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re: D-Day thoughts in a letter to my grandmother from my grandfather .. dated June 13, 1944
Posted on 6/6/24 at 10:59 am to tiger91
Posted on 6/6/24 at 10:59 am 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. 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.
it would be rare to find his equal amongst the present generation.
0
Posted on 6/6/24 at 11:33 am to tiger91
Your grandfather is a tough, brave, and heroic man. That was a cool read and thanks for sharing.
Posted on 6/6/24 at 11:48 am to bad93ex
“If time machines were a thing this is one of the events I would like to witness”
Not me.The snippets of film that survived give me cold chills.
It also makes me sad to see how far our country has devolved considering what it took to win the war.And now it’s all being thrown away.
I am particularly contemptuous of our military leadership now.Generals and Admirals now are just a bunch of grifters that don’t give a shite about our country or the troops.All they care about is having a chest full of fake medals and making megabucks working for defense contractors when they retire.”Perfumed princes” Col.David Hackworth called them.
Eisenhowers warned against the MIC,he was very prescient.
Not me.The snippets of film that survived give me cold chills.
It also makes me sad to see how far our country has devolved considering what it took to win the war.And now it’s all being thrown away.
I am particularly contemptuous of our military leadership now.Generals and Admirals now are just a bunch of grifters that don’t give a shite about our country or the troops.All they care about is having a chest full of fake medals and making megabucks working for defense contractors when they retire.”Perfumed princes” Col.David Hackworth called them.
Eisenhowers warned against the MIC,he was very prescient.
Posted on 6/6/24 at 11:54 am 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."
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.
I am so proud and angry at the same time when I read or see anything pertaining to WWII. I have posted here before that they were the greatest generation hands down in my life time. I never have, nor will I forget the sacrifice they made for all of us! It makes me angry that those younger than me have no earthly idea what scarifies were made so that they may live the way they are able to today. I just feel the history and scarifies of what happened has slowly been forgotten and been lost. I feel that is all of our jobs to never forget and make sure other never forget! Thank for sharing with us!
Posted on 6/6/24 at 3:15 pm to tiger91
This is awesome. Thank you
Posted on 6/6/24 at 3:27 pm to fr33manator
I have nothing of value to add to the conversation, but I just read the entire thread with the West Wing soundtrack on and it was glorious.
Posted on 6/6/24 at 4:17 pm to carrguitar
My brother has a letter my dad sent to mom from Iwo Jima. He included some sand from his foxhole.
His letter could have been from Waikiki Beach the way he wrote and described the sand and ocean. He went in on the second wave and departed in Apri
Never talked about it except to say he found a Japanese officer's sword which he brought home.
His letter could have been from Waikiki Beach the way he wrote and described the sand and ocean. He went in on the second wave and departed in Apri
Never talked about it except to say he found a Japanese officer's sword which he brought home.
Posted on 6/6/24 at 4:32 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.
Awesome story overall but how was there ground crews to patch up his plane? I don’t think the Higgins boats were full of flight mechanics.
Cool story overall even if a little embellished
Posted on 6/6/24 at 5:05 pm to Sput
Very sorry to say that I couldn’t tell you that answer. I wish I had asked more questions. 
This post was edited on 6/6/24 at 5:06 pm
Posted on 6/6/24 at 5:08 pm to tiger91
I know that we interviewed him when my oldest (now 31) was in 5th grade. I asked him if he was ever scared.
He said “no they were real nice to us .. they cake us tea and cookies. Nervous maybe but I was never scared”.
That was my Big Bob.
Small world: the poster by the name of Clark Griswold was his home health therapist. I posted the story one year and he said “oh I know that man!”
He said “no they were real nice to us .. they cake us tea and cookies. Nervous maybe but I was never scared”.
That was my Big Bob.
Small world: the poster by the name of Clark Griswold was his home health therapist. I posted the story one year and he said “oh I know that man!”
Posted on 6/6/24 at 7:43 pm to tiger91
Posted on 6/6/24 at 8:32 pm to MSUDawg98
Truly The Greatest Gemeration. Been watching a bunch of interviews with vets who were at D-Day on You Tube today, some very sobering stuff.
This post was edited on 6/6/24 at 8:42 pm
Posted on 6/6/24 at 8:39 pm to tiger91
Men like your grandfather are special and only a few remain with us today. Your grandmother was blessed to be married to such a great man.
What she probably never talked about was the PTSD he dealt with all his life.
God Bless your grandfather and all that served.
What she probably never talked about was the PTSD he dealt with all his life.
God Bless your grandfather and all that served.
Posted on 6/6/24 at 8:43 pm to tiger91
Wow.! Thanks so much for sharing. My father and uncles were in WW2 but in the Pacific theater.
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