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.
Larry Soper’s twin brother, a retired Marine Corps Gunnery, received the Purple Heart for his courageous actions and combat-related injuries during the Vietnam War.
Gary Soper’s twin brother, a retired Marine Corps Gunnery, received the Purple Heart for his courageous actions and combat-related injuries during the Vietnam War.
A retired Navy captain and an F-4 Phantom naval aviator who was shot down on his 285th combat mission of Vietnam on Aug. 25, 1972. He remained a prisoner of war until his release from Hanoi on March 29, 1973.
A retired Navy captain and one of the first six women to become naval aviators. She was the Navy’s first female helicopter pilot and was inducted into the Women in Aviation International Pioneer Hall of Fame in 2017.
A former Army corporal who fought in the horrific battles at Bloody Ridge and Heartbreak Ridge in 1951. He was a purple heart recipient for his courageous actions and wounds suffered during combat.
A former Navy petty officer who conducted an 18-month combat tour during the Vietnam War as a helicopter door gunner with the Helicopter Attack Squadron 3 (HAL-3) Vietnam.
Marine Corps Recruit Depot, San Diego commanding general, Brig. Gen. James Ryans. He has been serving in the Marine Corps for 35 years and is the recipient of the Bronze Star.
