Served only a short time-1945-'46, never left the states, took an early out when Truman offered it, but was a Soldier till the day he died--in, as he liked to put it--"This man's Army"!!

My Father--US Army, Technician 4th Grade.




Feel free to post pics or stories of your own family members.

[This message has been edited by maryjane (edited 03-31-2008).]

Outstanding!

Check out this thread...

Ohh... Sorry didn't mean to jack your thread man.

I'm sure this is one of the many reasons you are proud of him.

I was the first in my family since the American Revolution to join the military.

However:

My Father-in-Law volunteered for Vietnam to keep his 2 brothers at home. Bronze Star with Valor Awardee. He got out for 4 years after returning from Vietnam and returned to the Army Reserve in 1976 and served until 2003 when he retired. Vietnam finally got him when he died of cancer 1 year after retiring. Agent Orange was declared the culprit.

My Brother-in-Law served as an Army Reservist from 1984-2006. He served as an enlisted, NCO and Officer. Served two tours in Iraq. He was killed when the helicopter he was in went down on January 6/7th 2006. He is the recipient of the Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge.

I don't have any pics handy of my father, but he served in WWII as a technician on a hospital train. He did three combat zone tours and served in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe.
He was drafted again during the Korean conflict and was stationed stateside in Denver CO as support staff at a hospital. He left the Army an E4.

He didn't talk much about his military service, but he told me that when he came back from WWII he didn't get any parades or ceremonies. No hero's welcome. He was called to do a job for his country and he was honored to have the opportunity to serve.

[This message has been edited by Formula88 (edited 03-31-2008).]

quote Originally posted by aceman: I was the first in my family since the American Revolution to join the military. However: My Father-in-Law volunteered for Vietnam to keep his 2 brothers at home. Bronze Star with Valor Awardee. He got out for 4 years after returning from Vietnam and returned to the Army Reserve in 1976 and served until 2003 when he retired. Vietnam finally got him when he died of cancer 1 year after retiring. Agent Orange was declared the culprit. My Brother-in-Law served as an Army Reservist from 1984-2006. He served as an enlisted, NCO and Officer. Served two tours in Iraq. He was killed when the helicopter he was in went down on January 6/7th 2006. He is the recipient of the Bronze Star and Combat Action Badge.

Sorry to hear about your Father-in-law and your Brother-in-law. Agent Orange got a lot of good people years after the fact--still is.

quote Originally posted by Formula88: He didn't talk much about his military service, but he told me that when he came back from WWII he didn't get any parades or ceremonies. No hero's welcome. He was called to do a job for his country and he was honored to have the opportunity to serve.

Excellent post.

------------------
Ron

It's the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us the freedom of the press.
It's the Soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us the freedom of speech.
It's the Soldier, not the politicians
That ensures our right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
It's the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag.

quote Originally posted by Formula88: I don't have any pics handy of my father, but he served in WWII as a technician on a hospital train. He did three combat zone tours and served in Africa, the Middle East, and Europe. He was drafted again during the Korean conflict and was stationed stateside in Denver CO as support staff at a hospital. He left the Army an E4. He didn't talk much about his military service, but he told me that when he came back from WWII he didn't get any parades or ceremonies. No hero's welcome. He was called to do a job for his country and he was honored to have the opportunity to serve.

I joke from time to time--mostly with people I know well--about things like--remfs. But the honest truth is:
For every 'grunt' in the mud with a weapon, there are hundreds behind the scenes doing their jobs so he can do his. Your Father was no less a hero for doing the job he was assigned, and IMO, saving lives is just as important (if not more so) as taking them, when wartime comes. You are rightfully proud of your Father, as are the rest of us.

i dont have any pictures but both of my grandfathers served. My mothers father spent two weeks in Korea before he was discharged from the Army. He took shrapnel to the knee, he was awarded the purple heart. To this day he will not accept it, he feels others deserve the honor more than him.

My fathers father served 24 years in the Navy on surface ships, mostly destroyers. retired Master Chief.

My father served 22 years in the Navy on submarines. He is a retired Chief.

Me... I build transmissions. lol.

Heres my small contribution.

I think I have a pic of my great uncle (on my mothers side) who served in the 101st. He was part of the party in the Arden. He died many years ago, never met the man.

