Jump to content

Family Ties to World War II: A New Poll


Recommended Posts

My father was too young to get called up, but if the war had gone on into 1945, he would have been. His older brother worked as ground crew in the RAF with Bomber Command; his next older brother was with the Desert Rats, surviving getting his ammo truck blown up :eek:

My mother's older brother was in the RN, on destroyers, getting sunk twice (once in the North Sea, once in the Med) rescued both times smile.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

  • Replies 341
  • Created
  • Last Reply

Top Posters In This Topic

My father was too young to get called up, but if the war had gone on into 1945, he would have been. His older brother worked as ground crew in the RAF with Bomber Command; his next older brother was with the Desert Rats, surviving getting his ammo truck blown up :eek:

My mother's older brother was in the RN, on destroyers, getting sunk twice (once in the North Sea, once in the Med) rescued both times smile.gif

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Maternal Grandfather: Served in XV Corps Headquarter, 3rd Army (IIRC, the Coprs on Patton's Right Flank) in the cartographic department drawing situation maps. He gave me some but they were tragically lost in a move.

Fraternal Grandfather: Commander, US Navy. Served on an escort carrier in the pacific. USS B-something. Was the radar officer, which in those days was so secret that the captian was not aware of what it was and could not enter the room. He literally told the captain that a little birdie told them that there were planes coming in. Had one of 2 air conditioners on the ship in the radar room, had to jack the compressor from the other one once. The other one was in the captain's quarters. The captain was not happy.

In another note, the picture of the F6F in the US Air & Space Museum was taken on his carrier.

WWB

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Maternal Grandfather: Served in XV Corps Headquarter, 3rd Army (IIRC, the Coprs on Patton's Right Flank) in the cartographic department drawing situation maps. He gave me some but they were tragically lost in a move.

Fraternal Grandfather: Commander, US Navy. Served on an escort carrier in the pacific. USS B-something. Was the radar officer, which in those days was so secret that the captian was not aware of what it was and could not enter the room. He literally told the captain that a little birdie told them that there were planes coming in. Had one of 2 air conditioners on the ship in the radar room, had to jack the compressor from the other one once. The other one was in the captain's quarters. The captain was not happy.

In another note, the picture of the F6F in the US Air & Space Museum was taken on his carrier.

WWB

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Maternal Grandfather: Served in XV Corps Headquarter, 3rd Army (IIRC, the Coprs on Patton's Right Flank) in the cartographic department drawing situation maps. He gave me some but they were tragically lost in a move.

Fraternal Grandfather: Commander, US Navy. Served on an escort carrier in the pacific. USS B-something. Was the radar officer, which in those days was so secret that the captian was not aware of what it was and could not enter the room. He literally told the captain that a little birdie told them that there were planes coming in. Had one of 2 air conditioners on the ship in the radar room, had to jack the compressor from the other one once. The other one was in the captain's quarters. The captain was not happy.

In another note, the picture of the F6F in the US Air & Space Museum was taken on his carrier.

WWB

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My father was a sailor on the USS Marcus Island, CVE66. He survived the sortie of the Yamato, kamikazes (a glancing blow from one decapitated a fellow sailor), and a night long waltz with a submarine.

My great-uncle Mark after whom I am named was a member of the 45th infantry division. He was murdered for his race in 1943 or 1944; he was a Chickasaw indian, ironically, the single most integrated tribe into American politics and Christian faith.

My other great-uncle, uncle Albert, was a doctor on General Wainwright's staff, and lived through the campaign, surrender, Bataan Death March, and brutal Japanese prison camps to return home after the war. His body was so completely abused and malnourished by the war that he only lasted a couple of years after his return.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My father was a sailor on the USS Marcus Island, CVE66. He survived the sortie of the Yamato, kamikazes (a glancing blow from one decapitated a fellow sailor), and a night long waltz with a submarine.

My great-uncle Mark after whom I am named was a member of the 45th infantry division. He was murdered for his race in 1943 or 1944; he was a Chickasaw indian, ironically, the single most integrated tribe into American politics and Christian faith.

