War Relatives -

I know many people on his board are veterans, decedents of, or have relatives who are famous or fought in past wars and we would all like to hear about them.

My father was a tank commander and later became a drill Sargent during the Korean War.
My grandfather was a master aircraft mechanic in WWII and stayed in the U.S. building and repairing aircraft engines.
He was the head mechanic a facility and the only one who was allowed to run-up P-51 engines and taxi them. When he was alive he'd tell me specifics about Merlin engines and Allison engines as if he worked on them the day before.
I had an uncle I never met who died trying to land a shot-up Panther on an aircraft carrier during the Korean War.
He veered off the deck and he and his plane were never recovered. (Family had no closure and even during my young life family members still hoped he somehow survived)

My most famous (infamous) relative was seldom talked about by my family but I think he actually got a bad deal that ruined his life.
My great uncle was General Walter Short and he blamed for what happened at Pearl Harbor.

Pearl Harbor was a screw-up from every aspect of the government and we were unprepared for what the Japanese were capable of. All reports from the government said the most danger at that time was from sabotage. General Short placed all aircraft close together and under extreme security from sabotage. He was dong his duty from what he knew of. Nobody anyplace in the military believed the Japanese were capable of at that time. Communications were poor all over the place and the government didn't tell the military what they knew.

I grew up knowing my family was ashamed of him. As a child I saw him portrayed in movies like "Tora, Tora, Tora" and I was ashamed because they made him look like an idiot. It still goes on today in every history program and they blame him. He had an unbelievable distinguished military career beforehand, but he was ruined after Pearl Harbor. Times were different back then without internet or nightly news and all my family members knew were from newspapers.
The whole country was outraged because of Pearl Harbor and everyone wanted to blame someone. I know first hand he was outcast from my family by everyone and died from heart failure a few years after WWII --
I think he's a little like General Custer in the way he's been placed in History now. :(

The military never gave him a chance at a court marshal at that time.
(The military screwed up from Pearl Harbor and didn't want to be blamed)
History now shows the government was to blame for not being prepared with info they knew about, but General Short still gets blamed.

This 'Wikipedia' account is fairly close to the truth from what I know now.

Walter Short - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Who's next with history of family members or yourself from any military service? :)

Any photographs would be very nice. History of service should be passed on.

Regards,
~ Harlan Short

General Short had a distinguished career as an Army Oficer. The poor, ineffectual, and incompetent national security aparatus of FDR was to blame for the disaster at Pearl Harbor. FDR was such a poor cheif executive, it's amazing how he has been lionized by historians. It's a shame that General Short and Admiral Kimmel were turned into scapegoats.

My Grandpa was a member of the german paratroopers in WWII. Here`s a short overview of his career wich i`ve researched:
1934 - 1939 Security Police at Dresden
1939 - 1941 1. Fliegerkompanie Fliegerabteilung LNS Halle/Saale ( 1.Company Flight Division Signal Corps)
1941- ??? Luftgaustab zbV.10 ( Headquarter Aircommand St. Petersburg for special OPS)
??? - 1944 as a Paratrooper on different war places like Smolensk, Latvia, Greece, Krete, Africa, Siciliy, Anzio-Nettuno, Rom, Carentan.
1944 - end of War, 6. Batterie/II./Fallschirm-Artillerie-Regiment 2 subordinated to the 2. Parachute Division in Brest. Escaped the Allied POW transport by train. Back at his platoon they went back trough Netherlands and Belgium to Arnheim and from there to the Rhine river where he was captured by the US Troops. His finally rank was a Sergeant Major. He has seen a lot of shxx in his life, passed away in 1996.

Regards

Gunner

My Grandfather volunteered in 1939 to join the British Army - He served in two regiments - 4th Hussars and 27th Lancers and was part of the Royal Armoured Corps - armoured car/ reconaissance units. He served all over the Middle East, North Africa and Italy and completed his service in 1946 in Austria.

