Ozzie is a U.S. Navy veteran and lives in Battle Creek, Michigan. He spends much of his time volunteering with Disabled Veterans of America and Vets Helping Vets. He is 100% disabled due to Agent Orange exposure.

During most of his active-duty service, he was assigned to Naval Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron One (VQ-1). He served with this unit from January 5, 1966, to August 20, 1968, and later transferred to the Electronic Warfare Department of VQ-1.

The primary mission of VQ-1 was to provide tactical fleet electronic intelligence support for Commander, Seventh Fleet (COMSEVENTHFLT) in Southeast Asia. This mission included identifying threats from surface-to-air missiles (SAMs) and MiG sites.

Fleet Air Reconnaissance Squadron One personnel provided direct support to military ground and air combat command operations in Southeast Asia.

Ozzie states, “I am honored to say that I supported my fellow servicemen and women during the Vietnam War.” As noted above, he has continued throughout his life to lend that same support.