SIGforum.com    Main Page  Hop To Forum Categories  The Lounge    What is your military pedigree?
Page 1 2 3 4 5 
Go
New
Find
Notify
Tools
Reply
  
What is your military pedigree? Login/Join 
Member
posted Hide Post
My paternal grandfather served in the US Army as a rifleman and fought throughout the Pacific Campaigns (Philippines, New Guinea, Leyte, Solomon Islands) attached to a radar surveillance unit.

My maternal grandfather served in the US Navy during WW2 on a sub chaser. He never talked about it to anyone even my uncle or mom.

My great uncle served during WW2 as a Gunners Mate in the Navy during WW2. (thats all i know)

I have uncles and cousins that fought during the Korea War as infantry and tankers.

My dad served in Vietnam from early 68 to late 69 in the Bong Son area attached to a mechanized unit. He worked out of LZ Uplift.

I have been serving Uncle Sam from Dec 2009 till present. I am tired of the Army BS and I am looking at the Air National Guard to finish my time ( or until 01/2021 when my contract runs out)
 
Posts: 1836 | Location: In NC trying to get back to VA | Registered: March 03, 2015Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Tinker Sailor Soldier Pie
Picture of Balzé Halzé
posted Hide Post
4 years at a Military Academy. Another 16 years in the Navy Reserves.

One Grandfather was a Marine Captain and fought on Peleliu

My other Grandfather was a Machinist's mate in the Navy during WWII.


~Alan

Acta Non Verba
NRA Life Member (Patron)
God, Family, Guns, Country

Men will fight and die to protect women... because women protect everything else. ~Andrew Klavan

"Once there was only dark. If you ask me, light is winning." ~Rust Cohle
 
Posts: 30297 | Location: Elv. 7,000 feet, Utah | Registered: October 29, 2012Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
posted Hide Post
Three uncles two army, one navy ww2
One cousin Army Korean War
One cousin National Guard
Me US Air Force 62-92. Vietnam 68-69


Dum Spiro Pugno
 
Posts: 174 | Location: Virginia | Registered: April 24, 2015Reply With QuoteReport This Post
And say my glory was
I had such friends.
Picture of Hunthelp
posted Hide Post
Paternal grand father - WWI (gassing survivor), WWII fought in Africa and Italy, retired as Col.
Father - West Point graduate, artillery, retired as LTC after 24 in Army.Involved in taking down the missile launchers in Turkey as part of the agreement with Russia.
Brother - Army Huey pilot, retired as Major after 18.5 years.
Nephew - West Point graduate, Army Blackhawk pilot, still serving.

Maternal grand father - long career in the Army, retired as Col.
Maternal uncle - Army Air pilot lost in air battle over the Mediterranean in WWII.
Maternal uncle - West Point graduate (same class as my father), died in Korea six months after graduation.
Maternal great grand father - U.S. Army was stationed at Fort Apache (two plus hour drive from where I live in Arizona.




"I don't shoot well, but I shoot often." - Pres. T. Roosevelt
 
Posts: 1941 | Location: Chandler, AZ | Registered: June 30, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
always with a hat or sunscreen
Picture of bald1
posted Hide Post
I'm retired military

Army enlisted (Drill Sgt.)
Navy officer (Supply Corps)

Oldest son served as a Navy Corpsman with the Marines

Father and Stepfather both WWII vets, Army Air Corps and Navy respectively.

Maternal grandfather WWI vet.

This message has been edited. Last edited by: bald1,



Certifiable member of the gun toting, septuagenarian, bucket list workin', crazed retiree, bald is beautiful club!
USN (RET), COTEP #192
 
Posts: 16146 | Location: Black Hills of South Dakota | Registered: June 20, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
His diet consists of black
coffee, and sarcasm.
Picture of egregore
posted Hide Post
None myself. My dad was a World War II Army veteran who fought and got wounded at Peleliu. My brothers are Air Force and Army veterans of Vietnam. A maternal uncle was a Korean War-era vet.
 
