Family heroes

[mdiehl]

My grandfather was the captain of one of the lesser named ships featured in WitP. Before serving in the PTO he served neutrality patrol, then Greenland Patrol, then N.Africa campaign and Atlantic Escort duty.

[aztez]

My grandfather served in Finnish infantry in WW2 againts the Russians.

He never talked much about his experiences to me. (I was 8 years old when he died)
Allthough I know he where involved in most fierced battles of the WW2 in Karjala. I think he lost some of his good friends there too in 1944.

[Feinder]

My GrandFather, George Pugh, served in United States Marine Corps from 12-08-41 until the end of war. He went USMCR until Korea, was reactived. Served active again in Korea, and then USMCR even thru part of Vietnam.

Over a weekend last year, and several bottles of cognac, I managed to interview him and take copious notes about his WW2 experiences. He died about 6 months ago from cancer.

He and brothers lived on a farm in Texas, thru the Great Depression. On 12-08-41, after hearing of the attack on PH, he and the rest of town all went down to enlist, "because it was the right thing to do." His brother Dub was already in USAAC, and his other brother Mac went USN in 1943 (was only 16 in 1942).

After boot camp George Pugh (fist class to graduate, that began after war started), because he had some caculus in high school, he was assigned to the artillery. He was sent to 4th USMC Def Btn where was a corporal with a batter of obsolete WW1 5" batteries.

In about March, they left San Francico to Pearl Harbor, and then to Efate aboard the Crecent City. 4th USMC spent the next few months digging in with a few occasional IJN subs shelling the place.

As August began, they were told to pack up their stuff, and get back on the transports, and their new 155mm guns were already aboard. They left the 5" guns on their emplacements for whomever came along next. About a week later, they disembarked on a "shit-hole island" named Guadalcanal, on about D+2 or D+3.

For the next several months, 4th USMC provided fire support for 1st USMC Div. Battle hazards included naval and air bombardments, counter-battery fire, and snipers. Natural hazards included snakes, malaria and HUNGER. “The worst part was the HUNGER. Japs trying to kill you, that’s random and not much you can do about it. But we were hungery because somebody screwed up.” The USN pulled away from Guadalcanal after about a week. No supply transports and little air support. Needless to say, Grandpa did not have many nice things to say about the US Navy.

After about 3 months, he came down with a malaria, but stayed for another few weeks. He was sent back to Sydney to recoup. Then back to Gualcanal where they took replacements began training for another invasion. I’m not sure if at this point he was still 4th USMC or folded into 1st USMC Div. He participated in two other invasions in the Solomons over the next 6 months. I believe one was Vella Levella (my research is at home). One of them was “harshly” opposed, and his battery took heavy casualties. He was wounded himself, by dove back into a shell crater to save a young USMC Lt. (?) among the bodies who was bleeding to death. The Lt. Survived (actually a hometown newspaper story about the event that we have clipped somewhere).

Ended up having another bout with malaria, so the sent him back to Guadalcanal (ironic) to train new fire teams. Mumble was that they were training for an invasion of Peliliu. Grandpa “just knew” that after 3 invasions, his luck had run out. “If I went to that island, I knew I’d never leave.” As the transports were loading, a gun slipped it’s carriage and was damaged. The Lt. Needed somebody to stay with the gun, and get it shipped back for repair. Grandpa volunteered. As he was the senior enlisted guy standing around (a Sgt. By now), the Lt. Said he could stay.

A week or so later, he read that in the invasion of Pelliliu, that is unit had suffered grievous losses.

Another month later, malaria flared up again, very serious. He was sent back to San Francisco. During convalescing, he was assigned to a Post Office company. Ends up, they needed somebody permanently so he was permanently assigned there. There was also a stunning clerk working in the other end of the building named Amelia Vernon (who was one of the first female Marines by the way!). In 1944 she became my Grandmother. They both finished out the war in the FPO in San Fran.

Several would say Grandpa was hero. “I don’t know about that. I did what they asked me to do. I just didn’t want to be dead.”

-F-

[whippleofd]

“I don’t know about that. I did what they asked me to do. I just didn’t want to be dead.”
-------------------------

Priceless comment from a combat vet! I love it!

Whipple

[jwxspoon]

This is some info about a WW1 DD my paternal Grandfather served on during World War I.  He served on this ship into the winter of 1917 and then transferred to convoy duty on another DD, which was subsequently torpedoed in early 1918.  The story of the torpedoing is a great one, my grandfather worked down in the boiler room and when the ship was hit it immediately started to sink.  My grandfather and 2 other men escaped through a small porthole.  He dislocated his shoulder getting out of the porthole, but got out.   They floated for 72 hours in the North Atlantic before being picked up.

During his recovery my grandfather was transferred to a hospital ship, which was subsequently torpedoed by another German sub.  After recovering from his injuries my grandfather was mustered out and promptly walked down the street and enlisted in the US Army.


