What my Great-Grandfather never told me

[C/ B3RRY NJROTC]

I had always known that my Great-Grandfather was a WWII veteran. WWII is my favorite war. I had always wanted to ask him about it and his experiences, but everytime I go to visit him it slips my mind mainly because he's talking with my dad and i'm talking to my Granny and helping her fix supper. Well I got a package the other day with a newsclipping in it and my birthday card. I was way more concerned with the birthday card as you can imagine haha. Well today I finally read the article...It was about my Great Grandfather and his experiences during WWII. I felt like I was reading something out of All Quiet On The Western Front.....Thought i'd just share it with you guys :)

http://www.valdostadailytimes.com/archivesearch/local_story_179231413.html

P.S.
I'm one of the 12 great grandchildren and my dad is one of the 7 grandchildren and the one who joined the military. I'm the only one of the 12 great grandchildren that's joining the military, just one of the reasons why i'm joining, I wanna keep that tradition going :)

[DoubleHelix]

That was a good read. Thank you for sharing.

My grandfather enlisted in Jan 1945, and was assigned to the 188th PIR near the end of the war. I would've loved a chance to talk to him about it. We still have one of his souvenirs he brought home, a Japanese rifle (not sure the make) with the Emperor's stamp on it. Still have his knife as well.

One of his brother's (my great-uncle) was with the 5th Marines on Iwo Jima, I believe he was involved with tanks. I'd have liked a chance to talk to him about that too, but he was KIA. I don't know any of the details, I've had some trouble finding info, but I know he received a Silver Star. I'd like to find the citation.

[C/ B3RRY NJROTC]

That was a good read. Thank you for sharing.

My grandfather enlisted in Jan 1945, and was assigned to the 188th PIR near the end of the war. I would've loved a chance to talk to him about it. We still have one of his souvenirs he brought home, a Japanese rifle (not sure the make) with the Emperor's stamp on it. Still have his knife as well.

One of his brother's (my great-uncle) was with the 5th Marines on Iwo Jima, I believe he was involved with tanks. I'd have liked a chance to talk to him about that too, but he was KIA. I don't know any of the details, I've had some trouble finding info, but I know he received a Silver Star. I'd like to find the citation.

Oh you're welcome...I felt so proud reading about him. My grandfather, PFC John Avery's son, was in the Army and went to vietnam, i'd love to hear some of his stories, but I don't really like him all that much, he's one of those grumpy old men, so i've never asked him about it. His Father in law, my other Great-Grandfather was in the navy during the korean war. My Great-Grandfather on my Mother's side was a Pearl Harbor veteran and unfortunately passed away last December And my Father was in the Gulf War and is currently serving in the War in Iraq in the Navy...I've asked him about both and this is what I got..."It's a giant sandbox...You can stand out on the deck and see the arabs standing out on the shore with guns pointed at you...Join the Navy and get shore duty as a Navy Nurse, don't go on a ship!"