Greetings Hondo and everyone. Here is a little bit on my deceased friend, Captain (then) 2nd Lt. Richard Wallace Annand V.C. He was in the 2nd Battalion of the Durham Light Infantry. He was 25 years old at the time.

Captain Wallace's Citation:

On May 15 1940, near the River Dyle, Belgium, 2nd Lt. Annand inflicted heavy casualties on the enemy with hand grenades. He was wounded, but after having his wound dressed, he made another attack on the enemy the same evening. Later, when the position became hopeless and the Platoon was ordered to withdraw, Lt. Annand discovered that his Batman (Aide) was wounded and missing. He returned at once to the former position and brought him back in a wheelbarrow before fainting from loss of blood.

______________________________________
______________________________________
______________________________________

During WWII, a total of 106 members of the British Armed Forces were awarded Victoria Crosses.

In order of service:

Royal Navy, Royal Marines, Royal Navy Reserve, Royal Navy Volunteer Reserve: 23 V.C's were awarded.

The Army had 61 V.C.'s awarded and the Royal Air Force had 22 V.C.'s awarded.

50% of all the V.C.'s awarded to British Soldiers in WWII were awarded to men who were Killed In Action.

Hondo, hope you enjoyed this little bit on Captain Annand V.C. Most anything else I have on him has nothing to do with his service in the Army and is more just idle "chit-chat" and Christmas wishes etc. I never got to shake his hand being that he lived in London and I only was able to make one trip to Europe--which was to Germany and Switzerland in late 2000. I had been wanting to make a trip to London to visit with Richard & Shirley for a few days. I really would have loved listening to them both.

Take care and best regards--Carl (TRK)

Hi Ringo Hondo

The Victoria Cross is a very modest medal, a small cross with either a dark red or blue ribbon which if I am right alternates after each war. The original ones were made of Bronze melted down from Russian cannons captured during the Crimean War.

The authorization for the medal was given by Queen Victoria (hence the name) in 1856 and since that time only 1354 have been issued.

The highest number awarded in any one engagement was for gallantry during the action at Rorkes drift on Wednesday and Thursday January 22-23 1879 when a total of eleven were awarded. The allocation was:

7 to the officers and men of the 2nd Battalion 24th Warwickshire Regiment of Foot
1 to the Army Medical Department
1 to the Royal Engineers (I assume if the film is any thing to go by this was for the commanding officer Lt John Chard)
1 to the Commissariat & Transport Department
I to the Natal Native Contingent.

Three men have won two Victoria Crosses

Regards

Arthur

Hi Ringo

In Portsmouth you will find the Royal Marines Museum it used to be the main officers quarters of the Royal Marine Barracks. In the Medal Section there are many of the Victoria Crosses awarded to the Royal Marines over the years.

Portsmouth is an hours train ride from London and if you ever get to London and want to see some of these places including Southwark House where D Day was planned and the original map is still on the wall, the Submarine Museum and many more, give us a shout.


Regards

Arthur

Hello Arthur, thank you for the extra information. I like to call myself a student on the battle of Roarkes Drift and the man who got their V.C's there. The movie Zulu, did a nice job of telling part of their story.

You are quite right in that the V.C's are made from the Bronze from captured cannon. I think this metal is kept as a huge block in a vault in London if i'm not mistaken.

Also, many many medals were stolen out of that Museum about a year ago. Danr shame for the theft but, that is also a slap in the faces of all the men who earned those awards. The awards will never see daylight again.

I don't know if you have ever heard of the Uboat Commander Erich Topp or not but, a few years ago, a similar thing happened to him as well. A few people were in his home posing as a news team and they stole his solid gold honor daggger that was presented to him by Grand Admiral Erich Raeder and Admiral Karl Donitz. The thieves also took the Knights Cross that his crew had made for him--before he got the official award.

Back to the 24th Regiment of Foot. Its popularly believed that the regiment was made up mainly of men from Wales, but that was not the case.

Forever more, Captain Annand will be a personal hero of mine as is Audie Murphy.

Hi Ringo -

Audie Murphy was one of my favorites also and not just because of his valor in WWII. It was a shame he had to die so young - an airplane crash, as I recall. I'm glad that we have the Audie Murphy Veterans' Hospital here in San Antonio. It does make for a good tribute.

Best of the holiday season -

Jay :newyear:

Carl,

That was very interesting, and I admire your tribute of Captain Richard Wallace Annand V.C. I again am sorry for our lost treasure in this world. It seems that almost all the heros of that era are gone, and I just hope that we truly appreciate their contribution for the freedom and elimination of the evil. Even though I was not around at the time of WWII, I know that we owe a lot to those who were fighting, and helping out for our fighting men.

I also thank Arthur for the followup information as well. I feel like I received a great history lesson. Just don't quiz me! :mellow:

Cheers B)

:cowboy: Hello Jay/Hondo D.W.

Jay, as far back as I can remember, Audie was always the top hero in my family. I never have visited the Vets hospital named for him but I have always wanted to go there. Some of those vets can really use some cheering up this time of year. In about a year or so, I am hoping to move to San Antonio, and I will be interested in visiting with the vets there.

By the way, if you do not know it already and if you have heard of them, guess who lives in San Antonio? Clue: If you have heard of the Flying Tigers, the man who commanded the 2nd Flying Tiger Squadrion (The Panda Bears) lives in Sna Antonio. He is retired: Brig Gen David Lee "Tex" Hill. He attends gun and militaria shows as well as a few other famous WWII vets. I have a nice 8x10 photo signed by him when I met him in Feb 2002. Oh and, he is listed in the phone book and also does not mind chatting with people on the phone.

Hondo, thank you for the nice compliment. Captain Annand V.C. is a treasure that has been lost. His passing really hit me hard but I am comforted that he is in a much better place. I'm trying to get more details on what he passed away from and Funeral details. So far I have only seen obituaries from a few publications by searching in Google.

Strangely enough, the Victoria Cross site still has him as living. Also, there are now less than 12 men awarded the V.C. still living. This encludes WWII vets as well as Vietnam vets and men who earned the V.C. in other actions. There are about 125 American Medal of Honor Recipients still living, and about 700 Knights Cross recipients still living.

