Remember Our Heroes..June 6th - PeachParts Mercedes-Benz Forum

KylePavao · #1 06-06-2006, 10:21 PM

Everyone is focusing on today being "6/6/06" but before it was 6/6/06, it was June 6, 1944, and the greatest amphibious invasion in history was unfolding. I am only 20, and its sad that so many of my peers don't know the signifigance or importance of this day.

At any rate, we should all remember the sacrifice that so many people made on this day, 62 years ago. As so many veterans say, "The real heroes didn't come home"

#2 06-06-2006, 10:24 PM

Right on Kyle! Thanks for posting this, I have been waiting in the wings watching D-Day doc's on History and Military channels. I marvel at the bravery of those men to defend a foreign land.

Hatterasguy · #3 06-06-2006, 10:41 PM

June 6 is a very important day, amoung many others.

It is truely sad the number of people who don't know that in my age group.

Anyone catch the History channel's run of the Band of Brothers last week? I love that series.

KylePavao · #4 06-06-2006, 10:43 PM

But it brings tears to my eyes everytime I read it. Its not WWII, but it applies to men and women who died in all wars, from everywhere.

Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved, and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

Ya I caught Band of Brothers, Hattie. Its not so much the acting or the actual show that touches me as much as all the veterans speaking of their experiences, and watching these 80 year old men brought to tears 60 some years later.

Hatterasguy · #5 06-06-2006, 10:49 PM

I think the worst part would have been the ride in. Especialy if you were not in the first wave, you would be able to hear all the crap going on. MG42's firing, 88's landing. The Germans had every inch of that beach marked so the fire most have been insane.

My Grandfather said they used to take the governers off the engines in the landing craft and run the piss out of them to get to and off the beach faster.

#6 06-06-2006, 10:52 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by KylePavao

Ya I caught Band of Brothers, Hattie. Its not so much the acting or the actual show that touches me as much as all the veterans speaking of their experiences, and watching these 80 year old men brought to tears 60 some years later.

One of the most memorable comments by one of the veterans was when he was talking about the huge movement to volunteer. He said 3 men who 4F'd were so heartbroken about not be able to serve they committed suicide. Back in those days men were men and not afraid to give their life for someones freedom 6000 miles away.

#7 06-06-2006, 10:55 PM

PINDER, JOHN J., JR., Technician Fifth Grade, U.S. Army, 16th Infantry, 1st Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Colleville-sur-Mer, France, 6 June 1944. Entered .service at: Burgettstown, Pa. Birth: McKees Rocks, Pa. G.O. No.: 1, 4 January 1945. Citation: For conspicuous gallantry and intrepidity above and beyond the call of duty on 6 June 1944, near Colleville-sur-Mer, France. On D-day, Technician 5th Grade Pinder landed on the coast 100 yards off shore under devastating enemy machinegun and artillery fire which caused severe casualties among the boatload. Carrying a vitally important radio, he struggled towards shore in waist-deep water. Only a few yards from his craft he was hit by enemy fire and was gravely wounded. Technician 5th Grade Pinder never stopped. He made shore and delivered the radio. Refusing to take cover afforded, or to accept medical attention for his wounds, Technician 5th Grade Pinder, though terribly weakened by loss of blood and in fierce pain, on 3 occasions went into the fire-swept surf to salvage communication equipment. He recovered many vital parts and equipment, including another workable radio. On the 3rd trip he was again hit, suffering machinegun bullet wounds in the legs. Still this valiant soldier would not stop for rest or medical attention. Remaining exposed to heavy enemy fire, growing steadily weaker, he aided in establishing the vital radio communication on the beach. While so engaged this dauntless soldier was hit for the third time and killed. The indomitable courage and personal bravery of Technician 5th Grade Pinder was a magnificent inspiration to the men with whom he served.

Hatterasguy · #8 06-06-2006, 11:00 PM

Brave souls, men were men back then it seems.

KylePavao · #9 06-06-2006, 11:06 PM

Men have always been men. Soldiers always display uncanny bravery

From Iraq:

According to the citation, he was awarded for extraordinary heroism, while serving as a squad leader for the Mortar Platoon, Weapons Company, 3rd Battalion, 5th Marine Regiment, Regimental Combat Team 1, 1st Marine Division, Marine Corps Base Camp Pendleton, Calif.

