What did you or your family do in the military?

[Lionheart]

I thought I would start a thread on family that served in the military. Might be interesting to see who all did what.

To start, I wasnt in the armed forces. I wanted to join the USAF, but didnt.

Dad was in the WWII Army Aircorps (didnt have AF back then, branch of the Army). He was trained to be a carrier transfer pilot, never saw action, the war ended as soon as he was active.

Grandpa served in France, WWI, the main front, France, alongside of French soldiers as well as Americans. He was a telegraph operator. One day, the Germans shot mustard gas at their lines. Suddenly a gust of wind kicked up, and the gas went back to the Germans, sending them fleeing for their lives. He would watch dog fights from the trenches, and was horrified to see guys burned alive, screaming, as their planes, on fire, dove into the ground. Their crew ship was almost torpedoed, but luckily, the onboard guns were somehow able to take out the sub while it was at periscope depth. Oil slick appeared shortly after.

Happy Memorial Day! God bless you all for your service.



Bill

[pilottj]

My Granddad was a C-47 pilot in Europe with the AAF. He arrived after D-Day, participated in Market Garden. After the war he went into the Army National Guard artillery division as a reservist, retired as a Lt. Colonel. He passed away 3 years ago. After he passed, I scanned some photos he took during the war. Warhawk1130 graciously did a MAAM C-47 repaint in his honour. :salute:

http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f349/pilottj/ArtSuhrScan1.jpg
http://i50.photobucket.com/albums/f349/pilottj/ArtSuhrScan2.jpg

[wbuchart]

while in the NAVY n the 70s. Spent most of my time shore duty in San Diego! (Electricians Mate 3) My dad, however, had a much harder time in the NAVY, he was one of the guys who stormed the beach an Okinawa during WWII.......

[Jagdflieger]

My wife's grandfather was a doughboy in France in WW I while my grandfather and his kin fought for the Kaiser.

My dad was with the Coast Guard in WWII and his brother (my uncle) was a P-47 pilot who had to medically retire as an LTC from a B-52 wing out of Guam during the VN War.

My mother was a WAVE (US Navy) and served as a code breaker in Washington DC during WWII.

My wife's uncle was also a pilot in the Army during WWII and is still Missing in Action somewhere in the ETO. Her father retired from the USAF after 20 years of service.

I'm still chugging along, drawing my pay and doing my duty for Uncle Sam.

A loud Hoo Ahh to all who have stood watch on the thin red line.:salute:

[CybrSlydr]

Both of my Grandfather's served. One in the Army in WWII in the Pacific, was also training to go to Japan for the invasion before they surrendered. The other was in the Air Force as a mechanic for B-29s in Korea.

I'm currently in an Artillery Battalion in Afghanistan doing infantry work. Kinda sucks, but it is what it is. :)

[Panther_99FS]

Dad=USAF
Uncle=USA
Godfather=USA

This is all that I know...

[Oglivie]

My Mother's father was in the Swedish Cavalry during WWI. The Swedish did not actively fight in either World War to my knowledge.

My Mother's brother served in an Army MASH unit in the Korean War.

My Father served as a cook in the Navy just after WWII.

My Father's brother-in-law served in the Army in WWII Europe. He was awarded the Silver Star. I wish I knew more of his exploits there, he is now deceased as my grandfather, father and uncle are also.

I was turned down for physical reasons (bad feet and what later was determined as Lupus) during the Vietnam era Draft, but have friends that served in Vietnam. They all returned home with all body parts and without a body bag.

[Tako_Kichi]

My late father was a Royal Marine Commando during WWII. He joined up in 1941 after being in a reserved occupation (coal mines). After basic training he was shipped out to India and Ceylon (Sri Lanka now) to await the Japanese but of course they never got that far. On his return trip to Blighty in 1943 he was acting as an anti-aircraft gunner aboard a Destroyer passing through the Med when he downed two ME109s during an air raid off Malta.

Once back in the UK he was re-trained for land warfare and qualified as a Bren Carrier driver, 3" mortar man and an explosives specialist. During training his team held the record (for a short while) for the most shells in the air at the same time, 21 mortar shells launched before the first one landed (all out of a single mortar tube)!

He took part in the D-Day landings in 1944. On D-Day itself he was back to acting as an AA gunner on board a Destroyer standing off from the French coast. On D-Day +1 he used his explosive skills to blow out the bottoms of the concrete block ships used to make temporary harbours. He went ashore on D-Day +2 and then fought his way across Europe before being de-mobbed in Berlin in 1946. He should have been at the infamous 'Bridge Too Far' but his unit was one of those trapped in the huge traffic jams along the Arnhem Corridor and he didn't get there until the fighting for the bridge was over. He also passed through the Belsen-Bergen concentration camp (the only one to be liberated by the British) two weeks after the inmates were freed and he said the scenes and smells were the worst experience of his entire war. Apparently the stench from the camp could be detected 3 miles away and there were still piles of bodies 6-7 feet high awaiting burial.