Posts: 27834 | Location: Johnson City/Elizabethton, TN | Registered: April 28, 2012Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
Picture of smlsig
posted Hide Post
My grandfather was an Italian immigrant living in NYC when WW2 broke out. Tried to get his wife and two children to the US but of course couldn’t. Someone told him his best chance was to join the military so he did. At the end of basic his commander told him his unit was preparing to go overseas to Europe and what did he think he would do when that happened....his answer was he was going to try and find his family (in Nazi occupied Italy) He spend the war as a cook at Bragg....

My Dad was in the Corps of Engineers and spent most of his time in Europe in the early 50’s then spent most of his career working for Sanders and Asso. which is now part of BAE.

My FIL was in every major battle in Europe during WW2 and received 2 Purple Hearts and a Bronze Star. He had a very successful career in the HVAC/Plumbing business (Owned 2 companies) but after he retired He ended up getting severe PTSD as his demons came back to haunt him.... there is a book being written about war heroes and one chapter will be about him.

His wife spent the war making bombs at the Radford Army Munitions Plant.

I was not in the military.

My older son is currently in the military and along with his wife “hunts bad guys”...she is currently downrange with her SF team.


------------------
Eddie

Our Founding Fathers were men who understood that the right thing is not necessarily the written thing. -kkina
 
Posts: 6309 | Location: In transit | Registered: February 19, 2013Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Banned
posted Hide Post
My Father served in WWII. I was a Drill Sgt. in the Army 68-74.
 
Posts: 1396 | Registered: August 25, 2018Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Man of few words

Picture of remsig
posted Hide Post
Grandfather on my Mom's side - Army Air Force.

1st uncle on my Mom's side - Navy during Vietnam

2nd uncle on my Mom's side - Air Force

Brother - Air Force - 10 years (84 - 94)

Myself - Air Force - 2 years (96 - 98)

I think the family history of military members in our family will stop at myself and my brother though; as I highly doubt either of my boys or any of my nieces/nephews will join.
 
Posts: 7859 | Location: NE Ohio | Registered: July 03, 2001Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Trophy Husband
Picture of C L Wilkins
posted Hide Post
My dad, both brothers and I served in the US Navy.

My grandmother's brother was in the merchants. Interesting fellow. This is one of his logs...

A 1943 Log kept by Capt. H. Lee Perkins
(Uncle Homer was 40 years old at this time.)

Jan.1
Happy New Year Jeannie. At anchor today in Lough Foyle. Had a scare last night. Sleeping peacefully when Empire Dolphin, Empire Control and several corvettes and destroyers let go with their sirens. Grabbed clothes and rushed to machine guns. Thought sure it was an air raid. Only old year going out, new year coming in. Needed sleep so bad didn’t wait for last of whistles.
Took a bath 3 times today. Wet and raining. Understand it nearly always rains here. Hope we get out soon.

Jan. 2
Had to go to Londonderry today and make arrangements for new life boat to replace on destroyed December 25. Met our agent, Mr. A. Riely. Very nice man. Invited me to his home for dinner, enjoyed their company very much. Can’t say as well for the dinner because it was “mutton chops”.
Mr. Riely made arrangements for me to spend the night in the City Hotel. Londonderry’s best, which is lousy.
Heard complete story of the siege of Londonderry. Mrs. Riely very curious about rationing in the U.S. Fine woman.
Send Jeannie wire.

Jan. 3
Returning to ship this A.M. after spending very unpleasant night at City Hotel. Never so cold in all my life. Rooms have two beds, took cover off both beds, still froze to death. Got up early. Breakfast is always served in bed in Irish Hotels. Met Mr. Riely. Had one drink of very rotten Irish whiskey. Glad to get back to ship in my warm room. Won’t go ashore again. Cold, wet and raining today. Expect to discharge tomorrow.

Jan. 4
Just started to discharge today. Fueled one corvette. Still waiting on Duty Boats. Many corvettes and destroyers in today. Hope I don’t have to fuel them all. Be glad when we get out. Still raining.

Jan. 5
Discharged part cargo into Empire Dolphin. Could only take half of it. Empire Control next. We are lying just ahead of General Montgomery, Commander of the British forces in Africa. Very beautiful place. Town of Moville, which is in Irish Free State.
Hills beautiful from here. Grass always green.
Getting some good rest at night now. Occasionally poker game but always in bed by 10 p.m. Don’t get up until 8 a.m.

