Dad in Buna, New guinea

This is a picture of my Dad in Buna in 1943. He had returned from a patrol, soaking wet, and put his clothes by a fire to dry. The problem was someone stoked up the fire and burned his clothes. He looked for more and was only able to find a WAC coverall a few days later. He said there were no clothes to be had. He is on the right. BTW, his M1 didn't burn;)

He was in H co, 2nd Bat, 127 reg, 32nd Div. He was wounded in action in July 1944 and evacuated to the states.

He's still alive to verify this story. Our family still tries to find out more of his adventures.





https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...9pocar0h-1.jpg

Try to convince him to tell you his story, these histories should be preserved. Many guys don't want to talk about it, or will only tell you funny stories like how his uniform got burned or how Joe stole some steaks from the officer's mess. Do your best to get the rest, these guys are heroes and their stories should not be forgotten.

Bob

I know what you're saying. I was a Marine in VN and kidded him how he had it made being in the Army. BTW, i got a field promotion from Sgt to Cpl for a little extra beer they said didn't belong to me or my unit. That's another story the family enjoys.

Snake Rag, use a recorder if you can. Recording will be treasured by all the family and friends for may years to come. Hearing the voice telling the stories adds a huge personal aspect to the experiences. Thanks for sharing with us.

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Originally Posted by Bill Hollinger

Snake Rag, use a recorder if you can. Recording will be treasured by all the family and friends for may years to come. Hearing the voice telling the stories adds a huge personal aspect to the experiences. Thanks for sharing with us.

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This is valuable first person history here. Not just those of us read about it here but generations from now that need to listen to what he experienced. It's easy to think/talk about, but the value is to learn of his reality. He is living history. Let us not forget.

If you have not read it, there is a book "Ghost Mountain Boys" that will put the New Guinea efforts by those in that picture in perspective. The photo and story are a treasure.

A recorder is a great idea. So is writing it up and sending to me for an article in the GCA Journal if he carried an M1. We have published dozens of tributes to vets, our 20,000 members love them.

I've read the "Ghost mountain boys". My dad wasn't involved with that operation. He said they flew over the mountains on "47s" . I am getting a couple of brothers together to try to record some of his wartime memories. He has a good collection of pictures that need to be given names, dates, and locations.