As for me the nearest I got to military service was in the Air Training Corps (the RAF cadet force) during my early to mid teenage years. My father wanted me to join the Royal Marine Cadets but I wanted to fly! I think he was proud I wanted to join the cadets but never missed an opportunity to call me a 'Brylcreem Boy' whenever I was in uniform! He certainly had a smile on his face when I returned from an annual camp one year sporting a brand-new pair of crossed rifles (a marksmanship award) on my uniform sleeve.

[Willy]

Grandpa (Mom's side) was a bit old to serve in WWII. He did lose a younger brother who was a tanker in the Army in Germany. Tank got hit, he was the only one not wounded and went for help. His wounded buddies were found by some US soldiers, but he was never seen again.

Dad was a career Marine. Served 24 years, retiring as a Master Gunnery Sergeant with a combat tour as a young grunt in Korea and two tours in Viet Nam.

Mom had 9 brothers. 8 served in the Navy and the youngest (my age) went into the Marines.

I messed around and did a career in the Navy. Had a great time and would do it over again if I could.

Great Great Grandfather on Mom's side served in the Louisiana Infantry during the Civil War.

[stiz]

my generation:-

none, i've looked but at the moment unfit for duty due to medical stuff, gotta wait till september at the earliest, if theres an army left by then that is! :monkies:

dads side:-

dad = army signalers, not in the army now but works alongside the RAF as a civi
uncle = army sergent, infranty i belive
great uncle = tank loader/gunner, ww2
granddad = infranty, ww2
great granddad = infranty, ww1, won a donkey bare nuckle boxing down the seafront!
great great granddad = infranty, crimea war, present at the charge of the light brigade we belive, lost his toes due to frostbite as well during the conflict then bet the replacements he could take the wieght of a ammo cart drive over his toes .. he won every time! :icon_lol:

we think it goes back a lot further, buts its all we've confirmed so far, but its pretty guarenteed that before 1980 theres been a barstow somewhere in the army during every conflict since the crimea at least!

mums side:-

granddad = infranty, ww2, singed in 39, left in 46
great uncle (i think) = new zealeand air force, ww2 till sometime in the 50s

we also have a mystry with me mums side, my dad remembers seeing some ww2 maps of north africa labeled "top secret" and dated around '42, however they went 'missing' during me nans move up here. Were not sure if she saw them and threw them out or if the movers took em, its also as far back as we've been able to go on me mums side, there was a murder somewhere along the line and me nan refuses point blank to talk about it.

[mfitch]

My paternal grandfather served in the Navy in WWII. He was a mechanic about CVE-73 who survived its sinking at Leyte Gulf.

My brother served as a Marine Reservist in Desert Storm. He was an MP with headquarters battalion and had to process the POWs.

[OBIO]

Starting with the most recent and working backward as far as I can go:

Nephew Donny....US Army, Infantry, Irag, 17 months. 4 years up and he's home

Cousin Nyra....US Navy, 8 years, let the Navy pay for her Medical School! Smart Girl.

Uncle Herman....US Navy, 28 years, been retired for quite a while now, Photo Intelligence.

Uncle Ray...US Army, Vietnam, still will not talk about his time in country

Uncle Terry....US Army, Special Ops, Vietnam, 3 tours..he talks about his time in country, but not sure just how much of it is real and how much of it is stuff he is making up to yank your leg...like a buddy getting ate by a tiger after falling off an elephant

Uncle Bobby....US Army, Vietnam, 2 tours, infantry

Wife's 3rd Cousin Richard Mehl, US Army, Vietnam, KIA

Uncle Clarence...US Army, Mechanic, lost two fingers in a Jeep radiator fan when an idiot started the engine while Clarence was replacing the fan belt.

Dad: USMC, 1956 to 1961, Started out as Combat Engineer but became Motor Pool Sgt. when the last Motor Pool Sgt. got killed in a drunk driving accident and Dad was the upped to Sgt simply because he knew how to work on cars and trucks. Wanted to become an embassy guard in Moscow, was interviewed and would likely have made it but he had two tattoos put on the day he first saw Mom...one was a red rose with Mom's name in a ribbon and the other was the USMC Globe and Anchor. Those kept him from becoming an embassy guard. Funny thing was....Dad had not even talked to Mom, just saw her from across the street but he KNEW that he would marry her and spend the rest of his life with her. Got the tattoo with her name on it, then went to her house the next day to introduce himself. They were married 31 years when Mom died from an aneurysm in her brain stem.