Workman, exemplifying the old adage "no man left behind," repeatedly exposed himself to a hail of enemy fire to retrieve isolated Marines trapped inside an insurgent-infested building.

Ignoring heavy enemy fire and a storm of grenades raining down on his position, Workman fearlessly laid down enough cover fire to allow the trapped Marines to escape.

After seeing the first group of wounded Marines safely to a neighboring yard, Workman rallied additional Marines to his side and provided more cover fire for an attack into the building to rescue other Marines still trapped. He continued to fire even after receiving numerous shrapnel wounds to his arms and legs after a grenade exploded in front of him, stated his citation.

Workman's efforts did not stop after the second rescue attack. Ignoring his wounds, Workman once again united his team for a final assault strike into the building to retrieve remaining Marines and to clear the building of insurgents.

#10 06-06-2006, 11:12 PM

GARCIA, MARCARIO

Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company B, 22d Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Grosshau, Germany, 27 November 1944. Entered service at: Sugarland, Tex. Born: 20 January 1920, Villa de Castano, Mexico. G.O. No.: 74, 1 September 1945. Citation: While an acting squad leader of Company B, 22d Infantry, on 27 November 1944, near Grosshau, Germany, he single-handedly assaulted 2 enemy machinegun emplacements. Attacking prepared positions on a wooded hill, which could be approached only through meager cover, his company was pinned down by intense machinegun fire and subjected to a concentrated artillery and mortar barrage. Although painfully wounded, he refused to be evacuated and on his own initiative crawled forward alone until he reached a position near an enemy emplacement. Hurling grenades, he boldly assaulted the position, destroyed the gun, and with his rifle killed 3 of the enemy who attempted to escape. When he rejoined his company, a second machinegun opened fire and again the intrepid soldier went forward, utterly disregarding his own safety. He stormed the position and destroyed the gun, killed 3 more Germans, and captured 4 prisoners. He fought on with his unit until the objective was taken and only then did he permit himself to be removed for medical care. S/Sgt. (then private) Garcia's conspicuous heroism, his inspiring, courageous conduct, and his complete disregard for his personal safety wiped out 2 enemy emplacements and enabled his company to advance and secure its objective.

Maroon 300D · #11 06-08-2006, 12:19 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MedMech

One of the most memorable comments by one of the veterans was when he was talking about the huge movement to volunteer. He said 3 men who 4F'd were so heartbroken about not be able to serve they committed suicide. Back in those days men were men and not afraid to give their life for someones freedom 6000 miles away.

Yup, everyone who was anyone wanted to join. My grandfather was considered too important to be drafted (he worked in a boron mine) so he decided to quit his job and enlist in the Navy. He participated in the invasion of Okinawa among other things.

R Leo · #12 06-08-2006, 02:18 PM

My friend Nat in OKC, was an artillery officer in the Normandy invasion. I've had the opportunity to visit with him about his experiences in June of 1944. I treasure the times I've spent with him.

Diesel4me · #13 06-08-2006, 02:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by MedMech

GARCIA, MARCARIO

Rank and organization: Staff Sergeant, U.S. Army, Company B, 22d Infantry, 4th Infantry Division. Place and date: Near Grosshau, Germany, 27 November 1944. Entered service at: Sugarland, Tex. Born: 20 January 1920, Villa de Castano, Mexico. G.O. No.: 74, 1 September 1945. Citation: While an acting squad leader of Company B, 22d Infantry, on 27 November 1944, near Grosshau, Germany, he single-handedly assaulted 2 enemy machinegun emplacements. Attacking prepared positions on a wooded hill, which could be approached only through meager cover, his company was pinned down by intense machinegun fire and subjected to a concentrated artillery and mortar barrage. Although painfully wounded, he refused to be evacuated and on his own initiative crawled forward alone until he reached a position near an enemy emplacement. Hurling grenades, he boldly assaulted the position, destroyed the gun, and with his rifle killed 3 of the enemy who attempted to escape. When he rejoined his company, a second machinegun opened fire and again the intrepid soldier went forward, utterly disregarding his own safety. He stormed the position and destroyed the gun, killed 3 more Germans, and captured 4 prisoners. He fought on with his unit until the objective was taken and only then did he permit himself to be removed for medical care. S/Sgt. (then private) Garcia's conspicuous heroism, his inspiring, courageous conduct, and his complete disregard for his personal safety wiped out 2 enemy emplacements and enabled his company to advance and secure its objective.