You are correct though. As of 2001, WWII vets were passing away at the rate of 7,000 per week. This info was given to me by the Command Chaplain of the U.S. Air Force--who had presided over the services for my Uncle. Now I understand that over 10, 000 WWII vets pass away each day (and this is only speaking of American vets and not all vets world wide, lumped in together.

I'd be glad to give anyone a quiz on WWII, anyday.

Best regards to you--Carl (TRK)

I'd be glad to give anyone a quiz on WWII, anyday


That sounds like fun ringo. I have been alittle displaced from my WW2 knowledge, but me and a buddy back in high school(20 years ago) were big WW2 nuts. He still maintains allot of knowledge, but, I have been busy in the recent years with family things.

If you want, pick a time and date and see if anyone would be interested. And then we can go from there.

Hi Ringo

Captain Annand's Obituary is included in todays Independent newspaper. I covers half a page. If you are interested send me your address and I will post it off to you.



Regards


Arthur

:cowboy: Hello Viper/Arthur,

Viper, I will look forward to doing a quiz with you and anyone interested. How about lets starting it during the first week of January. I have some personal business to attend to which hopefully will not take more time that I am hoping and then we can go from there. I will be back here Mon 3rd (LORD willing)

Arthur, thank you for the offer, i will send you my address. I greatly appreciate this and owe you one.

Take care and best regards--TRK.

:( He was:

George Dewey Perkins of Louisiana. He was America's oldest living WWI USMC veteran. He passed away at the young age of 107.

Rest in Peace Sir.

Sorry to hear it. It's very sad when we lose a living link with history.

I noticed during the Superbowl pregame that a lot of the WWII vets are getting older and older, and I thought that someday there'll be a day when we'll hear about the last one dying. My dad can remember being a kid in the '50s and hearing about the death of the last Civil War vet! Now that's hard for me to imagine!

:cowboy: Hi Jen, I agree with you. It is very sad to lose such a link with past history as Mr. Perkins was.

However, I just came across this today which lifted my spirits a bit. If you recall that series done by HBO called: Band of Brothers--which was about Easy Company in the 101st Para Division. It was centered around a person named Dick Winters.

Well, I found his official website today which also has mailing contact info. His website is: Major Richard (Dick) Winters Website. (http://www.majordickwinters.com)

He was nominated for the Medal of Honor but never awarded it. Now there is a movement out there that many people are supporting that is trying to help him get this award. I will be mailing out my letter of support to him by weeks end. I sure hope he gets this award that he so well deserves.

Best regards--TRK.

That is sad news. It's nice to hear that he lived such a long life! That's great!
He also passed away with such honor.
Prayers to his family,
LittleDuke

Very sad! I have to agree with The Ringo Kid above and say...


Rest in peace Sir! Our respect and gratitude is with you!

:cowboy: Thank you Littleduke/Chris. He certainly was an institution for the USMC.

Originally posted by The Ringo Kid@Dec 30 2004, 03:27 PM
:cowboy:
By the way, if you do not know it already and if you have heard of them, guess who lives in San Antonio? Clue: If you have heard of the Flying Tigers, the man who commanded the 2nd Flying Tiger Squadrion (The Panda Bears) lives in Sna Antonio. He is retired: Brig Gen David Lee "Tex" Hill. 13396

Hi Ringo -
Tex Hill has been a busy guy this spring - I count at least three events he has been involved in here. So he does remain quite active, at least here locally.
By the way, hope you are feeling better. Noted your post last week that you were under the weather. What is the saying - "feed a fever ...?" :lol: Anyway, best wishes that you are back to your usual self soon.
Cheers - Jay :D

hi ringo

sorry to hear that you have been under the weather but if you are ever feeling like that again you could try lemon and whiskey ( you place the lemon on the foot of your bed and you drink the whiskey and when you see two lemons you know you have drunk enough to kill it :lol: ) or you could warn the lemon juice and add it to some whiskey this will depend on you.

hope you are better now

cheers amokey

Hi Smokey -
Is the lemon really necessary? :lol:
Cheers - Jay :D

hi jay

the lemon is necessary only if you want to say you had lemon and whiskey :D
but its still fun trying :lol:

cheers smokey

I don't bother with the lemon either,
but Jay and Smokey,when you two
offer to buy me a whiskey, and whisky over here,
mine's on the rocks!!!!

Originally posted by ethanedwards@Jun 5 2005, 06:54 PM
I don't bother with the lemon either,
but Jay and Smokey,when* you two
offer to buy me a whiskey, and whisky over here,
mine's on the rocks!!!!
17188


Alas, I can't drink alcohol any more because of various medicines I'm taking for health problems but until about two years ago, I went through at least a half-gallon of 90 proof bourbon a week. I also drank it very strong. Sure do miss it.

Originally posted by Stumpy@Jun 5 2005, 05:39 PM
Alas, I can't drink alcohol any more because of various medicines I'm taking for health problems but until about two years ago, I went through at least a half-gallon of 90 proof bourbon a week.* I also drank it very strong. Sure do miss it.
17190

Hey, Stumpy, you were just a moderate drinker compared to an older friend of mine and his wife up in Oregon. They consistently put away a quart a day of their favorite whiskey (for the life of me I can't remember the brand, although I can picture the label - they had cases of it stacked up in the garage). Unfortunately, they are no longer with us, as they passed away a couple of years ago.

So . . . on the brighter side, maybe it's better that you had to give up the stuff. When I'm down with a bad cold, the Mrs. puts a shot of whiskey in a mug, squeezes in the juice of a lemon, puts in a big spoonful of honey, then fills it with hot water - it sure does the trick - and I keep drinking that until I see two lemons . . . thanks, smokey :D.

Chester :newyear:

Originally posted by chester7777@Jun 5 2005, 09:56 PM
they are no longer with us, as they passed away a couple of years ago.

