- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Fantasy Sports
- Golf Board
- Soccer Board
- O-T Lounge
- Tech Board
- Home/Garden Board
- Outdoor Board
- Health/Fitness Board
- Movie/TV Board
- Book Board
- Music Board
- Political Talk
- Money Talk
- Fark Board
- Gaming Board
- Travel Board
- Food/Drink Board
- Ticket Exchange
- TD Help Board
Customize My Forums- View All Forums
- Show Left Links
- Topic Sort Options
- Trending Topics
- Recent Topics
- Active Topics
Started By
Message
re: Relatives that served in World War 2
Posted on 12/7/23 at 9:22 am to Diseasefreeforall
Posted on 12/7/23 at 9:22 am to Diseasefreeforall
My grandfather was in the Army Air Forces. His overseas service was in Egypt, British Palestine, and Iraq. He was involved in some technical stuff that we were sharing with the British, so he was USAAF but was attached to RAF units.
My grandmother (no pics) had five brothers see service in World War II. Two were in the Army Air Forces, two were in the Army, and one was in the Marines. One of them was a pilot - flew B-17's with the 385th BG. Did his 35 missions, including two on D-Day. The one who was a Marine said he was kind of lucky - he was in combat for only a few hours. A Jap grenade messed his leg up at Iwo Jima, and he said he got to spend the remainder of the war chasing nurses in Guam and Hawaii.
My grandmother (no pics) worked for Pacific Telegraph and Telephone in Portland, Oregon. They were civilians but were contracted by the Army for communications. She learned morse code and translated messages as they came in into plain English. She remembers when the message came through that the Japanese had agreed to surrender.
We also had some close family friends who served. My grandparent's neighbor served on the USS North Carolina. My neighbor who lived on one side of us drive Sherman tanks in Patton's Third Army. Our neighbor on the other side served on the USS Mississippi. A friend of ours from church served as a B-24 gunner.
Every one of them is gone now. I am very fortunate to have known them. I am fortunate that they were willing to share stories with me.
On the wife's (no pics) side of the family, I know she had a great-uncle who was in the Royal Australian Air Force. Her grandfather had some kind of kidney issue that kept him out of the military, but did some time in Australia's version of the home guard. Her great-grandfather from her mother's side served in Yugoslavia with the Waffen SS. He was captured by Communist partisans near the end of the war and executed.
My grandfather's fourth cousin was Baldur von Schirach, who was head of the Hitler Youth from 1931 to 1940, and as Reichsstatthalter of Vienna. He got 20 years at Nuremburg.
Through my mother's (no pics) side of the family I am 4th cousin to Audie Murphy.
My grandmother (no pics) had five brothers see service in World War II. Two were in the Army Air Forces, two were in the Army, and one was in the Marines. One of them was a pilot - flew B-17's with the 385th BG. Did his 35 missions, including two on D-Day. The one who was a Marine said he was kind of lucky - he was in combat for only a few hours. A Jap grenade messed his leg up at Iwo Jima, and he said he got to spend the remainder of the war chasing nurses in Guam and Hawaii.
My grandmother (no pics) worked for Pacific Telegraph and Telephone in Portland, Oregon. They were civilians but were contracted by the Army for communications. She learned morse code and translated messages as they came in into plain English. She remembers when the message came through that the Japanese had agreed to surrender.
We also had some close family friends who served. My grandparent's neighbor served on the USS North Carolina. My neighbor who lived on one side of us drive Sherman tanks in Patton's Third Army. Our neighbor on the other side served on the USS Mississippi. A friend of ours from church served as a B-24 gunner.
Every one of them is gone now. I am very fortunate to have known them. I am fortunate that they were willing to share stories with me.
On the wife's (no pics) side of the family, I know she had a great-uncle who was in the Royal Australian Air Force. Her grandfather had some kind of kidney issue that kept him out of the military, but did some time in Australia's version of the home guard. Her great-grandfather from her mother's side served in Yugoslavia with the Waffen SS. He was captured by Communist partisans near the end of the war and executed.
My grandfather's fourth cousin was Baldur von Schirach, who was head of the Hitler Youth from 1931 to 1940, and as Reichsstatthalter of Vienna. He got 20 years at Nuremburg.
Through my mother's (no pics) side of the family I am 4th cousin to Audie Murphy.
This post was edited on 12/7/23 at 3:46 pm
1
Posted on 12/7/23 at 9:23 am to Diseasefreeforall
Grandfather flew 56 missions in P-51 Mustang in The Mediterranean Theatre. Was in 325th Fighter Group 319th fighter squadron aka The Checkertail Clan.
Posted on 12/7/23 at 9:25 am to Diseasefreeforall
My maternal grandmother’s brother served in Europe. My grandmother was born in 1940 and her earliest memories was him visiting home and he had given her his Purple Heart that he received. Unfortunately, he was killed by a sniper in April 1945, a few weeks before the war ended. Thankfully, a couple of his buddies hunted down and took care of the sniper.
