Next Jacksonport Historical Society Meeting Features the Story of Charles Koulias, WWII Veteran

Charles Koulias in the 1940s aboard a surfboard equipped with a machine gun for beach assault. Submitted.

Join the Jacksonport Historical Society on Sept. 28 at 7 pm at the Jacksonport Town Hall as they showcase Charles Koulias. CDR Gary Rezeau, U.S. Navy (retired), and Shaun Koulias, Charles’ son, will present an interesting evening learning about one of Door County’s WWII heroes and a veteran of the Maritime Unit of the Office of Strategic Services, (OSS) – the precursor to the U.S. Navy SEALS, the U.S. Army Special Forces, and the Green Berets and evolved into the Central Intelligence Agency.

The evening will begin as Shaun discusses his Dad’s early life and then will turn to his military career. His work with the OSS Maritime Unit involved developing equipment and tactics for the first combat swimmer training.

There will also be a presentation from CDR Gary Rezeau about the evolution of the OSS Maritime Unit to become our modern-day United States Special Forces Command and all its component groups.

This program is open to the public, but donations are appreciated. Refreshments will be served following the program.