I can understand why. :lol:

hi ethan

whiskey it is or would you prefer bundy (this is a rum make in queensland) on the rocks, just to broaden you taste buds ;) . only drink whiskey myself when i have a real bad cold and after 1 glass i get to see the 2 lemons real quick :lol: .

chester glad mrs c knows about this one too we are a smart lot now aint we :lol: ;)

oh stumpy sorry to hear that you had to give up the hard stuff looks like its soft drink for you well look on the bright side you are always the one who dont make a fool of himself you get to sit back and watch the others :lol:


cheers smokey

Originally posted by smokey@Jun 8 2005, 08:51 AM

oh stumpy sorry to hear that you had to give up the hard stuff looks like its soft drink for you well look on the bright side you are always the one who dont make a fool of himself you get to sit back and watch the others* :lol:
cheers smokey



The cloud has a silver lining. I used to spend more than a hundred dollars a month for liquor. Now I have that much more money to spend on DVDs. :D

Smokey, Stumpy, Chester and the rest of you that want to get rid of a Bug, I can remember when I was a young Kid some 65 years ago, Grandmother had a Bottle of Old- Bust- Head just for Medicinal use hidden away on a top shelve in the Kitchen and when I had Bug she would give me a Big-Shot of it with Lemon and Honey, and I would Sleep all day, :blink: but the next day I was Cured!!! :D

In todays World I think they would have put Grandmother in Jail.

Two months ago I had a bad Bug and thought I would try to Cure it with Duke's Favorite "Sauza Commemorativo Tequila" at $28.00 a bottle, and relive some of the Good old Days at the same time. :) Boy was that a Mistake :headbonk: but I am still here so it must have worked!!!

Chilibill :cowboy:

Whenever I have a cold, I always taken Irish whiskey in some boiling water,
a little sugar, a slice of lemon, and three of four whole cloves.

I've drank Tequila a few times, Boy does it give you a bad head. :(

Emmanuel. :jump:

Hey Stumpy.

Sorry to hear you've had to give up the sauce. But just think, if we ever get
round to Monument Valley. at least we'll have a sober driver ;) How much do
you charge per day? ( think silver lining) ;)

Emmanuel.

hi stumpy

glad that theres a silver lining for you just think of all the movies you have been able to watch at your pleasure. and if you do the get together in a couple of years just think you could be rolling in it and lots more movies will come your way maybe even enough for a hole new movie system :lol:

chill bill i think every mum has tried this old faithful for getting rid of the bug (or wog as we call it, go out in the morning and bring home a wog now he wont leave :lol: ) just wondering what is old-bust-head when its at home is it something like moonshine if it is no wonder you slept all day and i think after drinking that any bug would leave :D

cheers smokey

Smokey;

Grandfather made his own " Old-Bust-Head " :headbonk: in the Basement, and yes it is home made MoonShine and Grandfather or Big-Dad as I called Him was Phoenix Chief of Police at the time. :agent: And that was against the Law at that time, but everyone did it anyway!!!

Chilibill :cowboy:

Originally posted by Emmanuel@Jun 9 2005, 10:29 AM
I've drank Tequila a few times, Boy does it give you a bad head.

You guys (and gals) don't know what a bad head is. :lol:

During my 67 years, I've sampled, at one time or another, just about every kind of liquor on this planet and some of them gave you a hellacious hangover.

One of the worst was a Phillippine beer named San Miguel that I drank as a young sailor oh so many years ago. Someone said that one of the ingredients was formaldehyde and I sure did believe that because the next morning I felt as if I'd been pickled. :lol:

Probably the worst stuff for a hangover though was ginseng wine, which I had a sample of in Vietnam (1966). Some Korean soldiers came into our camp scrounging for lumber with which to build bunkers. We told them we'd trade lumber for any kind of liquor they had. They gave us several bottles of this ginseng wine, all of which had a ginseng root in the bottle. Two or three of us drank about 3 bottles of that stuff and I swear, the next morning I wanted to die and was afraid I wouldn't. :lol: Not only a hangover but my mouth tasted as if someone had taken a big dump in it. Terrible stuff, that ginseng wine.

Stumpy, I drank San Miguel when I was in the Philipines. I didn't care for it much. but what I did like in Subic Bay was Bull Frog or MoJo. They are both "koolaid" drinks and they are awesome. You could be sitting there perfectly normal nad WHAM literally a minute later you would either be passed out or laughing hysterically. And the best part was, no hangover. Man that was good stuff!!!

Originally posted by SXViper@Jun 9 2005, 09:38 PM
I didn't care for it much. but what I did like in Subic Bay was Bull Frog or MoJo.


When were you in Subic, Viper? I was there in 1956 and again in 1958. Olangapo wasn't one of my favorite liberty ports. :lol:

I never tried that Bullfrog or Mojo. Must be something fairly new because as I said, I've tried most things with alcohol. Oh, the stories I could tell about my adventures in the Navy......of course, they wouldn't be suitable for mixed company. :lol:

When were you in Subic, Viper?

I was in Subic numerous times in the middle/late 80's. Strictly a working port. But the nights were filled with "stupid" sailor stuff!!! :lol: :lol:

And I do have a few stories myself, but, they would not be suitable on this forum!!

Hi Stumpy and SXViper

I've drank a beer called San Miguel on many occasions while on holiday in Spain.
I never made it to the Phillipines. But was in Singapore a few times, when I was in the merchant navy, many years ago. The Beer I drank there was called Tiger, We can now get it here in Ireland.

On this side of the pond we call "Moonshine" "Poteen", I had a wee bit of it last weekend while I was down in County Kerry, Boy they know how to make that stuff down there. I had a hangover for 2 days. :agent: :dead:

I'd love to hear your stories, I have a few myself. :stunned:

Emmanuel. :jump:

Originally posted by Emmanuel@Jun 10 2005, 09:27 AM
On this side of the pond we call "Moonshine" "Poteen", I had a wee bit of it last weekend while I was down in County Kerry, Boy they know how to make that stuff down there. I had a hangover for 2 days.

I've never had a hangover drinking 'shine. I haven't had any for several years but the last I drank was just as clear as water and went down about as smooth. But when it hit bottom, WOW!

Stumpy; You are so right about "Moonshine." I still can remember that the Tail Gunner on my B-29 was from North Carolina and every time he went home on leave he would bring back a Gallon Jug of "White Lightning" and the Crew would have a big party. :lol:

It did look just like Water but when it Hit Bottom it was almost as bad as if that "Bad Thing" that we had in the Bomb-Bay had gone off!!! :dead:

I think he told us that it was about 150 Proof, :fear2: and I think what you get at the store is about 80 Proof. :stunned: Correct me if that is not right? :uhuh:

Bill :cowboy:

The Beer I drank there was called Tiger, We can now get it here in Ireland.

I drank Tiger while on a liberty port in Pattaya Beach, Thailand. Now Tiger I didn't mind at all. Now that was a fun port ;)

Originally posted by William T Brooks@Jun 10 2005, 01:13 PM
I think he told us that it was about 150 Proof,* :fear2: and I think what you get at the store is about 80 Proof. :stunned: Correct me if that is not right?

I think technically, Bill, it's possible to distill 200 proof moonshine which, as you know, would be pure 100 percent alcohol. But I'd be verrrrrry reluctant to drink anything that stout, for fear I'd go blind or something.

The strongest liquors I've ever drank were a rum in Puerto Rico (might even have been Bacardi) that was 150 proof, and a plum brandy in Europe called Slivowitz that was about the same proof. Both of 'em had me howlin' at the moon. :lol:

Stumpy

Drinking anything that strong, I don't think I'd see the the moon, never mind howling at it. :o

Emmanuel. :jump:

Originally posted by Emmanuel@Jun 11 2005, 01:01 PM
Stumpy

Drinking anything that strong, I don't think I'd see the the moon, never mind howling at it. :o

Emmanuel. :jump:
17436


Actually, Emmanuel, it's 151 proof (http://www.webtender.com/db/ingred/85), as this page shows. Pretty strong stuff.

I was stationed in Puerto Rico from 1976 until 1978. One weekend the wife and I hosted 6 or 7 Royal Marines who were training on a nearby island. We began drinking that Bacardi 151 about 1900 Friday evening. By 2030 those guys were climbing the coconut trees in my yard. And by 2130 they were all passed out. I wasn't because I had drank sparingly - I knew what the stuff could do. :P

Holy Mackerel Stumpy, That stuff your talking about is Strong Stuff, 151 Proof! :fear2: In the early 1950s we brought back from Puerto Rico a Bomb-Bay full of some kind of Rum, I do not know if it was the same as you talking about or not, but I do know that we were the most popular B-29 Crew on the Base. :)

I got a hold of my Contact at N.A.S.A and he said they could get 200 Proof but as soon as the outside air gets to it becomes 195 Proof for their Rocket Fuel.

That stuff that you are talking about would make Very Good Rocket Fuel!!! :wacko:

Bill :cowboy:

Stumpy and Chilibil

I think you would have to be a rocket to drink that stuff. ( over here we call anyone who does anything at all silly a rocket) :headbonk:

Emmanuel. :jump:

Yes, I have always heard that 96% alcohol is the maximum limit in room temperature. More than that it evaporates. Since I don't drink very much I was a bit surprised to see that you guys hadn't had stronger stuff than that, since I have had moonshine with between 85-90 % alcohol lots of times. Than it occured to me that the way they tax alcohol in this country means there are lots of people who make their own stuff illegally. I used to know some people who were pretty good at making it and they made stuff with 93-94 % alcohol. I never touch homemade stuff anymore, but I used to drink it like beer at times. I was unconscious before I could ever get a hangover. I guess I was around 17-18 at the time so I would always overdo it.

The page showing the Bacardi 151 says that it can be ignited for a flaming drink.

That reminds me of a humorous incident. When I was a young, unmarried soldier in Germany the first time (1959-'62), I used to hang out with my buddies in night clubs and bars a lot. There was a German liquor called Escorial (spelling?) that we would ignite and then snuff the flame with our mouth as we drank, which greatly impressed the bar girls.

One night we were in a bar with some girls and showing off by drinking flaming Escorial. The girls were drinking small bottles of champaigne, called piccolos. My girl got about half-drunk and decided she wanted to try my trick of drinking flaming Escorial. So I bought her a glass, lit it with my cigarette lighter and watched as she tipped it up and started to drink. The problem was, she didn't snuff the flame as she put it to her mouth. The drink ran down her bosom and caught the front of her dress on fire. She and the other girls began screaming, while my buddies and I were roaring with laughter. Finally I grabbed a beer and poured it down her front, quenching the flames. The bar was pure pandemonium by this time. Naturally, the bar owner was greatly upset and threw us out of the place.

Stumpy; You sound as bad as me in the early 1950 as a Young Kid wanting to burn the Whole World up. :angry: Boy am I glad that is over!!! :headbonk:

Bill :cowboy:

Originally posted by William T Brooks@Jun 11 2005, 09:19 PM
Stumpy; You sound as bad as me in the early 1950 as a Young Kid wanting to burn the Whole World up. :angry:* Boy am I glad that is over!!! :headbonk:

Bill :cowboy:
17460


Well, Bill, before I married and got tamed by my wonderful wife, I was a hell raiser almost without equal. But that is all in the past. Now I'm a responsible citizen. :lol:

Chilibil and Stumpy

Guys, I hope you two are not THAT responsible. :rolleyes:


Emmanuel. :P

hi emmanuel

not those two they cause the mischief where ever they go :lol: got to :wub: them both

they sure do have some of the best stories of their youth though what a toublesome pair they would have made if they had off hooked up while they were younger.

you have just got to :wub: them to bits

cheers smokey

Hi Jay, Smokey.

Jay, thanks for the update on "Tex" Hill. I'm glad to see he is still going strong. I'd love to see him at one of his meets again.

Smokey, thanks for the nice words--they make me feel better. :-)) Heh heh heh, if I had one swig of Whiskey, I would not even see the end of the bed let alone a lemon :-))

Today, Alfred Anderson, of the 5th Battalion, Black Watch; passed away at his home in Angus, Scotland.

This man was born in 1896, was in one of the first British contingents to serve on the Western Front in WWI. Mr. Anderson is thought to have been the longest surviving veteran of the 1914 Christmas Truce between the British & the Germans. He was 109.

BTW, Mr. Anderson was the WWI vet who laid wreaths at two veterans ceremonies just this past Armistace Day/Veteran's Day.

Rest In Peace Mr. Anderson. :(

Also, more sad news, Australia's last WWI vet to serve on active duty, passed away about a week or so ago.

May he Rest In Peace as well. :(

Hi Carl,
Thank you for making this last posting.
I echo your sentiments on the passing of such fine men.
Rest In Peace, and may all that you fought for,
will be everlasting.

Keith

Hi Keith, no problem mate. This is a good way to always have his name online and seen.

Take care my friend--C.

Their likes will not be seen again. We stand on the shoulders of giants...Old soliders never die they just fade away...

Hi Zack, thanks for that. i'm sure Mr Anderson would have smiled as he read your fine words. :)

Originally posted by ZACK613@Nov 22 2005, 08:18 PM
Their likes will not be seen again. We stand on the shoulders of giants...Old soliders never die they just fade away...
23312


Great quote,
Last time I heard it was,
when Gregory Peck quoted Douglas MacArthur,

Best Wishes,
Keith

One can almost never go wrong quoting Duke, MacArthur or Churchill.

Yesterday, America lost another of its dwindling number of WWI veterans. This veteran passed away at the age of 109. This WWI veteran had the distinctions of being the last American female WWI vet living as well as having met with the Secretary of War in 1916, to argue the right for women to serve in our military.

This Ladies name is Charlotte. Charlotte was one of six known American WWI veterans still living, Sadly, now there are only five known living. If anyone keeps track of such things, just three months ago, there were 13 American WWI vets still living. As of Thanksgiving 2006, there were 51 known American vets still alive.

I am hoping I am wrong on this but, it looks like we might not have any WWI vets still alive, before the end of this year. :-(

Rest in Peace Charlotte.

For once, I hope you're wrong.

Im always wrong but, I too hope im wrong on this account as well.

All good things come to a end and all the heroes ride off into the sunset sometime. Don't cry for them, celebrate there lives and what they gave to make our country better!!!

Having any still alive is a blessing... the war was over 85 years ago. I'm just glad we got a WWII memorial before they were all gone. It's something to see too. If your ever around DC you need at least a couple hours to tour all the memorials they have in that area: WWII, Korea & Vietnam.

I am hoping I am wrong on this but, it looks like we might not have any WWI vets still alive, before the end of this year. :-(

The way the statistics make it, you may be right. Unfortunately, it won't be much longer before we start losing our WWII vets in greater numbers as well:ohwell: !
Cheers - Jay:beer:

This past December when I attended the 65th Anniversary of Pearl Harbor, one WWI survivor showed up and he was treated like a rock star. Unfortunately, I did not bring my camera with me as we were at the actual ceremony and I thought it was distasteful to film the occurence (of course as soon as I showed up, it looked like all 400 survivors had cameras). Anyway, this gentleman was in his uniform and any chance at shaking his hand was next to impossible as he attracted a mob. It is sad that we are losing so many vets (about 1000 a day for WWII vets), but I would agree with SXViper who said to celebrate their lives and sacrifices. Just another reason to reach out a hand of any vet (no matter the age) and thanks them when you get a chance.
Bo

I agree with you all. Also, I just got this bit of news in:

Corporal Howard V. Ramsey was Oregons last living WWI Veteran & last known U.S. combat Veteran of WWI. He passed away in his sleep at the age of 109 on Feb 22-2007. Ramsey inherited this title just two weeks before he passed away. Ramsey inherited this title when Massachutsetts Vet, Antonio Pierro passed away on Feb 8.

Ramsey's life spanned three centuries & 19 Presidents. He was born in Rico, Colorado on April 2-1898, when the US flag had only 45 stars and Pres McKinley was preparing to declare war on Spain.

The only WWI Veteran I remember knowing, was a Captain Cole, who lived two blocks from my house. Sadly, he passed away about 30 or so years ago.

WWI Navy Veteran a Mr. Lloyd, just passed away over the weekend at the age of 105. He had the distinction of being the last known American WWI Navy veteran. He was 105.

As far as it is known, there are now only four American WWI veterans still living. I wonder if there are still any WWI Britich Tommies still living? Does anyone here have any info on them? If so, i'd like to know.

Rest in Peace Mr. Lloyd. :-((

These are sad stories, Ringo. Seems like you just posted one and now another one is gone.

Hi GT, yeah. And good thing im not posting about the WWII vets, or this would quickly get out of hand. The Chaplain of the Air Force (at my Uncles funeral in San Antonio a few years ago) said that at that time, we were losing 1,000 WWII vets a day. Now that figure is 1,700 WWII vets passing away daily. :-((

Fair Winds and Following Seas brother. Rest in Peace, we'll stand the watch. G-d Bless you and your family.

Bo

Mr.J. Russell Coffey was 109 and living in Ohio at the time of his passing. He was one of only three known WWI vets living (American)

Rest in Peace Mr.Coffey.

The other two are:

Mr.Frank Buckles, 106, of Charles Town, W.Virginia, and Mr.Harry Richard Landis, 108, of Sun City, Fla.

This year we also saw the passings of most of the remaining WWI Vets including one who was the Oldest at the age of 115, and he was Mr. Emiliano Mercado del Toro and who was also briefly known as the worlds oldest living person - for about 3 weeks.

Charlotte Winters, 109, was the last living American WWI Female veteran.

The last Canadian WWI Veteran still living is: Mr. John Babcock, 107, of Spokane, Washington.

Interesting information. Said to see there era has almost past. May there sacrifices never be forgot.

RIP Mr. Coffey

I often hear about WWII veterans that are dying off. I never thought about how many WWI veterans there were left. Thanks for sharing that with us, Ringo.

Rest in Peace, Mr.J. Russell Coffey. Thank you for your service to this great country.

Mark

It's sad when we lose any one who has fought for our freedom, no matter which generation. You will be missed Sir!


