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What is your military heritage?


Stinger Gunner USMC
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Dad's side .....

 

My father was in the Air Force during the Korean War, stationed in God-forsaken Northern Japan, at a base that was secretly eavesdropping on a nearby Soviet base. His unit worked on cracking codes.

 

Grandfather -- 27th MG Bn., WW1......was ready to leave Camp Sheridan when the war ended in 1918.

 

Two uncles -- one served in the 334th Infantry, and the other in a Railway Engineer unit in France.

 

Distant relatives in the Civil War, 159th Ohio Vol. Infantry, an Ohio National Guard unit that saw some action in 1864.

 

 

Mom's side.....

 

an uncle in the 377th Parachute Field Artillery, 101st Airborne, WW2. His name was Charles Lee Huffman....a machine gunner in Battery D. Wounded in Normandy and Holland...POW after Holland. He joined up in 1940, underage with parental permission. Stayed in the army for another hitch after WW2....his discharge listed his occupation as "professional parachutist". He would make jumps for county fairs, special events, etc.

 

At some point he moved from Ohio to California, and no one in my family ever heard from him afterwards. I have no idea what happened to him....it's been a mystery. If anybody has any information about him, please let me know.

 

 

Another uncle, Richard Huffman, was a combat infantryman in France/Germany.

 

In the Civil War, had relatives in the 62nd, 63rd, 97th Ohio regiments.

 

One relative in the War of 1812...can't remember the regiment.

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Mom's side:

 

Cousin: 20 Years in the Navy, 1960-80 I believe :think:

Great Uncle: Drafted out of Heart Mountain Relocation Center into the 442RCT in '44. (unsure when he left)

Grandfather: Drafted into the U.S. Army in '51, stateside.

 

Dad's side:

Great Uncle: Enlisted in the U.S.M.C in '42, fought in the Pacific, out in '46

Great Uncle (another): Enlisted in the U.S. Army, served two tours in Vietnam.

 

That's about it I believe. :think:

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Dad's Side:

 

Dad: AMH3 USN/R 1960-1966, in regular navy with VF-102 Diamondbacks

Uncle: AE2 USN 1957-1963 with Patrol Squadron 26

Great Uncle: Coast Guard in WWII

 

Mom's Side:

 

Grandfather: Tech 4 331st Engineer Construction Battalion in WWII

 

Not is the US military nut thought I'd mention it

Great Grandfather: Polish Army Pre WWII, Polish armed forces in the west, from Polish exiled gov't in England in WWII.

Great Uncle: Polish armed forces in the west, from Polish exiled gov't in England in WWII.

 

From what i've been able to research that's it.

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Misanthropic_Gods

Maternal:

 

grandfather who I never met had died YEARS before I was born was AAC in WW2

 

Grandmothers first husband who died in 1952 was in the 532nd EBSR, 2 ESB in the Pacific (Leyte landing, among others) during WW2, then joined the USMCR post war and might have possibly gone to Korea, im not sure on that. He dies just a few miles outside of Camp Pendelton in a car accident in 1952

 

 

Paternal:

 

Grandfather: SM1 on the USS Hanson 1945-46 while on occupation duty in Japan.

 

Gradfather's Brothers: 1 was a Merchant Marine captain, and the other was an infantryman in ww2 in Europe, then part of the occupying forces, and eventually ended up being a CIA adviser in East Asia during Vietnam.

 

Great grandfather: USNA Sgt. in the 77th Div in WW1, deployed all over France

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Father....too young to serve at 15 got an aprentiship in carpentry in Teignmouth Devon UK sorting out/repairing De Gauls Free French Flotilla of MTB's....told me many a story....specially when the MTB'sgot jumped by"E"boats....under his and his mates servicing of those merlin engined motors they achieved 48....yes....48 knots.......unheard of......to escape the pre said german boats...not bad for a 15 year old till he had to clean the blood outa the gun "tubs"

Older brother....RAPC....Royal Army Pay Corps....speaks for itself....'77 till'80

ME...'84 til'90 inculding 3 tours of Northern Ireland.......now you can ban me......remember NORAID

Kev

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strangepair03

I had an uncle(married in) named Arthur Worth....Paterson/Clifton area of NJ.

