They're some WW2 buffs-Added something I want to show you.

[hang&rattle]

There are some WW2 buffs on this site that share interest in trikes, and WW2 history. This is one of the 3 ships my Grampa served on that was sank in his quest from the battle of midway (his battleship was sank there too) across the wide Pacific. This was the USS Liscome Bay. It was sunk in the Gilbert Islands off the Makin Atoll on November 25th 1943 (born on Dec. 12th, 1942). After only being 11 mo. old. Nearly all perished. My Grampa, who was a corpsman survived. Again. Dewey B. Smith (my Grandpa) passed yesterday at 12:00 high noon. This shook me to the core, being a WW2 buff my hero is gone. My hero has passed on. He was my reason for researching and learning for countless years and hours the honor of our WW2 soldiers. My hero has passed. Anyone else have a WW2 hero? ADDED: I just today recieved my Grampa's 1943 WW2 Navy Corpsman uniform. This means a bundle to me. Have to clean it up a bit, had pet hair all over it when I got it, but feels really neat to have this uniform over 67 years old.

[Vealmonkey]

As a veteran myself, I salute and honor the passing of your grandfather. A regular guy who was called to duty to do an irregular job. And being a corpsman, he was actually paid less than a regular GI who toted a gun, pretty amazing eh? And for what those corpsman had to do. Your grandfather has gone to a better place and is once again reunited with his buddies and with his family. His war is now over. Attention. Hand Salute. Ready....To. Rest in Peace sailor.

[Eric250R]

I too am a huge WW2 buff. My Great uncle, Hobert Banks, fought in the Battle of the Bulge. Another Great uncle, James Breeding, was captured by the Germans in France and sent to a concentration camp. He weighed 72 pounds when the camp was liberated. Both have passed. My Great cousin, Sanford Collins, was stationed in the pacific and helped prep the Enola Gay for it's mission. Thou at the time he was unaware of what the mission was. He is still alive. You have our deepest sympathy and condolences on your loss.

[hang&rattle]

Thank you kindly Vealmonkey, you obviously know the repect and honor I feel for our WW2 folk. The surrender of Japan pushed a certain aircraft company to switch modes to civilian contracts. The latter of this company was called 'Honda'. Any one feelin' this? The trikes we ride came about by the ending of the war. Other wise honda would be producing fighter jets. Thanks to you once again Vealmonkey, and yeah, my grampa pulled alot of Marine off little Islands and back to the ships. He was a decorated soldier for saving so many burning/drowning soldier. And left quite the family legacy.

[jeswinehart]

yep, I will watch nearly any documentary on the subject.
Especially miss the series "VICTORY at Sea" and "WINGS over the Pacific", both old black and white documentaries.

[RIDE-RED 250r]

another WWII buff here. It never ceases to amaze me the things that generation accomplished and the humble attitude they had about it. Its always a treat on the once in a while occasion i am honored by meeting a WWII Vet. One can only imagine what kind of world we would all be living in if those patriots hadnt done what they did back then. An unbelievable debt of gratitude is owed them each and every one. And that goes for ALL of our Vets!

So sorry for your loss, I just lost my Grandfather on June 2nd this year, and i still struggle with it. He was a Korean War Vet, serving in the USAF. Grandparents are very special people, especially those who gave so much for their familes and country

[hang&rattle]

Thank you Eric250r. We are special kin to these heros, huh?

[hang&rattle]

Thank you REDRIDE and jeswinehart. And I have hundreds of $ of documentary. Hundreds of hours. Many books. My generation was a bunch of heartless losers compared the greatest of any generation.

[leviblue]

I'd like to thank your grandfather for a job well done. With out him I would of not been here today.My grandfather, a Jew, was liberated from the camps. He met his wife on a ship while he was on his way to meet-up with his family that escaped Poland. The 1st tattoo I ever saw was 9 numbers etched on his arm. To repay what the service men did for him he joined the Army and went to Korea. My Grandmother was liberated from a Russian camp, same tattoo. Without men like your grandfather the world would be a much different place to live. Your grandfather was a True American Hero.