Jan. 6
Fueled British destroyer today. She just came in from Africa. Looked pretty well weather beaten. Rough looking crew.
Many planes (allied) over head today. Looks like may be trouble. Not too much worried.
Received word to expect Empire Control tomorrow. Expect to sail about the 8th. Can’t get out too soon for me.

Jan. 7
Fueled Empire Control today. Received orders to hold 600 tons on board to refuel on way home. Thought I would get out of that job. Don’t like to do it.
Going to take it easy now for the passage home. Hope it more pleasant than coming over.
No planes today. Guess there will be no trouble after all. Still raining. Tem. 47deg.

Jan. 8
Expected to sail today but orders for Convoy Conference on 9th, tomorrow. Won’t get out until 10th now. Anxious to get started and get home.
Stopped all shore liberty today just to make sure all crew would be on board. Not many want to go ashore anyway. Nothing there.
Still raining.
Received our new lifeboat today.

Jan. 9
Taking it easy today. Nothing to do. Sailing postponed again. Delay in Convoy from England. Skipper leaving today for Belfast. Conference tomorrow. Looks as if we may get out on 11th. Awful dreary.

Jan. 10
Had to go ashore today and attend fueling conference in Londonderry. Agents notified me escorts wanted to confer with oilers about new way of oiling at sea. Captain unable to attend so I had to go instead.
Hoped I would never have to go ashore again..
Still raining.

Jan. 11
Attended conference last night. Met all escort commanders. Decided to fuel over stern. Had a couple of drinks with Com. Blake and returned to Moville.
Storm raging out in bay and unable to get out to ship. Captain won’t arrive until tomorrow. Will have to stay ashore again or until boat able to get out to ship.
12 midnight. Boatman notified me he would be able to get us out to boat now. Was sleeping under a ton of quilts when called. Almost froze in boat. Safe aboard any way. Leaving early in A. M.

Jan. 12
Left Lough Foyle today after having been here since Dec. 31. Discharged cargo into corvettes, destroyers and duty boats. Dolphin and Empire Control. Had distinction of being mentioned by Lord Haw Haw in one of his broadcast from Berlin.

Quote: “Germany is not forgetting the disgraceful way Britain paraded the prisoners
of a captured U-Boat down the streets of Belfast. Her reminder will be that she is well aware of the 2 “sucklings” now reinforced by an American tanker lying in Lough Foyle.” Unquote:
Met all commanders of our Escort. Very much impressed by Senior Commander. Young fellow. Pleasing personality. Not one air raid while in port. Glad to get away. Have joined convoy from England. Only ship out of Lough Foyle. Furnished escort which returned to base.
Proceeding on double alert all night last night.

Jan. 13
Heard formation of planes come in from northwest. Probably searching for convoy. Low visibility. Rain.
Expected them today but have only seen Allied planes. Many of them. Subs reported in vicinity. Looks like early start.
Some sailor that went “loco” on me in New York is off again. Had to put handcuffs on him and lock him in hospital today. Have armed guard on day and night. Can’t keep a man locked up at sea in war time unless someone is standing by. Perhaps he’ll get better.
Increasing westerly winds. Sea building up. Expect heavy weather on way east. Glad to be on way home.

Jan. 14
No air or sub attacks last night or today. Looks pretty good from above now. Soon be out of bomber’s range. Planes won’t venture too close to American Base in Iceland. Sure lots of water between me and Drexel Hill. (Drexel Hill is outside Philadelphia.)
Let my crazy sailor loose today. And he tried to jump overboard. Should have let him go. I caught him just as he was about to leap. (Great armed guard.) Tired of fooling with him. Going to keep him locked up, war or no war. Have gun crew back in own quarters again. Peace reigns aft. Bar. Low 28.68. Strong N.W. wind. Getting colder. Seas high.

Jan. 15
Fair weather and everything fine last night and today. Wind died out on middle watch and seas moderated. Out of bomber range and still under Iceland patrol. Subs attacking convoys east bound farther north. U-boats reported along our route.
My sailor is better today. Have been talking to him but can’t quite figure him out. Took handcuffs off and put him at wheel with me. Steered fine. Sent him down to supplies and he ran towards rail. Locked him up again, just in case. Seemed a little more sensible. Asked me not to put cuffs on him.
Weather clear. Wind still N. W. Force 5. Barometer steady. Sea moderate.

