My dad in WWII-Celebrating

[DJ]

I took the time tonight to ask my dad about what he did in WWII and thank him. This has been a long quest of mine. <br /><br />I always ask. But, tonight must have been special, for he unloaded. Is it age? I don't know, don't care.<br /><br />I thought I'd share. Dads older than I thought he is, but still sharp as a tack.<br /><br />He was 17 when he signed up-Jan. 1942. Of course, they wouldn't let him in until he was 18. That was Apr. of 1942. He chose the Army Air Corps. Since he had graduated high school at 16 and had some college under his belt, they figured he was officer material. "Hah", he said but "why not".<br /><br />By the ripe old age of 20 he was flying Liberators (B-24's) over points in Europe. Ten souls on board, ten bombs, 10,000 rounds of .50 cal.<br /><br />He describes it as non other than: "eight hours of complete boredom surrounding two hours of complete and total terror". He says, he can't imagine what it was like for the guys on the ground. On the other hand he said, "we lost, sometimes, one third of our group-that's ten men to every ship". "To see a LIB, or 17 get it's wing shot off by an '88' or '105' was true terror. Thinking, the next one was pointed at you". <br /><br />He said, "the fighters were really more of a nuisance. The FW-190's were a bigger threat than the Me(bf)-109's however their sting was real." "I washed a gunner's remains from the bottom turret, once, with a fire hose." "I cried for him and his family-he was a good kid". "Same, for my co-pilot-out of the cockpit". "It was the Captains responsibility". "I wasn't ready for that, but I had to do it". "Grew up-quick".<br /><br />"I was lucky, I had good gunners". "They let them (fighters) see a string of .50 cal. tracers at a good distance". "More often than not, they'd pick on the guys that were less aggressive with the guns."<br /><br />Some other thoughts: <br /><br />" We dropped our bombs on targets we were told to do so. We didn't know exactly where they went or really what they were suppose to do. But, we did know that our enemy was real". "We really put a dent in their march with our raids on Ploesti".<br /><br />"To this day, I do not trust the enemies that I fought". "I will not support their economies". "I would rather choose to support the relatives of the men and families I was freinds with".<br /><br />That statement was, at first hearing, tough for me. I am married to a girl that is the direct offspring of a German National. Her father came over in 1939 (just ahead of the Nazi's).<br /><br />Dad said. "Your father in law is a "true american". I've known him for years"-true. "He (father in law) is as true an american as anyone I've ever known." "I was at his swearing in ceremony in 1960." " He, is one of the reasons I went over there, to bring our brand of real feedom". "Some of your relatives weren't US citizens yet either". "They are now". (relatives mentioned)<br /><br />That floored me, I didn't know that!!!!! What a small world-pre destined? <br /><br />Maybe? My wife was floored too.<br /><br />Since my in laws just left from a visit here, I heard some of the same things. Tonights conversation just put everything in its place.<br /><br />I think my dad's right. I've never met a more "true american" than my father in law. He escaped real tirany to come to real freedom. He won't support his "home" country either. My father in law says that many of his relatives, "over there" are still not "over it".<br /><br />They'll win, "another way". (Father in law)

 

[Kiwi Phil]

Re: My dad in WWII-Celebrating

Djohns 19<br />It was good to hear what your Dad had to tell you. I enjoyed reading your post.Mine told me next to nothing of his years in Nth Aftica and Italy, even refused to collect his medals. When I went away, his exact words were " you'r nothing but a ...... fool" (we were volunteers). Mother told me years later he worried himself sick the whole time I was gone.<br />Anyway there was a very good American Journalist turned author by the name of Stephen E Ambrose. (Died last year I think. Saw his last interview.) If you wish to learn more about your Dad's life in those times, the last book was Called "the Wild Blue", and you may be very surprised just who the main character really is!!.There were other books, Citizen Soldier, D Day, and I think another was about the 82nd Airborne or the 173rd - always confuse those 2 (know a little of the 173rd). They are all excellant reads and should be in your Library (in ours). Makes you appreciate just what our parents went through for us. Any way Djohns 19, good to read your post.<br />Cheers<br />Kiwi Phil

 

[SS MAYFLOAT]

Re: My dad in WWII-Celebrating

Thanks for sharing your story with us Djohns. If it wasn't for the brave courageous men like your father, would we be where we are now?<br /><br />Those that don't know what is going on beyond our own borders, have no concept of what it really takes to gain and keep our precious freedom.<br /><br />SS

 

[JB]

Re: My dad in WWII-Celebrating

Thanks for the narrative, DJ.<br /><br />It is often very hard to get combat veterans to talk about their experiences and feelings. Feelings too intense to bear recall, embarrassed at how terrifying combat is, grief at the loss of buddies. <br /><br />Many feel guilt about being so afraid and guilt about failing to protect a buddy. Everyone, it seems, is terrified, and everyone feels personally responsible for the safety of his buddies. What greater love can a man have?<br /><br />You have had a rare experience. Thank you for sharing it with us, and thanks to your Dad, too.

 

[gonfishn]

Re: My dad in WWII-Celebrating

Djohns I am not sure how old you are here but I have a son who is 25. Over his short years he has wanted me to share with him my past involving the Vietnam conflict I was involved in. He has seen the pictures and the medals but really wants to know the person as you do.<br /><br />My father was on the beach on D-Day but never shared with with me until I came back from in country. Over the years when one found out I was a vet, most were only interested in how many did you kill and the details involved.<br /><br />By your father sharing with you, it has enabled him to release that which he has kept back for many years. By sharing this thread you have reached many a vet here and I thank you..<br /><br />I know someday I to will sit down with my son and share with him that which your father has shared with you. I will know when the time is right but also feel that the time is not here yet..

 

[BrianFD]

Re: My dad in WWII-Celebrating

djohns 19, What a wonderful experience you've been priveleged to share!<br />About 25 years ago I asked my own father about his role in WW2. He wouldn't say, only that it was a h3ll that no one should ever have to experience. He lost a brother in a P-38 in the Pacific theater, and for that received a hardship discharge. I still have my uncle's purple heart, AAC wings and bars. But I never learned of Dad's experiences. He passed away 19 years ago, so I'll never know.<br />You are lucky, indeed.<br />Thank you for sharing!