And yet another one

[sunnyd]

Attended the funeral of my uncle today, dead at the age of 91. Another WWII veteran. His military service record:
served in the United States Army Air Corps in the 194th Glider Infantry, the 17th Airborne Division during World War II and fought in the battles of Rhineland and Central Europe. He was awarded the Combat Infantry Badge, Glider Badge, American Theatre Service Medal, EAME Service Medal with two Bronze Stars and one Bronze Arrowhead, The Good Conduct Medal, World War II Victory Medal and the Occupation Medal.

Interesting that he was a gliderman. I don't think there were a lot of those. How scary must it have been for a young farmboy to glide into combat behind enemy lines in an unpowered wooden glider!!!! I can't even begin to imagine. The frequency of these kinds of posts makes me realize how quickly we are losing these great men. Soon they will all be gone . Like many on this forum, I was very fortunate to grow up surrounded by such men as my mentors. SALUTE!

 

[shouldazagged]

So few left...

 

[Texas Star]

Glider pilot? Was he at Arnhem?

Not sure if U S paratroopers all jumped or had gliders there. The British certainly used gliders.

 

[Ivan the Butcher]

That bronze Arrowhead, was probably for his "Drop" across the Rhine River. (he only combat drop for the 17th) My wife's uncle Bob was a Glider Trooper in the 1/324 AIR (Airborne Infantry Regiment) of the 82nd. Her brother and our oldest were in the same Regiment in the 1980's and 1998-2000 there are no glider troops left in use, and your uncle would tell you that is a good thing! Last training class for gliders was in 1966. Helicopters did away with the need!

The old Airborne Infantry regiments were 2 battalions of Gliders and 1 battalion of paratroops. The PIR's (Parachute Infantry Regiment) were 2 battalions of paratroops and 1 battalion of gliders. The 101st and 82nd Airborne divisions had 2 PIR and 1 AIR, I assume the 11th and 17th were the same. Early in WW II, glider troops didn't get hazardous duty pay until in combat. In mid to late 1943, General Ridgeway did a training landing. From that day foreword, they got hazardous duty pay once they qualified, just like paratroops.

Ivan

 

[S&WsRsweet]

These men who are a part of our country's history and truly fought to save freedom are getting fewer but I try to talk with them every chance I get they are still a feisty bunch even in their older years .I guess when you live thru what these guys did not much scares ya anymore.

 

[JSR III]

At 91, that makes him only 19 in 1945 when the war ended, so if he joined a few years earlier then he was only 17 or 18 when enlisting.

Imagine kids of today willing to fight and die for their country at 17 or 18???? I suppose as long as they could take their cell phone and have wifi service they might consider it.

They truly were from the greatest generation and one that we will likely never see again.

RIP American Hero..

 

[Jessie]

At 91, that makes him only 19 in 1945 when the war ended, so if he joined a few years earlier then he was only 17 or 18 when enlisting.

Imagine kids of today willing to fight and die for their country at 17 or 18???? I suppose as long as they could take their cell phone and have wifi service they might consider it.

They truly were from the greatest generation and one that we will likely never see again.

RIP American Hero..

To be honest, there's many 17 & 18 year olds doing just that right now and have been for a while now.
That courage and drive is still alive in our military.

 

[HOUSTON RICK]

May your uncle rest in peace. The last of the WWII generation of my family passed away last month. It was great to grow up with them, it was another time.

 

[SteveA]

Sorry for your loss. My Dad is 91. Most of his high school class not needed on the farm enlisted in '43 at 17. Afraid they'd miss the big show. He had to promise his mother he wouldn't go airborne. Ended up in the 1st ID, Omaha and onward. He came through banged up somewhat but is in amazing health now. Helped me all day last Saturday in 104 degree weather working on fall food plots.

 

[wingriderz]

R I P ALL HEROS

 

[Murphy's Law]

Few of the young folks truly understand what is meant by the "greatest generation". I've read many history books and I'am amazed what these gentlemen did knowing the losses we were taking at the time. I'm kinda glad I was born back in 1946 as I have had the pleasure and honor to speak with many of those who fought in Europe & Pacific arena. God bless them all.