 

 

Re "back to 1066": That WORTH line was a complete shock/accident/windfall. For the longest time, the WORTHs were a "brickwall" ending in 1770 NJ. There were too many William WORTHs hanging around. But then another researcher sorted them out from church and land records. Then the trail led back to Mass. in late 1600s. I came across a ref that the two brothers had been BANISHED from Devon due to the English Civil War(s); so I dug around for info on WORTHs then/there and turned over a lucky rock....and that led back to the Norman invasion, etc.

 

I would make two observations:

 

1. EVERYBODY has ancestors back in whatever year (pick one). The difference is in the research -- to arrive at knowing who was who, when and where.

 

2. I have a dau-in-law who is totally unimpressed by genealogy. I researched her families....and she is a descendent of Charlemagne, Charles Martel and Pepin of Italy -- furthest back is Saint Arnulf in 8th century. She is qualified for DAR twice, Colonial Dames twice, Dau of Confederacy four times. Oh yeah and her parents are eighth cousins, their lines merging back in colonial Williamsburg. She is also a teensy bit Amerindian.

 

BTW Those WORTHs include the man Fort Worth TX, Lake Worth FL and the Chicago suburb of Worth IL are named after -- Wm Jenkins WORTH, a controversial general in the Mex War. No, he is not a DIRECT anc of mine.

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  • 2 weeks later...

Mother's side

Great-Grandfather: Swedish Navy, WWI

Great, Great, Great Uncle: Mexican Army (KIA fighting banditos)

Grandfather: US Navy, AM3c(T), WWII

Uncle: US Navy, Cold War

 

Father's Side

Great, Great Grandfather: Union Army, Btry A, 3rd Arty, NY Light, Civil War

Great, Great Uncle; US Army, WWI (Ft Lewis, WA)

Great Uncle: US Army, WWII, Co L, 103rd INF, 43rd Div

Great Uncle: RCAF, WWII Pilot Sergeant (Avro Lancaster Bomber)

Great Uncle: US Navy, WWII, MoMM1c, USS Argonne

Uncle: US Army, Cold War, 31B20 (Field Radio Mech)

Father: US Army, Cold War, Construction Engineer: Heavy Equipment Operator

Cousin: US Navy, OIF, SeaBee

 

Me

US Army, Cold War, ODS, OIF (I), OIF (05-07), 76Y (Unit Supply Specialist), 13P (MLRS FDC Specialist)

 

My Wife's family is quite colorful as well with family in Rev War, War of 1812, ACW, WWI, WWII, Vietnam.

 

Dave

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dropbear68

I am Aussie but heres my family heritage

Great Uncle 12 Batt Killied In Action Lone Pine Gallipoli 1915

Great Grandfather 3rd Light Horse Mounted Infantry, served Gallipoli, Middle East, Palestine 1914- survived the war.

Great Uncle 5thDiv Train served Gallipoli, France, Scotland and the UK 1914- survived the war

Grandfather 70th AASL served Darwin Australia endured first bombing raids on Australian soil, 1939-1945 survived the war.

Uncle 10Batt served Africa (Tobruk Rat)

Uncle 10Batt served Africa (Tobruk Rat) brother to first uncle.

Uncle 67th AASL served PNG, Queensland Australia brother to above two all three survived WW2.

Uncle RAAF served with the RAF in the Middle East Coastal Bombers (Martin Baltimores) 55 Sqdn was a Wireless Op AirGunner.

Father Army 27 RSAR served 1962 to 1979 Infantry and Artillery.

Sister RAAF 1981 to 1987

Me RAAF 1982 to 1988

There are several other Uncles I havent listed that served in WW1 and a few sailors in WW2, my Mums father was a Policeman during the War years he was murdered on duty in 1957.

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dogfacedsoldier

Hello,

 

