Vietnam War Veteran Gets Dying Wish to Visit Pearl Harbor
Associated Press
By JENNIFER SINCO KELLEHER
PEARL HARBOR, Hawaii
Mar 25, 2015
When a Vietnam veteran briefly stopped in Hawaii on his way home from war, he vowed to return one day to honor the people who perished during the attack on Pearl Harbor. With just less than two months to live, Joseph Hooker realized his longtime dream on Wednesday.
The Marine Corps veteran, who has heart disease and cancer, traveled from his home in Essex, Maryland, to Honolulu to visit the site of the Japanese attack that pushed the United States into World War II. The Dream Foundation, which grants wishes for those who have life expectancies of a year or less, arranged for the journey.
Hooker's brother and sister-in-law, who are his caregivers, took turns pushing him in a wheelchair as they went on a private tour of the battleship USS Missouri.
The Hawaii dream stems from a 20-minute stop in the islands in 1971 as Hooker headed home from Vietnam, Hooker said from his Waikiki hotel room Tuesday. He was let off the ship just long enough to make a phone call to his family and eat some ice cream. He promised to come back someday "to honor the men and women that gave their life at Pearl Harbor."
More than four decades later, Hooker visited the spot where Japan surrendered on the deck of the USS Missouri and got a rare peek inside the captain's cabin. "I've never seen a battleship like this before," he said.
The Dream Foundation's new program, Dreams for Veterans, made Hooker's wish possible. In applying, Hooker wrote a letter saying that he longed to visit Pearl Harbor to "learn, touch and understand what happened there."
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Showing posts with label WWII. Show all posts
Showing posts with label WWII. Show all posts
Thursday, March 26, 2015
Saturday, February 28, 2015
Some Veterans Don't Want "Thank You"
Please Don’t Thank Me for My Service
New York Times
By MATT RICHTEL
FEB. 21, 2015
He and seven other Marines were huddled in a mud hut, their only refuge after they walked into an ambush in Trek Nawa, a Taliban stronghold in Afghanistan.
Down to his last 15 bullets, one buddy already terribly wounded, Mr. Garth pulled off his helmet, smoked a cheap Afghan cigarette, and “came to terms with what was happening.”
“I’m going to die here with my best friends,” he recalled thinking. I didn’t know any of this — nor the remarkable story of his survival that day — when I met him two months ago in Colorado while reporting for an article about the marijuana industry, for which Mr. Garth and his company provide security. But I did know he was a vet and so I did what seemed natural: I thanked him for his service.
“No problem,” he said. It wasn’t true. There was a problem. I could see it from the way he looked down. And I could see it on the faces of some of the other vets who work with Mr. Garth when I thanked them too. What gives, I asked? Who doesn’t want to be thanked for their military service? read more here
Linked from Army Times
New York Times
By MATT RICHTEL
FEB. 21, 2015
It’s hard to assess how widespread such ideas are among the men and women of today’s generation. So, rather than try to sum up what invariably are many views on the subject, I’ll relate more of Mr. Garth’s story. He grew up in Florida, son of a Vietnam vet, grandson of a decorated World War II vet, himself a bit of a class clown who drank his way out of college and wound up working the docks. The Marines offered a chance to make something of himself and, despite his parents’ pleadings otherwise, to fight.
Hunter Garth, 26, a veteran who fought in Afghanistan: “I pulled the trigger. You didn’t. Don’t take that away from me.” Credit Daniel Borris for The New York TimesHUNTER GARTH was in a gunfight for his life — and about to lose.
He and seven other Marines were huddled in a mud hut, their only refuge after they walked into an ambush in Trek Nawa, a Taliban stronghold in Afghanistan.
Down to his last 15 bullets, one buddy already terribly wounded, Mr. Garth pulled off his helmet, smoked a cheap Afghan cigarette, and “came to terms with what was happening.”
“I’m going to die here with my best friends,” he recalled thinking. I didn’t know any of this — nor the remarkable story of his survival that day — when I met him two months ago in Colorado while reporting for an article about the marijuana industry, for which Mr. Garth and his company provide security. But I did know he was a vet and so I did what seemed natural: I thanked him for his service.