Uncle Forrest....US Army, Korean War, truck driver

Uncle Homer....US Army, Korean War, artillery and anti-aircraft gun.....Granny had 3 20mm shell casings Homer sent home from the war

Uncle Jim, US Navy, Korean War

Uncle Raymond, US Army, Korean War

Great Uncle Wayne (from whom I get my middle name)....either US Army or Marines, Korean War, KIA

Great Uncle Jack, US Marines, WW2....biggest man in my family...huge!

Another of my paternal granddad's brothers served in the Navy during WW2 and was killed in action....that's all I have ever heard...not even a name.

Can't give any names or confirmations, but have heard family histories of ancestors who were in WW1, Civil War, Revolutionary War.

OBIO

[Dynasaur]

My Father was in the British Army during WW2 - was in the medical corps (but not a doctor) Was in North Africa after the siege of Tobruk and then in France and Germany after D-Day (but was not in the D-Day landings).
My Mother was in the RAF and was part of a barrage balloon crew, then served in the ambulance corps.
One of my uncles was in the B.E.F. in France and had to be evacuated from Dunkirk.
All I did was a bit in the Australian Army Reserve a few years ago.

[Kiwikat]

My uncle was a Marine aboard the USS Saratoga.

One of my cousins is in the Navy and is on the ground in Afghanistan right now. I believe this is his second tour in the middle east. He was in Kuwait before.

Not technically family, but a best friend's dad was an Army radio operator in Vietnam. I've heard a lot of stories from him...


I know there are more in my family that have served but I don't remember who did what. Most of my family lives pretty far away and I don't get to spend much time with them.

Very cool thread! :salute:

[Francois]

My dad was a conscript when the war broke out. Sat in a German prison for a few days afterwards until all POW's were released. Dutch soldiers were rather harmless at the time :-(

As for myself, I am not at liberty to tell ya .... but suffice it to say, I support the 'forces'.

[Roger]

Both grandfathers were in WWI. My mum's dad was army in Mesopatamia but joined the RFC in 1916 and became a pilot instructor. Dad's dad was army on the western front and was gassed but survived and struggled on another thirty years.
My father was in the western desert from 1939 and was besieged twice at Tobruk and recalled both shooting at and waving to the crew of the Ju87s as they flew low after dive-bombing the docks. Owing to good mathamatical skills he was later drafted in to cryptography and spent the remaining years of the war in Basra, safe but blooming hot.
He died in his sleep in 2009 at the grand age of 88.
My generation was the first for 60 years that wasn't involved in a World War and conscription ended before I was 18 so my only experience of the military was in the Air Training Corps for 3 years.

[Crusader]

My Dad : 3rd Marine Div on Guam and Iwo Jima

Uncle : 101st Abn Div "Screaming Eagles" WWll , made D-Day jump in Normandy and later in Holland . To my British friends he told me he was at Up Pottery and left for Normandy from there .

Me: USMC(65-69, RVN 67) , retired from US Air Force Reserves with total 22 years

[Curtis P40]

My grandfather was a tall lanky man who loved his garden. He severed in the Pacific during WWII, but never talked much about it. At his funeral I learned that he was part of a early radar warning detachment. At one point his detachment was trapped behind enemy lines and escaped with the help of the local natives. While moving between islands his ship was torpedoed and he spent several days adrift before being rescued. This gentle man was awarded four Bronze Stars.

Uncle Don severed in the infantry with Patton...didn't have anything nice to say about him.

My father was part of the occupation force in Italy and later recalled to serve in Korea.

A relative named Upp was killed at Gettysburg.

I joined the Army at the end of Vietnam but severed my time in Germany. My Reserve Unit was called up for Desert Storm.

[Daveroo]

welp...myself....i became a volunteer/paid fire fighter instead of going into the military ( didnt seem important to go to the military in 1980)
my dad was the wrong age for both korea and vietnam...so he didnt serve
my grandfather was to old for wwII accually....he spent to war in idaho at a navy base constructing buildings....but there is a weird story to that..they had two shifts perday..one shift would work,,the other shift went UNDER a building and played cards or slept or did whatever they did....then the next day the shifts changed places....grandpa was "ordered" not to discuss it until "it was all over,for safty"....

my moms oldest brother,was is the seabees,he was an oiler on a pyledriver....one day they were working and he heard a "ping" and felt "wet"...he wiped his forhead and got blood on his hand..he thought he was hit..but looked up at the operaters seat and realised the driver was dead.....he pushed him into the water and got an instant upgrade in rank and job....

the youngest brother,,,he helped develope the ILS landing systems after the war....im not sure ecatly what he did...but he was a major player in it and traveled the world working on the systems

[Chacha]

My Dad served WWII when he was 17,
During this war he met my Mom.
They lived happily ever after...