His brother was a tank commander Serving in the 751st tank batallion. He was blown out of his tank in (correction) the Poe Valley in Italy. We have his purple heart in our living room glass case. Tough old bird but he had a huge heart. Loved his great grand kids. Always gave us 5 bucks each... man that got us a crap load of penny candy!!
He passed in 80.

Another uncle (married my mothers twin sister) served in the propaganda unit dropping leaflets from a liberator bomber over various cities in Europe. He was the flight engineer. He passed in 92

My father was a truck driver who served in Frankfurt Germany. They were so close to the enemy that he swears to this day his job was to act as T72 tank tread lube.

Yet another uncle (my fathers brother) just retired from the national guard as a general.. Ace might even know him.

A cousin served as a forward observer for 2 years until he blew out his knee.

Most of the people I know, friends from various places I hang out with or know as acquaintances are prior service.

My neighbor Howard was a truck driver as well.
One of my paint ball buddies and his wife Jon and Wanda served.. thats how they met. Both are GW1 vets.
So is another friend Kenny who lives in Pa , He served as an APC driver.
Another friend Danny manned missile batteries in Key West during the missile crisis.
Yet another Jerry is currently serving as an army psycho therapist for returning vets. Makes a nice nickel too. He was a prior service and retired air force major.
A pool buddy Jimmy I see regularly is a former Marine.
One kid my father taught how to fly ( we call him "the kid") joined the air force and went to Minot ND for a while.. he now test drives brand new jet skis.

Two of my previous employers were former Marines.

Mr. Saddic of Sure Kut Supply served in the pacific theater, I have a news paper clippin of his tour somewhere. Miss him the most, he died in 97.He was my mentor of sorts.

The other, Mr. Martin of Martins Auction House was the marine recruiter who walked me to the Army recruiters office because I didn't have a HSD. 10 years later there I am working for the guy.. Funny story.

All great people...

[This message has been edited by 84Bill (edited 03-31-2008).]

This is my brother and Uncle in Iraq. My brother who is in the Air Force was stationed at a different base, but my uncle being an O6 in the Marines took a day trip to visit him.

[This message has been edited by CoryFiero (edited 03-31-2008).]

The extent of my service to the active army is june 29, 2004 - june 29, 2008
went to Iraq oct05-oct06

I have some pictures but can't get them sized right for pip.

I earned my dog tags

E4
94F Special electronics device repair
101st airborne divsion (air assault)

quote Originally posted by Psychosis39: I earned my dog tags

I like that. I still proudly have mine hanging with my uniform.

------------------
Ron

It's the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us the freedom of the press.
It's the Soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us the freedom of speech.
It's the Soldier, not the politicians
That ensures our right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
It's the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag.

quote Originally posted by blackrams: I like that. I still proudly have mine hanging with my uniform.

Mine have been on my key ring for the last 15 years.

All great people indeed!!! I really enjoy hearing these stories of your families and friends. I know not all will turn out as well as most above, but we celebrate them and their lives as they so richly deserve. Most of my uncles served during WWII. I think 2 were in the Navy, 2 in the Army. One of the Navy uncles was on a destroyer at the Okinawa invasion and told horrifying stories of the Kamikazi attacks. I think it was my great great grandfather whose picture I posted a couple years ago, served in the civil war in the confederacy. He died of cholera somewhere in Tennessee. One of my brother in laws served during Vietnam in the US Army, basically as a stevedore unloading ships down in the southern part of the country--I forget where now. Another brother in law served in US Army in the late 50s, early 60s and got called in for the 1st big blow up down in Panama, and later got called in off leave to go on alert to Florida during the Cuban missile crises.

Father: Combat Engineer served on Okinawa, WWII; Aunt: (Dad's sister) WAC in Borneo, WWII; Uncle: Medic, European Theatre, WWII; Me: USAF 5th Air Force Far East, 1959-1963, ComInt. An honor to serve and sometimes wish I'd made it a career.

My grandfather, being a steadfast pacifist, joined up for WWII as a conscientious objector. We were told he was the only man on the beaches of Okinawa without a gun. He was a cook, ran the mess, and gave his kitchen scraps to the locals. They got together and gave him two swords (A family sword and a Japanese Officer's sword) and a Harry-carry (sp?) blade as thanks for his kindness - I have these now along with the paperwork allowing him to take them home and several pictures of him and his buddies holding the swords.

