Purple Heart 502nd PIR Lt KIA Bastogne

[Bob Hudson]

He served in Company B of the 502nd. I do not know when he joined the unit. A studio portrait of him was taken while he was at Ft Benning, where his wife remained when he deployed to Europe.

 

God Bless the Lieutenant.

 

 

 

 

[Bob Hudson]

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[Bob Hudson]

In 1955 someone commissioned a color portrait based on a WWII black and white photo. The color version is 18 inches wide!

 

[Bob Hudson]

Through ancestry I found his widow's wartime compensation claim says that he left the US in August 1944. Would he have been with the 502nd on D-Day????

 

[scottplen]

Wow ! Great group !

[GIKyle]

Baker502 is literally writing the book on this company- no doubt he's interviewed troopers who knew this man. Great find!

 

Kyle

[Montana40]

Sometimes we forget how young those soldiers were and just how much they sacrificed for us, today. The current generation has no idea nor do they seem to care. Thanks to all on the forum who keep those memories alive.

[BigJohn#3RD]

Sometimes we forget how young those soldiers were and just how much they sacrificed for us, today. The current generation has no idea nor do they seem to care. Thanks to all on the forum who keep those memories alive.

 

I respectfully have to strongly disagree with your statement that the "current generation has no idea nor do they seem to care" the majority of the dead in area 60 and 61 of Arlington National Cemetery are members of this current generation. I have had the honor in my last years of service and another five years as a contractor watch young men and women of this current generation go to war and take the fight to the enemies of freedom and this country.

The youngest of our armed forces have always paid the most substantial price for the freedoms most take for granted. Just as in every war, there are those who step up and do what their country and leaders ask them to do and those who look for the comfortable and soft path. As in the Vietnam War, there are those who denigrate this country, burn its flag, and conspire with the enemy; the younger generation is led by leftist who have never had anything good to say of this country.

Next time you have a feeling that this generation does not care, take a look at the young faces of enlisted personnel and company grade officer in uniform and remember that they are of the current age. Be proud and grateful that we have enough willing volunteers coming into the service that we do not have to have a draft of the unwilling fill the ranks of the United States Armed Forces. Never forget that this is the Land of the Free because it is also Home of the Brave.

Strength and Honor

De Oppresso Liber

John

[BigJohn#3RD]

Through ancestry I found his widow's wartime compensation claim says that he left the US in August 1944. Would he have been with the 502nd on D-Day????

 

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He may have made it to the Market Garden Jump but most likely have been a replacement during the battle or after the 101st was pulled out to France. It is always the youngest of our soldiers who are the majority of our casualties. God Bless them all as they rest in well-deserved peace!

[Montana40]

Thanks for keeping me straight Big John. You know that is not what I meant nor did I have any intention of degrading your service, my service, their service or individuals such as my son. Thanks

[BigJohn#3RD]

Thanks for keeping me straight Big John. You know that is not what I meant nor did I have any intention of degrading your service, my service, their service or individuals such as my son. Thanks

 

J I am a boomer, so I was not taking any umbrage to your comments concerning my service. I am concerned how all of us, myself included, get carried away in blanket statements.

Those of my children's generation and the X'ers raised and reared in the social environment and public education system the if focused more on rights rather than responsibility that goes with their take a bad rap from many of us "old farts."

Best regards,

John

[chris3bs]

I did not think much of the war(s) growing up. As a child my parents as I remember did not mention much. I do not fault them because a child should not have to be introduced to something as horrific no matter where they are at in the world. So it's not all ignorance of our society. It is part choice and I have no problem with that. Yes our freedom is important and I am glad that I am living in a country that mainly respects that.. I was aware of war because of the remnants in Europe of the destruction even in the early 1970s.

 

Chris

[JAE]

Seeing that Lt. James Toy didn't come over to the ETO until of August 44' then he definitely didn't jump on D-Day and I don't think he jumped into Holland. I found in the MR's that Lt. Toy came into Service Co. of the 502nd PIR on 11 OCT 44 from the 12th Replacement Depot. On 18 Dec 44 he was transferred to C/502nd and then to B/502nd on 26 Dec 44 until he was sadly KIA 4 Jan 45.

[Flyboy1945]

The important thing is to keep alive the memory of who gave their future so we could enjoy our present. I have a 23 year old son who as Petty Officer is proudly serving onboard the SSBN 734 Tennessee. God Bless America!