My other great-uncle, uncle Albert, was a doctor on General Wainwright's staff, and lived through the campaign, surrender, Bataan Death March, and brutal Japanese prison camps to return home after the war. His body was so completely abused and malnourished by the war that he only lasted a couple of years after his return.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My father was a sailor on the USS Marcus Island, CVE66. He survived the sortie of the Yamato, kamikazes (a glancing blow from one decapitated a fellow sailor), and a night long waltz with a submarine.

My great-uncle Mark after whom I am named was a member of the 45th infantry division. He was murdered for his race in 1943 or 1944; he was a Chickasaw indian, ironically, the single most integrated tribe into American politics and Christian faith.

My other great-uncle, uncle Albert, was a doctor on General Wainwright's staff, and lived through the campaign, surrender, Bataan Death March, and brutal Japanese prison camps to return home after the war. His body was so completely abused and malnourished by the war that he only lasted a couple of years after his return.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My Grandfather was a captain in the Philippine Constabulary. Fought in the Battle of Bataan. Captured by the Japanese along with thousands of other Filipino and American POW's who were made to do the infamous "Death March" from Bataan to Tarlac. Managed to escape along the way and joined the USAFFE guerillas. Was captured again and tortured. He died in the dungeon of Fort Santiago along with hundreds of other prisoners when it was flooded with water from a nearby river during a heavy downpour. (they all drowned)

His brother was a decorated Philippine Scout who survived the war and also served in Korea. He later settled in the US where he died at a ripe old age.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My Grandfather was a captain in the Philippine Constabulary. Fought in the Battle of Bataan. Captured by the Japanese along with thousands of other Filipino and American POW's who were made to do the infamous "Death March" from Bataan to Tarlac. Managed to escape along the way and joined the USAFFE guerillas. Was captured again and tortured. He died in the dungeon of Fort Santiago along with hundreds of other prisoners when it was flooded with water from a nearby river during a heavy downpour. (they all drowned)

His brother was a decorated Philippine Scout who survived the war and also served in Korea. He later settled in the US where he died at a ripe old age.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My Grandfather was a captain in the Philippine Constabulary. Fought in the Battle of Bataan. Captured by the Japanese along with thousands of other Filipino and American POW's who were made to do the infamous "Death March" from Bataan to Tarlac. Managed to escape along the way and joined the USAFFE guerillas. Was captured again and tortured. He died in the dungeon of Fort Santiago along with hundreds of other prisoners when it was flooded with water from a nearby river during a heavy downpour. (they all drowned)

His brother was a decorated Philippine Scout who survived the war and also served in Korea. He later settled in the US where he died at a ripe old age.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I guess my link is from the non-combatant's side, but fairly clear nonetheless.

My maternal grandfather was a conductor working for Canadian National Railways when the war broke out. He tried to enlist but was told that his service with the railways was considered an essential service. Determined to do some manner of war service, he managed a brief hiatus from CNR (AWOL or otherwise I haven't been able to determine) where he briefly worked at an ammunition factory. My maternal grandmother's brothers also served, one in convoy escorts, another in the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps and a third in the Provost Corps.

My paternal grandfather, like thousands of other Japanese-Canadians living on the West Coast at the time and working as a United Church minister, was interned as a 'security measure' and then forced to move to Montreal, where my father was born. Like millions of others on this planet, the war indirectly affected my birth, as my father would not have met my mother at McGill University if the Japanese-Canadians had not been evicted.

The fortunes of war...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I guess my link is from the non-combatant's side, but fairly clear nonetheless.

My maternal grandfather was a conductor working for Canadian National Railways when the war broke out. He tried to enlist but was told that his service with the railways was considered an essential service. Determined to do some manner of war service, he managed a brief hiatus from CNR (AWOL or otherwise I haven't been able to determine) where he briefly worked at an ammunition factory. My maternal grandmother's brothers also served, one in convoy escorts, another in the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps and a third in the Provost Corps.