On a side note, I just recived a photo of my grandfathers WWI draft card. He was in North Dakota at the time but ended up in Spokane, Washington. That's where my dad, mom, sister and I where born. Just found it interesting that there is still a WWI vet living there.

. . . and then they were gone.

I don't mean that irreverently. It just brought to mind that when I was a kid, there were reports of the last Civil War veteran dying. It kind of makes you wonder if there is someplace within the Dept. of Defense where they finally close down some little division because there's nobody left from that war.

Thanks, Ringo, for sharing the news.

Chester :newyear:

You all are quite welcome. I never thought to expect this day to be so near. I don't know, there is just something that is really special about the WWI guys that is different about the WWII guys which is different than all to the current happenings. Meaning no disrespect of course for anyone who has served.

To the best of my knowledge, I only really knew onw WWI Vet-who was a friend of the family. He had been a Captain in command of a Company of Infantry-by the last name of Cole.

Also, it's probably really possible that I will live to see the last of the WWII vets as well. That is somehting else I am not looking forward to.

Mr. Bertram "Jimmy James" was one of a few Britich Prisoners of War to avoid being executed for joining the "great escape" from a German POW Camp Stalag Luft III - located in Sagen, Poland.

He was a pilot in a Wellington Bomber that was shot down near Rotterdam, the Netherlands, on June 5th 1940. He was captured the next day. Despite 13 escape attempts from several pow camps, he spent five years as a pow.

On the night of March 24th 1944, James was the 39th man to escape out of the tunnel. He and a Greek companion made it to the railway station, caught a train headed toward the Czech border, but was recaptured two days later. "We were on our way, we hoped, to freedom."

All but three of the escapers were recaptured and 50 Shot. James was one of eight men who were sent to Sachsenhausen Concentration Camp just outside of Berlin. He escaped from that prison sometime late 1944, but was recaptured two weeks later.

The James Garner character was based on Mr. James. Also, there were no American prisoners who were in the escape group.

May Mr. James Rest in Peace.

RIP! to a man who did not know the word quit.

The Great Escape book by Paul Brickhill is a fascinating read. Well worth getting.

Amazon.com: The Great Escape: Paul Brickhill: Books (http://www.amazon.com/Great-Escape-Paul-Brickhill/dp/0449210685)

Mike

Ringo,

Thank you SO much for sharing that little snippet of history, about an amazing man with an amazing story of survival!

May he rest in peace.

Chester :newyear: and the Mrs. :angel1:

R.I.P. Mr. Bertram
Jay

Your quite welcome Jim/Sue. Also, for Mike, I have a first edition copy of Brickhills book lying about somewhere. If I can find it, i'd like you to have it. I saw recently on a German Militaria site, a signed and first edition copy of this book for sale for around 100 Euro. Not sure what that is in US Dollars ;-))

Wow, great hero and had the heart that didn't stop.

RIP Mr Bertram

Raymond Jacobs believed to be the last surviving member of the group of Marines photographed during the original US flag raising on Iwo Jima during WWII, has dies at the age of 82.

Apparently he passed away on January 29th in Redding, California.

Rest in Peace Raymond. :-((

RIP Raymond Jacobs.

Carl, do you know the names of the men who posed for the picture and maybe when they died? Talk to you soon. Been very busy.

Cheers :cool: Hondo

Rest in Peace, Raymond. Sad to know that they are all gone now. But what they did will go on forever thanks to that famous picture.

Mark

Even though the picture was staged, it raised morale for the country and stirred the heart! R.I.P. Raymond Jacobs.:cry2:
Cheers - Jay

Carl, you seem very tuned into these things. I know you have more than a casual interest in WWII. How do you hear about these things?

Thanks for sharing the information.

And of course, may Mr. Jacobs RIP.

Chester :newyear:

Hi Mike, Mark, Jay, thank you all and I had a long reply to you all and was trying to post it when the system booted me out.

Hi Mike, I don't have the names of these guys on hand but, im pretty sure they are listed on one of the Iwo Jima Flag-Raising sites. I'll try to look for them for you buy will be at least Wednesday before I can do so.

Carl, you seem very tuned into these things. I know you have more than a casual interest in WWII. How do you hear about these things?

Thanks for sharing the information.

And of course, may Mr. Jacobs RIP.

Chester :newyear:

Hi Jim/Sue, quite welcome. Most of the time I get lucky in hearing these things because of a news story on one of the channels or on the radio or sometimes from a friend or two at the WWII site im a member of.

I give my interest in War movies and Mil history mainly to my Mother. She got me interested in that as well as John Wayne. My Dad took part too but not as much as my Mom did. I remember one time when I was in the 2nd grade and my mother took me out of school to watch a John Wayne movie that was being shown on one of the three channels we got at the time. I think it was the first time I got to see The Flying Tigers.

Anyway, I was hooked on the movies (Dukes in particular) and then started reading History books when I was in the 3rd grade. My teacher used to chew on me about not checking out books on other subjects.

I started out reading about the Revolutionary War, then the US Civil War, Napoleanic Wars, WWI, The Boxer Rebellion, back to the Civil War including the Indian Wars, then the Spanish-American War, the Wars for Texas Independance and with Mexico, then Korean and Vietnam Wars, then back down to the French & Indian War, the War of 1812, WWI and I "graduated" to WWII and have been stuck mainly on WWII since I was 15. Occasionally I venture back down in the ages-but not for long.

Since im into WWII the most, I started off reading about the fighting with the Japanese including but not limited to our Island-hopping campaigns, Edson's Radiders, Carlson's Raiders, Doolittle Raiders, Pappy Boyington's VMF 214th Blacksheep Squadron, Guadalcanal & Iwo Jima) both were of great interest to me. It's my opinion that those were some of the hardest fighting in the CBI theater. I then got interested in the fighting in North Africa, Sicily & Italy. After about 2 years of that, my interests included D-Day (the Normandy Invasion-or as the Germans call it: The Invasion Front) the Battle of the Bulge being my favorite of the Western Campaigns. Then I "graduated" to anything and everything dealing with The Eastern Front-and it's by far, my most favorite to study. The Battles of Stalingrad, Kursk and Kharkov in particular.