He later joined the USAF in 1947.
He claimed he OILS the planes and
made sure they are parked safe!

(Thanks for starting this thread Lionheart,
this was Hannah homework last week,
she submitted last Friday!)

[airtj]

Grandma H: Navy Nurse
Grandpa H: AF B-25 or B-24 hydraulic maintenance

Grandpa S: AF B-52 Tail Gun maintenance

Dad: AF Crew chief SR-71, F-4
National Guard Crew chief KC-135

Father In Law: US Navy electrician

Thank You Veterans

[Little Chacha]

My Grandfather was a Veteran and he was in the war. My other Grandfather, Ben was also a Veteran, he is 78 years old and I see him all the time. He cannot hear very much but he can hear if he turns his earphone on. Sometimes, it get very static and we hear him coming across the room. My cousin Trent is with the Army. Trent went on a training in Georgia and is now stationed in Colorado. Trent was a boy and now is a man. He calls my Mommy ma'am and his Mommy ma'am. He opens the car door for us and also the door at the mall and at his house or any house. Trent's Dad- Uncle Darrel is with the Navy. Trent did not go for the Navy cause he was upset with his Dad at that time. My other Grandfathers were also Veterans with the USAFFE- that is the US Armed Forces in the Far East. We talked about this at school last week. We salute all the men and women in military!!!!!!! Thank you Veterans......... :wavey: From Hannah.

[NWarty]

Grandfathers:
1- Served with the 78th Infantry Division (Lightning) and fought through to Germany, remained with the occupation forces in Berlin until 1946.

2- Eyesight was too band, but he was exceptional musician and played with the Army Air Force band.

Me,
14 years active duty, both federal and as a National Guard AGR, 13A Field Artillery BN S3, two tours in Iraq.

[Naismith]

My Dad was a Captain in the British Army in Burma, was captured by the Japanese, escaped, joined up with the Indian Army until the end of the war. For which he earned the Burma Star and India Star medals amongst others.
The wonderful British government when he died declined to gave my Mum a reduced pension because they refused to recognise his Indian service.

[pfflyers]

I had a father-in-law who flew as a crewchief/gunner on B-17s in the ETO. He was a latecomer, by the time he got there most of the time only lead planes carried bombardiers, so he flew several missions as what they called the "togglier", the guy who dropped the bombs when the lead plane did. As a latecomer he was kept in England for a while after VE Day and flew on a few relief flights into Germany so he got a ground-level view of the results of aerial bombing.

My father was younger, missed WWII, served in the USN from 1947 to 1951 as an electricians mate. Did some time on an ocean-going tug (ATF) and an oiler (AO). Never got near Korea. He finished his hitch in Philidelphia, working on the reserve fleet. One of his duties there was prepping the ships and training the crews for transfer to foreign navies. When the Brits sank that Argentinian cruiser in the Falklands he thought he might have worked on that one.

I was in the US Army 1975-78, served as a crewchief on AH-1G and S Cobras at Ft Hood, Tx and in Germany. Did short tour with the National Guard after I got out of the regulars. Got to work on UH-1Ms and the ultimate version of the AH-1S.

My nephew just got out of the USMC, did a tour in Afganistan and spent some time in Okinowa. Haven't had a chance to hear about his service time.

[robert41]

I have two uncles that served in WW2. One an MP in the US Army, in Europe. One in the US Navy served on a sub in the Pacific. Both survived the war. My dad served in the Wisconsin National Guard in the late 60's. Dad was adopted and much younger than his brothers. Also an uncle from my second dad, that was in the US Army Special Forces in Vietnam.

[TARPSBird]

My father-in-law (RIP) served in a U.S. Army coastal defense artillery unit in in the Philippines in WWI, and later in the Philippine Scouts in WWII.
My uncle Jerome (RIP) served in the Fiji Islands in WWII and died there in 1943 due to accidental drowning.
I served 26 years in the Navy as an Intelligence Specialist in a variety of job assignments, 16 years of my career was in Naval Aviation (recce/fighter/attack).
My son is a Staff Sgt. in the Army, he is presently deployed to Afghanistan.

