwakuni, for six months and Lt. Col Foreman was there, too. My sergeant from MALS-14 S-1 in Iwakuni, Japan was giving me a hard time at that time. Lt. Col Foreman decided to stop her from bullying me. Thus, she was so upset when she found out that Lt. Col Foreman was in her way.
Coincidently, during 1968-1975 when the South Vietnamese Marines were stationing closed to my parents’ home in Hue, Vietnam and many of them came to my parents’ home for a visit. One of them even let me wore his bullet proof life vest jacket with two hand grenades attached to it. I also had a chance to visit the battalion where South Vietnamese Marines stationed in Phu Bai, Vietnam. Was that one of the reasons why I joined the U.S. Marines in America due my previous connections with the South Vietnamese Marines? Or was it due to their war fighting bravery and won most of the famous major battles? One of my sisters even was shocked to hear that I joined the U.S. Marines Corps, The Few and The Proud. I also let the reader to be the judge of this incident.
The United States Marine Corps Recruit Training and Marines Combat Training where I had the opportunities to learn and be like a real world soldier. With those real world soldier like training experience I was ready to fight, defense, protect, and preserve the constitution and the flag of the United States of America. Thus, I would encourage every young man should have these bravery experiences. These experiences can help one to become strong leader, father, son or daughter as well making quick and informed decision in a real life or death situation could help save other people lives in the battle field as well as in a civilian life.
In 1997 one of my comrades and I from our parent squadron (MALS-14 S1) had the opportunity to join the Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 3 (VMAQ-3) aka Moondogs is one of four Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadrons in the United States Marine Corps. Early 1997 found the Moondogs preparing to deploy to Aviano Air Base, Italy. From February to August the Moondogs conducted air operations over Bosnia in support of Operation Deliberate Guard while also supporting Operation Silver Wake, a Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation conducted in Albania.
These four year experiences while serving as active duty for U.S. Marines Corps helped me gain more confident and becoming a better leader as well as the opportunities to meet and learn other people cultures especially ways to conduct a business. I volunteered to serve and promised to help defense, preserve, and protect the constitution and the flag of the United States of America. In a return, I used my Montgomery GI Bill, Illinois Veteran Grant (free tuition) for my Computer Science Master’s Degree at the Northeastern Illinois University. Additionally, I also got 10% off for my tuition during my Ph.D. program of study at Walden University 2010-2013.
Class of 1989
Marine Corps, 4 Years
I am passionate about life and the idea of the American dream – that all men are created equal and endowed by their creator. Life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness are the essence of the American idea. I had the opportunity to meet the most bravery United States Marines Corps leaders one can never imagine or even would love to in my situations. The passages follow will help describe best.
During my four years in high school, I never thought about joining the military after high school graduation or even in college. If that was the case I would’ve joined ROTC at Illinois Institute of Technology. I graduated with a bachelor of science in electrical engineering degree from the Illinois Institute of Technology. Then, I decided to join the military (the United States Marines Corps) on January 24, 1994 since the job market in electrical engineering was very slow or hard at that time. I thought this would be a good opportunity for me to serve, defense, and protect the constitution and the flag of my only beloved country. After about four months of booth camp and combat training, I attended administration school in Jacksonville, North Carolina for two months. Shortly after that, I joined the Marines Logistics Squadron-14 S1 as a personnel clerk responsible for maintaining the squadron Service Record Books and other related pay paperwork. I enjoyed being stationed at the Marine Corps Air Station in Cherry Point, NC for three years. While I was in the U.S. Marines Corps, I took the opportunity to change first and middle name to Minh Cao. I also had an opportunity stationing overseas for one year (Iwakuni, Japan and Aviano, Italy six months each). I would have enjoyed it more if I knew how to speak Italian or even Japanese. I enjoyed learning new cultures, meeting new people, and sight-seeing. I was very glad to serve my country as being the United States Marine as well as the first one in my family in America to serve for my one and only beloved country. The military gave me the opportunity to travel, learn more discipline, gain confident, and saved money for future education (e.g., MGIB). I used my military Montgomery GI Bill and Illinois Veteran Grant while obtaining my master of science in computer science degree at the Northeastern Illinois University.
