Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Hunter's Campfire Something to share

Military history of our past family members is a priceless possession. This doc was recently found and given to me via my younger sister who dug it out of some of Dad's newly found Marine memoirs..

He was a sea going Marine serving aboard CV11 Intrepid during WW2 experiencing the "Divine Wind " up close and personal..His buddy was killed next to him manning their 20mm when a stray round from a DE

(destroyer escort) exploded above them while engaging a Japanese Betty that was just above the water between the two ships. He's always been my hero but we lost him in 2009...Semper fi Pop

Well that is really fuçkin cool

these men have always been my hero's! regretfully, there are few hero's left. Semper fi!

That's priceless!

My hat's off to him!

Humbling……..

Thanks for sharing, that’s some remarkable history right there.

Very cool, to bad were losing them all. Truly the greatest generation.

Watching films of those kamakazi raids is incredible.

Sounds like one helluva man!

Another hero from the greatest generation. Thanks for sharing.

Speaking of the greatest generation. I was in a local chain hair cut place this week. While waiting for my cut, an elderly man slowly shuffled by me after his cut. Apparently he was waiting for his ride home.
He had a Veteran of WWII cap on.
I said, “nice cap sir”
He sat down beside me, took off the cap and explained what some of the writing meant, and he told some tales of all the death that he saw in Europe, in pretty detailed fashion.
I told him my dad was wounded on Okinawa and my father in law was in the Battle of the Bulge.
He said after victory in Europe he was shipped home for two weeks, then to California then was on a ship headed to Japan for the ground invasion.
He said “The A bomb saved my life.”
Then his ride showed up. As he left I shook his hand and thanked him for his service to the USA.

I was very humbled listening to him and very honored that he briefly shared his story with me.

I'll express my admiration, and respect for your father. RIP, warrior!



BTW - Happy Birthday toanother warrior who has my respect.

Very cool

Very touching memento and a family treasure. I recall when my world was filled with WW2 vets. Dad, uncles, teachers, scoutmaster, etc. etc. They are all gone now, and I don't even know any more who are still with us. God bless 'em all. Dale06's anecdote about the A bomb saving lives was echoed by one of my late uncles. He was a young marine in the Pacific less than a year when they dropped those two bombs. He may never have made it through the bloody island hopping campaign if the war continued on much longer.

Congrats Woody and thanks for sharing it with the group!

Hope this finds you and your lovely wife doing well my friend...

That's a great find and something to be very proud of. Glad you have it Woody.

First off, it’s great seeing you around and enjoying the finer things in life. The commendation is very cool and rightfully a treasured family heirloom.

The story of being struck by friendly fire from a ship, I have wondered ever since I was a little boy how the angle and trajectories didn’t hit our own guys but you answered that lifelong question. With all that lead in the air and the fact it has to come down I’m amazed that many more weren’t killed in similar circumstances.

Thanks for such a great thread.

Wow. Reading that commendation choked me up a bit. Our US military is something of which to be truly proud and respectful. Congratulations to your family for defending our nation sir in the worst of times.

Very humbling. Woody, thank you for sharing.

Thanks fellas, we owe so much for the many sacrifices these brave men and women endured to secure our freedom...