[PRB]

My father was a US Army medic in the Italian campaign in WW-II. After the war in Europe ended his unit, the 262ND Station Hospital Detachment, was put on a ship bound for New York. Half way there they are informed that they were put on the wrong ship, and that this ship isn't going to New York, but to the Philippines, to prepare for the invasion of Japan (:icon_eek:), and “sorry, but you'll just have to come with us.” Can you imagine that?? They hadn't reached the Philippines when the Pacific War ended, but they continued on to the Philippines and finally Japan after the surrender. He got to see what was left of Nagasaki at some point.

[fallenphoenix1986]

Maternal Great grandfather was an infantryman in WWI, gassed at some stage and had respitory problems for the rest of his life. He was also the only one of five brothers to survive the war.

Maternal and paternal uncles both served in the merchant navy in WWII, Aleck (maternal) was lost in 43, Jack (paternal) was a bit like uncle albert in "Only fools and Horses", torpedoed five times over the war came home every time, still alive today.

Paternal grandfather was a Horsa pilot at Arnhem, stayed in after the war and made sergent, demobbed before Korea. Now living in a servicemans hospital.

Maternal grandfather had absoloutly abysmal eyesight so spent the war in a shipyard.

My father applied to the RAF, pilot or nothing, unfortunatly his eyesight kept him out.

Like father like son... eyesight not good enough to fly for the RAF however it turns out I pass for the FAA and AAC, currently trying to get into the Navy as pilot... probably not the best time to attempt this with the current butchering the Brittish forces are getting from the bean counters. Failing that I'm a Mechanical Engineer, so if aircrew dosn't work out I'm considering Engineering Officer.

Craig

[Flyboy208]

What an interesting read this thread is ... Great Idea !

My Dad was a Doctor / Captain with the 82nd Airborne Division during the mid 60's and participated during the Dominican Republic uprising, the first time the 82nd was mobilized since WWII . 1st Battalion/ 325th Infantry

My Uncle served over 25 years in the USAF, started out as a B-17 pilot in 1944, went on to fly S/A-16's during Korea, and was a liasion officer in South America with the USAF Southern Command, flying numerous other aircraft ... He retired as a LTCOL

Of course I did 8 years with Hornets in the US Navy ...

Perhaps the next Family member will serve in the USMC ...

Mike :salute:

Mike

[strikehawk]

My maternal grandfather served in the Army and chased Pancho Villa, said he lied about his age and was about 16 at the time.

My great uncle and namesake served in that Army and survived that PTO while my favorite uncle joined the Marines prior to hostilities an was captured at Wake Island, survived the POW camps. He lived nearby until his passing in 1986.

My Father served in the Navy during Viet Nam and beyond retiring as a Chief Petty Officer in 88 with 30+ years. He was the standard that I judged any other Chief by, maybe not fair but my old man was the archetype CPO.

Myself, retired from the Navy after 20 years, active and reserve, worked the flight deck on the Saratoga at the beginning as a fueler and ended my career as an AO1 with the best Navy SpecWar support squadron ever, HCS-5.

At this time my son is a Sgt in the Marines on his second enlistment with a tour in Iraq and Afghanistan respectively.

Counting all the cousins and those that married into the family, at least one member of my family has served the US continuously since 1939, a tradition that few families can claim.

To all other Brother Warriors out there.....

:salute:

[norab]

My dad was photo intel/cartographer with the USAF in post war Germany. Two uncles involved with PT boats in WWII. One was a captain in air rescue attached to a P-47 training squadron out of Millville, NJ. The other served in PT's in the South Pacific, returned from a mission as the only survivor on his boat and never really recovered mentally from it.

[roger-wilco-66]

Recollections of great grandpas are dim, one was in WW1 in the navy, the other escaped the perils of WW1 by being stationed in Jerusalem (!!).
Grandpa flew Luftwaffe H-111 and later Ju-88 in WW2, the other was a midget sub designer and later a tank commander (fell in the Ukraine 1944).
I enlisted in the german army as a specialist in military intelligence / electronic warfare back in the eighties.


Cheers,
Mark

[rpjkw]

My Dad flew B-25s in the US; he never flew in the war zones. Dad died in 1998 and I wish now I'd asked more questions when I was a kid.

Bob

[Cazzie]

Maternal great-great grandfather - fought in the Battle of Staunton River Bridge at age 15 as a Confederate Militiaman.

Maternal grandpa - too young for WW I, served in the Merchant Marine in WW II

Paternal grandpa - server in the US Army Infantry in WW I at age 18. Gassed in combat. Died at the age of 28 in 1928 from repercussions of the gassing.

Father - US Navy WW II, served in the Iwo Jimi and Okinawa campaigns on the AKA 78 Trego, a Combat Cargo ship.

