Anyone have any cool WW2 stories/pics of relatives???

[beauzoe]

This photo was in my grandfathers old office hanging there forgotten, probably been there for last 30+ years or so. Picture of him sitting in a Messerschmitt I believe at the end of the Great War. He was a Mst. Sgt. and was awarded 2 Bronze Stars while working demolition clearing paths for armor/troop movement through the forests of Europe. He never lost one soldier out of 142 he was responsible for and he often told me, "Not once did I ever have to look into one of my boys eyes."

Anyhow if u have any pics or stories I'd love to hear/read them. My buddies grandad flew with George Bush in the Pacific, and his other grandfather was part of Edson's Raiders which I believe were the first marines to land on foreign soil in the Pacific.

Great passion of mine....

[patwheels]

that's awesome Colin! Where would we be without men like him.

Pat

[huntkeh]

Awesome photo Colin,and great story.


Thanks for sharing.



Rick

[eggman90]

Amazing story and photo. Thanks so much for sharing that!


-John

[Phildirt]

Don't know how to show the photo except as a link:

< http://www.navsource.org/...ves/10/18/1018088401.jpg >

My dad (Rudolph B. Roessle Jr., 1919-1994) commanded this Landing Craft Tank, LCT 884 in WW2 in the South Pacific. He was a Lieutenant J.G. and from some snapshots in an album it appears the crew numbered around 6 to 8 (I still need a scanner for those). He claims they never saw action, closest thing being seeing an enemy plane shot down and crashing in the water. I have a tattered American flag signed by the crew, and a small metal U.S. Navy medallion I think he swiped off the ship upon decommission. My sister has an Aussie hat (the kind pinned up on one side) that they fished out of the ocean.

< http://www.navsource.org/archives/10/18/180884.htm >

I wish my Dad was around to see I found LCT 884 on the internet!

[beauzoe]

That's pretty cool Phil, I just watch a show where they had a tribute to the big Landing Craft Vehicles...cool indeed!


Colin

[Phildirt]

Thanks -- thought I killed the thread! -p

[sverrefehn]

Very cool photo Colin. I grew up with a huge interest in WW2 history and love memorabilia like that. What a different era that was with a different kind of person that we don't often see today.
I saw Tom Hanks on Letterman the other night talking about his new series coming up. I think it's called the Pacific and will be something like Band of Brothers. (Not sure - I missed the beginning of his interview.)
Anyway, he was telling stories about his own Father and guys his Dad served with and told about a kid who was 14 when Pearl Harbor was attacked. He lied about his age, got in the army, and served until the end of the war with distinction reaching a commanding rank of some sort. (Don't remember all the details.) What I do remember is that he was 19 years old at the end of the war. Can you imagine that? Freaking 19 years old and having already served for 5 years in combat.

They don't make them that way anymore.

[beauzoe]

Steve-O, the Grim!


I believe the most decorated GI/Officer is Col David Hackworth, his story is a book called "About Face". He lied about his age and used his cousin's ID. He was in Trieste, Italy in WWII, did Korea, and 3 Tours in Nam. After recognizing the futility in "Nam he came back to the Pentagon and denounced the effort/reason, etc. He was then assigned to his desk and literally cost him his "star." Don't know if it is the same guy Hanks is talking about but it could be...can't wait for the new series! Band of Brothers still one of my favs ever!


C

[SHOerwin]

My dad was a pilot in the Army Air Corps. He flew 48 missions in B-24s in the Pacific Theater with the 5th Air Force. (380th Bomb Group, 528th Squadron). He was also the engineering officer for two squadrons (meaning he was the man responsible for testing all aircraft after repair for air-worthiness). He also flew B-25s, B-26s, and B-29s. After hostilities ended, he was flying American prisoners out of occupied Japan. At this time, at 6ft 4in., he weighed 91 pounds. Can we even begin to understand the sacrifices of that generation? He never lost a crewman, never crashed a plane.

I would like to add that he stayed in as it became the Air Force, in the reserves. He then served active duty again in combat in Korea flying B-29s again, and began to train for the B-36 but was moved to transition into jets with the advent of the B-47. He served during hostilities in Southeast Asia and during the Cuban Missle Crisis, as well, and finally retired from the Air Force in 1975 just shy of getting his first star. If he had put in another year, he would have achieved the rank of General. That would have required yet another comitment of at least 4 more years, and he felt 34 years was enough, so he retired a full bird. Couple that with also working for 3M (1950-1985).

Both he and my mom are still with us today, at 87, and still independant and full of life. He still holds a valid pilot's license and instructor's license.

If I could be half the man my father is, I could die a happy man. He's a good husband, and a great father. He is my hero.

And he rarely opens up about that time...