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D-Day thoughts in a letter to my grandmother from my grandfather .. dated June 13, 1944
Posted on 6/6/23 at 2:31 pm
Posted on 6/6/23 at 2:31 pm
"I'll never forget the spectacle of D-Day. It was thrilling and did we have a grandstand seat. Seeing the firing at dawn was a rare and beautiful sight. The whole import behind it was thrilling. I felt so proud and so happy, just to look under my wing to right or left, and see the ghostly outlines of ships in the half light, blasting away at shore installations. To us who had waited so long, it was the beginning of our return home."
From my aunt's comments about her dad (my grandfather); I think that this was in his obituary:
He was the first naval aviator to land in France on the beaches of Normandy that day when the plane he was flying was hit by enemy fire. Ground crews patched his bird up and away he flew again. He completed 13 sorties and among other commendations, received the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight. He was flying Spitfires for the British at the time, one of only 15 US pilots chosen to do so.
From my aunt's comments about her dad (my grandfather); I think that this was in his obituary:
He was the first naval aviator to land in France on the beaches of Normandy that day when the plane he was flying was hit by enemy fire. Ground crews patched his bird up and away he flew again. He completed 13 sorties and among other commendations, received the Distinguished Flying Cross for extraordinary achievement while participating in an aerial flight. He was flying Spitfires for the British at the time, one of only 15 US pilots chosen to do so.
29
Posted on 6/6/23 at 2:32 pm to tiger91
very cool
Posted on 6/6/23 at 2:33 pm to tiger91
quote:
the spectacle of D-Day
If time machines were a thing this is one of the events I would like to witness.
Posted on 6/6/23 at 2:39 pm to tiger91
That’s awesome, we owe those men so much.
Posted on 6/6/23 at 2:42 pm to tiger91
In April 2019 I had the privilege of taking an extensive tour of the D-Day beaches just weeks before the 75th anniversary. One of the things I tried to do at places like Omaha and Utah Beaches, Pointe du Hoc and St Mere Eglaise was to imagine what the scene looked like on June 6, 1944.
Posted on 6/6/23 at 2:45 pm to tiger91
quote:
He was the first naval aviator to land in France on the beaches of Normandy that day when the plane he was flying was hit by enemy fire. Ground crews patched his bird up and away he flew again.
That's amazing. There was a lot going to in the area to make that happen.
Posted on 6/6/23 at 2:57 pm to tiger91
quote:
He was flying Spitfires for the British at the time, one of only 15 US pilots chosen to do so.
That's pretty cool.
Posted on 6/6/23 at 3:04 pm to tiger91
Incredible story!! Thanks for sharing.
I served 8 years in the Marines, and only saw Iraq in a 'Non hostile' environment.
In my 8 years, the most humbling, incredible thing I witnessed was during the opening of the WWII museum, which I took part in, was seeing those MEN who went before us. Loading them up into the old 5-tons, the HMMWV's etc, some were cutting up like they probably did going into battle. Some were shell-shocked even still to that day. Each and every one of those MEN thanked me for my service, which felt odd coming from them, all I could do each time is send back a stern, heartfelt, No sir, THANK YOU for paving the way.
Still a fond memory for me being out there that day to participate in celebrating those MEN..
I served 8 years in the Marines, and only saw Iraq in a 'Non hostile' environment.
In my 8 years, the most humbling, incredible thing I witnessed was during the opening of the WWII museum, which I took part in, was seeing those MEN who went before us. Loading them up into the old 5-tons, the HMMWV's etc, some were cutting up like they probably did going into battle. Some were shell-shocked even still to that day. Each and every one of those MEN thanked me for my service, which felt odd coming from them, all I could do each time is send back a stern, heartfelt, No sir, THANK YOU for paving the way.
Still a fond memory for me being out there that day to participate in celebrating those MEN..
This post was edited on 6/6/23 at 3:05 pm
Posted on 6/6/23 at 3:42 pm to tiger91
I love reading stuff like this. It's fascinating to me.