Two uncles, brothers of my father, served in the US ARMY during WW II.Uncle Edward (Red), was in Alaska, but never saw combat. Uncle Allison (Al) served in Europe and was twice decorated with a purple heart and once with a Bronze Star for knocking out a German machine gun nest during the Battle of the Bulge.

Brother - US Army Korea and Germany. no combat

Me - US Navy, no combat, grew up!

Caz

[Astoroth]

My father lied about his age to join the US Navy at 17, served on a frigate during WWII. That's really all I know, he wouldn't talk about it much.

Father-in-law was a truck driver for the Army, was assigned to the Manhatten Project. That's all he could tell my wife......ssshhhhh!

I wanted to join the Air Force, but health reasons prevented me from serving.

[GypsyBaron]

My father served with the 34th Infantry "Red Bull" Division in Italy during WWII.

I served in the US Navy for 8 1/2 years, from 1959 to 1967, and did two
6-month tours in Viet Nam, TDY with OASU/VX-8.

My brother was in the US Army in the 1960's and served a tour in Viet Nam as well.

Paul

[warchild]

My father was on either the Philadelphia or the Pittsburgh in the 1920s, and also servedon a gunship during the Boxer rebellion on the Yankzee River.

My Brother Bob, was also a Navy man during the Korean War, but i ont knowwhat ship he was on.. My other Brother Buddy, was a radar man in Northern alaska, also during the Korean War.. I guess he helped set up the DEW line..

I was primarily a perimeter guard in the army stationed at Cmp John F McDermott at Nha Trang VietNam.

[wantok]

My maternal grandfather fought in WWII during the Rabaul campaign, PNG, initially as career for the Japanese army and then changed sides to fight alongside ANZAC and US forces as "coastwatcher/local spy." His service as local "intelligence" officer with other native New Britainers went unrecognized to this day. From what I was told, he switched sides because he stole from his own vegetable garden. During the Rabaul occupation, the Japanese laid claim to all local food gardens to which natives weren't allowed to harvest from. As punishment for stealing his own food, he was hung upside down for 24 hours without food and water.

My elder son is a Sgt in the USMC and just left (mid May) for his 4th tour to Afghanistan. His first 3 tours were to Iraq. My second born son is in the USAF and will be leaving for Afghanistan in the Fall.

God Bless all who've served and currently serving.:salute::salute:

[rhumbaflappy]

My father was a US Army dentist in WII, Pacific theatre. As a "jaw breaker" he saw some horrific head wounds, as it was the practice to send the head injuries to the dentist, so he could patch them up well enough to get them back to the transport ship.

He also had some unnerving times as Japanese snipers loved to shoot medical officers and nurses. He lost a few close friends that way. And he also went nuts, and was sent to Honolulu for R&R in a psych ward. My mother was in Wisconsin with a toddler ( my oldest brother ), and was beside herself with worry because after 6 months in the hospital, my father stopped writing.

A year later, the Red Cross finally located him. He was arrested on Tinian, because he had no security clearance. Tinian was having a security sweep in preparation for the Enola Gay mission.

My father's wartime rank was Major. And as a Major, no one questioned him, or asked to see his orders when he would board a plane for an island destination as a hitcher. This was a common practice in the Pacific. What was uncommon, was my father. He simply flew from island to island, seeing the sights of the Pacific, totally AWOL, for a year.

Oddly, he wasn't punished... just flown back to Honolulu, and the hospital, where he stayed until he was honorably discharged, and sent back to Wisconsin ( probably under guard ).

He was nearly 80 years old before he told my mother what he did in the war.. he couldn't remember. Perhaps the hospital did something to his memory.

He was very patriotic and had the highest respect for fellow servicemen 'til the day he died. He never joined any post-war organizations ( such as the American Legion ), nor did he ever claim any veteran's benefits. But his headstone has a service ensignia, by my mother's request. He hated war and all forms of violence. He was a dentist post-war for about 12 years, then quit and became an autoworker.

Dick

[rayrey10]

Pretty cool thread. Thanks for starting it Bill!

Me: USMC...was enlisted, got accepted into an officer program, tore up my knee the last week of OCS. Four surgeries later, they gave me walking papers.

My son: Currently in the Marine Corps

Dad: career Army guy
Godfather: Army (Korean War)
Uncle: 26 yrs Army
Several cousins: Army

[rvn817j]

This is a very interesting thread. Thank you to all that have served and/or supported those that have served.

Father - WWII US Navy Corpsman; then let the government pay for medical school;

Father-in-law - A real war hero; drove beach landing craft in WWII on many dangerous beach landings all the way up the Philippine Islands chain and was part of the original Japanese occupation force at the end of that conflict; then let the government send him to law school;

Uncle - Army Master Sgt.; Vietnam tours; retired after 20+ years; and

Me - US Navy NFO (S-3A); then reserves; then retired after 19 years (thanks to W. Clinton); I helped win the 'cold war'!