During his time with the 27th Lancers, he fought in Northern Italy as part of Porterforce. Under the command of Colonel Horsburg-Porter, Porterforce included both regular and irregular units like Popski's Private Army. He was wounded by mortar fire during the battle for the capture of Ravenna but recovered and returned to his unit.

I'm busy researching his units activities part time, and would be very interested in hearing from anyone else that had a relative serving in either of his units.

My farther was in bomber command. He injured his arm and was invalided our in 43-44.
I also had two uncles who forght the japanese in the pacific, as members of th 1NZEF. One was later transferred to europe as part of the 2NZEF.
There was another great uncle who was in the NZ division in WW1.

Outstanding family history gentleman and everyone should be proud.

Thanks for your post KevinB. Naturally, I've done a lot of research over my life and you are correct about FDR and the administration at that time. He was like an ostrich with his head in the sand and thought the U.S. could maintain an Isonationalist stance, but still continue to force other nations to follow our mandates.

Gunner, Amatikulu, and Gibbs505 -
You have so much to be proud of and thank you for contributing.
So many people today have no idea of what their own family did and live fat and sassy with their next major worry being what new cell phone they want.

My dad was a Navy Seabee attached to the 2nd Marine Division, 18 Marine Combat Engineers as a Staff Sergeant at Henderson Field on Guadalcanal in the Solomon Islands in 1942. He survived the Japanese and made it home.

My uncle Leroy was a bombardier on a Mitchell B-25 medium bomber. His plane was shot down over Burma. He parachuted and was later wounded but was able to make it back to allied territory. He recieved the Distinguished Flying Cross and a Bronze Star with "V" device.

My uncle James was a combat medic with the Medical Detachment of the 134th Infantry. He was wounded in France and later died of his wound.

My uncle John was a Sergeant with 116th Infantry Regiment, 29th Division (of the famed Stonewall Brigade lineage in the Civil War) who survived landing on Omaha Beach in Normady only to be killed a month later in France.

My uncle Charles was a crew chief and top turrent gunner on a B-17G that was shot down by flak over Athens, Greece after a raid. All of the crew was able to parachute except one who went down with the plane. The crew was captured by the Germans and sent to the infamous Luft Stalag 17G in Austria for the rest of the war. He made it home 30 pounds lighter than when he started.

My uncle Virgil was a Sergeant First Class with the 19th Infantry Regiment, 24th Infantry Division who was killed in action in June of 1951 on a hilltop assault in central Korea when he stopped to give aid to a member of his company who was hit by machinegun fire. He was posthumously awarded the Bronze Star with "V" device.

I dont have much to add sadly.....but my Papa also served with this unit...Arthur William Jeffery born April 1 1913....left Canada to return home to England to join the War effort.....he served with the 27th Lancers and also travelled the same countries....maybe as I put more effort in to following him around we can share/trade info....its lovely to find someone who is also searching the 27th :)

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Originally Posted by Amatikulu

My Grandfather volunteered in 1939 to join the British Army - He served in two regiments - 4th Hussars and 27th Lancers and was part of the Royal Armoured Corps - armoured car/ reconaissance units. He served all over the Middle East, North Africa and Italy and completed his service in 1946 in Austria.

During his time with the 27th Lancers, he fought in Northern Italy as part of Porterforce. Under the command of Colonel Horsburg-Porter, Porterforce included both regular and irregular units like Popski's Private Army. He was wounded by mortar fire during the battle for the capture of Ravenna but recovered and returned to his unit.

I'm busy researching his units activities part time, and would be very interested in hearing from anyone else that had a relative serving in either of his units.

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Quote:

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Originally Posted by Amatikulu

My Grandfather volunteered in 1939 to join the British Army - He served in two regiments - 4th Hussars and 27th Lancers and was part of the Royal Armoured Corps - armoured car/ reconaissance units. He served all over the Middle East, North Africa and Italy and completed his service in 1946 in Austria.