We have a street named after this guy.

jlomon · #14 06-08-2006, 02:38 PM

They're known as "The Greatest Generation" for a reason. A few summers ago I built a display case for my Great Grandfather's WW1 and Grandfather's WW2 as a Mother's Day gift for my mom. I think I was proudest of my Grandfather's "Volunteer Service" medal, even though it wasn't the highest order he had received. Whenever I visit my parents I look at the medals and wonder if I would have the sense of duty and obligation to enlist. To volunteer to serve a cause greater than myself, and risk death for it. I'm ashamed to say I probably wouldn't. In today's cynical world, I think few of us would.

Every year it becomes more and more important to remember their sacrifice. Each year there are fewer and fewer veterans marching in the Remembrance Day services I attend. One day they will all be gone, and it is incumbent upon us all to ensure their message resonates into the future. I brough my son home for the first time last November 11th, and I intend to have him with me at the service each year. Hopefully he'll grow to want to come.

cscmc1 · #15 06-08-2006, 03:22 PM

From _Voices of D-Day_ (Ronald J. Drez), one of the finest collections of veterans' accounts I have ever read (pardon any typos -- this was cooked up in a hurry):

"There were three or four others wounded and dying right near him. Sgt. Barnes got shot down right in front of me, and Lt. Donaldson , and another sergeant had a gaping wound in the upper right corner of his forehead. He was walking crazily in the water, without his helmet, and then he got down on his knees and started praying with his rosary beads, and at that moment the Germans cut him in half with their deadly crossfire...

...Shells were continually landing all about me, in a definite pattern, and when I raised my head up to curse the Germans in the pillbox on our right flank, who were continually shooting up the sand in front of me, one of the shell fragments from an 88 exploded twenty yards in front of me and hit me in my left cheek. It felt like being hit with a baseball bat, only the results were much worse. My upper jaw was shattered; the left cheek was blown open, and my upper lip was cut in half. The roof of my mouth was cut up, and teeth and gums were laying all over inside. Blood poured freely from the gaping wound. The same 88 mm shell that hit me in the left side of my face hit Sgt. Hoback, of Co. A, flush in the face, and he went under. I washed my face out in the 6-inch cold, dirty Channel water."

"After we got ashore, I looked back at the landing craft. Some of the people got hit and they were in the water bleeding, and I saw one man get tangled up in the motor of the landing craft. I don't know if he was already dead, or whether he got sucked into the propellor, but he was going around and around in that motor....

...I saw a soldier -- the first soldier that I saw get shot; he was already on the beach and was running towards us and he stumbled and fell as they shot him, and he was screaming, and a medic went out there to try to take care of him, and they shot the medic."

"I heard a blast and saw that a man wearing a flamethrower had been hit, and the fuel tank was on fire. Several men standing nearby had burns. I noticed one man had a water blister on his face that seemed t be six inches across. The man with the flamethrower was screaming in agony as he ran over to the starboard side and dived into the sea. I could see that even the soles of his boots were on fire."

"I found my friend from A Battery, Sam Depollo, who had gotten shot in the stomach by something that had separated his body into two separate parts -- his bottom part was about twenty feet from his top part."

"After we jumped into the water, it was every man for himself. I waded parallel to the beach with my squad because the heavy fire was directed toward the boats. As I was going straight towards the beach, I saw Lt. Hilscher go down on his knees as a shell exploded. He fell into the hole caused by the explosion. He died there on the beach. Lt. Hilscher was from Texas...

...While resting in between the obstacles, Private Gillingham fell beside me, white with fear. He seemed to be begging for help with his eyes. His look was that of a child asking what to do. I said, 'Gillingham, let's stay separated as much as we can, becuase the Germans will fire at two quicker than one.' He remained silent and then I heard a shell coming and dove into the sand facedown. Shrapnel rose over my head and landed all around me. It took Gillingham's chin off, including the bone, except for a small piece of flesh. He tried to hold his chin in place as he ran towards the seawall. He made it to the wall, where Will Hawks and I gave him his morphine shot. He stayed with me for approximately thirty minutes until he died. The entire time, he remained conscious and aware that he was dying...

...Lt. Wise of F Company was directing his team behind the seawall, when a bullet hit him in the forehead. He continued to instruct his men until he sat down and held his head in the palm of his hand before falling over dead."