The two most interesting, bravery, and very well-known U.S. Marines Corps Leaders I happened to meet at Cherry Point, NC were Gen. Charles Krulak, a former U.S. Marines Corps Commandant and Lt. Col Stephen Foreman. During Gen. Krulak visit Cherry Point, NC I happened to be at the Navy Hospital for my medical checkup. When Gen. Krulak arrived to the hospital with military policemen, he started to shake my hand, asked how I pronounce my last name, and took a picture with me. After that I was heading toward the Provost Marshall Office where I work and also helped at the Marine Corps Air Station, Cherry Point Welcome Center. Gen. Krulak also arrived to the Provost Marshall Office with the military policemen. This time he also asked to take a picture with me again. Gen. Krulak was jokingly stated that next time I will see him he already started to jump me.
Lt. Col Stephen Foreman was also kind and friendly to me when I was with MALS-14 S-1 Headquarter at Cherry Point, NC. During the Vietnam War, Lt. Col Foreman was one of the U.S. Marines who helped the South Vietnamese Marines fought against the communists and recaptured Hue in 1968. He told me that during that time he was an enlisted U.S. Marines Sergeant. Wow! I thought that was cool that he lived to tell me the bravery experiences what he went thorough. While, I was stationing in Iwakuni, for six months and Lt. Col Foreman was there, too. My sergeant from MALS-14 S-1 in Iwakuni, Japan was giving me a hard time at that time. Lt. Col Foreman decided to stop her from bullying me. Thus, she was so upset when she found out that Lt. Col Foreman was in her way.
Coincidently, during 1968-1975 when the South Vietnamese Marines were stationing closed to my parents’ home in Hue, Vietnam and many of them came to my parents’ home for a visit. One of them even let me wore his bullet proof life vest jacket with two hand grenades attached to it. I also had a chance to visit the battalion where South Vietnamese Marines stationed in Phu Bai, Vietnam. Was that one of the reasons why I joined the U.S. Marines in America due my previous connections with the South Vietnamese Marines? Or was it due to their war fighting bravery and won most of the famous major battles? One of my sisters even was shocked to hear that I joined the U.S. Marines Corps, The Few and The Proud. I also let the reader to be the judge of this incident.
The United States Marine Corps Recruit Training and Marines Combat Training where I had the opportunities to learn and be like a real world soldier. With those real world soldier like training experience I was ready to fight, defense, protect, and preserve the constitution and the flag of the United States of America. Thus, I would encourage every young man should have these bravery experiences. These experiences can help one to become strong leader, father, son or daughter as well making quick and informed decision in a real life or death situation could help save other people lives in the battle field as well as in a civilian life.
In 1997 one of my comrades and I from our parent squadron (MALS-14 S1) had the opportunity to join the Marine Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadron 3 (VMAQ-3) aka Moondogs is one of four Tactical Electronic Warfare Squadrons in the United States Marine Corps. Early 1997 found the Moondogs preparing to deploy to Aviano Air Base, Italy. From February to August the Moondogs conducted air operations over Bosnia in support of Operation Deliberate Guard while also supporting Operation Silver Wake, a Non-Combatant Evacuation Operation conducted in Albania.
These four year experiences while serving as active duty for U.S. Marines Corps helped me gain more confident and becoming a better leader as well as the opportunities to meet and learn other people cultures especially ways to conduct a business. I volunteered to serve and promised to help defense, preserve, and protect the constitution and the flag of the United States of America. In a return, I used my Montgomery GI Bill, Illinois Veteran Grant (free tuition) for my Computer Science Master’s Degree at the Northeastern Illinois University. Additionally, I also got 10% off for my tuition during my Ph.D. program of study at Walden University 2010-2013.