“No problem,” he said. It wasn’t true. There was a problem. I could see it from the way he looked down. And I could see it on the faces of some of the other vets who work with Mr. Garth when I thanked them too. What gives, I asked? Who doesn’t want to be thanked for their military service? read more here
Linked from Army Times
Saturday, February 21, 2015
Battle of Iwo Jima Most Effective Weapon Were the Marines Themselves
The Marine Corps' most effective weapon on Iwo Jima
Stars and Stripes
Published on Feb 20, 2015
Retired Lt. Gen. Lawrence Snowden, who landed on Iwo Jima in the second wave of the 1945 battle, talks about the most effective weapon the Marine Corps had there: The Marines themselves.
The Battle of Iwo Jima: 70 years later
Seventy years ago, more than 20,000 U.S. Marines stormed the Japanese island of Iwo Jima. It would turn out to be one of the bloodiest World War II battles in the Pacific theater. This week, veterans of that battle are gathering in Washington, D.C. for anniversary events.
On Monday, Feb. 23, Stars and Stripes will mark the anniversary with a special interactive web page.
Stars and Stripes
Published on Feb 20, 2015
Retired Lt. Gen. Lawrence Snowden, who landed on Iwo Jima in the second wave of the 1945 battle, talks about the most effective weapon the Marine Corps had there: The Marines themselves.
The Battle of Iwo Jima: 70 years later
Seventy years ago, more than 20,000 U.S. Marines stormed the Japanese island of Iwo Jima. It would turn out to be one of the bloodiest World War II battles in the Pacific theater. This week, veterans of that battle are gathering in Washington, D.C. for anniversary events.
On Monday, Feb. 23, Stars and Stripes will mark the anniversary with a special interactive web page.
Monday, February 2, 2015
Royal Marine Sniper Has 173 Confirmed Kills
British Royal Marine is world's deadliest sniper
Corporal reported to have recorded 173 confirmed kills during tours of Afghanistan and Iraq, putting him ahead of US Navy SEAL Chris Kyle featured in American Sniper film
Telegraph UK
By Danny Boyle, and Ben Farmer
02 Feb 2015
The unnamed Marine’s toll of kills in Afghanistan surpasses that of Chris Kyle, the US Navy SEAL, whose exploits are portrayed in the Oscar-nominated film American Sniper.
The corporal, who is still serving, made the majority of his kills during a single six-month tour of Helmand province eight years ago. His actual total of kills could be far higher, sources told the Sun.
The identity of the sniper, who is a married father who grew up in the South of England, is a closely guarded secret for fear he will become a target for Islamist terrorists.
One source told the newspaper: "Only people inside the community know about his incredible contribution — but young recruits are in awe of him.
Corporal reported to have recorded 173 confirmed kills during tours of Afghanistan and Iraq, putting him ahead of US Navy SEAL Chris Kyle featured in American Sniper film
Telegraph UK
By Danny Boyle, and Ben Farmer
02 Feb 2015
"The Royal Marines and Army refuse to identify snipers for fear they will become targets for Islamist revenge attacks"A Royal Marine who has 173 confirmed kills fighting Taliban insurgents is the deadliest sniper in the world, it has been claimed.
The unnamed Marine’s toll of kills in Afghanistan surpasses that of Chris Kyle, the US Navy SEAL, whose exploits are portrayed in the Oscar-nominated film American Sniper.
The corporal, who is still serving, made the majority of his kills during a single six-month tour of Helmand province eight years ago. His actual total of kills could be far higher, sources told the Sun.
The identity of the sniper, who is a married father who grew up in the South of England, is a closely guarded secret for fear he will become a target for Islamist terrorists.
One source told the newspaper: "Only people inside the community know about his incredible contribution — but young recruits are in awe of him.
The records of both Kyle and the British sniper remain far from the numbers of kills credited to the most prolific Second World War marksmen.
Several Soviet snipers were credited with each killing more than 400 German soldiers.
Simo Häyhä, a Finnish soldier nicknamed White Death, was credited with 505 sniper kills during the Winter War of 1939 to 1940, when the Soviet Union invaded Finland.
read more here
Friday, January 30, 2015
Remains of Army Air Forces 1st Lt. James F. Gatlin of Jacksonville Home
Remains of fallen Florida aviator make it home after 70 years
Tampa Bay Times
By Josh Solomon
Times Staff Writer
January 28, 2015
Four generations of a family gathered on the tarmac of Tampa International Airport Wednesday to welcome home the remains of a long-lost relative.
Nearly 70 years after being shot down over Germany during World War II, U.S. Army Air Forces 1st Lt. James F. Gatlin of Jacksonville was coming home. "We've been waiting for this to happen," said Janda Fussell, 45, of Lithia, granddaughter of Gatlin's oldest surviving first cousin, Wilma Gatlin Shiver, 89.
Fussell never met Gatlin, obviously, but when she read about him and his death, she said she wept.
"Even though we didn't know him, we've sort of invested ourselves in him. Especially since he was such a hero." Gatlin was co-piloting a B-26C Marauder on Dec. 23, 1944, when German fighters intercepted the plane on its way back from a bombing mission and shot it.
The plane caught fire and crashed near Ahrweiler, a west-German town, south of Cologne and west of Frankfurt, killing Gatlin. He was 25. read more here
Tampa Bay Times
By Josh Solomon
Times Staff Writer
January 28, 2015
Nearly 70 years after being shot down over Germany during World War II, U.S. Army Air Forces 1st Lt. James F. Gatlin of Jacksonville was coming home. "We've been waiting for this to happen," said Janda Fussell, 45, of Lithia, granddaughter of Gatlin's oldest surviving first cousin, Wilma Gatlin Shiver, 89.
Fussell never met Gatlin, obviously, but when she read about him and his death, she said she wept.
"Even though we didn't know him, we've sort of invested ourselves in him. Especially since he was such a hero." Gatlin was co-piloting a B-26C Marauder on Dec. 23, 1944, when German fighters intercepted the plane on its way back from a bombing mission and shot it.
The plane caught fire and crashed near Ahrweiler, a west-German town, south of Cologne and west of Frankfurt, killing Gatlin. He was 25. read more here
Thursday, January 1, 2015
WWII 101st Airborne Medics Treated Friend and Foe in Normandy Church
Ken Moore, 101st Airborne Medic, D-Day (Unedited)
TimGrayMedia
WorldWarIIFoundation
TimGrayMedia
WorldWarIIFoundation
Published on Jan 1, 2015 Two American 101st Airborne (Screaming Eagles) medics caught in a church in Normandy, France during the opening hours of D-Day. Outside a savage battle raged all around them. The church changed hands several times with American and German forces over-running the village of Angoville-au-Plain. Inside the small church the wounded were both Allied and Axis uniforms and civilian clothing. The American medics, Robert Wright and Kenneth Moore of the 2nd battalion, 501st PIR, treated all who were brought into the 12th century Norman church, no matter whether they were friend or foe. Airing on American Public Television in 2014.
Thursday, December 25, 2014
British and German Troops in Afghanistan Remember WWI Christmas Truce
Soldiers in Afghanistan Play Soccer in Memory of WWI Truce
Reuters
December 24, 2014
That moment in 1914 - when troops along Europe's Flanders front met after four months killing each other to sing carols, exchange gifts and play soccer in No Man's Land - is celebrated as a triumph of humanity over the savagery of war.
A hundred years later, on a military base halfway around the world, the soccer match took place between concrete blast walls in a country where Britain and Germany have spent over a decade in a coalition fighting against the Taliban insurgency.
read more here
Reuters
December 24, 2014
German and British troops pose for a photo after a football match to commemorating the Christmas Truce of 1914, at the ISAF Headquarters in Kabul, Dec. 24, 2014.KABUL— British and German soldiers gathered in a dusty field in Afghanistan on Wednesday to play a game of soccer in memory of a Christmas truce spontaneously called between their armies a century ago during World War I.
That moment in 1914 - when troops along Europe's Flanders front met after four months killing each other to sing carols, exchange gifts and play soccer in No Man's Land - is celebrated as a triumph of humanity over the savagery of war.
A hundred years later, on a military base halfway around the world, the soccer match took place between concrete blast walls in a country where Britain and Germany have spent over a decade in a coalition fighting against the Taliban insurgency.
read more here
Sunday, December 21, 2014
The Silent Night of WWI
WWI Christmas Truce still remembered
No shot fired on Dec. 25, 1914, during spontaneous momentary truce
The Associated Press
Posted: Dec 20, 2014
With British and German forces separated only by a no-man's land littered with fallen comrades, sounds of a German Christmas carol suddenly drifted across the frigid air: Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht (Silent Night, Holy Night).
Then, during that first Christmas Day in the First World War, something magical happened.
Soldiers who had been killing each other by the tens of thousands for months climbed out of their soggy, muddy trenches to seek a shred of humanity amid the horrors of war.