I joined the USAFR in June of '02 and am about to finish my 6 years. I'm immensely proud to have served, but I'm also glad to be finished soon.

[This message has been edited by OKflyboy (edited 03-31-2008).]

My father was in the Navy near the end of the 50s and early 60s. He made it to the rank of first lieutenant before he went into civilian life. He almost went back when asked during the Vietnam war but my mother convinced not too. My mother's brother went to Vietnam in the late 60s till the end of the war.
He sent back some amazing pictures of things that happened to him over there. One picture was of the bus he drove, or what was left of it after some kids hung a live grenade to it's side. He wasn't hurt luckily. He also sent us some pictures of what was left of a Vietcong after a failed over run attempt. He got tangled in a barbed wire fence when he was shot dead. The picture shows my uncle holding a part of the barbed wire fence up with this guy's sclap hanging from it.
He was exposed to agent orange like many of his friends. He got terrible acne on his back from it. Luckily it didn't affect his two daughters.
I'll have to get my mother to scan some pictures one of these days, before they get lost in a move or something else.
I, myself, was going to enlist back in the early 80's, but I was in a terrible car crash that crippled me for a few years, so it never hapened.

[This message has been edited by avengador1 (edited 03-31-2008).]

quote Originally posted by jconnor34: Father: Combat Engineer served on Okinawa, WWII; Aunt: (Dad's sister) WAC in Borneo, WWII; Uncle: Medic, European Theatre, WWII; Me: USAF 5th Air Force Far East, 1959-1963, ComInt. An honor to serve and sometimes wish I'd made it a career.

Intresting about your aunt being a WAC in Borneo. Rough part of the world and I didn't realize the WAC was stationed that far away from CONUS.

quote Originally posted by 84Bill: Mine have been on my key ring for the last 15 years.

lol... I never got mine ... the machine was broken when I went through basic.

My family has served since the revolutionary war,came over as hessians,joined washington,, my father army ,joined 1937 then went airforce ,was at pearl harbour survived many,many missions on bombers,then finish ww2 on B17 subhunters,,bombers in Korea my.. uncles served as pilots and aircrew..My brother airforce intel (the smart one) sabah and sarawak are in borneo ,the end of the world for jungle.. I am named for the 1st uhlans(german calvary) and ulan bator,mongolia I was born and bred to the military, like a bird dog

Here is to those who serve,, and those like them !!!
Heres to us and those like us

[This message has been edited by uhlanstan (edited 03-31-2008).]

My dad's father was drafted into the Navy in '44, when he was 34 years old. Plankowner on USS Saint Paul (CA-73). He ended up in the Pacific by war's end. He was discharged in '46, got out as a Ship's Serviceman 3rd Class, after which he started a dry cleaning business right after the war, and retired from that in the mid-60's.

My dad's two brothers were officers, one in the Air Force, civil engineer, I believe, for his required time after college ROTC, while the other put off his ROTC payback until after he completed dental school at McGill University, and ended up a Navy lieutenant, serving from 64-66, with some time spent with the Marines in Vietnam.

My mom's brother was an Army cannon cocker in Vietnam. Don't know much more about him than that.

My brother did 20 and retired from the Navy as a Chief Boatswain's Mate. I followed him and did 21, retiring as a Chief Electrician's Mate. We managed to be stationed together in Norfolk (his ship was the repair ship for my submarine squadron, and it was nice having "connections" when you needed something done) and also in Groton, CT. We re-enlisted together three times, but one of the coolest things was when I became a Chief, he was able to be there for the initiation and pinning.

quote Originally posted by 2birds: My dad's father was drafted into the Navy in '44, when he was 34 years old. Plankowner on USS Saint Paul (CA-73). He ended up in the Pacific by war's end. He was discharged in '46, got out as a Ship's Serviceman 3rd Class, after which he started a dry cleaning business right after the war, and retired from that in the mid-60's. My dad's two brothers were officers, one in the Air Force, civil engineer, I believe, for his required time after college ROTC, while the other put off his ROTC payback until after he completed dental school at McGill University, and ended up a Navy lieutenant, serving from 64-66, with some time spent with the Marines in Vietnam. My mom's brother was an Army cannon cocker in Vietnam. Don't know much more about him than that. My brother did 20 and retired from the Navy as a Chief Boatswain's Mate. I followed him and did 21, retiring as a Chief Electrician's Mate. We managed to be stationed together in Norfolk (his ship was the repair ship for my submarine squadron, and it was nice having "connections" when you needed something done) and also in Groton, CT. We re-enlisted together three times, but one of the coolest things was when I became a Chief, he was able to be there for the initiation and pinning.

