Today’s #VeteranOfTheDay is Navy Veteran Alan E. Gensner. Gensner served as a corpsman with the Marines during the Vietnam War.
Alan Gensner was a Columbus, Ohio, native. He attended hospitalman “A” school in San Diego and field medical service school at Camp Pendleton, California. He served as a Navy hospital corpsman attached to the 4th Marine Division, 2nd Battalion. Gensner deployed to Vietnam in May 1967.
During Operation Fremont on July 12, 1967, he was injured by a landmine. He received considerable shrapnel wounds to his left leg and right arm. Gensner tended to his own injuries as well as those of nearby Marines amidst an intense period of combat. He received a Purple Heart for these injuries.
Gensner was honorably discharged in 1969 at the rank of E-4, after his selfless request to rejoin the war was denied due to his previously sustained injuries. He received the Vietnam Service Medal with a bronze star device.
Later, he became a registered nurse and met his wife of 26 years, Jane, while working at Grant Medical Center in Columbus. They had two children together, Philip and Beth. Philip retired in 2019 as a sergeant first class from the Army. Beth serves veterans as a staff psychologist at the Chillicothe VA Medical Center in Ohio, the same facility where her late father received care.
Alan passed away at 55 years old on May 25, 2001, which was Memorial Day weekend.
We honor his service.
Nominate a Veteran for #VeteranOfTheDay
Do you want to light up the face of a special Veteran? Have you been wondering how to tell your Veteran they are special to you? VA’s #VeteranOfTheDay social media feature is an opportunity to highlight your Veteran and his/her service.
It’s easy to nominate a Veteran. All it takes is an email to newmedia@va.gov with as much information as you can put together, along with some good photos. Visit our blog post about nominating to learn how to create the best submission.
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Writer: Harshini Ravi
Editor: Essence McPherson
Graphic artist: Rey Leal
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I served in the 814th engineer company in hanau Germany from 76 to 82 I would like to receive one of these tool boxes it was mean a lot to me, I’m disabled and it would be nice to have tools to do some little things around the house, thank you.
My Dearest Veterans,
I wanted you to know that all the sacrifices you do for my country on behalf of every American, young, middle age , old, man and or woman is truly appreciated and highly regarded.
You are a blessing to each one ☝️ of us! What can we do without all that you have done ✅ for our country and each one of us individually.
I salute you! We thank you from the bottom of our hearts for continued support service. Knowing that you deserve the best of the best from all Americans. Some of you came back with Disabilities, others with PTSD, and we are with you with the support of our great leader Mr. Trump who has changed so many areas to make live easier to transition to all veterans, easily accessible hospitals, appointments and many laws were changed.
Thank you again.
I salute you 1,000,000,000.00
Sincerely,
Essam Helmy
We honor Alan Gensner and all our best thoughts to his family.
We honor the service of Alan Gensner.