The Wisconsin Veterans Museum tells the stories of Wisconsinites who displayed courage, grit and determination when their country needed them most. The museum’s philosophy is that not only does every veteran have a story, but every veteran is a story.   

Jennifer Stevenson, senior marketing specialist for the Wisconsin Veterans Museum, says we should tell veterans’ stories because they inspire and guide future generations. “We can’t understand where we’re going until we understand where we’ve been,” Stevenson says. 

These Wisconsin veterans are trailblazers. 

James F. Burns, Stevens Point and Milwaukee 

Burns fought in France in World War I with the 150th Field Artillery, 42nd Infantry. After serving, Burns returned home and became a member of the American Legion, Department of Wisconsin, which supports veterans, those who are currently deployed and their families. In 1922, Burns became the first service officer in the United States through the American Legion, Department of Wisconsin. 

Rodney D. Williams, Delafield 

Williams’ bravery in World War I qualified him as Wisconsin’s very first combat ace. He was a part of the U.S. Army Air Service in the 17th “American” Aero Squadron, attached to the Royal Air Force. In 1918, Williams was the pilot of a plane during combat over France, taking down four enemy planes and one balloon, earning him his ace title and a Silver Star citation. 

Anne Alinder (Korbel), Milwaukee and Wauwatosa 

Alinder was the first Wisconsin woman inducted into the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps. During World War II, Alinder served as a member of Gen. George C. Marshall’s staff at the Pentagon in Washington, D.C. In the summer of 1945, she was assigned to work at the Allied Control Council in Germany. Alinder earned the title of lieutenant before being honorably discharged back home to Wisconsin in 1946. 

Eleanore J. Little, Madison and Baraboo 

During World War II, Little became the first woman from Madison to be accepted into the U.S. Marine Corps Women’s Reserve for officer training. She served in Cherry Point, North Carolina, as a control tower officer for the Third Marine Air Wing. Little earned the rank of first lieutenant and was honorably discharged from duty in August 1945. 

Eunice H. Onsrud (Hall), Stoughton 

Onsrud joined the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps in 1942 and later became the first member from Stoughton to serve overseas. She was stationed in North Africa in August 1943 before relocating to Italy for the remainder of the war. Onsrud worked as a stenographer near the front lines, recording information verbatim in shorthand. 

Alice E. Graass-Bonnette, Green Bay and Kenosha 

Graass was the first woman from Green Bay to serve in the Women’s Army Auxiliary Corps. She joined the WAAC during World War II in August 1942 and was transferred to Daytona Beach, Florida, in October of that year, where her role was to interview and classify new applicants. After graduating from officer candidate school in April 1943, Graass worked in Staunton, Virginia, where she was on recruiting duty. Graass earned the title of captain and was honorably discharged in February 1946. 

Dickey Chapelle , Milwaukee 

Chapelle was one of the first female war correspondents in the United States. A well-known photojournalist, she served as a war correspondent from World War II until she was killed during the Vietnam War. Chapelle lost her life to a landmine in Chu Lai, Vietnam, while courageously accompanying a U.S. Marine on a search. 

Roberta Wells, Madison 

During World War II, Wells was one of the first women to join the Women Marines. She was stationed in Honolulu, Hawaii, where she recruited other women to join the Women Marines before moving to work in the public relations office. Wells developed photos for the Marine Corps, including the famous photograph “Raising the Flag on Iwo Jima,” making her one of the first people in the world to see the iconic photo. 

Rhoda Ann Ziesler, Florence and Manitowoc 

Ziesler was a captain in the Army Nurse Corps during World War II, stationed in Oahu, Hawaii, about a month before the tragedy of Pearl Harbor. She was the head nurse of a medical ward that contained 112 beds during the attack. Following the catastrophe on Dec. 7, 1941, Ziesler continued working until Dec. 9, when she finally had a moment to send a telegram home to her loved ones. 

Cover Photo: A sign welcomes visitors to the Wisconsin Veterans Museum adjacent to the Wisconsin State Capitol. Photo by Carson McGrath.