- My Forums
- Tiger Rant
- LSU Recruiting
- SEC Rant
- Saints Talk
- Pelicans Talk
- More Sports Board
- Coaching Changes
- 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: Had a chance to go through some of my Grandpa's WWII stuff
Posted on 7/28/21 at 1:24 pm to Loup
Posted on 7/28/21 at 1:24 pm to Loup
to your grandfather I remember being about 10 and finding my grandfather's picture albums from the war. The first part was all training and then fighting through France and Belgium. The last part was something a 10 year old shouldn't see. He was part of a group that liberated a small work camp. He documented it with photos. Brutal stuff.
When you're a kid, you see tv shows and movies and think war is cool and badass. Then you see stuff like piles of human bodies and it totally changes your outlook on it. You realize that your grandfather went through hell in order to save others from unspeakable horrors. I keep this picture of grandfather (left) out to remind me that he was badass and I have a lot to be thankful for.
1
Posted on 7/28/21 at 1:25 pm to Pettifogger
quote:And thank you for sharing!
Yes I'd like to see more, I love stuff like this
This post was edited on 7/28/21 at 1:33 pm
Posted on 7/28/21 at 1:34 pm to ugasickem
quote:
Nazi armbands
I think my older cousin has them but there was a framed case at my Grandma's that had some SS patches, nazi eagles, and Herman Georing's name. I need to try and track that stuff down.
quote:
Maybe they knew each other.
that'd be awesome.
Posted on 7/28/21 at 1:36 pm to BottomlandBrew
that's a friggin awesome photo!
Yup. When I see photos of my grandpa there it kind of shocks me how young he was. I mean, yeah, I know it was a bunch of kids fighting that war but with how hollywood portrays it you still have the image of a bunch of grizzled middle aged men. We have it easy today because of the hell they went through. I think they'd be happy to know we have it this easy.
quote:
When you're a kid, you see tv shows and movies and think war is cool and badass. Then you see stuff like piles of human bodies and it totally changes your outlook on it. You realize that your grandfather went through hell in order to save others from unspeakable horrors.
Yup. When I see photos of my grandpa there it kind of shocks me how young he was. I mean, yeah, I know it was a bunch of kids fighting that war but with how hollywood portrays it you still have the image of a bunch of grizzled middle aged men. We have it easy today because of the hell they went through. I think they'd be happy to know we have it this easy.
Posted on 7/28/21 at 2:03 pm to Loup
That is cool stuff. Love seeing these kind of mementos. Thanks for posting them.
When my grandfather passed away in 1998 I received a box of his WWII items. It included, among other things, a pamphlet for the GI with advice when going on R&R in France. Pretty funny stuff. There was a section on French prostitutes and avoiding STD's.
Also included a copy of"Mein Kampf" in German and some miniature playing cards stamped with the Third Reich emblem that he said he had "rescued" from a building in Germany.
Below are a couple of pics from his time over there.
He was a forward observer in the 30th Division (Old Hickory), 197th Field Artillery in Europe. It was a division made up of mainly soldiers from the Southeast U.S. (Tennessee, Georgia, the Carolinas).
He was born near Breaux Bridge and raised in Lafayette but was assigned to this division when he enlisted for some reason.
They saw a lot of action during the Battle of the Bulge.
The Germans nicknamed them "Roosevelt's SS" because of their tenacity and willingness to engage the enemy in battle.
I always loved to sit with him and hear stories about his time over there, which he really didn't open up about until his later years according to my mom.
Somewhere in France. My grandfather's on the left holding the gun.
Taken while they were training in England before D-Day. He's on the right. On back is written "The Mild and Bitter Gang".
I've got another photo packed away somewhere of him standing on a destroyed tank holding up a tattered Nazi flag they captured.
When my grandfather passed away in 1998 I received a box of his WWII items. It included, among other things, a pamphlet for the GI with advice when going on R&R in France. Pretty funny stuff. There was a section on French prostitutes and avoiding STD's.
Also included a copy of"Mein Kampf" in German and some miniature playing cards stamped with the Third Reich emblem that he said he had "rescued" from a building in Germany.
Below are a couple of pics from his time over there.
He was a forward observer in the 30th Division (Old Hickory), 197th Field Artillery in Europe. It was a division made up of mainly soldiers from the Southeast U.S. (Tennessee, Georgia, the Carolinas).
He was born near Breaux Bridge and raised in Lafayette but was assigned to this division when he enlisted for some reason.
They saw a lot of action during the Battle of the Bulge.
The Germans nicknamed them "Roosevelt's SS" because of their tenacity and willingness to engage the enemy in battle.
I always loved to sit with him and hear stories about his time over there, which he really didn't open up about until his later years according to my mom.
Somewhere in France. My grandfather's on the left holding the gun.
Taken while they were training in England before D-Day. He's on the right. On back is written "The Mild and Bitter Gang".
I've got another photo packed away somewhere of him standing on a destroyed tank holding up a tattered Nazi flag they captured.
