Dieppe veteran who was Canadian Army's longest-serving officer dies at 101

[1canpara]

Although this is about a Canadian veteran, its worth noting that he served alongside 50 US Army Rangers from the 1st Ranger Battalion who landed with the Canadians at Dieppe, one of the most disastrous invasion attempts of WWII. Largely forgotten about, it was the Americans first experience in combat in WWII.

 

RIP Colonel Hart

 

https://www.timescolonist.com/dieppe-veteran-who-was-canadian-army-s-longest-serving-officer-dies-at-101-1.23776005

 

More info on the raid and US involvement can be seen here

 

http://www.nww2m.com/2012/08/raid-on-dieppe-2/

[ScottG]

Great article about an inspiring man. That said, I am pretty sure the Pearl Harbor, Wake Island, Doolittle Raiders and Bataan/Corregidor vets might have something to say about which Americans saw combat first. In the ETO the Navy and Coast Guard as well. Scott

[1canpara]

Great article about an inspiring man. That said, I am pretty sure the Pearl Harbor, Wake Island, Doolittle Raiders and Bataan/Corregidor vets might have something to say about which Americans saw combat first. In the ETO the Navy and Coast Guard as well. Scott

Very true Scott, that fact was taken from an article but I agree its not correct. It may have referred to first combat contact on European soil or first invasion combat, but in any case, the Pearl Harbour and PTO guys certainly were the first to experience combat conditions in WWII.

 

Rick