My grandmother held onto the Purple Heart until the day she died. My Aunt now has it.
I also had a great-great uncle on my dad’s side who was an officer and served under Patton. I had the pleasure of meeting him when I was a kid but didn’t say much about the war. He did say that his regiment was one of the first American unit to fire the first shots in Europe. He also said no one liked Patton
My grandmother held onto the Purple Heart until the day she died. My Aunt now has it.
I also had a great-great uncle on my dad’s side who was an officer and served under Patton. I had the pleasure of meeting him when I was a kid but didn’t say much about the war. He did say that his regiment was one of the first American unit to fire the first shots in Europe. He also said no one liked Patton
This post was edited on 12/7/23 at 9:27 am
Posted on 12/7/23 at 9:31 am to jmarto1
quote:
Fine, ill watch Band of Brothers for ten thousandth time
Im about to open With the Old Breed myself after this thread.
Grandfather was a B-17 Bombardier in Europe. He was there for the firebombing of Dresden.
Favorite story though was how he got home. After the war ended, he cleared out on a civilian cruise ship out of Liverpool heading to VA. The captain knew he was on the boat so every night he ate with him at his table. When he got to VA, he took the train to OK. Got a lot of well wishes and warm hugs from thankful people. When he got to the train station, no one was there waiting for him. His family had no idea what time or when he would be getting home. From there, a friendly stranger gave him a ride to the family house. Was pouring rain when he got there. Made it home around supper time. He gets in and sees his family sitting at the table. His dad, not one for many words, looks at him and says, "Well, are you going to sit down and eat or just stand there?". Then they sat in quiet thankfulness and enjoyed their first meal as a complete family in what had been years.
Posted on 12/7/23 at 9:34 am to Diseasefreeforall
My grandfather was military police in Italy. He died from a massive heart attack when my mom was 16, so I never got the chance to meet him.
Posted on 12/7/23 at 9:34 am to Diseasefreeforall
Every single one of my great uncles on my paternal grandfather’s side fought. My maternal great grandfather was a colonel in the army during WWII and Korea. My maternal grandfather was the oldest of his siblings and was born in 1936 so he missed it, obviously. Paternal grandfather was also born in 1936 and obviously missed it too.
Of my paternal great uncles that fought, there were 5 of them. Only one of them didn’t make it back.
Of my paternal great uncles that fought, there were 5 of them. Only one of them didn’t make it back.
This post was edited on 12/7/23 at 10:08 am
Posted on 12/7/23 at 9:35 am to Diseasefreeforall
My father was a bomber pilot and my mother was an Army nurse. Their wedding picture is in uniform.
My father started flying when he was 14 and did crop dusting among other things. WWII started he first joined the Canadian Airforce prior to America entry into the war.
Later he was flying Martin B26B Marauders and his skill at landing them got him sent to Tampa as a flight instructor. New pilots had a hard time with the "widow maker," but my father loved flying that plane for its high performance.
My father started flying when he was 14 and did crop dusting among other things. WWII started he first joined the Canadian Airforce prior to America entry into the war.
Later he was flying Martin B26B Marauders and his skill at landing them got him sent to Tampa as a flight instructor. New pilots had a hard time with the "widow maker," but my father loved flying that plane for its high performance.
Posted on 12/7/23 at 9:37 am to Diseasefreeforall
My grandfather was 17 years old on December 7, 1941. He joined the Navy on December 8, 1941. He turned 18 later that month. He was at Guadalcanal 8 months later.
My grandmother worked in a factory making parachutes during the War.
They didn’t meet until after my grandfather was discharged in April 1945. He had been in a New Orleans hospital recovering from wounds and malaria since late 1944.
My grandmother worked in a factory making parachutes during the War.
They didn’t meet until after my grandfather was discharged in April 1945. He had been in a New Orleans hospital recovering from wounds and malaria since late 1944.
This post was edited on 12/7/23 at 9:42 am
Posted on 12/7/23 at 9:38 am to Diseasefreeforall
Maternal great grandfather was in the 101st airborne/506th PIR
Jumped on d-day and was in the Bulge
He died in the 80s so I never met him but my great grandmother lived until 2014. She said he rarely spoke about the war, maybe a funny story or two but none of the hard times.
She did say that pre-war, he was an avid hunter but after the war he didn't hunt anymore, only fished and made fishing lures in his shed out back. She asked him one time "why dont you hunt anymore" and he replied with "I've done enough with a firearm to last 5 lifetimes, to hell with killing"
Jumped on d-day and was in the Bulge
He died in the 80s so I never met him but my great grandmother lived until 2014. She said he rarely spoke about the war, maybe a funny story or two but none of the hard times.