The first USS McDougal (DD-54) was an O'Brien-class destroyer in the United States Navy during World War I. McDougal served in the United States Coast Guard as CG-6. She was named in honor of David Stockton McDougal
McDougal was laid down by Bath Iron Works, Ltd., Bath, Maine, 29 July 1913; launched 22 April 1914; sponsored by Miss Marguerite S. LeBreton; and commissioned at Boston, Massachusetts 16 June 1914, Lieutenant (Junior Grade) J. H. Hoover in temporary command and Lieutenant Commander L. C. Palmer in command 27 July.
After shakedown, McDougal began duty with the Torpedo Flotilla, Atlantic Fleet. Prior to America’s entry into World War I, she operated out of New York and Newport, Rhode Island, and carried out maneuvers and tactical exercises along the east coast. She cruised to the Caribbean and took part in fleet war games between January and May 1916, and in addition served intermittently with the Neutrality patrol. For the first 3 months of 1917 she again joined in exercises in the Caribbean, then returned to New York and Newport to prepare for distant service.
McDougal departed Boston 24 April 1917 and steamed with the pioneer American destroyer group under Commander Joseph Taussig to Queenstown, Ireland, arriving there 4 May. Among the first destroyers to join English Forces for duty after the entry of the United States into World War I, she patrolled off the Irish coast and escorted convoys of merchant ships and troop transports through waters menaced by German submarines to British ports and the French coast. She carried out unrelenting patrols against the U-boats and, in addition, performed rescue operations in the war zone. When British ship Manchester Miller was torpedoed and sunk 5 June 1917, McDougal sped to her assistance and rescued 33 survivors.
As McDougal escorted a convoy off the southwest coast of England, she detected a surfaced submarine in the early hours of 8 September and gave chase at full speed. The U-boat submerged about 500 yards ahead of the closing destroyer, and McDougal dropped two depth charges which brought an oil slick to the surface. Her skillful maneuvering and prompt attack saved the convoy from attack and resulted in probable damage to the submarine.
McDougal collided with the British merchantman Glenmorag in the Irish Sea 4 February 1918 and until mid-July underwent repairs at Liverpool. Thence, during the remaining months of World War I she operated out of Brest, France, as escort for convoys approaching and departing that vital Allied port. Following the Armistice, she served as part of the escort for George Washington when the transport arrived at Brest 13 December with President Woodrow Wilson embarked.
McDougal departed Brest 21 December with Destroyer Division 7 and reached New York 8 January 1919. She resumed duty along the east coast and during May provided part of the comprehensive at-sea support as Navy seaplanes undertook the historic first aerial crossing of the Atlantic. After completing exercises in the Caribbean, she was placed in commission in reserve at New York 7 August. She was laid up in reduced commission at Philadelphia, Pennsylvania and Charleston, South Carolina in the years that followed, but she trained in New England waters during the summer of 1921.
She decommissioned at Philadelphia 26 May 1922.
McDougal was transferred to the Treasury Department 7 June 1924 for service with the United States Coast Guard in the Rum Patrol.
Returned to the custody of the Navy 30 June 1933, she remained in noncommissioned status. In accordance with terms of the London Naval Treaty, she was ordered scrapped 29 June 1934. Her name was struck from the Navy list 5 July 1934, and she was sold for scrap to Michael Flynn, Inc., Brooklyn, New York, 22 August 1934.



Here's my Grandfather while in the Navy:


And here is me while I was in the Army (next to my Dad - can you see the 3 generation family resemblence?):

[SGT Swanson]

Not much from my family, with the exception of myself and my Grandfather on my mom's side.  He served in B Co. 502d 101st ABN from start to finish.  But, I didn't find out till the eve of my departure for Berlin (1st duty station).  I figure between the 2 of us we have around 15 years in the 502d.  He past away in '88.  I have a cousin who is married to the son of a German Infantryman who served in Russia from 41 till early 44 when his unit was transfered to Southern France.  They surrendered to the Americans that September.  Neither one talked about it at all, and I never thought to ask.  Though my Grandma told me later that my Grandfather was very proud of me for serving.  I like to say I got the chance to finish what he started, as I was present when the Wall fell on Nov. 9, 1989.