The military heritage goes back a ways, but we have always focused on The CW forward. My mom's family, mostly Irish took part in the battle of New Orleans War of 1812 (lived in New Orleans), later moved to Ill. The part of her family were from Ohio. One great grandfather John served in Co. E 94th Ohio, at Perryville, then captured, he spent a year on Belle Island in Richmond, Va., was exchanged and served with the 94th in the 14th Corps from Tullahoma, Chickamauga, Chattanooga, Atlanta, to Sherman's March to the Sea. He had a saber cut scar from his shoulder to his wrist. He died in 1935. My mom took care of him the last few years of his life. My other great grandfather was in the 58th Ill. Indian Wars some relative served as scout. During WWI my grandfather sold horses and mules to the Army. After the war he sold horses to the Cav. Mostly to the Black Horse Troop of the 106th Cav. Ill. NG. During WWII he sold some horses, mostly mules to the Army. My mom served during WWII as a WAC in the AAF. She was stationed around DC near Bolling Field. She was a driver for mostly higher ups. She drove Gen. Eloitt Roosevelt on a regular basis, and a Capt who informed people their sons and husbands had been killed or were missing in action all over the VA and MD area. She also drove DeGaulle, when he visited Washington, Gen. Eisenhower at the end of the war, and other Generals during visits. She saw Generals Arnold and Marshall a lot. She also drove a lot of aces who were ordered AAF Hq. Her favorite of these was Don Gentile. She made corp. and witnessed Roosevelt's funeral. My uncle Bob served with Co. B and later the R and I platoon of the 15th Inf, 3rd Division from the Anzio landing to the of the war. He was wounded in Italy and received a Bronze Star with a "V" and the French Choixe de guerre. Several close cousins served one as a B-17 pilot in WWII, B-29's in Korea and B-52's in Vietnam. Before the war he served 5 years in the Inf. Transferred to the AAC in 1941. Another of her cousins Stanly, served in the 36th Division from North Africa, Italy, France and Germany. He was wounded 3 or 4 times. He would not talk much about San Pietro or the Rapido River. He was 36 when he was drafted. He told me once about Patton making a speech to them. A third cousin served in the 5th Inf. Division as a machine gunner. He was wounded in the neck. He was also a cousin of my fathers. One cousin served in the Army during the Vietnam War, but not in combat because he was an only son.

 

 

My dad's side were mostly southerners from KY. and Mo. Three were brothers George, Oliver, and Frank? Shepherd who served under Quantrill at first but later mostly rode with Todd and Anderson. One of whom was arrested for the Russellville, Ky. bank robbery with the James Gang. One was killed at Centralia, Mo. George was the first person in the Lee's Summit, Mo Cem. George and Oliver both took part in the Liberty, Mo. bank robberry in 1866. Spam Am War my dad's uncle served, I believe actually during the Phillippine Insurrection. My unlce served in WWI. He was gassed and lost an eye to shrapnel. I have never been able to determine if he ever got a purple heart later on. No one can even remember who he served with in France. He was drafted in 1917. My father joined the Navy in 1936. His first ship was the USS Melville. His C.O was Capt. Franklin Von Valkenburg. He took part in the Amelia Earhart search, later switched to out of Norfolk. He took part in some early convoys, and has a battle star on his American Defense medal. Later transferred from the Melville, when he made MMC in 1942. He served with convoys from Northern Ireland and England. Later on theKorean War. He was a plank owner of the USS Point Definace. He retired in 1956. My dad was raised with his first cousin who in early 1941 joined the 18th Inf. He rose to sergt. was in Co. M. He served in all the campaigns of the Big Red One. He was wounded in Normandy and at Aachen. He earned two Bronze Stars with "V's". He saw combat in the Korean War, where he was wounded again. He retired from the Army in 1960's.

 

Jon

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  • 3 weeks later...

Father's side:

 

1- Great Grandfather- WW1- German Infantry Officer, where he earned the Iron Cross Second Class. During WW2, he was Standartenfuhrer(Col) in Alg. SS in Berlin. He was in charge of the ceremonial detail for the city.

 

2- Grandfather- WW2 German Army. Infantry Major. Took part in the Invasion of Norway, Russian Campaign(Leningrad), Infantry Officer Candidate School Instructor, in Posen. He lead a task force in the 1944 Warsaw Uprising(Ironically cleared of any wrong doing by Polish combatants who had surrenered to him. After the war, he migrated to the US and worked with the US Army. He was very highly decorated, with his highest award being the German Cross in Gold.

 

3- Father- 173rd Airborne Combat Engineer as a Sgt in Vietnam. He ended up with a Bronze Star with "V" and three Purple Hearts.

 

 

 

Mother's Side

 

1- Great Grandfather- Sgt with Army Ambulance Corps in WW1. He was wounded in France in 1918 and retroactively awarded the Purple Heart, when it became an official award.