She did say that pre-war, he was an avid hunter but after the war he didn't hunt anymore, only fished and made fishing lures in his shed out back. She asked him one time "why dont you hunt anymore" and he replied with "I've done enough with a firearm to last 5 lifetimes, to hell with killing"
This post was edited on 12/7/23 at 9:39 am
Posted on 12/7/23 at 9:39 am to Diseasefreeforall
My grandfathers did, one in Europe and one in the Pacific.
Posted on 12/7/23 at 9:40 am to Diseasefreeforall
Dad Okinawa
One takeaway was we never had SPAM in the house.
Living on cold potted meat product in combat does something to a person.
One takeaway was we never had SPAM in the house.
Living on cold potted meat product in combat does something to a person.
Posted on 12/7/23 at 9:45 am to Diseasefreeforall
My Great Grandfather was a B-17 pilot in WWII. He was in the 303rd bomb group. He was in England and participated in the 2nd ever US daylight bombing raid in Europe. Additionally he was on the first ever bombing raid of Germany which targeted the UBoat pens in Wilhelmshaven.
On his 20th mission in May of 1943 his plane was shot down after taking significant flak damage and he was able to bail out in Northern France where he was captured.
He spent the rest of the war in Stalag Luft III before being marched to Stalag Luft VII A where they were eventually liberated.
I have his bible from POW camp with a Stalag Luft VII A stamp that means a lot to me. He lived until 2008 and I was lucky enough to know him well.
On his 20th mission in May of 1943 his plane was shot down after taking significant flak damage and he was able to bail out in Northern France where he was captured.
He spent the rest of the war in Stalag Luft III before being marched to Stalag Luft VII A where they were eventually liberated.
I have his bible from POW camp with a Stalag Luft VII A stamp that means a lot to me. He lived until 2008 and I was lucky enough to know him well.
Posted on 12/7/23 at 9:45 am to Diseasefreeforall
My Dad landed in France about a week after D-Day with the 79th. Made it about 8 months before getting hit and sent home. Never talked much about it and never shot a gun again, fished a lot tho
Posted on 12/7/23 at 9:53 am to Diseasefreeforall
Uncle that followed up in Normandy. Salute! 
Posted on 12/7/23 at 9:53 am to Diseasefreeforall
My Grandfather served in the Army in the European Theater.
Landed at Marseille, France in Dec. '44, defended the Rhine River, helped stop German offensive Operation Nordwind (Battle of the Bulge), took part in combat raids in Saarbruken, Forbach, and Stiring-Wendel. Crossed the Saar River to take Saarbruken and crossed the Siegfried Line into Germany in March '45.
Began as a machine gunner and then drove a Jeep to resupply artillery and remove wounded during battle. He earned a Bronze Star with an Oak Leaf Cluster, a Purple Heart, and a field promotion to Sergeant...all before turning 20 years old.
Landed at Marseille, France in Dec. '44, defended the Rhine River, helped stop German offensive Operation Nordwind (Battle of the Bulge), took part in combat raids in Saarbruken, Forbach, and Stiring-Wendel. Crossed the Saar River to take Saarbruken and crossed the Siegfried Line into Germany in March '45.
Began as a machine gunner and then drove a Jeep to resupply artillery and remove wounded during battle. He earned a Bronze Star with an Oak Leaf Cluster, a Purple Heart, and a field promotion to Sergeant...all before turning 20 years old.
Posted on 12/7/23 at 9:54 am to Diseasefreeforall
My father and uncle joined after Pearl Harbor; they were 18 & 19. They were in college on the day. My father didn't pass the physical because of heart damage from rheumatic fever; he was told to go back to school because his major (chemistry & physics) was crucial to the war effort.
My uncle was recruited to be a pilot and flew bombers over Europe (I don't know what kind of plane). He crashed in France at one point and had to be rescued by the French Resistance. Like so many others, my uncle rarely spoke about his time in WWII. He and my father refused to buy anything made in Japan for the rest of their lives.
Years later my mother signed us up to host an exchange student; he turned out to be Japanese. He was born years after the war, so Dad didn't have a problem with it. The student was a really nice guy who lived with us for a time and often shared meals with us. My parents kept track of him for about a decade after he returned to Japan.
My uncle was recruited to be a pilot and flew bombers over Europe (I don't know what kind of plane). He crashed in France at one point and had to be rescued by the French Resistance. Like so many others, my uncle rarely spoke about his time in WWII. He and my father refused to buy anything made in Japan for the rest of their lives.
Years later my mother signed us up to host an exchange student; he turned out to be Japanese. He was born years after the war, so Dad didn't have a problem with it. The student was a really nice guy who lived with us for a time and often shared meals with us. My parents kept track of him for about a decade after he returned to Japan.