Jan. 16
Fueled destroyer today. Had to make two attempts. First time had him all hooked up when sub was sighted. He cut my lines loose and went after him. Sub turned out to be a derelict. Turned job of destroying it over to Corvette and returned to fuel. Seas started to build and just before we finished he broke both hose and tore line.
Sure tired tonight. This fueling job hard work for oiler. Have two or three corvettes to fuel tomorrow. May not get them all. Another fuel ship in convoy.
Subs still operating on east bound convoys. Ships being attacked in north. Altering course often to confuse the enemy.
Wind increasing. Sea moderate. Westerly wind. Temp. 40 deg. Northern lights. Beautiful.

Jan. 17
Sub attack this morning on my watch. Ship hit close by. Sinking but most of crew saved, only men trapped below decks died.
I saw the sub’s periscope and part of tower, maneuvering for position to line up ship. I ordered wheel hard right in attempt to ram him. He let go his “tin fish” and the ship was torpedoed before I could get vessel around. He must have fired and pivoted below surface. Captain refused to let me circle but ordered to close up with convoy. Corvette came up and dropped depth charges so close am afraid may have shattered bottom plate. We are taking water.
Looks as if the “fun” has started. Wonder if I’ll get home after all. Weather too rough to fuel. Fresh breeze. Moderate rough sea. Temp. 40 deg. Bar. falling.

Jan. 18
Fueled one Corvette and attempted to fuel another today. Last one tore away his belts and parted my line. Weather a bit too heavy.
No attacks last night. Sub hit us yesterday must have been alone. Expected severe attacks last night. Bright moon light doesn’t help us much.
My sailor is o.k. now and back to work again. Seems as if he’ll make it o.k. He doesn’t know what’s wrong with him. We will see that he gets to hospital or nut house on our arrival in N.Y.
Nearly lost our new life boat today. Sea knocked it out of cradle. Weather building up. Heavy head seas. Bar. low. Colder 37 deg.

Jan. 19
Sub attacked last night. Far side of convoy hit. Two ships lost. Many men lost. Corvette dropped back with rescue ships trying to pick men up. Depth charges still being dropped tonight. We are taking water bad. Sure now we have a split plate. Pumps running full time.
Next ship to us had sea burial today. Burial at 4 p. m. All ships hoist colors to half mast until body is sent over. Flags then lowered to dip and again hoisted up. Salute by all ships in tribute to Allied Command who dies at sea. (British) How about a tribute to those that died last night?
Weather severe today. Shifting seas forward and aft. Getting colder 32 deg. Light snow. Northern Lights blended with Lunar rainbow. BEAUTIFUL!

Jan. 20
All quite on Atlantic front. No attacks. No reports. Have shifted to south and hope we are out of sub area. Avoiding far northern lanes. Too dangerous. Don’t expect any more trouble for a while. Hope I am right.
Thick fog last night. So heavy you got soaked. Bar. dropped to 28.35. Wind shifted to north. Temp. down to 28 deg. Now in Labrador Currents. Expect cold from now on.
Preparing ships for gales. Afraid of low glass seas increasing. Going to try and sleep tonight. Subs or no subs.

Jan. 21
No attacks. All quiet. Wind back to north west. Blowing gales. Ship rolling bad but taking less water. Pumps still going. Having to nurse ship through on account of damaged plates. Dry dock job this time. Don’t care – I am getting off anyway. Just hope she holds together until we get to Sandy Hook. Be willing to swim the rest of the way.
Subs now attacking south of us. May have to shift back to north again. Hope we don’t get caught in between the two firs. Sure loss if we get hit tonight. Raging seas. Temp. low 10 deg. Snow and hail. Bar. rising but too fast.

Jan. 22
Sub attack last night. Shots not effective. Missed us. Saw torpedo track. Corvettes and destroyer believed to have caught raider in circle of depth charges. Beautiful job of maneuvering.
Subs come up from underneath convoy. How they got by escort listening devices I don’t know.
Have an anxious feeling tonight. Feel as if this ship’s number is up. Wish I could get over it. Have always believed if there was one ship left in the convoy I had as much chance being that one as any other ship. All you ask for is a chance.
Weather is real bad. Northwest gales. Heavy seas. Snow. Sleet. Temp. 5 deg.