 

2. Grandfather- PhM1 in the Navy in WW2. He took part in Guadalcanal and Leyte Gulf Battles. His highest award was the Navy Commendation Ribbon(it was a ribbon only award until after WW2).

 

I am the third generation of medic in the family. The strange thing is that I did not even know this until recently! I have posted a collection of the three generations of medical service from my family:

 

http://www.usmilitariaforum.com/forums/ind...showtopic=77424

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Strictly GI

Related by Marriage- Robert Morris (Signer of Declaration of Independence and US Constitution)

 

Great, Great, Great, Grandfather - Swedish Royal Guard (included in (probably) first series of photographs ever made in Sweden)

 

Great Grandfather - G Co 2nd Nebraska Volunteer Infantry (died young due to complications of Yellow Fever and Dysentery...SpanAm)

 

Great Granduncle- USS Oklahoma (1917-1918)

 

Grandmother's Cousin- US Navy Balloon School (Ft Omaha WW1)

 

Grandfather - 207th and 302nd Ord. Bns. (DUKW driver and Supply Sgt. declined Warrant Commission to remain with unit.)

 

Great Uncle Jack - Marine Raider (KIA Orote Peninsula Guam July 26 1944) C Co 4th Marines (Reinforced) 1st Prov. MB

 

Mom & Dad - went to join NavBuMed together after college, were told not to bother "it will be over before you get there".

 

Me - 1st Bn 1st Marines....but missed all the fun :{

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I served in the US Navy from 1984-1988. I was an operations specialist finishing as an E-5. I was a plankowner aboard the USS Vincennes (cg-49) and served there from 1984-1988. I spent two years aboard the USS Camden (AOE-2) and 3.5 years as a corrections specialist at the Navy Brig in Seattle.

 

My father served in the Army 1968-70 and was in Viet Nam with MAC-V, '69-70.

 

My mother's father served in the Navy from Jan. '42-Dec '45 and was stationed at American Samoa for 2 years and then aboard the USS Attala (APA-130).

 

My paternal grandfather's brothers (twins) - One served in the Navy from 1920-1929, contracted pulmonary tuberculosis (which he ultimately died from in '37. The other twin enlisted at the ripe old age of 16 to fight in WWI serving with the 63rd Coastal Artillery. He was discharged in 1920 and attended/graduated from USC. He then got another degree at UW then worked for US Customs as a neutrality enforcement agent until Dec. '42. He fought with the bureaucrats to enlist (they wanted him to ride a desk in DC as an officer) which he did in Dec. 42, entering the service as a 42 year-old private. He made MSGT 3 months later working in MIS with ETOUSA HQ leading up to D-Day. He then was attached to several units throughout the remainder of the European campaign moving into a CIC role. In may of '45 he was commissioned a 1st LT and sent to the Pacific Theater with the 441st CIC. After the war he remained with the 44st until 1954 when he left the army, too old to advance to major.

 

My paternal grandmother's two brothers both served in the Navy. One made a career, advancing to CWO.

 

Another uncle served in the USAAC (chemical warfare service, 5th Airbase Group) before the war, was stationed in the PI. Spent the entire war as a POW and survived.

Another uncle was drafted into the army and served in the CBI (in Burma).

 

My brother-in-law enlisted in the Navy serving 22 years, retiring as an LCDR. His father, my father-in-law, served in the AF in the late 50's. His uncle, my father-in-law's brother, served in the Army for 6 years in the 1960s. My wife's paternal grandfather served in the Army Air Force during WWII in B-25s in CONUS as a radio operator trainer.

 

I have ancestors who fought and died in the Civil War and fought in the Revolution. I haven't found anyone (yet) who served in any other of the American conflicts.

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Myself - USAF vet Supply

Brother - USAF Security Forces Minot AFB

Brother - USAF Comm. Los Angeles AFB

Grandpa Army 767th FA battalion

Great Grandpa - Navy USS. McDougal WWI

Great Grandpa - Army 214th POW escort WWI

 

Wife side

Father in law - Army MP Korea 70's

Grandpa - Army 8th ID 28th Infantry Reg. WW2

Grandpa - Navy WW2

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My great great great great uncle was killed in NY during the war of 1812

 

My great great grandfather served with Company F 7th Wisconsin Regiment fought at the battle of the Wilderness and was WIA May 12, 1864 at Laurel Hill during the Spotsylvania battle.

