My mother's cousin was a radioman in a tank that fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Those interested in an excellent read about the Battle of the Bulge should check out "The Bitter Woods" by John S.D. Eisenhower. My Dad's WWII service was at Los Alamos, NM supporting the Manhattan Project and the effort to build the Hiroshima and Nagasaki bombs. Thanks to all our brave veterans no matter when or where they served.
My Father was also there as well as in the 2nd wave at Normandy. Here was in the 2nd Infantry Division. When I asked him what was the most terrible part of the war his response was
"A foxhole in the Adrienne's during the Battle of the Bulge or a foxhole in North Korea, take your pick they were both equally miserable." ....his exact words.
Till the day he passed in late October of 2013, he hated the cold. God bless all of the Greatest Generation. RIP. We owe them so much!
He is one of these guys somewhere in that line coming up the hill at Omaha Beach......
Last edited by Wacenturion; 05/25/18.
"By the time you realize your father was a smart man, you have a teenager telling you just how stupid you are."
My Uncle Paul was with Patton at the Battle of the Bugle. He was a machine gunner on a half track. He never talked about it. He's gone now. Bob
My one uncle manned a 30 cal on the side of a half track over there with the 4th ID. They got caught and surrounded when the Germans broke through. Said they held on till US armor could break back through and get them out.
great pic/// we owe your father and others a debt that cannot be paid
^This. And we pay it back by preserving the freedom they paid for with their sacrifices and lives. Communist tyranny must not prevail on our watch.
Last edited by Wildcatter264; 05/25/18.
Is life so dear, or peace so sweet, as to be purchased at the price of chains and slavery? Forbid it Almighty God! I know not what course others may take, but as for me, give me liberty of give me death! P. Henry
Thanks for posting that iconic snapshot of history. My dad was USN then but one of his childhood buddies that he was lifelong friends with was a grunt in the battle of the bulge. Back in about 1960 he told me how he hurt his neck while they were being shelled. He was laying in a ditch with artillery shells landing all around. He was 20 or 21 at the time and said that he was so scared that he was unconsciously trying to crawl inside his helmet and didn't realize it until he felt neck pain.
I wonder what force draws together all of us here who had family actively involved in WW II. Brothers of a second generation? Perhaps.
Anyway, My Dad also served in the Bulge. He was a truck driver in the Red Ball Express. Like others have said, he told very few stories, but what little he said makes me proud. Oh, and my Mom was Army, too. Stateside only, but she served.
I wonder what force draws together all of us here who had family actively involved in WW II. Brothers of a second generation? Perhaps.
Anyway, My Dad also served in the Bulge. He was a truck driver in the Red Ball Express. Like others have said, he told very few stories, but what little he said makes me proud.
The Uncle who fought in Europe always had plenty of stories. The other two Uncles that fought in the pacific didn't talk too much about it.
My Father was taken prisoner in the Battle of the Bulge, after several months of mistreatment were many of his buddies died he escaped after being used a human shields on a train that the Allies blew up. He returned home and was never the same, he passed away at 45 when I was 8. My brothers have his flag, etc.
I was named for my Uncle Theodore that was killed in action January 1945, I inherited his flag and metals.
My uncle was at the Battle of the Bulge. Not sure about his unit because he never talked about it much. He grew up on a small farm in Georgia during the depression and volunteered for the army like a lot of brave young men. He was one of the fortunate ones who survived the war and returned home. He was a quite man who was tough as nails and never complained about anything. He died at age 52 from cancer. He has always been one of my heros.
.280 AI Fan
"I don't make jokes, I just watch the government and report the facts" Will Rogers
My Uncle Paul was with Patton at the Battle of the Bugle. He was a machine gunner on a half track. He never talked about it. He's gone now. Bob
My one uncle manned a 30 cal on the side of a half track over there with the 4th ID. They got caught and surrounded when the Germans broke through. Said they held on till US armor could break back through and get them out.
Pat------My family is also from PA. We all worked for US Steel at the Clairton Works. Made coke to make the steel with. My Dad got a deferment because of his job there. Uncle Paul went to Europe, Uncle Don went to the Pacific. Bob
My father was in the 409th of the 103rd. They were off to one side of Bastogne during the battle, but got to enjoy the same balmy weather. The worst was digging in at the bottom of a ridge with tanks on the top firing 88s at them while they shoveled.
My Father was taken prisoner in the Battle of the Bulge, after several months of mistreatment were many of his buddies died he escaped after being used a human shields on a train that the Allies blew up. He returned home and was never the same, he passed away at 45 when I was 8. My brothers have his flag, etc.
I was named for my Uncle Theodore that was killed in action January 1945, I inherited his flag and metals.
You must be very proud of your families bravery and sacrifice.