Jan. 23
No attacks last night. Believe it impossible for sub to get anywhere near surface. Worse storm I have ever seen, even hurricanes. Had to drop out of convoy. Wind was so bad we could not hold ship up into position. Could not steer or heave to. Thought ship would break in two at times. Worried about the bottom.
Found convoy again this a. m. Several ships are missing. Escorts are searching for them. Dangerous to be out of convoy now.
Weather is starting to break. Probably set in fog or snow. Seas moderated tonight. Temp. rising 15 deg. Bar. rising 28.72.

Jan. 24
One run, one hit, no errors. Attacked again this a. m. under full moon, Brithish freighter hit. South immediately. Nearly all hands believed to have been lost. Watched them trying to get boats in water. Could not make it. Seas too high. Lost sight of them in snow.
Just hanging on now hoping for the best. Have partly got over my uncomfortable feeling. Talked myself out of it. Said I was too mean and sinful to die. Guess I am right.
Wind due west. High heavy head seas. Bar. steady. Snow. Temp. rising. Ship solid so aid to U-boats in moon light. Flemish Gap tomorrow.

Jan. 25
All quite. No trouble last night. Reported on sub destroyed by air patrol north of us. Expect possible attackers yesterday may be following us. Zig-zagging tonight. Leak about stopped. Plates have possibly buckled.
Gun crew quarters froze out last night. Poor radiation system. Had to move them back in with crew. Levit no help. No discipline in Navy crew. No respect for their commanding officer. I can’t blame them. They do more for me, have more respect because I bawl them out. Levit seems afraid of them. Poor officer. Should be on farm.
Wind still high. South of Greenland now. Newfoundland tomorrow Temp. 20 deg. Snow, sleet. Ship completely covered with ice. If you don’t watch it you’ll slide overboard. Seas high.

Jan. 26
All very quite. No attacks. No reports. 1100 miles to go. Lots of water yet. Several ships still missing since big blow. Know what it means to be lost from Convoy. Will always remember Christmas day.
Weather warmer today. Temp. up to 33 deg. Ice melting on ship. Inside 1000 fathom curve. Water green now. Only about 6,000 feet deep. Glad to be back on the American side of the world.
One of gun crew passed out last night. Keeled over on deck. As usual Dr. Perkins is taking care of him. Capt. won’t go near sick. Don’t know what’s wrong with him. Don’t really care. Think it a phony. Gave him a dose of Epson Salts. Can’t do anymore than kill him.

Jan. 27
For once since leaving New York the seas were smooth. Light fog and gentle breeze from the north east. Very cautious tonight. Our only advantage is it is rather dark. Perfect U-boat weather. Convoy closed up tight.
I was awful sick last night. Food beginning to get bad and must have go hold of bad piece of meat. Cold sweats and vomiting all night. Feel better tonight. Guess I’ll live.
Everything peaceful with crews but having to watch them close. Going to try and sleep all night. Temp. 29 deg. Bar. 30.19. Sea smooth. Gentle north east breeze.

Jan. 28
Subs reported north of us. South, east and west, but no attacks for the past 4 days. Don’t mind the reports so much. We know they are there. Let’s hope we get through the ring. Not many more days left to go.
Lost my good friend Com. Blake today. Changed escorts and he went on into Halifax N.S. Fine fellow. Wish him luck.
Storm warnings up from Block Island to Virginia Capes. Looks as if we will have more mean weather before we get in. Bar. rising fast which means its traveling N. E. Expect to get most of it. Lot of snow and rain. Counting the days now and just hoping --- with fingers crossed.
Gentle S. E. breeze. Light sea. Overcast. Bar. 30.31 and rising. (3 days N. Easter)

Jan. 29
Ran into heavy weather last night. Snow, rain and fresh gales. Seas running high today.
Heavily armed Navy Tanker joined convoy last night during poor visibility. Convoy hadn’t been notified and most of us suspected him as possible surface raider. Every gun in convoy was trained on him until he properly identified himself. Raiders have joined other convoys before under similar conditions. He carried a battery of 6-20 m.m. guns, aft. 1-5” surface gun and 2-3” all purpose guns aft. 2-50 cal. Machine guns amidship, 2-30 cal. machine guns forward of bridge. 2-3” all purpose guns on fore deck and 2-20 m.m. with 5” surface gun forward.
No subs last night. Some reported ahead of us. Just let us get by 2 more nights.
Winds N. E. High seas.

