April 22, 1945

[ridge-runner]

Thanks for the story and yet again another reason to be so thankful for those who have served/are serving.

 

[Hatchie Dawg]

It's too easy to forget the terror and suffering so many went through to get us and others around the world all that we enjoy today.

I've thought many times the Japs picked on the wrong group of folks when they went to war against that generation. I really can't imagine what it would have taken to whip'em.

Thanks for your family's service.

HD

 

[belly-deep]

Great story

 

[LopeHunter]

Thanks for sharing. Fate sometimes plays out in a matter of seconds and a few feet. Your grandfather literally displayed courage under fire. A wonderful message to pass down through your family's generations.

 

[Mica Man]

Thanks for sharing. I am thankful for those who have and are risking it all for the rest of us.

 

[MThuntr]

Nemont, that is an excellent story! My Grandfather was on the Bennington, Ticonderoga, and the Lexington during the war. I truly wish that I could have heard the stories but he preferred not to share and I missed the opportunity before he passed in 2009.

 

[T Bone]

Thanks Nemont!

If you don't mind, here's a brief on my grandfather.

He was on a very similar boat from 1942-1944 in the European theater. Most of his time was spent in the Mediterranean hunting U boats and escorting supports to the North Africa and Italian fronts.

He claimed that a solid upbringing of pheasant and duck hunting gave him uncanny skills swatting Messerschmitts out of the sky. He said when they would come in low they were just like teal.

U boats were a different story. He strongly disliked their advantage in marine warfare.

I loved spending time with him and listening to his stories.

 

[Nemont]

Thanks Nemont!

If you don't mind, here's a brief on my grandfather.

He was on a very similar boat from 1942-1944 in the European theater. Most of his time was spent in the Mediterranean hunting U boats and escorting supports to the North Africa and Italian fronts.

He claimed that a solid upbringing of pheasant and duck hunting gave him uncanny skills swatting Messerschmitts out of the sky. He said when they would come in low they were just like teal.

U boats were a different story. He strongly disliked their advantage in marine warfare.

I loved spending time with him and listening to his stories.

Thanks for the story on your grandfather TBone. My gramps never talked about his war experiences much and when he told me the story about what happened I was about 15 and didn't really understand but later I researched more about his ship. Just in this past year I have learned more about his time in the Navy and what happened to his ship.


The current Honor Flights out of Montana to the War Memorials in DC has prompted me to appreciate the WWII generation of veterans even more.

http://www.bigskyhonorflight.org/

One of the guys who has been an inspiration to me, a mentor really is an 85 year old Veteran of the invasions of Tinian and was also involved in the Okinawa campaign.

He just went on the Honor Flight last Sunday and Monday.

If anybody wants to share their stories of family members service and sacrifice on this thread, feel free.



Nemont

 

[krshntr81]

My grandfather never spoke of his war stories either he always said he was just a flag man. I never really new what he went through until in high school I had to do a report on a veteran, and picked him. I sat in amazment as he told me of the horrible things that he saw, as well as the good times he had while in Australia! I still have a Australian army side arm that he won in a card game and snuck back home on the ship. A bunch of his Navy friends had all got together and decided to reenlist, he was on board until he got home on leave and a beautiful young women told him that she wasn't going to wait forever! Thank god my grandma won, and I am here as a result.