 

I had a great uncle who was WIA at Okinawa as an army medic

 

I had another uncle who flew corsairs in the navy during WWII died in a training accident in 1947

 

One grandfather served with 110th Tank destroyers 28th Infantry during the battle of the bulge

 

Another grandfather served with L Company 3rd Battalion 6th Marine Regiment at Guadalcanal and Tarawa then with E Company 2nd Battalion 27th Marines 5th MarDiv on Iwo Jima. Landed at Red Beach I and wounded in action March 10,1945

 

My father served with L Company 3rd Battalion 26th Marines 3rd Marine Division from December 1967 to January 1969 in Vietnam including the entire 77-day siege of Khe Sanh. He a 106mm recoiless rifleman.

 

I served with F Btry 2nd Bn 14th Marines as a cannoneer from '98-'05.

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Maternal:

 

Grandfather was in 3rd Marine Division in WWII. Landed on Iwo Jima, Bougainville and Guam.

 

Paternal:

 

Grandfather was in USAAF in WWII.

 

Great-Uncle was a tail gunner in a B-26 called Flossie's Fury. Was KIA when his B-26 was shot down over Toulon, France.

 

Uncle was in 1st Cavalry Division in Vietnam

 

Dad was in Navy on the U.S.S. Intrepid.

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Corpl. Cleaver

Dad's side:

his dad was 4F (flat feet) tried to join Navy

Step dad in 40th and 25th ID's in Korea

 

WAY WAY back... Don't have the names handy

abunch in the Rev war

relitive was a commander of a Confederate Cav unit in the ACW.

Another formed a unit and commanded it in Ky during the ACW.

afew ground-pounders on both sides in the ACW, they even faced eachother at Fredricksburg.

 

Mom's side...

great-great uncle, Corpl in Can during WWI,

Grandfater, 21st Eng (avation) WW2

great uncle Lester, 29th ID 175th IR, KIA September 12 1944, WW2

great uncle Howard (aka Bud) 89th Mec Recon Sqdn. 9th Armored. WW2

great uncle Donald, cook for engineer unit in Korea

great uncle Edwin (Jr.) also cook in Korea

great uncle don't remember his name (died years ago) signal corps in North Africa. WW2

Uncle Tommy, chopper mechanic, Vietnam

uncle Harry, chopper pilot(?) Vietnam

 

I know I am missing some on my moms side, many of my great uncles died before I was born.

 

Tyler

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  • 2 weeks later...
The Canadian

I'm of German-Polish ethnicity:

 

Great-Great Grandfather served in the Imperial German Army in the First World War on the Eastern Front, taken prisoner in around 1915. Was sent to Siberia from where he escaped and made his way back on foot with much large help of brave Russians who undoubtedly risked a lot, it took him five years, in large part thanks to the Civil War to get home.

Great Uncle served in the Kriegsmarine, in the U-Boat service during the War, his submarine was captured and was sent to a P.O.W. camp in South Africa. The worst part, his brother was at Dachau for being a socialist at this time.

 

Grandfather served in a Engineering battalion of the Polish Army in the North East in the 1950s. Much of his service was spent as a football (soccer) player for one of the armies amateur sides

Step Grandfather served in the Polish 6th Airborne Brigade in the late 1940s early 1950s. Supposedly, at the height of the Korean War crisis, his unit was ready to be deployed into the Korean Peninsula.

Father never served as health complications prevented him from doing so.

Uncle served in the Polish 6th Airborne Brigade in the 1960-70s, saw his best friend killed when he dropped onto a electricity pylon.

Step-Father served in the Polish 2nd Mechanized Batallion in the 1980s.

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  • 4 weeks later...
vostoktrading

My Dad was in the US Navy during WW2 on the USS Watts, DD567 (a Fletcher class Destroyer) serving in the Aleutians, Kurials, Philippines and Okinawa. He remembered a day very very late in the War while patrolling off mainland Japan the ship being covered with a strange black soot falling from the sky like rain. He was born and raised in the Northwest US (Washington State) and he said it smelled like a forest fire. He said they were ordered to wash down the ship with fire hoses and everyone to take a shower. Later they found out about the Bomb on Hiroshima. My dad died of an extremely unusual cancer 10 years ago (He was 82, of course he had a long and healthy life prior to that, the cancer probably had nothing to do with the fallout).

