A True American Hero

[OldVol]

I just wanted to salute my father for his service to our country on Memorial day.

Dad was a part of the 251st field artillery attached to the 6th Army "The Sightseeing Sixth" in the South Pacific.

Until recently, I had no idea just how heavily his division was engaged.

My dad took part in:

The Battle of Milne Bay, New Guinea and First Encounters with Japanese Army in the South Pacific Post Bataan

The Battle of Lone Tree Hil, Maffin Bay, New Guinea

The Battle of Sansapoor and the Vogelkop Peninsula

The Battle of Lingayanb Gulf and Luzon, The Phillipines

The Purple Heart Valley Campaign.

Batle of Cabaruan Hills

The Battle for Munoz

The Drive to the East Coast to Splie the Japanese Forces and the retaking of Bataan

Cracking the Shimbu Line

Secruing Central Luzon

Campaign in the Cordelleras, The Cagayan Valley and the Stronghold of General Yamashita

The division also processed and aided the rescued prisoners from the Cabanatuan Prison Camp, recently memorialized in the movie, "The Great Raid." The Rangers who performed the rescue were attached to the 6th.

Dad's division saw 5053 dead or wounded.

The division killed 23000 Japanese while capturing 1730.

After researching this I realized why he has said so little about his war days.

I salute him.

 

[milohimself]

Well-done. I'd like to salute my dad and grandfather as well, former enlisted airmen. No idea where. I just know that they were in te Air Force.

 

[vols kick balls]

id like to salute my grandfather who served in the navy.

 

[kiddiedoc]

My grandfather served on the USS South Dakota in the South Pacific. He talks very little about his days in the early 40's, but you can tell that the man who came home in 1945 was very different from the boy that set sail only a few years earlier. He survived night raids, torpedos, kamikazis, sleep deprivation, tropical diseases, the deaths of many friends, and tuberculosis, which claimed the life of his firstborn daughter after his arrival back in the states. Most of us today could never imagine the cost of our own liberty.

Everytime I see someone disrepecting our Flag, our great Nation, or the soldiers who have sacrificed so much to defend her, I think of Granddad.

 

[volfan2024]

I salute my uncle Bow,infantry, KIA,Normandy,1944, age 25.A brave,poor,Tennessee farmboy I admire more than any person.

 

[la.lovesorange]

My grandfather served on the USS South Dakota in the South Pacific. He talks very little about his days in the early 40's, but you can tell that the man who came home in 1945 was very different from the boy that set sail only a few years earlier. He survived night raids, torpedos, kamikazis, sleep deprivation, tropical diseases, the deaths of many friends, and tuberculosis, which claimed the life of his firstborn daughter after his arrival back in the states. Most of us today could never imagine the cost of our own liberty.

Everytime I see someone disrepecting our Flag, our great Nation, or the soldiers who have sacrificed so much to defend her, I think of Granddad.

My papaw was in the same situation, different boat. Some of the stories are amazing!!!!! God bless them all!!!!! :hi:

 

[hohenfelsvol]

Salute my father who served in the Army for 26 years. A career I have love to tell people about becuase I am so proud to be his son. Would not be who I am today without his guidance and growing up around Army bases all of my life.

God bless all of those who have made the ultimate sacrifice, who have served, who are serving, and finally those who are serving in harms way in so many parts of the world to keep democracy alive.

 

[ClemsonVol]

My grandfather served on the USS South Dakota in the South Pacific.

Do you know if he was on board for the Guadacanal Campaign? The South Dakota saw some of her first action there. A good read about the action is "Decision at Sea." I cannot now remember the authors name, but the book is very good.

Answer back here if you are interested and I'll find out the rest of the info.

My own father gave 33 years of service to the old USA.

Clemson Vol

 

[NCGatorBait]

OV..hats off to your dad and all that has served the great country of ours.

 

[dan4vols]

I salute my uncle Bow,infantry, KIA,Normandy,1944, age 25.A brave,poor,Tennessee farmboy I admire more than any person.

Similar to mine.....my uncle KIA Quang Ngai Vietnam July 13, 1967...he was also a Tennessee farm boy.