In honor of Veterans Day, the Rosenberg Library remembers two Galveston veterans whose legacies are preserved in the museum collection.
Veterans Day, originally called Armistice Day, was established by President Woodrow Wilson on November 11, 1919, to mark the first anniversary of the end of World War I. After World War II and the Korean War, veterans’ groups advocated for a name change to include veterans of all wars. Congress passed legislation in 1954 to change the holiday’s name to Veterans Day.
Captain John W. McCullough (1892-1986)
John Warwick McCullough was one of the first Galvestonians to enlist during WWI and was among the first troops sent overseas. He served as a first lieutenant in the 359th Infantry and was later promoted to captain. After the war, McCullough returned to Galveston to begin a career in banking. He was a prominent figure in both the city's business and educational arenas, serving as president of UTMB's Sealy & Smith Foundation and as a Rosenberg Library Trustee for over fifty years. The John W. and Marjorie W. McCullough Room on the 2nd floor of the library is named after him and his wife, whom he married in 1919.
WWI Victory Medal
Awarded to Capt. John W. McCullough in May 27, 1919 for his year of service with the American Expeditionary Forces in Europe. Military personnel from all 14 Allied nations received this award for their service in the war. All medals had a rainbow ribbon, but each country designed a unique pendant. Each medal also had battle clasps indicating participation in a major ground conflict. Capt. McCullough served during the battles of St. Mihiel, the first large offensive launched by the U.S. in WWI, and Meuse-Argonne, the largest and deadliest offensive in U.S. military history and one of the final series of Allied attacks ending WWI. The “Defense Sector” clasp indicates general defense service in or out of battles not already recognized by a battle clasp.
Silver Star Medal
Awarded to Capt. John W. McCullough in 1918 for gallantry in action. The Silver Star is the United States Armed Forces’ third-highest military decoration for valor in combat. It is awarded primarily for singular acts over a brief period, such as one or two days of a battle.
Lieutenant Colonel Bernard Bernardoni (1903-1971)
Bernard Bernardoni was a Galveston native who worked as a passenger agent at Lykes Brothers Steamship Company until he enlisted in the army. He was one of the first reserve officers to leave Galveston in 1940, serving four years with army military intelligence in Morocco. After WWII ended, he stayed in North Africa for a few years working as an economic analyst for the U.S. Department of State. During this time, he collected many artifacts and antiquities which are now housed at the Rosenberg Library. Bernardoni also worked as a United Nations Relief and Rehabilitation Administration delegate.
When Bernardoni finally returned to Galveston, he began working as a consular agent for Italy. He also taught Spanish and Italian at Galveston Junior College and was a member and leader of many social organizations in Galveston.
WWII Victory Medal
The World War II Victory Medal was awarded to all members of the U.S. military, active or reserve, who served between December 7, 1941, and December 31, 1946. There were over twelve million eligible recipients, making the World War II Victory Medal the second most widely awarded military award of the United States (the Purple Heart is the first). Although the World War I Victory Medal included clasps, the World War II Victory Medal did not. This was because campaign medals were awarded instead.
American Campaign Medal
The American Campaign Medal was awarded to U.S. military personnel who served in the American Theater of Operation during WWII. This included all of North and South America as well as the surrounding 200 miles of ocean. Though the American theater saw relatively little action, the servicemembers who were stationed there still performed important military functions. The front of the medal shows a Navy cruiser with a B-24 Liberator bomber flying overhead, while an enemy submarine sinks in the foreground.
European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal
The European-African-Middle Eastern Campaign Medal was awarded to U.S. military personnel who served in the European Theater during WWII. The stripes of the ribbon represent various countries involved in the conflict:
Brown – Africa
White/Black/White – Germany
Green – Europe
Blue/white/red – United States