[LargeSlowTarget]

The first husband of my grandmother died in 1944 on the Eastern Front while attacking a Russian tank with a 'Hafthohlladung', an anti-tank device resembling a hand grenade, but with a shaped charge inside  and strong magnets to attach it to the steel hull. Unfortunately for some reason the charge didn't stick to the hull, so he pressed it against the tank until it ignited.[/align]According to the family's 'dark secret', my maternal grandfather was a G.I. on occupation duty in Germany who dated grandma (young widow but still an attractive 'German Fräulein'). I know nothing of his war record, but apparently he heroically left grandma and Germany when he learned that she was pregnant from him. My sister has visited the National Personnel Records Center in St. Louis, but with just a name (a very common one) but no unit he served in or other details, there were about 120 possible matches found. For her own reasons, grandma never talked much about this issue and did not want to continue the search. Her later companion was also an Eastern Front veteran who was captured near Radom in Poland in late 1944. Even 50 years after the war he still had nightmares about hios war experiences.[/align]

[Yava]

Well my grand grandpa served during the I WW defending Verdun from the Germans, what is the most important he managed to survive this bloody war and got back to newly resurected Poland. His son fought during Fall Weiss in 1939, he got captured by the Germans during the Battle of Bzura but since he was always lucky he managed to escape from the Stalag. He joined the Polish underground army knows as AK and he took his last stand during the Warsaw Rising in 1944. That's all I know, at least grandma never wanted to talk about it and I fully understand her.

[skrewball]

I'll jump on this one...
 
My grandfather was a Fire Control Technician on the USS Carter Hall from 1943-1945. He was responsible for directing the Anti-Aircraft batteries. I stuck with the naval tradition and joined the Marines. Too bad he wasn't around to see. My mother got his seperation papers from the National Archives. It's a walk back through history. And I encourage anyone who has family in the service to do it!
 
Here is some background of where he was. (Of course he didn't talk much about it)
 
Carter Hall sailed from San Francisco 12 October 1943 with cargo and passengers for Brisbane, Australia. She arrived at her next port, Milne Bay, N.G., 26 November to act as receiving ship, tender, and supply ship for small craft there and at Buna until 10 May 1944. During this period, she took part in the invasion landings at Cape Merkus, Arawe, New Britain on 15 December 1943, where valuable experience in the use of newly developed landing craft was gained. Upon the invasion of Aitape and Tanahmerah Bay late in April, Carter Hall once again launched laden landing craft, and stood by the invaded beaches to service small craft, remaining in the area until 2 May 1944.
Carter Hall arrived at Guadalcanal 12 May 1944 for amphibious training, then sailed to Kwajalein to standby in case she should be needed during the invasion of Saipan. Her services not required for that assault, she sailed on to Eniwetok and final preparations for the smashing return to Guam, where she arrived 21 July, day of the initial assault. She remained off the island, supporting the operation through servicing small craft, until 26 July. The dock landing ship returned to Hollandia 29 August, and from 11 September to 1 October supported the operations at Morotai.
Carter Hall sailed from Hollandia 12 October 1944 with the Palo Attack Group of the Northern Attack Force, bound for the landings on Red Beach near Tacloban, San Pedro Bay, P.I. on 20 October. Working efficiently in the apparent chaos that concealed the intricate, smoothly meshed landing plans, Carter Hall's men carried out their key role both in landing their craft and in caring for small craft through 24 October, when she made her retirement as the Battle of Leyte Gulf raged nearby. Her participation in the Leyte operation continued as she carried cargo from New Guinea on a series of runs until 17 November. From then until 30 December, she was stationed in San Pedro Bay as tender and supply ship for landing craft.

[Ron Saueracker]

ORIGINAL: mdiehl

My grandfather was the captain of one of the lesser named ships featured in WitP. Before serving in the PTO he served neutrality patrol, then Greenland Patrol, then N.Africa campaign and Atlantic Escort duty.

Which one?

[Bobthehatchit]

Grand farther on my fathers side was in reserved occupation during WWII
" engineer " he ran a heavy engineering workshop in Sterling ( Scotland ) where they repaired battle damaged tanks and apparently built some of the funny's used in the D day landings.

Grand farther on my mother side was in the Merchant marine, did the atlantic runs first, Got torpedo’s twice, one ship sank he spent two days in a raft the other limped into port with a large hole in the bow, ship was repair on canada i think not sure of the name a he died when i has three.  He was transfered to the pacific for a while whilst his first ship was repaired and did an Australia run before shipping back to England and then sailing on the Russian convoys for a while, got bombed and shelled a few times and had one of his friends killed by a shell from a Uboat.

On my mothers side, Grandmother work for Marconi making radio for fighters and bombers all throught war, lived and worked in london through the blits. Her house nearly got hit by a V1, they were sleeping in the basement when it hit a few house over, when they came up stairs in the morning all the windows had been blown in and the were shards of glass stuck several inces in the walls, doors and furniture.

Her brother was another engineer and designer and had a hand in drawing iup the plans and construction of the mulberary harbours.

[Big B]

Felt like posting another-
John Noise (my uncle) US Navy Sea Bees - served on Guam, Philippines, and Okinawa during WWII.