The military really brings home the "importance of family". Excellent story.
------------------
Ron

It's the Soldier, not the reporter
Who has given us the freedom of the press.
It's the Soldier, not the poet,
Who has given us the freedom of speech.
It's the Soldier, not the politicians
That ensures our right to Life, Liberty and the Pursuit of Happiness.
It's the Soldier who salutes the flag,
Who serves beneath the flag,
And whose coffin is draped by the flag.

[This message has been edited by blackrams (edited 04-01-2008).]

quote Originally posted by Psychosis39: I have some pictures but can't get them sized right for pip.

Try photobucket.

I have some pics of my father when he was stationed in Korea in the Army.
One of my uncles went to Vietnam.
One of my brothers tried the Army but got out with a medical.

------------------
Beh-ding ding ding ding dididing ding bing bing pscht, Dorhrm bom bom bedom bem bom bedom bom bum ba ba bom bom, Bouuuuum bom bom bedahm, Bom be barbedarm bedabedabedabeda Bbrrrrrimm bbrrrrramm bbbrrrrrrrrraammmmm ddddddraammm, Bah bah baah baah ba wheeeeeee-eeeee-eeeee!
-----------------

A soldier in Iraq can't see your ribbon, Or the flag at your front door.
But a letter they hold in their hands, To them means so much more. http://anysoldier.com/index.cfm

quote Originally posted by OKflyboy: I joined the USAFR in June of '02 and am about to finish my 6 years. I'm immensely proud to have served, but I'm also glad to be finished soon.

You have my respect and gratitude.

My dad: CSM (Command Sgt. Major) Army, served in WWII and Korea. Retired in 1970.
Ex Wife: AD1 (Petty officer 1st class, Aviation ) served GW1 to 2006.
Me
USAF, Desert Storm and Operation Northern Watch (Iraq) and Kosovo, 1999, 2000.
Crew Chief on KC 135E and R and C-17s

US Army (National Guard, Active Duty ) Presently
Kosovo 2004
Operation Enduring Freedom
Still serving today.

1982, June 2 to present.

[This message has been edited by htexans1 (edited 04-01-2008).]

quote Originally posted by maryjane: Intresting about your aunt being a WAC in Borneo. Rough part of the world and I didn't realize the WAC was stationed that far away from CONUS.

Also New Guinea.

Well where do I start lol. My great-grandfather and grandfather (moms side) served in the airforce just after ww II . My grandfather on my dads side of the family was a flak gunner on a battleship (name of ship not know ) in WW II. My father was a combat engineer in the army in the early to late 70's . I was born on FT stewart in Georgia and my little bro was borm on FT Belvior virginia. I was a Ch-53 and VH-60N mech in the Marine corp. I was stationed at Quantico VA from 1996 -2001. My little bro was an I level airframer stationed out in yuma Arizona working on harriers and other things that needed NDI work. If i had a damn scanner i could post up a few pics of my "great grandpappy" in germany standing next to my grandmom (his daughter-in-law) while he was holding my mother when she was an infant ! I remeber my Grandmother (who is german) showing me a pic of her 3 cousins all in their third reich uniforms LOL. Jeeez my family has been fighting with each other since the late 1930's ! LOL i need a scanner and to get ahold of those pics. Hopefully my children will have an America that is worth volunteering to serve under.

------------------

ARCHIES JUNK IS FASTER THAN SHAUNNA'S JUNK

quote Originally posted by FIEROPHREK: I was a Ch-53 and VH-60N mech in the Marine corp.

Dimmer Lives!!

LOL
There goes the neighborhood.

quote Originally posted by 84Bill: LOL There goes the neighborhood.

Yup!! Lock up the wimin and th booze!!

quote Originally posted by maryjane: Yup!! Lock up the wimin and th booze!!

Did someone say boobs ! (.Y.)