Jan. 30
Looks as if we have made it through the ring. Few depth charges last night but no ships in convoy was attacked. Only one more night to go. If we get through this one o.k. Sure would be tough to get hit on last night.
Preparing for port today. Fairly high sea running but not so bad. Temp. 43 deg and believe me I’m going to take at least 2 hot baths tonight. At this temp. I could take to a boat with just a towel around me.
Wind and Bar. steady. Overcast.

Jan. 31
Arrived in N. Y. about 4 p. m. this afternoon – safely. Anchored off Staten Island. Voyage not over yet. Received orders proceed to Delaware Capes. Whence we shall get other orders for either Baltimore or Philadelphia. Ship going to dry dock. We shall leave at 3 a. m. tomorrow in convoy with 3 other ships bound for Delaware Bay. One escort.
Going to get a few hours sleep tonight. At least for these few hours I can take off my clothes and go to sleep knowing I won’t have to get up at the ring of a bell or an explosion. Am being relieved when we arrive in.

Feb. 1
Left New York at 3:15 a. m. this morning. Storm warnings displayed Sandy Hook to Delaware Capes. S. E. When passing thru net was advised by Navy we could proceed independently if so desired but would need no escort. Going to try to make it alone. All anxious to get home.
4:30 p. m. Arrived Overfalls L. V. Received no orders to go to Baltimore so will proceed to Phila. Voyage will soon be over. Awful tired and shall truly appreciate the vacation I am about to take.
I feel a little ashamed now that during some of the most trying days my assurance that we would get through deserted me. I honestly had no hopes for many of the days and nights were really doubtful. But I know that I shall experience more of those same days and nights and I will do my very best not to succumb to that feeling again.
Now that the voyage is over, the hardest trip I have ever made to date, I can truthfully say that I am proud of most of the men that have served under me. I hope they can say as well for me as I have done my best for them. I have tried to be a good and set an example for them to follow when the nights and long hours were the darkest and most doubtful. Beyond their knowledge I shared the same suspense, anxiety and nervous strains they endured. They have shown a courage, undaunted by trials of submarine warfare, which make the Merchant Marine a service that I am proud to be a part of.
Perhaps some of these men will sail with me again, and I shall be glad to have them. But if not with me, they shall return to sea on other ships. They will sail again over the same sub infested waters, suffering the same nights without rest and days without peace in order that the supplies may be delivered to us and our allies. I know they will continue to serve. They are needed and I am certain they shall continue to do their part in keeping the sea lanes open. I wish them all the best of luck.
To Commander Blake and all our escorts, both east and west passage, I can offer no words of praise that would do them justice. Although our dangers and hardships many, theirs is far greater. Their ships are small yet they must go through the same mountainous seas, snow, sleet and all the fury the North Atlantic has to offer in the winter months. There is no hesitation in contacting U-boats and delivering telling blows on the enemy. They all are ever watchful and willing to fight. Their eyes are always on their “children” for they are the guardians of the Convoys.
When this war is over I sincerely hope they shall receive their just reward for they will have done a great part in restoring this world to decency.
To those that died on this voyage, over 450 men, I offer silent tribute. Those men died under their flag, fighting for which that flag represents to us all – Freedom. They gave their lives in order that we may not spend our lives and the lives of generations to come, in a shackled, mad, slave driven world. I hope that these men shall not go unsung for they deserve a place in the light of the sun.

