Stormy Seas: The Unsung Heroes of the Greatest Generation Part 4

Editor's note: Following the Second World War, a group of young farmers who volunteered to accompany shipments of livestock into devastated communities in Europe, Asia and even behind the Iron Curtain. These young men and women become known as the Seagoing Cowboys. This is the fourth and final part in our blog series. Start learning about this unique piece of history from the beginning in part one.  

At 17 years old, Richard Reiste was antsy to get out of Iowa. Having ventured beyond state borders only twice before, to Chicago and Kansas, Reiste was jumping to leave his family’s farm and explore more of the world.

Click here to read more about Richard's journey in World Ark magazine.

Heading across an ocean to deliver animals sounded so good to Reiste that he ended up signing on for two trips nearly back-to-back, one to Italy in 1946 and one to China in 1947. An exuberant traveler, Reiste made the most of both: