Good-bye to a Hero

[jgcunningham]

It's amazing to me that so many of these men went to the other side of the world and committed such acts of heroism but don't brag about them. I had an uncle who recently died and, although I talked to him quite a few times and knew he was a Marine, I never knew until after he died what he did in the Pacific. He was on a little island called Midway when it was attacked by the Japanese. Even though he was telephone man, he manned an anti-aircraft gun and brought down 3 planes. After that he went to Hawaii for a while and then had to help establish communication lines whenever the Marines invaded an island. So he was on a little rock called Iwo Jima and saw the flag go up. But he never told any of us family because he had a job to do and he did it. He didn't want any extra recognition for what he did.

[ohiopiper]

It's been said of other men, and is very appropriate of Maj. Winters:

"These men did not chase after glory. They did their duties to the utmost of their abilities and glory chased after them."

Like Bill said, it is indeed sad to learn of the passing of a great man. But in remembering him, we also recognize that we are better off because men like him walked this earth. For every Dick Winters, there is another who is lost to history, a lone private or corporal who stood his ground just long enough. These men, unsung and often unknown, are also heroes.

Rest In Peace, Mr. Winters. You earned it.

[BoldHighlander]

It's amazing to me that so many of these men went to the other side of the world and committed such acts of heroism but don't brag about them. I had an uncle who recently died and, although I talked to him quite a few times and knew he was a Marine, I never knew until after he died what he did in the Pacific. He was on a little island called Midway when it was attacked by the Japanese. Even though he was telephone man, he manned an anti-aircraft gun and brought down 3 planes. After that he went to Hawaii for a while and then had to help establish communication lines whenever the Marines invaded an island. So he was on a little rock called Iwo Jima and saw the flag go up. But he never told any of us family because he had a job to do and he did it. He didn't want any extra recognition for what he did.

As I mentioned earlier & in this previous thread, my cousin (a 3 war vet, starting with Merrill's Marauders), told me very little of his time in combat.
His favourite saying, when asked, was "whomever said war is hell, only scratched the surface."

I do know that the last ten years of his life he spent in Florida, he'd get together a couple times a week for breakfast with other former WWII vets who also served in Merrill's Marauders & the Rangers, where they recounted tales of combat etc.
Oh, to have been a fly on the wall!!

[Jack Daw]

I was saddened to read about his death, but he lived a long life doing what he wanted to do after the war. That's something to celebrate.

[Chas]

A dwindling resource - every year there are fewer and fewer. We must cherish and celebrate those that are left while there is still time, for the day will surely come when there are none. And civilisation will be poorer for it.

Regards

Chas

[Bill aka Mole]

It's amazing to me that so many of these men went to the other side of the world and committed such acts of heroism but don't brag about them. I had an uncle who recently died and, although I talked to him quite a few times and knew he was a Marine, I never knew until after he died what he did in the Pacific. He was on a little island called Midway when it was attacked by the Japanese. Even though he was telephone man, he manned an anti-aircraft gun and brought down 3 planes. After that he went to Hawaii for a while and then had to help establish communication lines whenever the Marines invaded an island. So he was on a little rock called Iwo Jima and saw the flag go up. But he never told any of us family because he had a job to do and he did it. He didn't want any extra recognition for what he did.

As I mentioned earlier & in this previous thread, my cousin (a 3 war vet, starting with Merrill's Marauders), told me very little of his time in combat.
His favourite saying, when asked, was "whomever said war is hell, only scratched the surface."

I do know that the last ten years of his life he spent in Florida, he'd get together a couple times a week for breakfast with other former WWII vets who also served in Merrill's Marauders & the Rangers, where they recounted tales of combat etc.
Oh, to have been a fly on the wall!!

The majority of those who have seen combat will likely say something along the line of this: "I am not a hero. I had the honor of serving with heroes. I was only doing my job." Then they may tell you about someone who did something extrodinary.

[turpin]

"But year after year, their numbers grow fewer
Someday no one will march there at all"

and won't it be sad?

[ali8780]

Thank you so much for this link, I very much enjoyed reading about him in BoB as well.