[Vealmonkey]

My father was in the navy before he married my mom back in the late 50s' early 60s'. He served on the aircraft carrier USS Randolph CVA15, which itself was hit by kamikaze planes during WWII. My great uncle was a bombardier in Europe and was transferred over to the Pacific theater after VE Day. My father sold Saabs and Volvos and some other exotic foriegn cars when I was in grade school in the late 60s and he worked with 2 gentleman, one English and one German, who ended up finding out that they fought against each other at the Battle of El Alamein! The german man, in a tank and the englishman, in an artillery battery. So it never ceases to amaze me how many people were touched in some way by the Hostilities of WWII. My parents knew people whose parents were survivors of the Holocaust and who bore the mark of the oppressors. I met a WWII veteran who flew on bombers in the pacific and they told of how they tried to bomb some of the islands. He said their most effective episode was when they would load a single bomber full of trash in the bombay and drop the trash from several thousand feet in the air. They said the commotion the trash made as it dropped drew soldiers out of their hiding holes to see what all the noise was about and about that time other planes flew over this island strafing japanese soldiers who exposed themselves! I remember reading a statistic, that less than a third of all soldiers overseas where actual gun toting ground troops, yet they suffered over 90% of the wounds and casualties! The equipment and supplies need tens of thousands of men and woman to do thier parts as well to keep everything moving and soldiers mended and equipment cataloged and sorted and sent to their respective areas of the war. The logistics are staggering. And that was what really helped win the war. I read where there was somewhere in the neighborhood of 5500 Tiger tanks produced and over 55,000 Sherman tanks and ever more Russian T-34s. The Axis in alot of cases, was just simply outnumbered. And all the American supplies had to be shipped by boat.

[hang&rattle]

I love it when you type Vealmonkey. This could be the longest thead on 3WW if we were allowed to swap information. Both my Grampa's were from Bremerton WA. Grampa Dewey in the navy. And my Grampa Onnie worked in the Bremerton ship yards. My Grampa Onnie I believe, actually repaired some of the damaged ships my Grampa Dewey was on. To think that several years later there children would be married is crazy. Onnie repaired and worked on all the ships from Pearl Harbor. The amount of production produced by the woman, and elderly of this country was staggering to say the least. In one month over 2000 10,000 ton battleships were produced. And the U.S. fed almost the entire world for nearly 4 years. In a week the army corp of engineers could build a tent city, with every aminity for 30,000 troops or better. The Japanese alone sunk over 300 of our ships and it didn't put a dent in it. I think I go to a different time when I get lost in all of it. It was the spirit of these people in the WW2 era. The moral, ethics, and honor they had. I crave that, because it is no longer. This is not the same country now, and I'm a dreamer when I see the Americans back then. Even if you see old post war clips. The campers and vacationing. The hunting and sports. Everything was truly pure. Really truly free. And the world was changed from this generation, and it was because of my hero, Dewey Smith. Oh, Post script: My Mom married a gentleman from New Hampshire, who spoke polish and came to America from there, post war. Andy Warzynowics. His family was ruduced conciderably because of the holocaust. His family is still scared from the ordeal.

[Vealmonkey]

Great stories Hang&Rattle. It was hard to believe that the rantings and ravings of 3 or 4 individuals rained havoc on most of the world, but it happened. So many things that effect us today came from WWII, good and bad. All of japans big manufacturers contributed to their war effort much the same way american factories did. It wasn't thier fault. To me, the mobilization of the american industrial might is way more interesting than the battles themselves. The american worker was just as much the hero as the man in the trench or on the sea or in the air. Without people making all the bits for the weapons of war, victory would have never been possible. The US supplied many countries with the supplies and weapons to survive as well as manpower. The US had merchant marines involved with the war way before December 7th. Americans were dying in 1939 and 1940 supplying the british and europeans with supplies. There were very few early convoy escorts. Canadian merchant marines were perishing along with americans. Dark times.

[fabiodriven]

My grandfather served in the army aircore during "The Big One". He was a waist-gunner in a B-17. He was shot down twice over enemy lines and is still alive today to tell the story.

My father served in the air force in Vietnam. He was a mechanic on the SR-71 when it was a top-secret project. He was stationed mainly in Okinawa Thailand.

My twin sister is on her third tour in the Middle East. She has been based in Iraq and Kuwait, and this tour she is in Kuwait. She is serving with the army in aviation.

I served in Iraq with the army for the entire year of 2003. I was an 88M truck driver. We hauled fuel all over Iraq and Kuwait, but our main mission was hauling fuel from southern Iraq to Baghdad International Airport for the air force.