Posted on 12/7/23 at 9:59 am to DTRooster
My maternal grandfather was USAAF. He served with the 389th bomb group, 566th squadron. He was a waist gunner and radio operator. He participated in Operation Tidal Wave as a waist gunner. In '44 he was flying missions out of Hethel as a radio operator. His B-24 was shot down by flak and crashed at Quedlinberg. The B-24 was split in half. The entire back of the aircraft, from the bomb bay to the tail, caught fire and everyone in that part of the aircraft died. If he were still a waist gunner I would not exist today. He was able to parachute to "safety". He was a POW in Stalag Luft IV and participated in the Black March toward the end of the war. They were liberated by the Brits.
My paternal grandfather served in the Navy as an MOMM3. I don't know much about his service other than he served on a supply ship in the Phillipines and then eventually a destroyer (USS Whitney).
They are both my heroes. Neither of them ever talked about their service.
My paternal grandfather served in the Navy as an MOMM3. I don't know much about his service other than he served on a supply ship in the Phillipines and then eventually a destroyer (USS Whitney).
They are both my heroes. Neither of them ever talked about their service.
This post was edited on 12/7/23 at 10:00 am
Posted on 12/7/23 at 10:05 am to geauxtigers87
My dad turned 19 on the troopship to Europe, he worked his way through replacement channels and ended up in the Madgdeburg area on May 7, 1945. The first jet he ever saw was a Messerschmitt that his AAA battery opened up on.
Only one uncle, but a couple of great uncles served.
Only one uncle, but a couple of great uncles served.
Posted on 12/7/23 at 10:06 am to Diseasefreeforall
My great uncle, Clarence, lost his life in the liberation of Paris. He has a memorial on a corner in Mitry Mory that the city put up in his honor in 1999. I often think of how my family's life would have been different, had he made it home.
Bottom Plaque:
At this place on August 29th 1944 Sgt Clarence P. Hughes of the 893rd Tank Destroyer Battalion gave his life for the liberation of France
Top Plaque:
He came to fight for freedom
To a land he had never seen
For a people he had never met
For his success he gave the ultimate sacrifice
May God bless his soul
The Hughes Family Kentucky-New York USA September 2000
Here is a document, translated from French, detailing his death:
The last picture taken of him (on top of the tank) 2 days before his death. As I understand it, the kid next to the tank destroyer became the mayor of Mitry Mory...and was the one who pushed for the memorial.
Bottom Plaque:
At this place on August 29th 1944 Sgt Clarence P. Hughes of the 893rd Tank Destroyer Battalion gave his life for the liberation of France
Top Plaque:
He came to fight for freedom
To a land he had never seen
For a people he had never met
For his success he gave the ultimate sacrifice
May God bless his soul
The Hughes Family Kentucky-New York USA September 2000
Here is a document, translated from French, detailing his death:
quote:
SERGEANT CLARENCE P. HUGHES.
Tuesdays, August 29, it rains a good part of the night! In the morning the American troops cautiously resume their progress along the line of Chemin de Fer towards MORY under the fire of the Germans. Two tanks of the company of the 893th Tank Destroyer BATTALION went ahead in recognition. They reach the location of the current FOOTBALL field that the SNCF . puts at the disposal of the ASMC , near the school (missing today). The exchange of fire between the German batteries and the American parts located on the side of MITRY LE NEUF continues.
In the late morning, Sergeant Clarence P. HUGUES, accompanied by two MITRYENS who guide him, leaves his tank and continues on foot to the limit of the SNCF city to locate and estimate the importance of German forces ambushed behind the mounds that border the north-east side of the avenue of the station opposite the street of Val de Mory. He was killed instantly by the bursting of a shell. Is it a German or American shell? Some witnesses say that Sergeant HUGUES, finding the firing of American guns or mortars too long to reach the Germans would have asked for it to be shortened. It would have been, a little too much ... His body lies, mutilated, in the middle of the avenue of the train station about ten meters from the beginning of the linden trees. Despite the risks, the Germans are less than 50 m across the street, a MITRYENNE will cover a blanket, another throws a flower, then another. According to a witness, in the evening, when American services picked him up, he was covered with flowers.
The last picture taken of him (on top of the tank) 2 days before his death. As I understand it, the kid next to the tank destroyer became the mayor of Mitry Mory...and was the one who pushed for the memorial.
Posted on 12/7/23 at 10:08 am to Diseasefreeforall
Dad’s dad served in the Army and was involved in the Battke of the Buldge.
Mom’s dad was a navy medic on a destroyer in the Pacific. He saw some me horrific shite and never talked about it. He was at Iwo Jima and Solomon Islands.
Mom’s dad was a navy medic on a destroyer in the Pacific. He saw some me horrific shite and never talked about it. He was at Iwo Jima and Solomon Islands.
Page 4 of 10
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News