Posted on 6/6/23 at 3:45 pm to tiger91
We need to observe pride month first. Sorry
Posted on 6/6/23 at 4:02 pm to tiger91
Nice. We have some WWII letters home saved - mostly from my great uncle. My son found them a few years ago and, while he couldn't read the had writing, asked them to be read by my aunt. I was like going back in time and so great.
The language used by those grunts in WWII is more poetic and well thought out than pretty much anything today.
I will never forget how thankful my great uncle was for a single chocolate bar sent to him. He shared it with 20 other guys. It wasn't a huge candy bar, they each must have had a sliver, but he talked about how each of them loved it and for a moment were home.
What our veterans went through in WWII and WWI was something few could survive today.
The language used by those grunts in WWII is more poetic and well thought out than pretty much anything today.
I will never forget how thankful my great uncle was for a single chocolate bar sent to him. He shared it with 20 other guys. It wasn't a huge candy bar, they each must have had a sliver, but he talked about how each of them loved it and for a moment were home.
What our veterans went through in WWII and WWI was something few could survive today.
Posted on 6/6/23 at 4:18 pm to tiger91
But let’s not forget the brave soldiers still fighting fascism every single day on Twitter and in Portland.
Posted on 6/6/23 at 4:23 pm to tiger91
They truly were the greatest generation. Thanks for sharing. Always enjoy seeing stuff like this.
Posted on 6/6/23 at 4:43 pm to tiger91
quote:
I'll never forget the spectacle of D-Day. It was thrilling and did we have a grandstand seat. Seeing the firing at dawn was a rare and beautiful sight. The whole import behind it was thrilling. I felt so proud and so happy, just to look under my wing to right or left, and see the ghostly outlines of ships in the half light, blasting away at shore installations. To us who had waited so long, it was the beginning of our return home."
Talk about a glass half full outlook
Posted on 6/6/23 at 4:47 pm to tiger91
After my grandfather died, my grand mother shared with us the letter he wrote to her (his girlfriend at the time) before the Anzio invasion. He hit the beach there and fought through the Po Valley. It was the most moving and inspirational prose I have ever read. Those guys and gals were truly different and the greatest generation. Thanks for sharing with everyone. More of this should be taught in schools.
This post was edited on 6/6/23 at 6:08 pm
Posted on 6/6/23 at 4:47 pm to tiger91
Incredibly inspiring stuff throughout this thread. I too envision the scenes at the beaches and all those recreated images seen over and over in Band of Brothers.
The debt of gratitude we owe to their generation grows faster the inflation we are currently experiencing. You want role models? Here you go.
Thank you for sharing
The debt of gratitude we owe to their generation grows faster the inflation we are currently experiencing. You want role models? Here you go.
Thank you for sharing
Posted on 6/6/23 at 5:13 pm to tiger91
Where was he from? I will see what I can find on Fold3.
Posted on 6/6/23 at 5:42 pm to tiger91
Interesting. I had no idea Naval aviators were involved at Normandy, much less flying Spits.
The Eagle Squadrons, who were flying with the RAF before we got into the war, flew Spitfires until the USAAF could get Thunderbolts to Europe.
The Eagle Squadrons, who were flying with the RAF before we got into the war, flew Spitfires until the USAAF could get Thunderbolts to Europe.
Posted on 6/6/23 at 5:52 pm to tiger91
Different day.
Different caliber men and America.
Wished I was 92 today instead of 42.
I think I fit in better.
Now we have a bunch of fricking weak low character scum bag soy boy dick sucking apologizers for being white.
Or maybe it’s just what they want us to believe this country is Turing into.
I can only speak for my friends. … none of us are ashamed , weak or suck cock.
Different caliber men and America.
Wished I was 92 today instead of 42.
I think I fit in better.
Now we have a bunch of fricking weak low character scum bag soy boy dick sucking apologizers for being white.
Or maybe it’s just what they want us to believe this country is Turing into.
I can only speak for my friends. … none of us are ashamed , weak or suck cock.
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