Bon Voyage,

Capt. H. Lee Perkins

Homer Lee Perkins ran away to sea at the age of sixteen. He first served as a cabin boy on a Merchant Marine ship sailing from Port Arthur, Texas. He was from a family that moved from town to town, never going to school full time and quitting altogether at the age of 15. He made a career of the Merchant Marines and worked up to the position Captain of a tanker. He served in peace time and in war time. His wife gave the log to his sister, which is copied above, after his death in 1980. She threw away all of his other logs thinking that no one would be interested in them but she thought his sister might want one in memory of him. I had read a few of them and each and everyone told a story. There were three or four logs per tour of duty. The first logs for this tour of duty were destroyed. His service covered a period of 45 years. On his last tour of duty his wife shipped with him as the ship’s librarian. It was for a period of two plus years spent entirely in the Mediterranean Sea. His wife, Gladys, said it was the most wonderful time of her life. They traveled all over Europe, Africa and the Near East during their off time and their home was filled with many beautiful things.

Uncle Homer was a man short in stature but he demanded respect. He expected each man under his authority to do his job and he usually gave more than he got in return. He never expected others to do more than their share, but he did expect everyone to do their share. He was not a kind man, but he was a fair man. Once someone became his friend, it was a friendship for life.

It always amazed me that someone with his background could go as far as he did and do the things he did. Even without an education I found his writings most interesting. He had a gift of telling things as they were. He was not one for elaborating or embroidering the truth. He spoke and wrote alike. I loved listening to him and with his logs were not destroyed.
 
Posts: 3200 | Location: Texas | Registered: June 29, 2003Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Objectively Reasonable
Picture of DennisM
posted Hide Post
Dad's side:

6x and 5x great-grandfathers: Revolutionary War (Lancaster militia, number of minor engagements and the Battle of Brandywine.) The latter's brothers, same.

4x great-uncle, Mexican-American War, served as Adjutant-General of Pennsylvania.

3x great-uncle, Civil War, 195th Pa. Infantry.

Grandfather, US Navy, WW1.

Dad, career Army (1950s-1980.) Vietnam several times.

Mom's side:

Grandfather in Wermacht, WW2. Never came back.

My generation: Brother, career Army. Me, medically washed from NROTC.

Downstream, niece was USAF.

Wife's side: Dad and 5 brothers, all US Army, WW2 and Korea era.

Visiting graves on Memorial Day & Veteran's Day is a full-day circuit.
 
Posts: 2452 | Registered: January 01, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
Picture of UpTheIrons
posted Hide Post
Family got here after WWI, any information before that is very spotty

Paternal Grandfather- AAF WWII
Paternal Grand Uncle- Army 101st AB WWII
Paternal Grand Uncle- Army post Korea
Dad- Army Vietnam 1969-70

Maternal Grandfather- Army WWII but mostly stateside until '45 because he was a farmer.
Maternal Grandmother- WWII worked in a defense plant pouring liquid TNT in to artillery shells.

Me- rejected by Army for childhood allergies and later the Navy for too many concussions.

It still saddens me that I am the first generation since we got off the boat that didn't serve in the forces.



“I used to be totally into Steve Vai and Joe Satriani and other shredders, and I tried to emulate what they did and really grow as a guitarist,” Mr. Hanneman said in “Louder Than Hell.” “Then I said, ‘I don’t think I’m that talented, but more important, I don’t care.’ ”
 
Posts: 1726 | Location: Arizona Territory | Registered: February 22, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Barbarian at the Gate
Picture of Belwolf
posted Hide Post
Me: US Army, Artillery '96-2003

Paternal

Dad: US Army, Anti Aircraft Artillery, '52-'55

Uncle: US Navy, Destroyers and Rocket research, '56-'60

Granddad: Vlach Militia, circa '09-'13, First Balkan War and previous guerilla engagements against Turks.

Maternal

Grandad: US Army Air Force, '43-'45

Great Uncle: US Navy, USS Arizona '36-Dec.7, 1941

Great-Great Grandad: French Cavalry (Hussar), 1868-1871.



“Posterity! You will never know how much it cost the present Generation to preserve your Freedom! I hope you will make good use of it. If you do not, I shall repent in Heaven, that I ever took half the Pains to preserve it.”
― John Adams

"Fire can be our friend; whether it's toasting marshmallows, or raining down on Charlie."
- Principal Skinner.