Just got back from Uncle Jack's funeral, feeling a bit blue

[Mynok]

My great-great-great-great grandfather was a Captain under Washington during the American revolution. He settled in Kentucky after the war and his descendants followed the frontier west, eventually settling in Montana. None of them fought in any wars from then on, although some uncles and half-brothers did in the War Between the States and the War of 1812.

[dtravel]

I am an 8th-great-grandson of Benjamin Franklin and an 8th-great-grand nephew of George Washington.  (I think that makes me Mynok's superior.  [:D] )  There was also a soldier in the Continental Army with the family name.

Both grandfathers were aircraft engineers designing aircraft for the US during WWII in LA.  One went on to invent techniques and tools to build the Saturn V rockets.  Among other things I suspect.  My mother tells me that upon retiring he burned a lot of blueprints and technical docs. 

[Ron Saueracker]

ORIGINAL: dtravel

I am an 8th-great-grandson of Benjamin Franklin and an 8th-great-grand nephew of George Washington.  (I think that makes me Mynok's superior.  [:D] )  There was also a soldier in the Continental Army with the family name.

Both grandfathers were aircraft engineers designing aircraft for the US during WWII in LA.  One went on to invent techniques and tools to build the Saturn V rockets. Among other things I suspect. My mother tells me that upon retiring he burned a lot of blueprints and technical docs. 

Was he Canadian?[;)]

[Toddr22_slith]

My grandfather, an American, joined the Canadian RAF after the war started in Europe and flew a Hurricane in the battle of Britian. He joined the 4th Fighter Group in October 1942 and flew first the P-47 then the P-51B. He was shot down twice. The first time he was grabbed by the French underground and made it out. The second time was March 6, 1944. He was captured and spent the last 13 months of the war in a POW camp on the Baltic.

My father was stationed on Monkey Mountain outside of Danang during 1972-1973.

[BLUESBOB]

I have a very unusual last name, Hoisington. For years I thought our family didn't do much in all of America's conflicts. Then, just a few weeks ago, I found a geneological website that listed Hoisington's and the wars the fought in. It's been a real eye-opener for me.
 
Three relatives, John, Ebenezer, and Joab fought in the Seven Years War (French & Indian War) In America. One was at Fort William Henry and the others were at Crown Point.
 
Eleven relatives fought in the American Revolution. Bliss, Ebenezer, Elias, Elisha, Isaac, James, Joab, John, Orange, Verlina, and Titus. Some were in militias, some were regulars, and some were rangers. Some were at Bennington and Saratoga.
 
Seven fought in the War of 1812. Asahel, Ephraim, George, Grout, Horace, Joab, and Job. All were in state militias.
 
72 fought in the American Civil War, all for the Union.
Seven were KIA (Gettysburg, Pleasant Hill, Seven Days Battle, Battle of the Wilderness (2), Shiloh, and Nashville)
Two were WIA. (Gettysburg and Shiloh)
Two died of disease.
Three died in CSA POW camps. (Two at Andersonville, one at Danville)
 
Fourteen fought in WWI. I'm still researching info on them. I do know that one was KIA, but I don't know where...one was WIA at Chateau Thierry and later died from those wounds...and one was awarded the Silver Star.
 
Wars after that I haven't looked into yet.
 
This has been absolutely amazing information for me. It has changed my whole concept and ideas about my family in American history.
 
 

[RevRick]

I didn't learn anything about Dad until his funeral from his aunt, who is now also gone. Dad talked about being on some ships, but not anything else. He talked about my uncle, who flew Corsairs in the Solomons, and his other brother who disappeared in a Catalina over the Atlantic flying out of Trinidad.

Aunt Esther told me that one of the five never made it out of Pearl Harbor, but she wouldn't say much more. Dad was in the Marines, served on Guadalcanal in the 2nd Marine Division through Tarawa. Then, it was discovered that he'd worked for the Railroad. He was sent home to help with running the railroads, where he spent the rest of his life. I have no idea how he felt about that, but not talking about it says a lot in itself. He wasn't sorry I joined the Navy, but he wasn't happy either. I saw something in his eyes when he'd look at me as we prepared to ship out and tell me "Be careful, Son." I think I know what that was. It's the same thing I feel when my son talks about enlisting. I get this feeling down deep inside - "Haven't we learned anything yet?" We obviously haven't.

[dtravel]

ORIGINAL: Ron Saueracker

ORIGINAL: dtravel

I am an 8th-great-grandson of Benjamin Franklin and an 8th-great-grand nephew of George Washington.  (I think that makes me Mynok's superior.  [:D] )  There was also a soldier in the Continental Army with the family name.

Both grandfathers were aircraft engineers designing aircraft for the US during WWII in LA.  One went on to invent techniques and tools to build the Saturn V rockets. Among other things I suspect. My mother tells me that upon retiring he burned a lot of blueprints and technical docs. 

Was he Canadian?[;)]

No. Why would you think he might be?