Beaufort’s Tom Vande Burgt, 56, enlisted in the United States Marine Corps in Worcester, Mass., in 1982. After boot camp at Parris Island, he trained in logistics before being assigned to 29 Palms, two tours each to Camp Leguene, Iwakuni and Quantico, plus a tour in Guam. After separating from the Corps in 1997, he joined the West Virginia National Guard and served in Iraq in 2004-05. He retired in 2006 as a Staff Sergeant with 24 years of service. After moving to Beaufort, he was Unit Commander of the Young Marines at PI for a while.
– Compiled by John Chubb, American Legion Post 9. For nominations, contact jechubb1@gmail.com.
