WW2 vet with carbine

[Brasidas]

I appreciate the above posted comments. And I especially appreciate and respect everyone who put on a uniform to serve their country.

But I posted this picture to celebrate WW2 vets and carbines, not to start a discussion about the short shift the Korean and Viet Nam vets received.

Thanks for staying on topic.

[painter777]

Any idea of how old your Father was when he was in?
I recall reading somewhere that the average age for a combat soldier in WWII was 26.
That number changed to 19 for Viet Nam.

Just did the math, Your Father was about 28.

I enjoy the smile he's wearing......

Charlie-painter777

[Brasidas]

You're pretty close.

He was born December 1917 and volunteered for the draft in January 1941, thinking he'd do his one year stint and be done. Wrong!

He first action was in the Anglo-American landings in North Africa. Then Sicily and Normandy. He was severely wounded earning a third Purple Heart, about a month after this photo was taken when he drive his jeep over a Teller mine. Spent 3 months in the hospital and then volunteered to return because he wanted "to see the whole thing through". Finished the war at the Elbe river, where he met the Russians for the first time.

Was one of the first nineteen soldiers rotated home because of high "points", having only a few less than Audie Murphy. There is a story about him in action at Normandy in Ernie Pyle's book "Brave Men".

He was considered "the old man" of his team at the age of 26.

[painter777]

Very interesting post.

Thank you and your Father

Charlie

P.S. could you post his name?
Or PM me with it, if your not comfortable posting it.
I'd love to read up on it.

[TDH]

In less than a year the "Greatest Generation" went from civilian production to war production. They had car companies making tanks and airplanes, sewing maching companies making pistols, office machine companies making rifles to name a few. Most everyone in the country sacrificed for the war effort and women for the first time worked "MENS" jobs for the war effort.
I don't beleive that todays manufacturers could match those feats in that short of time. Yes they do deserve the the name "The Greatest Generation"

Just my 2 cents

[audiesdad]

You're pretty close.

He was born December 1917 and volunteered for the draft in January 1941, thinking he'd do his one year stint and be done. Wrong!

He first action was in the Anglo-American landings in North Africa. Then Sicily and Normandy. He was severely wounded earning a third Purple Heart, about a month after this photo was taken when he drive his jeep over a Teller mine. Spent 3 months in the hospital and then volunteered to return because he wanted "to see the whole thing through". Finished the war at the Elbe river, where he met the Russians for the first time.

Was one of the first nineteen soldiers rotated home because of high "points", having only a few less than Audie Murphy. There is a story about him in action at Normandy in Ernie Pyle's book "Brave Men".

He was considered "the old man" of his team at the age of 26.

Great Story about you Dad. Enjoyed the pic as well.

[painter777]

In less than a year the "Greatest Generation" went from civilian production to war production. They had car companies making tanks and airplanes, sewing maching companies making pistols, office machine companies making rifles to name a few. Most everyone in the country sacrificed for the war effort and women for the first time worked "MENS" jobs for the war effort.
I don't beleive that todays manufacturers could match those feats in that short of time. Yes they do deserve the the name "The Greatest Generation"

Just my 2 cents

A Michigan gal hard at work at the Robert Irwin plant fitting stocks........

[imarangemaster]

My dad wasn't even supposed to go. He was married, already had two kids, and was thirty working for the US Post Office. Someone at the draftboard must have been ticked off at him, and he was sent anyway. He went without complaint or protest. Even in retrospect, he did not complain. He said it was his duty. If I remember right, he had stops on Okinawa and Saipan (after the action, of course) before he went home. While still on Iwo, they offered him a commission to stay in (me was an E-6 in a Master Sgts' position). He declined, as the war was over and his job was done. They offered him a commission again during Korea, but by then he had three kids and me on the way.

[AlReiter]

There is a story about him in action at Normandy in Ernie Pyle's book "Brave Men".

I read every one of Ernie Pyle's bookd when in high school and couldn't put them down once I started one. Looks like it's time to read them again.

Thanks for sharing and thank your father for his service.

[satan52k]

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.

Came home twice myself - last time just after '68 Tet. The "homecommings" were far and away the worst times of my life.