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securemann
Deerslayer
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
July 08 2002
Status: offline
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 Posted - December 20 2002 : 9:04:16 PM
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He was somewhat older than the other infantryman at the time.The average age was 19 but this soldier was 26.The younger guys used to call him pops.Imagine being 26 years old and being called pops? Anyway,this soldier was drafted while having a wife and two kids.Immediately after training he was shipped off to Europe to fight the Germans.He was in the 11th Infantry,Red Diamond Division under Gen.George Patton.On Dec.21,1944,as the Battle of the Bulge was raging,this soldier was freezing.His divison came under attack by the desperate Germans who knew their time was short.This soldier remembered running across train tracks and heard two shells go off.He never heard the third one.Thank God it was freezing- It slowed down the flow of blood.This soldier had shrapnel in his back and leg and was knocked cold.He woke up four days later in a South Wales military hospital,it was Christmas.This soldier had a concussion and crossed eyes due to the impact of the explosion.Eventually the eyes went back to normal.He wondered for many years who the medic was who picked him up and carried him to safety.He never found him but was eternally grateful.This soldier was given the Purple Heart due to the injuries sustained in the Battle of the Bulge and also the Bronze Star Medal for a previous heroic act during the war.The mystery of that medic would bother him for the rest of his life.This soldier would say that he would kiss the a-- of that medic who picked him up on that frigid day where he layed bleeding 58 years ago.I heard this story over and over again and over some more especially when this soldier had too much to drink.This soldier was my Dad,wounded in the Battle of the Bulge Dec.21,1944.I wouldn't be born until 12 years later.Rest in peace Dad, now maybe you finally met that guy who picked you up.
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richfed
Sachem
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
May 13 2002
Status: offline
Administrator |
Posted - December 21 2002 : 06:13:07 AM
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Powerful story, Jim. Things have a way of making a lot more sense when they're personal. That's what I try to do with all history ... make it personal. It's meaning then becomes much clearer.
Every person on this planet owes a bit to your Dad! |
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Wilderness Woman
Watcher of the Wood
USA
Bumppo's Patron since [at least]:
November 27 2002
Status: offline
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Posted - December 21 2002 : 11:13:14 AM
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"Every person on this planet owes a bit to your Dad!"
I agree. I loved your story, Securemann. It is really too, too bad that it has taken so many years for Americans to begin publicly thanking our WWII veterans. We are losing them every single day and soon it will be too late. I am fortunate that my 84 year old WWII veteran Dad is still with me. He was one of the blessed ones who was never on the front lines. But, he served a very important purpose, as a Lt. in the Army Corps of Engineers. He built bridges and landing strips in Italy and North Africa ahead of the advancing army, including the landing strip and wheel-chair ramp for the Big Three Conference on Yalta. I am very, very proud of him. |
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