D-Day

[USAFpj]

Had the pleasure of seeing Don Malarkey (Band of Brothers 506th PIR) in his native Oregon in 2010. He was doing a question/answer session in Portland, and a young lady asked him the "differences between the Army of 1944 and today"...

Reminding you that we're in the den of leftist politics and a socialism utopia, Mr. Malarkey stated that he was upset with "all of the women that are in today's military..." He was finishing the statement, but there was so much laughter in the auditorium, that I couldn't hear the rest.

Our Air Force unit at the time still used the same exact parachute packing paddle that his unit would have had, so I took one for him to sign- he knew exactly what it was when he saw it. RIP and thank you for your service, Mr. Malarkey!

 

[ArlyA]

On a slight tangent, many years ago I was working on a fellows lake dock and while in his house, noted photos of bomber aircraft. I asked him about that and he said the following story as best as I can recall today.

"I was a bomber pilot during the war and served in the Pacific. We got shot up bad during a run over Japan and knew we couldn't make it back. So we turned back towards the island and we radioed our position and I told the crew to jump, so me and my Co would try cash land there. We landed safely in a field but seen the general public running towards us, carrying implements that they meant to end us with. The Japanese army also showed up but they didn't point there weapons at us, but instead they turned them on the public and keep them at bay. They saved our lives and we were set to an interment camp but the war was over in just 2 months." I then asked "what happen to your crew who bailed?" And his response was calmly stated "the Japanese navy patrolled the coastal region well and most likely picked them up, integrated them, cut there throats and throw them overboard. They did this to lots of air crews".

Just one story I got to hear and I still think about this today. That was his buddies he gave the ordered to jump and his story was cool and calmly told to me..

 

[buckeyefarmer]

My dad said it was, kill or get killed. And left it at that.

 

[oosik]

My uncle was working for a water well drilling company in Hawaii the day the island was attacked. He immediately signed up and joined the Army. Along with a war bride from East Germany he brought home many **** souvenirs.

That I'm aware of - he never talked of his time in this service.

My father was a graduate biologist. He worked in chemical and biological warfare. He was under strict orders to NEVER discuss his time in the Army. I know he refused an officers commission and served as a sergeant.

I was born in 1942 so the war is just a big blank to me.

 

[ArlyA]

Seems some Waco gliders were made near us in the UP of Mi. World War II Glider and Military Museum

Found on that page.
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During World War II, the Ford Motor Company's plant in Kingsford built more Model CG-4A gliders for the United States Army than any other company in the nation at much less cost than other manufacturers. The glider featured in this museum is one of only seven fully restored CG-4A World War II gliders in the world. Exciting World War II footage of gliders in action and personal stories of glider riders and pilots help tell the story

 

[gojira]

We visited the American Cemetery above the Normandy beaches a few years ago. It was a humbling experience.

My dad served with US Army infantry in the South Pacific during WWII; he was in transit to Hawaii when the war started and spent the whole war in that theatre. We know he fought at Kwajalein and some of the other Marshall Islands, but like many soldiers of that time he never talked about it much. My uncle (dad's brother) was a Marine in the South Pacific; we know he fought at Guadalcanal but did not fight at Iwo Jima as he was in the hospital with malaria. He also rarely talked about his service.

 

[oosik]

Ah - yes, Band of Brothers. I have the entire mini-series on DVD. A most interesting eight hour scenario. Malarkey - one of the main characters.

 

[2LaneCruzer]

Father of a co-worker was one of the many who hit the beach at Normandy. My co-worker said that his father had watched the movie "'Saving Private Ryan", and he asked him later how accurate it was. He replied that "It was very accurate, although it didn't show all of the guys who fouled themselves, urinated in their trousers and threw up everywhere".

 

[DerbyRunner]

On a slight tangent, many years ago I was working on a fellows lake dock and while in his house, noted photos of bomber aircraft. I asked him about that and he said the following story as best as I can recall today.

"I was a bomber pilot during the war and served in the Pacific. We got shot up bad during a run over Japan and knew we couldn't make it back. So we turned back towards the island and we radioed our position and I told the crew to jump, so me and my Co would try cash land there. We landed safely in a field but seen the general public running towards us, carrying implements that they meant to end us with. The Japanese army also showed up but they didn't point there weapons at us, but instead they turned them on the public and keep them at bay. They saved our lives and we were set to an interment camp but the war was over in just 2 months." I then asked "what happen to your crew who bailed?" And his response was calmly stated "the Japanese navy patrolled the coastal region well and most likely picked them up, integrated them, cut there throats and throw them overboard. They did this to lots of air crews".

Just one story I got to hear and I still think about this today. That was his buddies he gave the ordered to jump and his story was cool and calmly told to me..

War is terrible.

 

[mjarrels]

War keeps the one percent very rich. It is said that 400 WW2 vets die every day.

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