James Johnson
Class of 1976
Air Force, 20+ Years
Military Service Career in Washington, D.C., Biloxi, MS, Turkey, and Denver, CO. Received Achievement Medal, 2 Commendation Medals, Training Ribbon, 2 Southwest Asia Service Medals, 2 Short Tour Ribbons, 2 Overseas Long Tour Ribbons, National Defense Service Medal, 5 Longevity Service Awards, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon/Rifle, 2 Professional Military Education Ribbons, Outstanding Unit Award, Organizational Excellence Award, and 6 Good Conduct Medals.
Class of 1976
Air Force, 20+ Years
Military Service Career in Washington, D.C., Biloxi, MS, Turkey, and Denver, CO. Received Achievement Medal, 2 Commendation Medals, Training Ribbon, 2 Southwest Asia Service Medals, 2 Short Tour Ribbons, 2 Overseas Long Tour Ribbons, National Defense Service Medal, 5 Longevity Service Awards, Small Arms Expert Marksmanship Ribbon/Rifle, 2 Professional Military Education Ribbons, Outstanding Unit Award, Organizational Excellence Award, and 6 Good Conduct Medals.
Janet M. Schoder
Class of 1961
Air Force, 4 Years
WAF in Air Force at Westover A.F.B. in Mass.
Class of 1961
Air Force, 4 Years
WAF in Air Force at Westover A.F.B. in Mass.
John Peck
Class of 1961
Navy, 4 Years
four years as a Navy Damage Controlman (Firefighter). Served from August 61 through August 65. Vietnam Veteran
Class of 1961
Navy, 4 Years
four years as a Navy Damage Controlman (Firefighter). Served from August 61 through August 65. Vietnam Veteran
Marshell Forte
Class of 1987
Army, 4 Years
Served US Army from October 1988 to 1992
Class of 1987
Army, 4 Years
Served US Army from October 1988 to 1992
Marshell Forte
Class of 1987
National Guard, 3 Years
Served Texas National Guard from 2001 to 2004
Class of 1987
National Guard, 3 Years
Served Texas National Guard from 2001 to 2004
Michael A. Nettles
Class of 1980
Marine Corps, 11 Years
After as 6 month tour in Gitmo, my first 5 years I was in th Middle east learning the and various outher Afican countries. On Oct. 23 1983 which was a sunday morning 241 serviice men were Killed due to a suicide bomber. we were mostly sleeeping in the under the Airport building's pillars I was buried undder the rubble for more than 24 hours. My Unit was an attachment to 1/8 of my unit of 22only 5 of 22 of us survived/ Headquarters Marine Corp sent orders For me To report to the Drill Instructer school/ fron the Drill Field I receiced orders once again this time I was sent to Recruiter school ironically my Dutyy station was was in Illinois
I had completed a the Circle...I have some issues from the Bombing and other things that I did while in the Marine Corps concerning other countries. Yet I'm Proud to have worn the uniform. Once a Marnie Always a Marine OORHA!
Class of 1980
Marine Corps, 11 Years
After as 6 month tour in Gitmo, my first 5 years I was in th Middle east learning the and various outher Afican countries. On Oct. 23 1983 which was a sunday morning 241 serviice men were Killed due to a suicide bomber. we were mostly sleeeping in the under the Airport building's pillars I was buried undder the rubble for more than 24 hours. My Unit was an attachment to 1/8 of my unit of 22only 5 of 22 of us survived/ Headquarters Marine Corp sent orders For me To report to the Drill Instructer school/ fron the Drill Field I receiced orders once again this time I was sent to Recruiter school ironically my Dutyy station was was in Illinois
I had completed a the Circle...I have some issues from the Bombing and other things that I did while in the Marine Corps concerning other countries. Yet I'm Proud to have worn the uniform. Once a Marnie Always a Marine OORHA!