[hang&rattle]

Knew there was a reason I liked you Fabiodriven (other than your almost as cocky as me [that's to be taken as a compliment]). Searched more information; the show Pearl Harbor, the black cook that manned the 50 cal. aboard the bombed USS W. Virginia (played by Cuba Gooding JR.), was recommisioned to the USS Liscom(b)e Bay, was killed in the sinking. His name was Dorie Miller, and was given 5 medals and in 1973 had the Knox-class frigate named after him the USS Miller. He fed my Grandpa, and shot down a Zero, cool. Pictures of him and the ship, Grampa & Grandma, and the book written about the highest casualty ship-sinking in WW2.

[HuffieVA]

My Uncle Russell W. Hoffman (sfc) was killed in Exercise Tiger aboard LST (Landing Ship Tank) 507 during a practice exercise on the beaches of Slapton Sands in the English Chanel, I proudly display his Purple Heart, various medals and his casket flag in my dining room for all to see and remember the sacrifices made by our ancestors so that we have what remains of our freedoms today.
I also have two uncles that served in Korea, my father served after Korea and was discharged prior to the start of Viet Nam. My brother in law has completed one tour in Iraq and is on his third in Afghanistan.

I have the upmost respect for anybody that has served in our military, especially those who served during times of conflict, and I offer my heartfelt condolences to you for the loss of your grandfather.
I regrettably did not serve in the military, coincidently due to a trike related incident that left me with a shattered ankle about a week before my entrance physical for the Marines. I have to admit that I feel a bit of guilt each and every time I hear about a veteran’s passing or one of our boys being lost in battle, and I have been to the D-Day Memorial, The WWII Memorial and the wall and have never left any of them with dry eyes…

God Bless you Grandfather, and hopefully he is able to (as was said above) reunite with his long lost buddies and heal the burdens of war which he has carried with him all these years.

[hang&rattle]

Thank you HuffieVA. I found some more interesting stuff. Spent hours looking over things in the Pacific theater (studied European mostly), and never encountered these- http://www.wtj.com/articles/peleliu/ http://www.virtualtourist.com/travel/Australia_and_Oceania/Palau/Peleliu-1888463/Things_To_Do-Peleliu-BR-1.html http://media.militaryphotos.net/photos/album311?page=1

[hancadam]

Sorry to hear about your loss. We need people like him now badly.

My grandfather was shot storming the beach at Normandy. He had a chance to go home, but went to battle again. He was then sent back and ended up fighting in the Battle of the Bulge. He was hit by grenade shrapnel there. He ended up going home then. He had some neat stories. They burnt some SS troops up alive in a barn after they found some of there guys nailed through the head to a tree. He was taken by a stroke about 9 years ago.

[hang&rattle]

Wow hancadam, thanks. On all all the documentaries and in books and film you hear the death rate, sounds like no one survived. Then a gentleman like you reveals you're Grampa, who lived through it. And all need to realize, every soldier was injured at one time badly (not to mention the mental afflictions). I know it's disappointing to see this generation go, but being this is no longer the America they fought for, I'm glad to see them go on to better a place. It is too painful for a Veteran to see the country they watched family and friends (and had to kill for) die, flounder, lose the freedoms they fought for (by it's own gov't), and the morals, ethics, and God swept under the table. I am ashamed. And that is why I hold them in the highest regards. My respects to your Grandpa. But do you know the like-type replying to this thread? All who punched in here have high moral and ethical standards passed down from war heros. Most can't understand my old-school 'FU, I'll stand' attitude. It doesn't even fit into society with no backbone anymore. Thanks gentleman, and I am glad to know ya-

[shortline10]

Both my Grandfathers served in WWll as machinist so I'm very intrigued by anything made during that area of time . I inherited one of my grandfathers personal tool chest with tools from when he served and it means a great deal to me to own it and to be able to pass it to my son one day .
Another one of my addictions besides atc's are collecting WWll military folding pocket knives .

[Eric250R]

Wow hancadam, thanks. On all all the documentaries and in books and film you hear the death rate, sounds like no one survived. Then a gentleman like you reveals you're Grampa, who lived through it. And all need to realize, every soldier was injured at one time badly (not to mention the mental afflictions). I know it's disappointing to see this generation go, but being this is no longer the America they fought for, I'm glad to see them go on to better a place. It is too painful for a Veteran to see the country they watched family and friends (and had to kill for) die, flounder, lose the freedoms they fought for (by it's own gov't), and the morals, ethics, and God swept under the table. I am ashamed. And that is why I hold them in the highest regards. My respects to your Grandpa. But do you know the like-type replying to this thread? All who punched in here have high moral and ethical standards passed down from war heros. Most can't understand my old-school 'FU, I'll stand' attitude. It doesn't even fit into society with no backbone anymore. Thanks gentleman, and I am glad to know ya-

Well said.....

