Helmet2id Posted July 11, 2020 Share #1 Posted July 11, 2020 Seventy six years ago today my Uncle Charlie, "The Heeby Jeeby Greek on the BAR", C Company, 23rd, engaged in the most savage fighting of his combat experience, and he was one of the few 2nd ID soldiers who landed on Omaha Beach on D-Day, and who was on the front from D-Day until September 14, 1944 when he was severely wounded by mg fire in the bitter siege of Brest. In the 2 day battle for Hill 192 the Second ID cleared the way for the assault on St. Lo, and made Operation Cobra possible. He cried whenever he talked about Hill 192. He lost a lot of his friends in that battle, and that experience scarred him for the rest of his life. I will never forget this anniversary. Jim G. Here are 3 of my 2nd ID helmets Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
B24AT6 Posted July 11, 2020 Share #2 Posted July 11, 2020 Very nice collection of 2nd ID helmets, they’re one of my personal favorites. Thank you for sharing them and especially your uncle’s story! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
jmd62 Posted July 11, 2020 Share #3 Posted July 11, 2020 Great story Sir, and I love the helmet!! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Gtilk8455 Posted July 11, 2020 Share #4 Posted July 11, 2020 Absolutely fantastic lids and story. A second ID helmet is certainly on my helmet bucket list Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Costa Posted July 11, 2020 Share #5 Posted July 11, 2020 a very important and beautiful helmet. history in hand. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
ArchangelDM Posted July 11, 2020 Share #6 Posted July 11, 2020 That first helmet is killer !!! Love all the correct wear on it what a lovely Trio Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
thorin6 Posted July 11, 2020 Share #7 Posted July 11, 2020 All I have is a 2nd Div liner, but it will do for now. Those helmets are just awesome. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helmet2id Posted July 11, 2020 Author Share #8 Posted July 11, 2020 The map shows the advance of the 23rd Regiment on July 11, 1944. The google earth photo shows the same fields and hedgerows that Charlie advanced through and over the first day of the battle as they exist today. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
The Rooster Posted July 11, 2020 Share #9 Posted July 11, 2020 God bless your Uncle! Those helmets are really fantastic! Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
byf41 Posted July 12, 2020 Share #10 Posted July 12, 2020 It doesn't get much better . Thanks for sharing . Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
gravecreek Posted July 12, 2020 Share #11 Posted July 12, 2020 Great Helmets and Story. Thanks for posting. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
M24 Chaffee Posted July 12, 2020 Share #12 Posted July 12, 2020 Beautiful helmets and history! Frank Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
devildog34 Posted July 12, 2020 Share #13 Posted July 12, 2020 The irony is that on June 6, 1918, elements of 3rd Battalion 23rd Infantry engaged elements of the German 1st Bn 47th Infantry for a knoll designated as Hill 192 about a kilometer southeast of the village of Bouresches during the 36-day fight for Belleau Wood. Company M 3rd Bn, 23rd Infantry suffered particularly high casualties in a futile effort to gain this wooded knoll. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Helmet2id Posted July 12, 2020 Author Share #14 Posted July 12, 2020 Thank you for that history, I knew the 23rd was at Belleau Wood, but never knew any of the specifics. A Company, 23rd took a helluva beating at Purple Heart Draw shortly after the attack began on July 11, taking about 40 dead and wounded in about 10 minutes. My Uncle was a BAR man, but told me that during the first day C Company was pinned down by an MG nest in one of the hedgerows. He took it out with a well placed rifle grenade. He shook when he told me about that. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
conn Posted July 13, 2020 Share #15 Posted July 13, 2020 thank you for sharing please keep a written history of helmet to give to the future generations of your family semper fi Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
Okie96 Posted July 14, 2020 Share #16 Posted July 14, 2020 Very interesting history and awesome lids. Probably one of the most unique and storied insignias. I’ve got a liner for now. All I need is the shell to go with it. Link to comment Share on other sites More sharing options...
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