Michael A. Nettles
Class of 1980
Marine Corps, 11 Years
My first 5 years I was in th Middle east. Oct. 23 1983 which was a sunday morning 241 marines were Killed dut to bombing of Airport building I was buried for 24 hours. I team was an attachment to 1/8 of my tean of 22 counting me as well only 5 of 22 survived/ Headquarters Marine Corp sent orders For me To report to the Drill Instructer school/ fron the Drill Field I receiced orders once again this time iI was sent to Recruiter school ironically my Dutyy station was was in Illinois
Class of 1980
Marine Corps, 11 Years
My first 5 years I was in th Middle east. Oct. 23 1983 which was a sunday morning 241 marines were Killed dut to bombing of Airport building I was buried for 24 hours. I team was an attachment to 1/8 of my tean of 22 counting me as well only 5 of 22 survived/ Headquarters Marine Corp sent orders For me To report to the Drill Instructer school/ fron the Drill Field I receiced orders once again this time iI was sent to Recruiter school ironically my Dutyy station was was in Illinois
Michael Stokes, PhD
Class of 1976
Army, 6 Years
Ft. Sill, OK
Ft. Polk. LA
Augsburg, Germany
Class of 1976
Army, 6 Years
Ft. Sill, OK
Ft. Polk. LA
Augsburg, Germany
Richard Harris
Class of 1978
Navy, 4 Years
Served abord the USS Shreveport, as a diesel mechanic.
Class of 1978
Navy, 4 Years
Served abord the USS Shreveport, as a diesel mechanic.
Robert Ramey
Class of 1990
Army, 18 Years
Serves as a First Sergeant in a 1st Cavalary Division.
Class of 1990
Army, 18 Years
Serves as a First Sergeant in a 1st Cavalary Division.
Thomas Farrell
Class of 1971
Navy, 20+ Years
26 years in the navy. retired in the best navy town,
Class of 1971
Navy, 20+ Years
26 years in the navy. retired in the best navy town,
walter h. cheely
Class of 1940
Marine Corps, 11 Years
3rd mardiv pacific 1943-1945
ist mardiv china 1946
1st90 gun bn korea 1950-1953
Class of 1940
Marine Corps, 11 Years
3rd mardiv pacific 1943-1945
ist mardiv china 1946
1st90 gun bn korea 1950-1953
Wesley Fortman
Class of 1968
Marine Corps, 7 Years
Served in Vietnam, was asst. warden at Great Lakes Naval base, was a combat instructor at Camp Lejune North Carolina.
Class of 1968
Marine Corps, 7 Years
Served in Vietnam, was asst. warden at Great Lakes Naval base, was a combat instructor at Camp Lejune North Carolina.
Wesley Fortman
Class of 1968
Marine Corps, 7 Years
Went to bootcamp in San Diego, Ca MCRD served in Vietnam, Phiilipines, Great Lakes Navel base, and was a combat instructor at Camp Lejuene North Carolina, left Marine Corps as a Sgt (E-5)
Since leaving the Corps, became member of American Legion was Post Commander for 2yrs Post 838 John Shelton Maywood IL, also member of VFW Bloomingdale,IL and Marne Corps League, Woodstock IL....
Class of 1968
Marine Corps, 7 Years
Went to bootcamp in San Diego, Ca MCRD served in Vietnam, Phiilipines, Great Lakes Navel base, and was a combat instructor at Camp Lejuene North Carolina, left Marine Corps as a Sgt (E-5)
Since leaving the Corps, became member of American Legion was Post Commander for 2yrs Post 838 John Shelton Maywood IL, also member of VFW Bloomingdale,IL and Marne Corps League, Woodstock IL....
Alumni Stories
Read and submit stories about our classmates from Proviso East High School, post achievements and news about our alumni, and post photos of our fellow Pirates.
School News
I'm a Grandpa again!
My daughter and son-in-law are proud parents of a son (Paul Lukas - named after me -my middle name is Paul and after my ...
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Our Proviso East High School military alumni are some of the most outstanding people we know and this page recognizes them and everything they have done! Not everyone gets to come home for the holidays and we want our Proviso East High School Military to know that they are loved and appreciated. All of us in Maywood are proud of our military alumni and want to thank them for risking their lives to protect our country!