Napa, CA – California has a rich history of military service, with countless individuals dedicating their lives to protecting the nation. In partnership with T-Mobile, Patch is proud to highlight the stories of several remarkable veterans and active-duty military members from the Golden State, whose bravery and commitment continue to inspire.
Sgt. Louis Brown: A D-Day Veteran’s Legacy
A lifelong resident of Inglewood, Staff Sgt. Louis Brown is a World War II hero who was recently honored by President Joe Biden in France on the 80th anniversary of D-Day. Drafted at just 17 years old, Brown landed on Omaha Beach shortly after the historic invasion in 1944. He also fought in the Battle of the Rhine and participated in the liberation of the Dachau Concentration Camp. Serving in the 4036th Quartermaster unit, Brown risked his life delivering crucial supplies to frontline troops. After his discharge in 1946, he dedicated over three decades to public service with the City of Los Angeles. Despite his humble nature, Brown’s legacy as a war hero remains profound.
Sgt. John Baca: Valor and Healing from Vietnam
Army Sgt. John Baca, raised in San Diego and a graduate of Kearny High School, earned the Medal of Honor for his extraordinary bravery during the Vietnam War. In 1970, during a night mission near the Cambodian border, Baca shielded eight fellow soldiers by throwing himself on a live grenade, surviving the blast despite severe injuries. After nearly a year of recovery, he returned to Southern California and has since been a staunch advocate for veterans and Gold Star families. Two parks in Huntington Beach and San Diego bear his name, commemorating his sacrifice and community contributions. Baca has also worked to promote peace, including efforts to build a friendship clinic in Vietnam.
Eldon Knuth: From Battlefield to Academia
Decorated World War II veteran Eldon Knuth (1925–2023) was recognized with both the Bronze Star and France’s Legion of Honor for his courage during the 1944 Battle of Metz. Drafted at 18, Knuth survived five days behind enemy lines and endured months of recovery from trench foot. After the war, he earned a Ph.D. from Caltech and became a respected UCLA professor, specializing in thermodynamics and molecular dynamics. He served 35 years on the UCLA faculty and spent his later years in Thousand Oaks. In 2020, a ceremony honored his lifetime of service in both military and academic fields.
Hospital Corpsman Kyra Gause: Military Hero of the Game
Hospital Corpsman 2nd Class Kyra Gause, originally from Houston, Texas, was recently celebrated as the Military Hero of the Game during a San Diego Gulls hockey match. Serving as the executive assistant to the command master chief at Naval Medical Center San Diego, Gause plays a critical role in medical readiness for the fleet. Her professionalism and dedication earned her high praise from military leaders and enthusiastic support from the community. Gause expressed deep gratitude for the honor, highlighting the strong bond between San Diego’s military community and the city.
Caity Lynch: Trailblazing Veteran and Advocate
Oakland native Caity Lynch received the 2024 CalVet Trailblazer Award for her outstanding service both on and off duty. A Bronze Star recipient and Afghanistan War veteran, Lynch served seven years as an Army Reserve officer, commanding an Engineer Construction Company that expanded coalition bases in 2017–2018. After her military service, she worked as a special investigator for California’s Department of Cannabis Control before enrolling in UC Berkeley School of Law. Now in her final year, Lynch advocates for low-income veterans through organizations like Swords to Plowshares and leads the pro bono project L.O.V.E. (Legal Obstacles Veterans Encounter).
These stories represent just a few of the countless Californians who have served with valor and continue to make a difference today. Patch and T-Mobile invite community members to share their own military heroes’ stories to honor and recognize those who have sacrificed so much for the nation.