My paternal grandfather, like thousands of other Japanese-Canadians living on the West Coast at the time and working as a United Church minister, was interned as a 'security measure' and then forced to move to Montreal, where my father was born. Like millions of others on this planet, the war indirectly affected my birth, as my father would not have met my mother at McGill University if the Japanese-Canadians had not been evicted.

The fortunes of war...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

I guess my link is from the non-combatant's side, but fairly clear nonetheless.

My maternal grandfather was a conductor working for Canadian National Railways when the war broke out. He tried to enlist but was told that his service with the railways was considered an essential service. Determined to do some manner of war service, he managed a brief hiatus from CNR (AWOL or otherwise I haven't been able to determine) where he briefly worked at an ammunition factory. My maternal grandmother's brothers also served, one in convoy escorts, another in the Royal Canadian Armoured Corps and a third in the Provost Corps.

My paternal grandfather, like thousands of other Japanese-Canadians living on the West Coast at the time and working as a United Church minister, was interned as a 'security measure' and then forced to move to Montreal, where my father was born. Like millions of others on this planet, the war indirectly affected my birth, as my father would not have met my mother at McGill University if the Japanese-Canadians had not been evicted.

The fortunes of war...

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My paternal grandfather was drafted but refused (for religious reasons) to carry a weapon. He was trained as a medical assistant and never saw combat, being posted to North Africa after the invasion of Italy, to France after the Rhine crossings, and finally to Germany, where he served in the occupation army until 1946. Quite an eye-opening experience for a man who had never been out of Alabama before!

He did have a chance to witness some of the Nuremburg Tribunal proceedings (including Goering's, one day) from the sidelines.

My maternal grandfather was an older generation: at 16 he lied about his age and joined the U.S. Navy during the *first* World War. He spent 1917 and 1918 floating up and down the eastern coast of the U.S. on the watch for German submarines. He never saw any.

On my wife's side of the family there is an uncle who fought in the US Army (I don't know his division--maybe the 2nd ID?) at the Bulge. He was Jewish and also a communist.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My paternal grandfather was drafted but refused (for religious reasons) to carry a weapon. He was trained as a medical assistant and never saw combat, being posted to North Africa after the invasion of Italy, to France after the Rhine crossings, and finally to Germany, where he served in the occupation army until 1946. Quite an eye-opening experience for a man who had never been out of Alabama before!

He did have a chance to witness some of the Nuremburg Tribunal proceedings (including Goering's, one day) from the sidelines.

My maternal grandfather was an older generation: at 16 he lied about his age and joined the U.S. Navy during the *first* World War. He spent 1917 and 1918 floating up and down the eastern coast of the U.S. on the watch for German submarines. He never saw any.

On my wife's side of the family there is an uncle who fought in the US Army (I don't know his division--maybe the 2nd ID?) at the Bulge. He was Jewish and also a communist.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My paternal grandfather was drafted but refused (for religious reasons) to carry a weapon. He was trained as a medical assistant and never saw combat, being posted to North Africa after the invasion of Italy, to France after the Rhine crossings, and finally to Germany, where he served in the occupation army until 1946. Quite an eye-opening experience for a man who had never been out of Alabama before!

He did have a chance to witness some of the Nuremburg Tribunal proceedings (including Goering's, one day) from the sidelines.

My maternal grandfather was an older generation: at 16 he lied about his age and joined the U.S. Navy during the *first* World War. He spent 1917 and 1918 floating up and down the eastern coast of the U.S. on the watch for German submarines. He never saw any.

On my wife's side of the family there is an uncle who fought in the US Army (I don't know his division--maybe the 2nd ID?) at the Bulge. He was Jewish and also a communist.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My father fought in WW 1 in the Meuse Argonne,

He was gassed but obviously survived, an immigrant, he joined up to get his US citizenship.

I'm 52.

I have an uncle that fought with the Greek Brigade in North Africa.

Another who was with the Marines on Guadalcanal.

Another who was a navigator in the 8th AAF (bomber shot down, killed).

[ January 09, 2004, 10:47 AM: Message edited by: Alkiviadis ]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My father fought in WW 1 in the Meuse Argonne,

He was gassed but obviously survived, an immigrant, he joined up to get his US citizenship.