 

Interesting to note: I remember on a previous thread in "Ships" (six or seven months ago?) someone saying they had possible scraps from a Kamikaze plane explosion from a ship deck and someone responding that that was unlikely because the ship in question (not the Watts) was not struck by a Kamikaze according to official Navy records.

My dad had 2 scraps of twisted aluminum with a kind of OD paint on one side and chromate green paint on the other from a very near miss on the Watts that occured off Okinawa. Watts was never hit, but it was close. So it's very possible to have souveneirs like this from near misses. Watts was a very lucky ship, only one KIA (unfortunately from a stray .50 cal from a US plane above). My dad was on the same 40MM AA gun right next to the poor fellow who got it; this one and only KIA.

 

My dad was a Quartermaster (he said they cross-trained so everyone knew how to do other jobs). He was a good helmsman, so often when refuelling underway he was tasked with steering the ship. He said he wound clocks, corrected charts, took care of sextants and chronometers. He said while on watch late at night, they sometimes would steal freshly cooked pies from the cooks who would come out of the galley on the way to the wardroom in the dark. The cook's eyes were not yet adjusted to the dark so they couldn't see too well. My dad said he or one of his friends would wait on a ladder near where he knew they would walk and scoup the topmost fresh pie of the stack so the watchmen could share a steaming fresh pie for their watch.

I know if he were still alive, he would not be pleased at me telling the world on this USMF about his pie-stealing... Sorry Dad...

 

After the War he worked in China (after he got out of the US Navy). Initially with the maritime British Customs in Hong Kong, then later as a partner with some Nationalist Chinese businessmen trading surplus US goods up various Chinese rivers. He bought a surplus US Navy PT Boat in Manila and would steam from Manila to Canton with surplus military items his Chinese partners requested for trade. Being a former serviceman he could get items easily and business was fairly good untill the Communists started to get the upper hand. He said sometimes there would be shooting and once he had to open up on all three cadillac gas engines on the PT to "get out of town" full speed because unfriendlys (communists) were swarming the dock. He said he felt really badly because he swamped several sampans used as homes with his waves and he was worried about the kids living there.

 

Later he was a sea captain on sailing schooners in the southseas, Hawaii, Tahiti, Samoa, Tonga.

 

Oh, My dad was Friesian, English, Scot, Irish and a wee bit of Cherokee Indian. No known prior ancient military service in my heritage (other than my Dad) but of course there must have been some Infantryman in there somewhere. My mom's ancestors are 3/4 Portuguese from Madeira Island and 1/4 Norwegian (an unhappy seaman who jumped ship in Maui). Mom's still alive. Dad passed on about 10 years ago.

 

"Dad, I wish I had talked to you more about your service in the Navy and your life. I miss you terribly and I'm very proud to be your son."

Jonathan Darr.

post-7885-1280652009.jpg

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Hi Jon. That's a fascinating and very moving snapshot of your late father's life and service. Thanks for sharing it with us.

 

Ian :thumbsup:

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vostoktrading

Thanks Ian. I think most everyone here shares the sentiments of my last sentence (above) concerning their own family members; Fathers, Grandfathers, Mothers & Grandmothers. I wish I had attempted to explore more deeply my Father's memory while he was alive concerning his Wartime experiences. I think once our loved ones are gone we all lament "Why did I not talk to Dad (or Mum...etc...) more about his or her experiences during..........? I think we all feel this at some point. Regards, Jon

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Thanks Ian. I think most everyone here shares the sentiments of my last sentence (above) concerning their own family members; Fathers, Grandfathers, Mothers & Grandmothers. I wish I had attempted to explore more deeply my Father's memory while he was alive concerning his Wartime experiences. I think once our loved ones are gone we all lament "Why did I not talk to Dad (or Mum...etc...) more about his or her experiences during..........? I think we all feel this at some point. Regards, Jon

 

 

I know exactly what you mean Jon. My mother passed away on May 29th. She was 85.

 

Ian

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General Apathy
Thanks Ian. I think most everyone here shares the sentiments of my last sentence (above) concerning their own family members; Fathers, Grandfathers, Mothers & Grandmothers. I wish I had attempted to explore more deeply my Father's memory while he was alive concerning his Wartime experiences. I think once our loved ones are gone we all lament "Why did I not talk to Dad (or Mum...etc...) more about his or her experiences during..........? I think we all feel this at some point. Regards, Jon

 

Hi Jon, really enjoyed reading your fathers history, and fully understand your last sentence about wishing you had spoken more with your parents, this life is a one shot thing and if you miss that shot there's very rarely a second one.