During his time with the 27th Lancers, he fought in Northern Italy as part of Porterforce. Under the command of Colonel Horsburg-Porter, Porterforce included both regular and irregular units like Popski's Private Army. He was wounded by mortar fire during the battle for the capture of Ravenna but recovered and returned to his unit.

I'm busy researching his units activities part time, and would be very interested in hearing from anyone else that had a relative serving in either of his units.

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I also found this post on Ancestry.com....and have messaged the poster so hopefully will receive a response soon ....


My father, the late Ronald Evans, served with the 27 Lancers, from soon after they were formed until they were disbanded in Austria. I have some photographs and memories of stories he told about people and events. His squadron commander was Major Inchcape. My sister has some photographs of that time and is in touch with the daughter of his friend from carmarthen who served with him, his name was Frank Davies. I would be happy to share what information I have about their service

I have originals of the Regiment's newsletters - they are somewhat fragile but will re-read them to see if there is mention of Arthur Jeffrey and will see if there's a way to copy them without destroying them.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by Amatikulu

I have originals of the Regiment's newsletters - they are somewhat fragile but will re-read them to see if there is mention of Arthur Jeffrey and will see if there's a way to copy them without destroying them.

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I only wish he were still alive....sigh...so much he had to tell....I truly appreciate your response and effort..I adored my grandfather more then words....hope you will find something...I too will keep at it and share whatever I may come across...there really isnt much that I have found thus far...sadly...thanks again....

My father served in the RCNR postwar.

My grandfather, at 27 years old, volunteered for the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry. The Canadian Army had a program where family members could transfer to join other relatives. He ended up in the Service Corp with his brother. Otherwise he probably would have ended up at Dieppe, and we all know how that turned out. My father was born after Grandpa had left for England. Dad was 5 before Grandpa ever met him.

Another great uncle was Canadian infantry in Italy. He never, ever talked about it.

My great-grandfather served in an English MG Battalion during the Great War. He ended up as an machine gunner in tanks. I wish I knew more details of his service.

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Originally Posted by Stevo

My father served in the RCNR postwar.

My grandfather, at 27 years old, volunteered for the Royal Hamilton Light Infantry. The Canadian Army had a program where family members could transfer to join other relatives. He ended up in the Service Corp with his brother. Otherwise he probably would have ended up at Dieppe, and we all know how that turned out. My father was born after Grandpa had left for England. Dad was 5 before Grandpa ever met him.

Another great uncle was Canadian infantry in Italy. He never, ever talked about it.

My great-grandfather served in an English MG Battalion during the Great War. He ended up as an machine gunner in tanks. I wish I knew more details of his service.

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I also have two great grandfathers who never made it home from WWI....the first my Papas (aforementioned) Dad has also been a little difficult to trace(I wonder if it is because they were in England and so many records were lost/destroyed) but my other great grandfather Thomas Homes died Sept 16 1916 at Courcelette France...his history and unit movements have been fairly easy to trace(as the units diaries are available online)....my poor Nana...who is now 93 was born in July 1916...never meeting her Father...then her husband goes to fight in the second world war...thankfully he made it home...but what a lady surviving two wars...the bombing of London with 4 small kids....the stories she has to tell almost counter the ones my Papa used to tell ;)....everytime I bring her new info I have found she tears up...dont know if I should feel guilty or not lol ;)

My Grandfather was a Navy Chief. He served in WWI and WWII. I have most of his ships papers. He was onboard BB-35 the Battleship Texas on June the 6th as the ship shelled the cliff tops at Normandy so Rudders Rangers could climb the cliffs. My Father retired as a Army Major General. I left the service as a Sgt.

My dad was a captain in the Army Air Corps.

https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../fireJPG-1.jpg
Looking under the hood for a fire. They smelled smoke.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo..._jeepJPG-1.jpg
Playing tough guys. Dad has the crush cap with the cross draw S&W Victory.