I'm 52.

I have an uncle that fought with the Greek Brigade in North Africa.

Another who was with the Marines on Guadalcanal.

Another who was a navigator in the 8th AAF (bomber shot down, killed).

[ January 09, 2004, 10:47 AM: Message edited by: Alkiviadis ]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My father fought in WW 1 in the Meuse Argonne,

He was gassed but obviously survived, an immigrant, he joined up to get his US citizenship.

I'm 52.

I have an uncle that fought with the Greek Brigade in North Africa.

Another who was with the Marines on Guadalcanal.

Another who was a navigator in the 8th AAF (bomber shot down, killed).

[ January 09, 2004, 10:47 AM: Message edited by: Alkiviadis ]

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My uncle was a navigator on B-24 Liberators in the Pacific. He likes to tell the story about how he would navigate by chewing lead pencils (I'm assuming so many lead pencils per so many miles). He tells the story about how his airplane was lead on a jump from Hawaii to Guam, or some other remote refueling stop, and he nailed it.

Another uncle also was a P-51 pilot who flew recon for the Canadians, I think, but am not certain.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My uncle was a navigator on B-24 Liberators in the Pacific. He likes to tell the story about how he would navigate by chewing lead pencils (I'm assuming so many lead pencils per so many miles). He tells the story about how his airplane was lead on a jump from Hawaii to Guam, or some other remote refueling stop, and he nailed it.

Another uncle also was a P-51 pilot who flew recon for the Canadians, I think, but am not certain.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My uncle was a navigator on B-24 Liberators in the Pacific. He likes to tell the story about how he would navigate by chewing lead pencils (I'm assuming so many lead pencils per so many miles). He tells the story about how his airplane was lead on a jump from Hawaii to Guam, or some other remote refueling stop, and he nailed it.

Another uncle also was a P-51 pilot who flew recon for the Canadians, I think, but am not certain.

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My Uncle Dick was a combat medic in the 45th Div. He served in Sicily Anzio, Southern France, the Huretgen Forest, and battle of the Bukge. In 1945 he and the 45th were shipped Stateside to prepare as one of the assualt divisons on Japan. He has always felt certain the A-Bomb saved his life. Dick has a remarkable sense of humor and rarely talks about the war except in goofy self deprecating ways. He used to spit on the cookiesthe family sent him...so the other guys wouldn't snatch 'em! He was eating those cookies around Christmas when he heard German voices in the fog. He jumped up out of his fox hole and ran like hell. Of course the Germans got his cookies. It was only when the "Band of Brothers" Series had a segment invoving a medic did I begin to understand the horror , waste and sadness uncle Dick delt with for so many days. Our family last name is in CMBO...It gave him quite a chuckle when he saw it....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

My Uncle Dick was a combat medic in the 45th Div. He served in Sicily Anzio, Southern France, the Huretgen Forest, and battle of the Bukge. In 1945 he and the 45th were shipped Stateside to prepare as one of the assualt divisons on Japan. He has always felt certain the A-Bomb saved his life. Dick has a remarkable sense of humor and rarely talks about the war except in goofy self deprecating ways. He used to spit on the cookiesthe family sent him...so the other guys wouldn't snatch 'em! He was eating those cookies around Christmas when he heard German voices in the fog. He jumped up out of his fox hole and ran like hell. Of course the Germans got his cookies. It was only when the "Band of Brothers" Series had a segment invoving a medic did I begin to understand the horror , waste and sadness uncle Dick delt with for so many days. Our family last name is in CMBO...It gave him quite a chuckle when he saw it....

Link to comment
Share on other sites

Join the conversation

You can post now and register later. If you have an account, sign in now to post with your account.

Guest
Unfortunately, your content contains terms that we do not allow. Please edit your content to remove the highlighted words below.
Reply to this topic...

×   Pasted as rich text.   Paste as plain text instead

  Only 75 emoji are allowed.

×   Your link has been automatically embedded.   Display as a link instead

×   Your previous content has been restored.   Clear editor

×   You cannot paste images directly. Upload or insert images from URL.


×
×
  • Create New...