Posted on 7/28/21 at 2:14 pm to Loup
Man, thx for sharing
Truly enjoyed
And I haven't even read any responses yet
Truly enjoyed
And I haven't even read any responses yet
Posted on 7/28/21 at 2:18 pm to Loup
Awesome stuff, thanks for sharing.
There is a pseudo-tradition in our family for people to share their "memoirs" with the rest of the family. I literally just pulled out the stack I have from my great grandad, grandad, grandmother, great uncle, and an uncle. It's so fascinating to read about their life stories and see photos.
My father in law has a million stories, and I've asked him to let me try to document it for him, our kids will never really get to hear all the stuff he's done..
There is a pseudo-tradition in our family for people to share their "memoirs" with the rest of the family. I literally just pulled out the stack I have from my great grandad, grandad, grandmother, great uncle, and an uncle. It's so fascinating to read about their life stories and see photos.
My father in law has a million stories, and I've asked him to let me try to document it for him, our kids will never really get to hear all the stuff he's done..
Posted on 7/28/21 at 2:22 pm to concrete_tiger
Those guys lived multiple lifetimes in one. Great stuff. Thanks for sharing.
Posted on 7/28/21 at 2:29 pm to Loup
I edited the OP as well but bumping for folks reading replies. My sister used a negative from one of the photos marked Hitlers house and colorized it. Looks like Berghoff.
Posted on 7/28/21 at 2:42 pm to Loup
Very interesting,thanks for sharing.
My grandfather fought in WW1.He never really talked about it but one day when we were visiting he pulled out a sock and shook out a bullet and a Purple Heart.Then he showed me the scar on his leg where the bullet was removed.Being a kid I started asking him questions about how many Germans he killed,etc.He changed the subject,put the bullet and PH back in the sock and that was the end of that.
He was a Fontenot from Crowley.
My grandfather fought in WW1.He never really talked about it but one day when we were visiting he pulled out a sock and shook out a bullet and a Purple Heart.Then he showed me the scar on his leg where the bullet was removed.Being a kid I started asking him questions about how many Germans he killed,etc.He changed the subject,put the bullet and PH back in the sock and that was the end of that.
He was a Fontenot from Crowley.
Posted on 7/28/21 at 2:44 pm to PaperPaintball92
Might as well just add this one here on this thread....
Shellback Certificate to August Liguori, March 6, 1944 aboard the USS Phaon bound for the South Pacific.
(Mr. Liguori is buried in the Florida National Cemetery)
USS Phaon
(Laid down as LST-15 on 17 September 1942, by the Dravo Corporation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; reclassified as a battle damage repair ship 25 January 1943; launched 30 January 1943)
quote:
Looks likes a crossing the line ceremony. Pollywog to Shellback.
Shellback Certificate to August Liguori, March 6, 1944 aboard the USS Phaon bound for the South Pacific.
(Mr. Liguori is buried in the Florida National Cemetery)
USS Phaon
(Laid down as LST-15 on 17 September 1942, by the Dravo Corporation in Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania; reclassified as a battle damage repair ship 25 January 1943; launched 30 January 1943)
This post was edited on 7/28/21 at 3:06 pm
Posted on 7/28/21 at 2:52 pm to WWII Collector
Finally a good topic that doesn't involve covid!
Thanks for sharing
Thanks for sharing
Posted on 7/28/21 at 3:03 pm to WWII Collector
quote:
Might as well just add this one here on this thread....
Very cool. I have one of those along with an Order of the Ditch.
Posted on 7/28/21 at 3:08 pm to Loup
God bless your Grandpa. Love this.
Posted on 7/28/21 at 3:26 pm to ShoeBang
On that Ithaca 1911 you cannot post too many pics.. Make sure before & after.
Posted on 7/28/21 at 3:42 pm to Chad504boy
quote:
does peter mean she liked dick?
Posted on 7/28/21 at 4:05 pm to 4x4tiger
Great thread, thanks for posting.
You have motivated me to search for the few remaining items from my paternal Grandfather’s WWII service in the Pacific. I know I’ve see a type written commendation that reads like a movie script centered around capturing and guarding a bridge. Unfortunately, he died shortly after the war and my Grandmother threw away most of the mementos, including a Japanese Officer’s Samurai Sword :(.
Keep the photos and information coming!
You have motivated me to search for the few remaining items from my paternal Grandfather’s WWII service in the Pacific. I know I’ve see a type written commendation that reads like a movie script centered around capturing and guarding a bridge. Unfortunately, he died shortly after the war and my Grandmother threw away most of the mementos, including a Japanese Officer’s Samurai Sword :(.
Keep the photos and information coming!
Posted on 7/28/21 at 5:07 pm to Loup
Those are awesome!
I lol’d at the Peter joke
I lol’d at the Peter joke
Posted on 7/28/21 at 5:22 pm to deltaland
Awesome thread. Thanks for sharing. Here is some info on the USS Towner
Posted on 7/28/21 at 5:24 pm to Loup
This is fantastic. Preserve it all for the future. Pass it down for generations.
Page 3 of 5
Popular
Back to top
Follow TigerDroppings for LSU Football News