[Cirrus N210MS]

my dads father my Grandpa was in the Navy in WW2 he was station on the CVE-31 USS prince williams :salute:

http://i1140.photobucket.com/albums/n579/MikeMannschreck/Grandpa%20WW2/scan0004.jpg
http://i1140.photobucket.com/albums/n579/MikeMannschreck/Grandpa%20WW2/Image1.jpg
http://i1140.photobucket.com/albums/n579/MikeMannschreck/Grandpa%20WW2/grandpageonavaluniform.jpg
http://i1140.photobucket.com/albums/n579/MikeMannschreck/Grandpa%20WW2/CVE-31_PrinceWilliam-2.gif

[Motormouse]

for me.. Grandad served in Royal Navy; was at Battle of Jutland in WW1;
one uncle was in 'Airborne Forces' WW2;another served in Korea with Gloucesters;
and 2 others both RAF

I was RAF for 12 years; worked Canberra's ; F-4 Phantoms; Buccaneers; Harriers and Sea Harriers;
and finished as Crew Chief on C-130's; had a minor part in 2 little wars on the way.

ttfn

Pete

[Kofschip]

This thread is fascinating.

My maternal grandfather served with the Dutch Hussars in the Atjeh wars in the Dutch East Indies and he also helped the Boers in South Africa for a while. My paternal grandfather was a trouble maker (:icon_lol:) in the Dutch Army, that is all I know about him. My father was not in any "service," but he did spend about five years making life miserable for Germans during WW II.

I served in the Royal Dutch Navy and came to the USA after a stint as a "civilian" in SE Asia in the early 1960's. In the USA I worked for the USAF as an civilian.

[Toastmaker]

Great thread here !
My dad was a top turret gunner on a 15th AF B-24 out of one of the USAAF fields surrounding Foggia, Italy. On his 16th mission over Vienna, on Oct. 13, 1944, his plane was breaking up from flak damage and they bailed out, landing in the Vienna suburbs with some very pissed off Austrians ! Got turned over to the military and spent the rest of the war in a few different Luftstallags. Never saw or learned anything about the rest of his crew except for one guy that was reported KIA later.
He used to really like to watch Hogan's Heros and laugh at all the fake stuff in that show !
He died in 2003, a retired AF LTC. Like all the men here who've lost their fathers - I miss him a lot.

Me, like an idiot, I joined the Army out of high school, was a squad radioman (1st/121 INF) at a perimeter firebase in Nha Trang, Vietnam (71-72). Not nearly as much fun as I thought it would be !!

:running:

[brad kaste]

Because of my Dad's age and had already started a family in '41,...he didn't serve. However,...his younger brother,...Uncle Ivan did serve in the Philippines. Because his typing and writing skills were valued so much,...he did office and clerical work.

[Lionheart]

Some amazing stories of some amazing people.

:applause:

[CADFather]

I served 4 years in the Army as an Airborne, Air-Assault Infantryman, spent time in Korea, Panama/Honduras, Egypt and a few other places around the world.

My Dad was drafted in '68 and went to Ft. Benning, GA, that's as far as he made it, went AWOL and subsequently dis-honorably discharged. Had several Uncles on my Mom's side that went to Vietnam and all returned, some a little more shaken than others.

My Paternal Grandfather went to Europe in WWII as an EOD tech, spent several years there clearing the countryside of UXO after the war was over. His wife (my Paternal Grandmother) worked in the ammunition factory in Hollywood, CA during the war.

Maternal Grandfather was too old to serve in WWII and too young for WWI.

Several relatives fought for both sides of the War of Northern Aggresion. I even have a branch kin relation to Mary Custiss Lee, the wife of Gen. Robert E. Lee and through that same lineage a tie to Martha Washington, who's husband was of some note during the Revolution and the founding of our country.

CAD

[Willy]

Because of my Dad's age and had already started a family in '41,...he didn't serve.

That's about why my Grandpa didn't serve. He was 30 in '41 had 6 kids already and was pretty much illiterate. Plus he was a farmer. He went to join up as he figured he'd make more money in the Army with the Grandma and kids getting a check and was told no. He was the best shot with a rifle that I ever saw and I've seen some good ones. He would have made one heck of a sniper.