Sorry my answer is long but :wink_smile:

Take care and best regards--Carl.

The Lord has called home, Retired Lt. General: Gordon Marion Graham-(1918-2008) General Graham was a WWII P-51 D Mustang Acr. He flew 73 missions in his Mustang Fighter & had 16 1/2 victories in WWII.

During the Vietnam War, he flew 146 missions in his F-4 Phantom Jet Fighter. He retired in 1973 as a Lieutenant General. and as Lieutenant General of the Air Force.

Rest in Peace General. :-(

Doolittle Raider, Jacob De Shazur, has passed away on March 24th at the age of 95. He was in the last B-25 Liberator Bomber, to depart from the Carrier Hornet, for a daylight bombing run that marked the first time since the Japanese sneak attack on Pearl Harbor that the US attacked the Japanese homeland.

DeShazurs plane ran out of fuel after dropping his bomb load and all 5 Crewmen bailed out over occupied territory. He was a POW for 40 months until freed a few days after Japan surrendered in August 1945.

After returning home, DeShazur earned a Batchelors Degree in Biblical Literature, and then spent 30 years as a Christian Missionary in Japan.

Rest in Peace Jacob. :-(( I had his address, and never found time to write him a letter. That is something I will always regret. :-(

May they rest in peace. I think it is great that you keep up with the men who gave so much, Ringo. They were truely the "Greatest Generation".

Mark

Ringo,

How do you know these things?

Thank you so much for keeping us informed this way. I don't hear about these men on the radio. As Mark said, truly a great generation!

Chester and the Mrs.

R.I.P. guys:angel:. This is a group (of WWII vets) that is rapidly dwindling. They did their job - as a result, we're not speaking German or Japanese!
Cheers - Jay:beer:

We just keep loosing them just about everyday.

Sad day, RIP fellas. Hopefully America will never forget what you gave to make it what it was.

Hi you all ;-))

Thank you Mark. I do try to keep up with these kind of things as best as I can. It is also something I feel I must do in posting about these Gents and making sure others know about them. To me, all Veterans are great but, for some reason that I have never known why, but the WWII vets are at the top of my interests. No offense to vets from other than WWII.

The last time I heard any statistics on the rate of deaths of WWII Veterans per day, was when I was at my Uncles Funeral in San Antonio back in 2002. The Chaplain of the Air Force, was the one who led the funeral and also gave out the then) startling numbers of how many WWII vets pass away each day. That number back in 2002, was 1,700 per day. I shudder to think of what that number is now..

I guess my Uncle was good friends with him? Anyway, I was glad to see that my Uncle got a Military Funeral that he deserved. My Uncle served in the 80th I.D. under General Siman Bolivar Buckner and one place he fought at was on Okinawa. Im not sure of where he was before then as he did not like telling about what he saw and what he had to do-can't blame him either. All I know is that he left home at the age of 17, lied about his age and joined the Army in 1938 I think?

Hi Jim/Sue, Mainly, I think I just get lucky I guess and I hear about it on some radio or TV station. It's become a habit of mine to watch out for this stuff. At times, I almost feel like a Vulture when it comes to hearing this stuff. As far as I know at this time, our last WWI Veteran still lives. :-))

Amen to what you also sad Jay.

Hi Todd, sadly yep, at the rate of im sure it's now over 1,700 per day :-(

Now that I have found all my addresses I had, im going to start making time to write to some of these fellas. I started writing to some of these Gents about 12 years ago. I have WWII American, German, British and Canadian vets I have letters and signed photo's of. If anyone is interested in any, I don't mind sharing because I know you guys well enough to pass out a few.

If anyone is interested in any Medal of Honor Recipients addys, Knights Cross Recipients addys, addys for men who served in the Black Sheep Sq, as crew on the Memphis Belle, Enola Gay, on the Doolittle Raid, Carlsons Raiders (I think I still have a few of those?) Test Pilots, Generals, Admirals, Astronauts-just let me know.

Take care and best regards-Carl.

Thanks Carl,

for this interesting and informative thread!

I can't believed I missed this one for so long?!?!?!

Another WWII Flying Tiger, called home.

April 17/2008, Flying Tiger: Dick Rossi, passed away at the age of 92. He earned two Presidential Unit Citations for his combat prowess. He died from Pneumonia at his home near San Diego, Calif.

In November 1941, he joined a secret volunteer group of pilots who travelled to China to help defend it against the Japanese. Officially designated the: American Volunteer Group (A.V.G.) the Chinese referred to the pilots as "Flying Tigers" for their aerial combat skills. December 1941, Rossi and his Squadron first engaged Zeros (Japanese fighter planes) also known as "Meatballs" over Kunming, China and shot down three of them.

During their seven months flying Combat missions over China, the AVG shot down an impressive 296 Japanese aircraft. July 1942, the AVG was disbanded. Rossi spent the rest of the war, flying for the China National Corp delivering supplies from India to China. He made 735 trips over the Himalayas. After the war, he worked for the Flying Tiger Line (as a freight carrier) for 25 years.

Rest in Peace Dick. I had the pleasure of writing to him once and speaking with him over the phone once.

PS, he was the President of the Flying Tiger Veterans Org for many years.

Sad indeed, that these guys who fought in the big one are no longer with us. Closer to home, on April 15th, my mother's cousin Walter L. Crafford passed on, at the age of 89, after a valiant fight against the flu and pneumonia.

He was a pilot in WWII also, flying a B-24 in the Pacific theater. The Mrs. and I attended a memorial for him this past weekend. I had forgotten his WWII experience, but when we were at the memorial at his home, I saw again pictures of him and his crew standing in front of the plane. One of the people present commented that Walter said the reason he joined the Army Air Corps was that he really disliked walking! That got a good laugh!

Chester :newyear:

Seems like all our WWII heros are dropping like flies. I guess we shouldn't be surprised because those remaining are in their 80s or 90s.
Cheers - Jay:glare:

Thanks Jim/Sue, Jay,

Walter must have been great to know. It would have also been great to be able to interview him. I do this when I get the chance.

Jay, yep, last I heard, they were passing away at the rate of 1,700 a day. It's mind boggling.

