San Diego Mayor Todd Gloria will be the parade’s lead grand marshal, with several additional grand marshals serving as representatives of this year’s major military anniversaries.
Calvin Shiner served in WWII with the U.S. Army’s Company B, 1328th Engineering Construction Battalion, an all-Black unit. In August 1943, he embarked for Europe, landing in England and later in Italy. His unit played a crucial role in Operation Dragoon, before advancing into Germany. Shiner and his battalion contributed to building and repairing critical infrastructure across Europe.
Ena served as a member of the Coast Guard’s women’s reserve, known as SPARS (Semper Paratus - Always Ready). She was initially assigned to the base in Charleston, South Carolina, where she worked in the laundry detail. When it was discovered that Ena had laboratory training, she was reassigned to the base’s medical lab where she conducted diagnostic tests and administered injections.
Roberta enlisted in the U.S. Marine Corps in 1944 after working as a Rosie the Riveter in Iowa. She became one of just 18,000 women Marines in WWII. After boot camp and motor transport training, she drove military officers and trucks at Quantico, later supporting logistics at MCRD San Diego, and then volunteered to coordinate train travel for personnel returning home after the war in San Francisco.
In 1943, Fred left college and missed his graduation to join the U.S. Army Air Corps Reserve, driven by a love of flying and duty to country. He piloted aircraft like the P-40 and the iconic P-51D Mustang. During the war, he deployed to Fano, Italy, with the 15th Air Force, 52nd Fighter Group—serving in a squadron known as the Spittin’ Kittens. After the war ended, Fred returned to Iowa as a founding member of the Iowa Air National Guard.
Al joined the Navy in 1943 at 16 years old with papers his mom had signed saying he was old enough to enlist. He served in the U.S. Navy as an Aviation Machinist's Mate during World War II and was assigned as a gunner to a Navy patrol-bomber squadron in the Pacific Theater. Al was also involved in the closing of US Navy bases in Australia following the end of the war.