 
Posts: 4354 | Location: Thonotosassa, FL | Registered: February 02, 2004Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
posted Hide Post
My grandfather served in WW2 and Korea. My father was in the Navy during Vietnam (stationed in Italy though). All of my Mom's brothers served 20+ years in the Army. I am an active duty officer with 17 years in the Army. My oldest daughter is in ROTC and commissions in 2021 before heading to medical school and my youngest starts ROTC next year after high school.
 
Posts: 2014 | Registered: April 09, 2012Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Res ipsa loquitur
Picture of BB61
posted Hide Post
Revolutionary War: 2x great+ grandfathers. They were in militia units out of New York. As best as I can determine, they were in minor battles/skirmishes only;

Mexican/American War: Great+ grandfather was in the Mormon Battalion;

1927-WWII: Maternal grandfather. Coastal field artillery battalion out of California and calvary (the real horse kind);

WWII: Maternal grandfather, Lowry AAC,
Uncle, Battle of the Bulge (POW), and
Uncle, guard at POW camp in Utah;

Korean War: Maternal grandfather 204th FAB, UTNG
Uncle stateside,
and FIL Korea;

Post Korea - Pre Vietnam: Uncle; and

War on Terror: Brother.


__________________________

 
Posts: 12434 | Registered: October 13, 2002Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
posted Hide Post
4 uncles served in WW2. 2 marines in the Pacific 2 Navy. Father served on subs in WW2. Made 3 war patrols as the corpsman. Left the Navy, joined the army, and was at the Chosin Resevoir. Passed last month 6 weeks shy of his 100th

Brother did 11 yrs AF as Navigator/WSO B52 during Vietnam & F111s. I did 4 years in the Navy 66-70. 2 on a carrier and 2 in Albuquerque NM
 
Posts: 766 | Location: Southeast Tennessee | Registered: September 30, 2008Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Member
Picture of rexles
posted Hide Post
Father 50th Surgical Unit France WWII, Uncle WWII took a bullet to the face and lost an eye, another uncle US Navy WWII
FIL US Army Air Corps WWII
Brother US Marine Corps Viet Nam
Self US Navy 71-75


NRA Life member
NRA Certified Instructor
"Our duty is to serve the mission, and if we're not doing that, then we have no right to call what we do service" Marcus Luttrell
 
Posts: 1110 | Location: Holland, OH | Registered: May 07, 2010Reply With QuoteReport This Post
I can't tell if I'm
tired, or just lazy
Picture of ggile
posted Hide Post
My father was too young for WW1 and too old for WW2.
Myself, Army National Guard, early 60's, uneventful.
Two nephews graduated from the Air Force Academy and both are now retired military. Another nephew a Naval ROTC grad and served on a nuclear sub, now retired. Youngest nephew is with the Army National Guard and is currently a Major.


_____________________________

"The problems we face today exist because the people who work for a living are outnumbered by those who vote for a living."

"Those who would give up essential liberty to purchase a little temporary safety deserve neither liberty nor safety"
Benjamin Franklin
 
Posts: 2073 | Location: South Dakota-pheasant country | Registered: June 20, 2005Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Something wild
is loose
Picture of Doc H.
posted Hide Post
Father USN, WWII, USAF here. Uncle Korean War. Several Civil War relatives, on both sides. Couple Revolutionary War. One Whig, that we know of. A Crusader, probably Templar. Couple Vikings.



"And gentlemen in England now abed, shall think themselves accursed they were not here, and hold their manhoods cheap whiles any speaks that fought with us upon Saint Crispin's Day"
 
Posts: 2746 | Location: The Shire | Registered: October 22, 2011Reply With QuoteReport This Post
Eschew Obfuscation
posted Hide Post
Great-grandfather (Mom's side): served in the Spanish American War
Dad: Served in WWII and Korea
Son: Is a Captain in Army Reserve; did a tour in Afghanistan in 2013.


_____________________________________________________________________
“Civilization is not inherited; it has to be learned and earned by each generation anew; if the transmission should be interrupted for one century, civilization would die, and we should be savages again." - Will Durant
 
Posts: 6370 | Location: Chicago, IL | Registered: December 17, 2007Reply With QuoteReport This Post
  Powered by Social Strata Page 1 2 3 4 5  
 

SIGforum.com    Main Page  Hop To Forum Categories  The Lounge    What is your military pedigree?

© SIGforum 2024