My Uncle LT Elwood Burr Hollinger was a 2nd LT with S-2 with the 84th ID 333 IR Rail Splitters, in Europe late in the war.
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo...rjeepJPG-1.jpg
Burr is in the rain poncho. He wore that thing everywhere! Here they are somewhere between the Rhine and the Elbe April 1945.

Dad was stationed at Mountain Home Idaho in 1943. There is a story dad had told me many years ago of a 2nd LT flying a B24 during training and having a 500 pounder stuck in the bomb bay rack and flying circles around outskirts of the base trying to free up the bomb. They dumped fuel and came in for a landing. The bomb stayed put, my dad wrecked on a WLA Harley running between runways on the way to the landed B24. They all got drunk as skunks in the officer's club afterwards. The pilot was 2nd LT George McGovern (Read Stephen Ambrose book Wild Blue) Dad had no idea who George McGovern was or who he would be. He told me later if he would have known who he would turn into he would have let him crash without the assistance of the crash crews! Dad was the captain in charge of the motor pool!
https://www.milsurps.com/images/impo.../09/load-1.jpg
Here is Mountain Home Air Base is being built. Note the MH RTU 15 on the front bumper of the jeep. MH = Mountain Home, RTU = Reserve Training Unit, 15 = unit #15.

Had some relatives in. Two of my uncles saw Vietnam, one on the ground another by the sea. My granfather saw service in the CBI theater. Got to go there after stopping to help clear japs out of Bismarck Archipelago. Another uncle of mine was with the Hornet as it took Doolittle to Japan and was on it until sunk. Then transferred to Wasp which was sunk and finally to another, forget the name which was sunk. My other grandfather was in the Atlantic and was offshore supporting Normandy. Had an uncle in 101st. and did the Holland jump and was at Bastogne. Had another uncle who was captured at Corregidor and got to participate in the death march afterwards. Have some more that go back further but will leave it here. :super:

Yep, two marriages - second one in the 26th year - a keeper.

My father was in the Signal Corps on Oahu post Pearl Harbor. He was decoding Japanese transmissions. In the photo below, he is reading some good news in the paper. He said he only shot the Springfield 1903 in training.

My first father-in-law landed in Normandy about a week after D-Day, and ended up in Belgium. He carried an M1 Carbine.

My second father-in-law had dual citizenship USA and Canada as his father was a Canadien citizen. In early 1940, he joinded the Royal Canadien Air Force. Eventually, he flew Mosquitos over England and later in the Arnham fiasco. He once shot down a V-1. Said it just about took out the plane.

Here goes,

Had a relative at the Battle of King's Mountain, one in the US War with Mexico. My great great grandfather served in Gano's Squadron of Hood's Texas Brigade and was captured twice. He finished the war in a prison camp.

My Great uncle Victor Scott joined the AEF in WWI at he age of 14, He ended up in France as mechanic in Eddie Rickenbacker's "hat in the Ring" Squadron. He got kicked out and returned to the states after his mother complained about his age. LOL

Had another Great Uncle that was a B-17 pilot in the Pacific. He is still listed MIA, presumed dead. Dad got to Italy about the time Hitler surrendered and was part of the Army of Occupation stationed in Rome. Another cousin was in the USMC in Korea. He ended getting 5 Purple Hearts in one afternoon at Chosin.

A cousin of mine and I were both in the Navy during Nam. Ended up on the same carrier and didn't even know it till we got out. I was IN VA-82 as an ordnanceman and he was ship's company on the USS AMERICA.

My now departed father in law was in the Navy from 1952 until 1972. He didn't care Adm. Zumwalt either. LMAO! He was a sewer pipe sailor ( submarines for those of you that are wondering about that) and a HELL of man. I really miss him.

We take it pretty serious in our family. ;)

I guess that I should add that one brother was in the NZ army and served in Vietnam in 1968. Another brother was in the NZ Navy.