WW2 vet with carbine

[Brasidas]

Here is a picture of my Dad carrying his carbine. It was taken sometime during the first week of September, 1944. He was a FO for the 47th reg of the 9th Infantry Division but was frequently assigned to other units, as needed. He says he was in the advance group that first crossed the Siegfried Line into Germany.

At 93, he's still around to share stories but he's in poor health and beginning to fade.

Information

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[duggaboy]

these are the "GUYS", i WOULD LOVE TO TALK WITH THIS GENTLEMAN

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

these are the "GUYS", i WOULD LOVE TO TALK WITH THIS GENTLEMAN

Just curious, why these guys and not Korea or Viet Nam combat vets?

[Brasidas]

All these guys are the "GUYS"!

[Hooks]

Jim, I would really like to hear about your three tours in Nam. You guys were the forgotten hero’s and I appreciate all our vets (as all of us do here). At least the other war hero’s (all who served are heroes in my book) did not have Jane Fonda to contend with. I was too young for Korea and too old (married with a son) for Nam.
Thank you for your service to our country, just hope we can keep it and those that fought and lost lives or wounded were not for nothing.

[Mike in Wis.]

Nice photo... thanks to your dad for his service.

You 'Nam veterans should note that you have never been forgotten by todays young warriors. The attached patch is still worn by some crewmen in AC-130 Specter gunships.

[JimF4M1s (Deceased)]

Jim, I would really like to hear about your three tours in Nam. You guys were the forgotten hero’s and I appreciate all our vets (as all of us do here). At least the other war hero’s (all who served are heroes in my book) did not have Jane Fonda to contend with. I was too young for Korea and too old (married with a son) for Nam.
Thank you for your service to our country, just hope we can keep it and those that fought and lost lives or wounded were not for nothing.

Hooks,

I was just making fun of him talking about the "Greatest Generation". As you I feel anyone who served, whether it involved combat or not, deserves our respect. Both my Granddads, Dad, both Uncles served in WW2. And one of my best friends was a WW2 fighter pilot. Unfortunately all but one is now gone. I have heard some great stories from them.

My three tours were on Assault Craft 1968, 69,70. I like talking about all the different guns we shot, and that's about it. The other stuff we usually only talk about with each other at our yearly memorial for the guys we lost. It's held on Coronado, at our base.

Most people do not know the hardships military families go through. Low pay, gone away from home and family (holidays and birthdays being the worst times), extensions right before you were to come home, stress, lost friends, bad memories. All this between the ages of 18-22. I know some guys and gals are older, but most are young. My era came home with PTSD, diseases from chemical spray, and some addicted to drugs.

Then got yelled at and spit on at the airport. Those hecklers were stupid. Unlike WW2 where men came home on ships that took months and had time to unwind. All three of my return trips were from my river boat to Da Nang, to Japan to Calif, all in 12 to 15 hours. We didn't have the time to unwind. Instinct had you reaching to your upper chest for your K Bar which of course we were not wearing. Good thing for the Krishna's and other hippies at the airports. We were just glad to be back home.

There is no such thing as a good war.

Jim

[Mike D]

Personally, I don't care for that "Greatest Generation" term. Not saying that generation isn't great, but greatest? What I'm trying to say is, given the same world threat, I believe that ANY American generation, past AND present, would stand up, just the same.

And the guys and gals that fought the "dirty wars" after WWII need to be remembered equally. All performed equally well, despite the factors that started the conflict.

Afterall, 'ya fight for the loved ones at home, your buddy in the foxhole beside you, and the country we all love.

Thanks to all vets, past and present.

[Calif-Steve]

I got on a Freedom Bird in Saignon and was home 18 hours later. Hassled by Customs jerks in Honolulu, no job and simply everybody thought I was a crazy baby killer. Boy, Greatest Generation gets it all. I am glad the guys coming home today don't have to go through that bull.

[kikokat]

Jim,
I did my time in the bluewater Navy, but was too young for Korea, and too old for Nam.
I've always felt that both the Korean vets and the Viet Nam vets got the short end of the stick by so many in this country. A classic case of shooting the messenger. The folks doing their duty certainly did not deserve the treatment they received.
All those citizens who put themselves in harms way deserve our respect whether we agree with the issues or not. You and all the others certainly have mine.
Regards,
John