 

There can be many regrets in life and some of these for me are, wish I had learnt more at school, wish I had spoken more to my parents, spent more time with them, thanked them for what they did for me, hugged them and told them I loved them . ;)

 

Funny thing is as I am sitting here keying this in, on the radio is John Denvers ' Annie's Song ' my mother Anne's favourite song and played at her funeral.

 

Thanks Jon, Cheers Lewis

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Mother's side:

Grandpa served in WWII - all I know is that he sat in Florida, doing morse code. That 's about the extent of the knowledge I have about his service at that time. After the war he was in the reserves(I think), rising to the rank of colonel. He worked at Sandia Labs in Albuquerque, NM. At some point he was a shooting instructor, and I'm also told he was a crack shot back in the day. At some point, postwar, at the rank of captain, he served with the Artillery - I still have his '42 dated named map case. Never selling that thing, not for a million billion bucks.

My oldest uncle was two points away(his way of putting it) from being drafted for Vietnam, and has since expressed that he didn't mind if he'd never get lucky again - that was enough luck for a lifetime, as far as he was concerned. :P

 

Father's side:

My grandfather lost an eye as a kid, so he didn't get drafted, but my father did, in 1980. 9 months of service, training to repel the pesky Russians. One of my great-grandfathers was a corporal in the reserve at the outbreak of WWII, and at the time there was a lot of talk about the possibility of the Germans drafting Danish men, especially ones with military experience, which meant that he kept a low profile throughout the war.

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WOW!! :w00t:

 

I'm really impressed with some fellow members and their military heritage. I have to admit that mine is "peanuts" compared with many others on here.

 

* I spent 9 years in the U.S. Army and served in the 1991 Gulf War.

* My grandmother served in the W.A.V.E.S. during WWII.

* I had a great grand uncle who served in WWI.

* I have 3 great-great...uncles who served in Wisconsin Volunteer Infantry Regiments during the Civil War.

* If I go way-way back on my father's side there is 1 known ancestor of mine who fought with the Green Mountain Boys in the Revolutionary War.

 

John

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On my mom's side by blood we are related to Robert Morris signer of the Declaration of Independence several ancestors served in the Civil War on both sides. In recent history though:

 

Grandfather #1=served in the Luftwaffe in Norway and Russia. He was captured near Munich at wars end and spent some time at Dachau. As he spoke perefect English, an American Army Captain made him his intepreter.

 

Grandfather #2 served in the 2nd Armored Division in WW2 up through the Rhineland Campaign. Stayed in the Army and was an MP in Korea and Japan during the Korean War.

 

Great Uncle Wilbert served in the U.S. 5th Army up through Sicily and Italy.

 

Great Uncle Robert served in the U.S. Navy in the Pacific on Destroyers in WW2.

 

Great Uncle Julius (Grandfather #1s brother) served in the Waffen-SS from 1934-1945. he was killed in action at Festung Posen after volunteering to stay behind with wounded troops.

 

Great Uncle Helmut (Grandfather's #1s brother) served in the Kreigsmarine pre-war up to the early war then transferred to the Luftwaffe! He survived the war.

 

Great Uncle Walter (Grandfather #1s brother) served in the Kreigsmarine. Was killed in action in Nov 1940 during a British bombing raid on Kiel.

 

Great Uncle Werner (Grandfather's Brother In Law) served in the Kreigsmarine on Destroyers and U-boats. Came to Canada after the war with the help of two Canadian Army officers.

 

Great-Great Uncle Bonard served with the 28th Infantry in WW1 where he was wounded in France. Prior to that he was on the Mexican border. I loved talking with him as a child. One of the oldest veterans I knew.

 

My Great-Grandfather (German side) also served in WW1 and was also wounded in France fighting French troops. he lost an eye.

 

Great-Great Uncle Gustav (brother of above) was killed in action at, and is buried at Verdun.

 

Great-Great Uncle Walter (brother of above) served in the Kreigsmarine in WW1 and was at Jutland.

 

Dad served in both the USAF and the Army after coming to America.

 

There are more but these are off the top of my head.

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