Ngrovcam Posted July 3, 2014 Share #1 Posted July 3, 2014 Gentlemen, For those of you who don't know me, my name is Nicholas j Cammaroto and I am 17 years old. I would like to tell you all a story and I am begging you to take the time to read it. It begins In 1942 when my 17 year old grandfather William C Groves OF Hyattsville, MD went to his father and said "dad, I wanna join the navy. I'm going to get in this war either way by being drafted and I'll be damned if I get stuck in a foxhole." He asked his father to sign for him with a promise that once the war was over, and his term was up at age 21 he would go to college as planned. So on July 29th, 1942 my grandfather raised bis right hand and shipped off to Great Lakes Illinois for Basic Training . Earlier that year- the day after Pearl Harbor-my other grandfather Raymond G Cammaroto of Brooklyn, NY went down to the USMC recruiting station with 7 of his buddies he was the 8th. They swore them all in right there except my grandfather because "you wear glasses son" 5 of he 7 did not come back. He waited and waited but In 1942 his number came up and he reported as a draftee! He was now In the army. He did basic at Pine camp, NY (now fort drum) and reported to be an MP with the 349 th prisoner escort guard company. So began both of their service careers which will be told individually below. William. C Groves was assigned to the USS GEORGECLYMER until his transfer to the USS INDIANAPOLIS He delivered the Atom bomb and was selected out of the crew along with 3 other men to transfer to the USS HONOLULU. He fought throughout the pacific theatre serving as landing craft personnel, ADM HALSEYs Coxswain In New Zealand And countless other duties. He served a 20 year US NAVY career making Senior Chief Radarman retiring In 1963. He died December 12th, 2012 Raymond G Cammaroto was assigned to various MP units and eventually was transferred to the Infantry in 1944 he was assigned to 3rd Platoon, K company 259th Inf Regt 65th infantry division. He ranked up to PFC and fought all the way from le havre France to Linz Austria....he liberated and cleaned up the Concentration Camp at mauthuasen the memories of which he struggled with until the day he passed on. He was discharged In 1946 upon his return home. He died June 25th, 2012. I have many stories about their service I am willing to share but that's for whoever wants to know individually....my point is that these two men have had the utmost impact on my life since I was a baby. I miss them dearly and would give anything and pay any price to see them again. If I imagine hard enough when I'm Alone, I can actually almost feel their handshakes Raymond's soft big hands, and Williams firm bent handshake. It's close enough for now I guess... They are my own heroes that I love to this day. Just thought I'd share a brief page or so of their stories....thank you all for taking the time I'd ask that you say a prayer for them.... Nick c Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
CHASEUSA11B Posted July 3, 2014 Share #2 Posted July 3, 2014 Thanks for sharing. You can be justifiably proud of both these men Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ultima Ratio Regum Posted July 4, 2014 Share #3 Posted July 4, 2014 That is a great bit of family history. Just out of curiousity, did Grandpa William ever complete his college studies as he promised? Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Ngrovcam Posted July 17, 2014 Author Share #4 Posted July 17, 2014 No sir, he went back right before his discharge a 21 year odl veteran of everything of Guadalcanal through Iwo Jima and Okinanwa to the Occupation and told his father he was going to the college board as promised. My Great Grandfather stood and shook his hand saying "Son, your 21 years old and a war hero....you can make your own decisions" So he stayed in for 20 years! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ka bar Posted August 15, 2014 Share #5 Posted August 15, 2014 For a 17yr old, you have great manners... It is really, really good to see... I would imagine that both of your grandfathers would be proud of you just as much as you are proud of them... I enjoyed reading that story, many thanks for posting... Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
David D Posted August 15, 2014 Share #6 Posted August 15, 2014 Both seem like amazing men, thanks for sharing. -Dave Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Sarge8 Posted August 17, 2014 Share #7 Posted August 17, 2014 You have good writing skills. You should write down the histories of both men from military service till they passed. This would be something you could pass on to your next generation. Frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
sundance Posted August 17, 2014 Share #8 Posted August 17, 2014 Great memories. Now it's your duty to pass those memories to your kids when the time comes. Better write them down - memories fade. Thank you for passing on your thoughts. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
m1ashooter Posted August 17, 2014 Share #9 Posted August 17, 2014 You are the keeper of the families history. Join the crowd. Thank you for sharing these hero's with us. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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