First-generation Americans Stash and Mattie Ripkowski were hardworking and religious, and they raised their sixteen children to be deeply patriotic and ready to meet challenges. After moving to Dayton in 1932, the family began sharecropping a 200 acre farm, where all of the children labored in the fields and helped run the household. When the United States entered World War II, the nine older brothers—Bernie, Felix, Alex, August, Leon, Bill, Raymond, Herman, and Franklin—left home one by one to serve in the military. All saw war action, several were severely injured, and all survived and returned to Dayton. While they were away, Catherine, Virginia, Pearline, Anna Lee, and the younger boys struggled alongside their parents to keep the farm going. Later, John and Mike served in the Korean War, and Franklin was recalled for service again, while Stanley, the youngest, followed his brothers by enlisting during peacetime. No other family in American history has sent as many sons to serve in the armed forces.