[RDH/86200X]

i dont know much about what my great grandpa did as he didnt talk about it much but what i do know is that he was one of the brave men on normandy beach and he also was a tank bomber he would dig a fox hole and wait in it for a tank to roll over and place a bomb on it he passed away two weeks after 9/11 i have great respect for veterans im currently waiting to take the asvab on tuesday the airforce is my future

[hang&rattle]

Posted in my first post.

[kasey200x]

I myself being a young fellow, gaurentee you i have more respect for WWII Vet's, and Vet's in general than any other person my age. I love that era in time, it is by far my favirote peice of history.
I'm very sorry to hear about your grand father. But I'm happy for you, in the sense you were blessed to know such a cool person, and even more so be related to him
Kasey

[Vealmonkey]

Well, I hope that most people don't forget GIs' only comprised around 12% or the total accounted soldiers in all theaters. The majority of soldiers were support personnel. Mechanics, supply, medical and the like. Even though GIs' accounted for 85% or so of the injuries and fatalities. People still had to keep the planes flying, and the tanks moving and supply and the fuel and food and parts to keep the "machine" grinding along. Some of these people often fought right behind enemy lines, in the case of tank mechanics. Yet some people never left the United States while serving their country. Also please don't forget the sacrifices of those here at home who made the materials for the fighting men. Some made uniforms and some made C-rations and some made the bullets or the guns, but the effort was no less necessary than the people in the fight. Thank you and God Bless to them all and to the families who sacrificed and lost loved ones as well.

[350XJEDI]

:Dman this thread is good ,my grandfathers both served one in the navy ,pacific theather he was hunting subs with depth charghes ,the other was army supply seargent ,,I miss them both and am sorry that our govt has turned its back on the freedoms they fought for, most of the guys in my family have served at some point .I was in the army in the early 80's reagan was the pres. and a good one . I hope that all the vets know the respect the deserve ,the people from that time period did alot ,and faced it headon ,we need to do the same now before we lose all our freedom, . God and country stand tall , :D

[350XJEDI]

forgot to say sorry for the loss ,we all lose when they pass,:( but we can take insperation in their lives :D

[hang&rattle]

This is my young buddy Cliff. We cowboyed together, rodeo'd, and were really close. He shot himself Saturday out of the blue. He kept going back to Iraq and was tying to go back again & out of the blue the war demons caught up with him, gone. He wasn't the type to do such a thing. War kills you one way or another, miss him though.

[fabiodriven]

This is my young buddy Cliff. We cowboyed together, rodeo'd, and were really close. He shot himself Saturday out of the blue. He kept going back to Iraq and was tying to go back again & out of the blue the war demons caught up with him, gone. He wasn't the type to do such a thing. War kills you one way or another, miss him though.

Us vets do have a very high suicide rate Hang. I have my own demons I battle with on a daily basis. I can see why he did what he did. I am 70% disabled and I do get a good chunk of change from Uncle Sam for that. I also have a really good job, my own house, more toys than five guys need, and more friends than I can shake a stick at. Most people who know me know there is something different going on upstairs, some have no idea. If people only knew what was going on inside my head....

I battle it every day. Some of us win, some do not. It's a war I'll fight for the rest of my life.

I'm very sorry for your loss Hang.

[350XJEDI]

trailpro sorry to hear that. we all deal best we can , and you cant always know whats going on with a freand.hang in there , thanks for you service fabio take care of youself and enjoy every day as a gift from god.:cool:

[Bretmd94]

My Grandfather was a ww2 vet as well. He died while I was in highschool.

He was an engineer on a bomber plane. He ended up taking photo's that made it into several books on the war. I don't believe he was in any big battles though.

I am sorry for your loss.

[dcreel]

Just saw a great movie last night about the war in afghanistan called "restrepo". You really never totally grasp what is going on over there. This movie really gives a glimpse into the life and death of our soldiers in Afghanistan.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=-DjqR6OucBc

[fabiodriven]

I'm really glad you just posted that Doug. My friend that I served in Iraq with sent me a text this morning telling me I have to see that and I had completely forgotten. I just put it at the top of my Netflix queue.