Hands reached out across the narrow divide, presents were exchanged, and in Flanders Fields a century ago, a spontaneous Christmas truce briefly lifted the human spirit.
"Not a shot was fired," Lt. Kurt Zehmisch of the 134th Saxony regiment wrote with amazement in his diary that Christmas.
On the other side of the front line, Pvt. Henry Williamson of the London Rifle Brigade was amazed by the goodwill among his enemies. "Yes, all day Xmas Day and as I write. Marvelous, isn't it?"
Few could be believe their eyes, especially on this mud-caked patch of Belgium and northern France where crimson poppies had long ago shrivelled in the cold.
Peace allowed for corpses to be recovered from the fields and given a proper burial. Fighting continued in many other places on the front line. But it was a momentary peace in a war that would last for nearly four more years.
read more here
How Silent Night became the song that stopped World War I
No shot fired on Dec. 25, 1914, during spontaneous momentary truce
The Associated Press
Posted: Dec 20, 2014
WW1 Christmas Truce
In this image provided by the Imperial War Museum, German and British soldiers stand together on the battlefield near Ploegsteert, Belgium, in December 1914. (IWM/ Associated Press)
With British and German forces separated only by a no-man's land littered with fallen comrades, sounds of a German Christmas carol suddenly drifted across the frigid air: Stille Nacht, Heilige Nacht (Silent Night, Holy Night).
Then, during that first Christmas Day in the First World War, something magical happened.
Soldiers who had been killing each other by the tens of thousands for months climbed out of their soggy, muddy trenches to seek a shred of humanity amid the horrors of war.
Hands reached out across the narrow divide, presents were exchanged, and in Flanders Fields a century ago, a spontaneous Christmas truce briefly lifted the human spirit.
"Not a shot was fired," Lt. Kurt Zehmisch of the 134th Saxony regiment wrote with amazement in his diary that Christmas.
On the other side of the front line, Pvt. Henry Williamson of the London Rifle Brigade was amazed by the goodwill among his enemies. "Yes, all day Xmas Day and as I write. Marvelous, isn't it?"
Few could be believe their eyes, especially on this mud-caked patch of Belgium and northern France where crimson poppies had long ago shrivelled in the cold.
Peace allowed for corpses to be recovered from the fields and given a proper burial. Fighting continued in many other places on the front line. But it was a momentary peace in a war that would last for nearly four more years.
read more here
How Silent Night became the song that stopped World War I
Monday, December 15, 2014
Glenn Miller "He gave his life when he didn't need to,"
Museum marks Glenn Miller's disappearance
Des Moines Register
Linh Ta
December 14, 2014
It's been 70 years since musician Glenn Miller disappeared over the English Channel during World War II, but even now, his music lives on.
On Sunday, the Glenn Miller Birthplace Museum in Clarinda remembered the disappearance of the Iowa native, and held a ceremony in honor of not only his musical contributions, but his contributions to the U.S. Army.
Miller, known for leading the Glenn Miller Orchestra to several top hits in the late 1930s and early 1940s, enlisted in the Army at age 38, despite making $15,000 to $20,000 a week in his musical career. After being denied at first because of his age, he was assigned to the Army Air Forces, and used his music to boost troops' morale.
"He felt that the biggest impact he could have was joining the service," said Rick Finch, director of the museum. "I think that we sometimes forget that service now."
read more here
Des Moines Register
Linh Ta
December 14, 2014
"He gave his life when he didn't need to," Yellin said. "The young people have to understand that they have to be up close and personal."
The museum displays items from musician Glenn Miller’s life and World War II service on Sunday.
(Photo: Linh Ta/The Register)
It's been 70 years since musician Glenn Miller disappeared over the English Channel during World War II, but even now, his music lives on.
On Sunday, the Glenn Miller Birthplace Museum in Clarinda remembered the disappearance of the Iowa native, and held a ceremony in honor of not only his musical contributions, but his contributions to the U.S. Army.
Miller, known for leading the Glenn Miller Orchestra to several top hits in the late 1930s and early 1940s, enlisted in the Army at age 38, despite making $15,000 to $20,000 a week in his musical career. After being denied at first because of his age, he was assigned to the Army Air Forces, and used his music to boost troops' morale.
"He felt that the biggest impact he could have was joining the service," said Rick Finch, director of the museum. "I think that we sometimes forget that service now."
read more here
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