[Trans_23]

I had two great uncles that fought in WWII. One came home and the other fell at Corregidor. My Aunt (wife of the uncle that died) served in the Women's Axillary Army Corps during the war and found out shortly before the war ended about the fate of her husband. My cousin wrote a book about the WAAC titled Fort Des Moines (http://www.amazon.com/Fort-Moines-IA-Images-America/dp/0738540684/ref=sr_1_1?s=books&ie=UTF8&qid=1307225929&sr=1-1#reader_0738540684).
The wife and myself both served in the Air National Guard. My son is a Marine and is currently serving his first tour in Afghanistan. My oldest daughter is in the Army and has served tours in both Iraq and Afghanistan. She is now stationed in the Washington DC area but the name of the base escapes me at the moment. It is not far from Mt Vernon.
My son in law is in the Army and has served a tour in Iraq. He and my daughter and my two grandsons will be leaving this summer for a 3 year tour in Italy. He is currently at Ft. Leonard Wood, Mo. cross training to Military Police.
An honorable mention goes out to my 15 year old daughter Stephanie that just completed her first year in the Air Force Jr. ROTC program in High School and received the most awards of anyone in her class. She is a high honors student with aspirations of going to one of the service academies after high school.

[mrogers]

My mum's father served in the First World war NZ 1st Maori Battalion, was at Gallipoli, and then was gassed in France but survived. He died from the damage the gas did to his lungs, in 1955.
My late dad joined the Home Guard and then went to the NZ Army at age 16 during the Second World war. His Mum would not let him go overseas to the war as she had lost two brothers in the First World war so stayed in NZ. However after the war ended he was 19 and was in the J-Force occupation force that went to Japan and was there for over a year or so.
Dad told me that he passed through Hiroshima in 1946. There was nothing there, just flat and charred ground and the only building standing was the Dome which still stands which he saw.

My birth Mum's (I'm adopted) late dad served in the NZ Army and was at El Alamein. Her uncle was a ground crewman on RNZAF PV-1 Venturas in the Pacific.
A great-uncle was killed serving on HMS Neptune that sank with huge loss of life in 1941.

My Mum's sister's late husband was a mechanic in the RAF serving in England and later in the Burma theater working on RAF spitfires, P-47s, etc. He used to tell me about the Short Stirling with their huge mainwheels and Handley Page Hampdens that he worked on in England and said that the Hampdens were called flying coffins by the pilots that flew them.

[Butcherbird17]

Great thread. I don't know to much about my family's military experience. I do know that i had a great
great grandfather (mothers side) who was with Teddy Roosevelt and the Rough Riders at San Juan Hill.
He was the company bugler and his bugle is in a museum somewhere up north. My grandmother's brother
served in ww2 and was KIA somewhere around Brest, and is buried at St James France. My mom's brothers
served in the marines and did tours in Viet Nam. My uncle Bill was at Khe Sanh in 68. Neither of them
talked to much about there time in country, and have both passed away.

On my fathers side i don't know if any served. My dad did not serve in viet nam as he had flat feet :)
His family came to the US after ww2 from Czechoslovakia and its about all i know. As for myself i didn't
join the military, i was in the Boy Scouts and Jr Marines until i was 16. I got talked out of joining
the marines by my then girlfriend.:engel016:

Joe

[stuartcox]

On the German side, my Grandfather was a navigator in He-111s during the Spanish civil war (Condor Legion, Edelweiss Geschwader) and WWII. They were shot down twice, both times returning back to Norway, and survived to tell the story!
My brother in law was an instructor with the Paras in Altenstadt, Germany,
and I was a medic for 4 years in the German alpine regiment (8. Gebirgssanitaetsbataillon in Kempten, Bavaria).

[medic]

I was a medic with the royal army medical corps stationed in germany, my farther served with the royal artilary in the korean war and my son in law is serving with the luftwaffe.

[aeromed202]

Dad flew Marauders in the USAAF in the 344th bomber group, 494th bomber squadron. He crashed just a couple of days before D-day and had to sit it out in hospital but recovered and went back up in another ship flying some 35 missions before coming stateside I think as an instructor. I still have a load of history to go through to be sure.

[Milton Shupe]

I am from a large family and have maternal and paternal large families. Way too many to share details and much I do not know.

What I know distilled down, one uncle killed early in WWII, no details.

I have 6 brothers. Four served in the Merchant Marines in the early 50's. 2 went into service, one in the navy on a sub, the other into the army as an accountant, then auditor, Japan mostly, then auditing in the states and overseas.
One brother and 2 brothers-in-law joined the National Guard or Coast Guard during the VN war.
I was in the army signal corp and one year in Viet Nam.
Another Brother-in-law was in the Air Force during the VN war as a chef and spent his last 4 years at the Dover AF base as chef.
One cousin lost his legs in VN to a land mine.

This is all I can recall at the moment.