------------------

ARCHIES JUNK IS FASTER THAN SHAUNNA'S JUNK

My cousin Roy Webb was an oil man from Pampa, TX who flew P40s, P47s, and P51s out of England during WW-II. When I was very young, he still had hours of gun camera film that he would occasionally pull out and show the adults after we kids had been put to bed. By the time I was old enough, he was no longer interested in showing them. I think he had finally just closed the door on that part of his life.

I do remember him saying that the most dangerous part of his job was not engaging other airplanes, but rather the strafing runs on supply trains. Blowing up a boxcar loaded with ammunition or explosives was bad enough, but the worst was punching a hole in the boiler of a steam locomotive, which meant that the next several seconds would be spent flying blind through a curtain of thousand-pound-plus chunks of steel.

A number of his mission reports are now available on-line from the USAF archives (see here, here, here, and here), and by an accident of the alphabet his reports often appear close to those of one Lt. Charles Yeager.




This formal picture was probably taken at the end of the war. The P51D was named "Sweet Thing IV" because cousin Roy had 'worn out' the original "Sweet Thing," "Sweet Thing II," and "Sweet Thing III" in combat. He must have been a formidable adversary.




In the saddle, I think cousin Roy looked a little like me and/or Erroll Flynn.

[This message has been edited by Marvin McInnis (edited 04-05-2008).]

Now those are some cool pics!

Here's the hubby at his retirement. 3 star General William Welser III, RET came in to retire him for the ceremony. Tom spent almost 27 years in and has a ton of awards to show for it! Let's see, he was on the first C-141 into Granada, was in POW in Panama (that was a fun phone call) They dragged him out of the prison cell, put him into a car and took him and an officer out to the middle of nowhere, made them kneel by a ravine and proceeded to put a rifle point blank to the back of their heads. He didn't know if he'd ever make it home alive. Let's see what else, he designed a boot for the C-130's so the paratroopers wouldn't get hung up on the door. He's been everywhere and back and he also "played" in the war. I know I left a whole bunch out, but he had a good career.



Here's my oldest daughter, she's following in her dad's footsteps. She's a loadmaster stationed at Dover, DE flying on C-5's



Here's my youngest daughter, she's in the NJ Air National Guard, she's on the right.



Here's my son-in-law meeting his daughter for the second time, the first time she was 2 months old. This is a picture from his homecoming after being in Iraq for 15 months. Poor little girl has no clue who the heck the guy is holding her. Isn't my grandaughter a cutie!!



I'm so proud of them all!!

[This message has been edited by fierogirls-mom (edited 04-03-2008).]

quote Originally posted by fierogirls-mom: I'm so proud of them all!!

You have much to be proud of! Great group of patriots there.

Ron

Dad lied about his age to get in the Navy in '43. (Not that the Navy cared, at the time.) Spent his part of the war on a repair base on New Caledonia, ended up as an Electrician's Mate 2nd. Since he was smallish in stature, he got to be the guy who crawled into the bilge on his back to get to the inspection plates on the underside of things. Said that they helped repair a French privateer once (who's crew had elected to fight on, albeit technically on the "wrong" side of the law), complete with a Jolly Roger for their standard.

Father-in-law was a forward observer in the 442nd RCT. He died of pancreatic cancer at 80, with a piece of German shrapnel still snuggled up too close to his spine. I've always felt uncomfortable driving their (now Mom's) car around by myself, even though I am usually just running errands. Deservedly so, they have license plates recognizing their connection to that fraternity, and anyone looking into the car (or seeing me get out of it), would instantly know that the haole-boy had not earned that honor. The gods know that my father-in-law, and his unit mates, paid for that honor in blood.

I dont got pics, but I got some military history in my family. in WWII, I know this:

Mothers Side of the family:
My Great Grandfather was in the US Army, thats all I know

Fathers side of the family:
My Great Uncle was in the Luftwaffe, for Germany, again, all I know!

I probably should research sometime

Found the pics!!

My uncle Frank

and his brother

Me in 1970 in Danang, going to one of the islands in Danang harbor via a German Red Cross boat. We were doing public service work at a leper colony and orphanage on the island. It was day off from the dispensary where I worked.



I did find a photo of my father during WWI, sitting with his parents when home on leave. He never left the states but was one who could drive (1917) and was stationed in Newport News / Norfork VA loading ships off to Eruope. After the war he did some "rum" running during prohibition. He died in 1968.

[This message has been edited by Old Lar (edited 04-23-2008).]