[dcreel]

John, thank you and your brothers of the Armed Forces for what you do for Freedom, and Democracy.

[fabiodriven]

My pleasure boys.

[hang&rattle]

That restrepo shook me a bit. Bothers me I never fought. I found another neat WW2 show in color:http://www.putlocker.com/file/1WSW7COQDDJ44KO8#. I just stumbled across this one looking for something to keep my intrest, it's done up pretty neat, just hit continue for free.

[atc007]

I'm sitting here in friggin tears,had not seen this thread... My Dad was a Marine in WWll,he and 7 of his brothers went into that war. My Dads family had 16. All 8 came home,some with more holes than others. 2 Purple hearts for my Uncle Melvin. I am going to 1st say,Fabio ,Thanx for your service,and ALL those that will see this. I posted a post awhile back about the R word ,retard,and Fabio,you and Hangandrattle,made me SICK! Really pissed. At least now I see where it was coming from,and I am humbled. My familys story,is ,as far as were concerned,a pretty BIG deal. My Grandpa and Grandma had EIGHT SONS lost on the other side of the world fighting for their lives.. TRY and imagine that. Not,1,2,3,4,5,6,7,,,EIGHT. Hangand rattle,,I too,have your attitude! Take it or leave it, I however,unlike some of you scholars,know NOTHING of the history. My Dad could not,and would not,talk,period. My Mom always told us,if he ever wants too talk,you Stop and listen,,but NEVER ask. That's the way it was here. NOW,,My Uncle Frank??? He was Eisenhowers Veterinarian! He traveled with him. He had stories ALL night long!! My neighbors that knew my Dad and some of the brothers BEFORE they went to war,,tell me,,,Those that saw war,will never talk about it,,those that were merely in the war,,can't talk enough about it. Now,I don't go along with that 100%,,if you are merely in the service,,you've seen some bad crap. My Dad was "powertrain commander",which means mechanic,,but also meant,,He was the 1st one up in the morning to Go out and turn on the generators,and the last one out at night to turn them off. he said there eyes were sometimes ,what looked like deer eyes in a spotlight,they were that close,and he could ALWAYS smell them,,the enemy,I mean. They hung that close to camp to try and steal food. I wil NEVER know what he saw and what he and they,my Uncles,,had to do to come back home. They were NEVER the same,they gave all over there,ALL soldiers do,,EVEN the worst ones,if you were in a war. Americas debt to YOU is unmeasurable. I am who I am,from My Mom and Dad,and could NOT be much more proud. I shutter to see what the world around us has turned into,in just a couple decades. I hope it turns around,,But I truly don't think it can. Some of you buffs are gonna want alot more info on my family,,My niece did a high school report 8 years ago. Her teacher said,girl ,You BETTER not be making this up!! She said,,,how could I!. That teacher wanted to call in the media. We said No way,,they never wanted a single ounce of attention,and they sure don't now. All but 3 are gone now,My Dad is 90,Glenn is 88,and Dale is 86 or 7. Hang ,I'm sorry about your friend recently. I have 2 friends who served,and my Bro in law,who I really can't talk about,even though he's retired ; ). Best thread on here. If anyone takes one thing off this site. if you know someone,anyone,that fought for YOU,You<<OWE them,respect at the VERY least,,anything else you can do for them. Hand straight,,salute,,,Ooohh Rah

[Midnite_rider]

I saw a story on the morning talk shows monday about a soldier that was in a Hummer that was hit by an IED and destroyed. He was the only survivor and he was burned on his face and head completely to the bone. He lost his left hand and his arm midway to the elbow. He said he felt like a burden to his wife and had wished he could go to sleep one night and never wake up. After 37 surgeries he is alive. His face is disfigured from the burns and surgeries. He is now speaking to large crowds and is actually doing what he always wanted to do.... comedy. He is standing up and making jakes about it and pushing forward. But he made a comment that I will never forget as long as I live. He said that he will touch more lives and help thousands more people than that roadside bomber will ever hurt. This guy is a hero 10 times over in my book. Not only did he offer his life for our freedom, he is continuing to make a positive impact in the face of what most of us would call the end of our world. I would love to meet this guy in person and thank him for what he gave for his country and what he is continuing to do.