This finally appeared in our newspaper today!! Our daily paper sometimes lags on information it deems not so important, overlooking the fact that there are a lot of us out here that find these items of greater import, and not the drivel that it emphasizes.
So what else is new?
Cheers - Jay:beer:

It looks like Most of the People that I served with in the U.S.A.F. in the Korean War that we called "Re-Treads" from W.W. 2 are almost all Gone Now. :yeaahh:

Bill
:cowboy:

Hi Jay, Bill,

Jay, I definately hear you on that. Apparently they (the newspapers) don't think this stuff is important. Boy are they ever so wrong. It sure is important to so many good folks out there.

Hi Bill, I definately hear you on that. It is so sad to hear of so many of them passsing into history. My Father was in the Army Air Corps in WWII and then the USAF in Korea.

The last of the few anti-Hitler bomb-plotters, has passed away at the age of 90.

Baron Philipp von Boeselager, who was a German Army Officer in WWII, and also a recipient of his (then) Nations highest bravery award: which was the Knights Cross of the Iron Cross, has passed away at his home early Thursday.

As a German Army Officer, this man was able to get the explosives that were given to Co-Conspiritors (namely) Colonel Count Claus Schenck von Stauffenberg, (who planted a bomb in a briefcase for the July 20, 1944 plot against Hitler) and had placed this briefcase at the leg of the table right next to where Adolf Hitler; had been standing.

The Baron said that he was never caught because none of his co-conspiritors had revealed his name under torture.

This man also was never a member of the nazi party as the vast majority of German Officers were also not. I used to have his address, but never found time to write.

This man is one WWII German Veteran that I have to say: Rest in Peace; to.

Best regards--Carl.

Thanks, Carl, for expanding our knowledge of some of the finer details of WWII, and for sharing about this hero's death.

Chester :newyear: and the Mrs. :angel1:

Hi Jim/Sue, your quite welcome and, thank you for also publicly saying that he was a hero-which he was.

Also, something I forgot to mention yesterday was, that this man was also involved in another and earlier plot to kill Hitler. The Baron was part of a group of eight German Officers who were on the Eastern Front and who would be among those who were to greet Hitler on his arrival. When Hitler arrived, these eight officers were going to pull their pistols at the same time, and shoot Hitler and then fly to Berlin with 1200 men and arrest Himmler and Goebbels.

The reason why they had not carried out this attempt, was because the reprisals would have been much too high-as they thought that no less than 2,000 much needed Army Officers would be arrested and executed.

Hi The Ringo Kid,
Do you have an interest in survivors of kamikaze pilots.
Here is the link for documentary film"Tokko(Wings of Defeat)"
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/ff20070712r2.html

Regards,
H.sanada

Thanks for letting us know about Baron Philipp von Boeselager, Ringo. I am suprised that Hitler made it all the way throught the war only to take his own life. It is hard to believe that noone could get that close to him to pull off an assassination. Too bad. What a brave man or men it must have took to even try, considering the reprisals. It's one thing to put you own life at risk, but that of your family as well? I couldn't have made that choice.

Thanks for sharing that clip about Kamikaze pilots, H.sanada. I often wondered about how they really felt being asked to so wastefully give their young lives to a losing cause. I bet that documentary will be very enlightening. I hope I have a chance to see it.

Mark

I have to say ditto on the comments of dukefan 1. In some ways I see a parallel to today where sodiers who are very young are fighting for what others are telling them is crucial. Power Pride Greed perhaps these are the ingrediants of to many wars.

The assassination of Hitler raises a lot of questions if say he had been killed 1923-1939 would World War II have ever happened. If he had been killed in the early years of the war 1939-1941 and replaced with another hard line nazi would Germany have won the war.

At the time of the assassination attempt in 1944 the war was lost to Germany but early capitulation would have saved many millions of lives.

Those behind the attempt were brave men and women who paid the cost of its failure
with their lives.

Mike

War is empty.
please let me introduce the documentary film "Tokko(Wings of Defeat)".
This film is open to public in the Tronto Hot Dogs Documentary Film Festival
in April.2007 and screened by the film festival etc. all over the world.
here is the official site of this(including the trailer)

http://www.edgewoodpictures.com/wingsofdefeat/trailer.html

H.sanada

Thanks, H.sanada. I watched the trailer. Now I want to see the documentary. But it only says it goes on sale in Japan. I saw nothing of a U.S. release. And the screenings are all too far away from me. I hope it does become available on DVD over here someday. It looks very interesting.

Mark

Hi The Ringo Kid,
Do you have an interest in survivors of kamikaze pilots.
Here is the link for documentary film"Tokko(Wings of Defeat)"
http://search.japantimes.co.jp/cgi-bin/ff20070712r2.html

Regards,
H.sanada

Hi H.Sanada, I certainly do have an interest in them. Thank you for this link and I will also pass it on to some friends of mine who are at WW2F.com, as they too will greatly apreciate this site. :thumbs_up:

Take care and best regards--Carl.

Thank you Mark, Kilo, Mike and H.Sanada,

Mark, your quite welcome. For many years now, I have been very lucky to meet either in person or by mail, many historical figures including many WWII German Veterans.

I was also very priviledged to have been introduced to a Great man who was a Victoria Cross Recipient-by the name of: Captain, Richard Wallace Annand-of the Durham Light Infantry. A Lot of people ahaven't been as lucky as I have been-on meeting these folks.

I think I really got my interest in these things when as a boy, I remember when our POWS returned home from Vietnam. I was about six at the time, and I remember they had a big hoobalah of a celebration at the NAS in Kingsville, TX-where a plane load of them stopped and we got to meet many of them. I no longer remember any of their names but, as a kid, I was in total awe of these guys-and felt great that when I grabbed a sleeve of their jacket/tunic, and actually got their attention-I was walking on water for a long time afterwards.

Over the years I basically happened to be at the right place and at the right time. One WWII American Vet that really stood out in my mind-for many years-as a great guy was the last Marine to surrender to the Japanese on Corrigador, by the name of MacCormack. He had been a (Im not sure of the Marine equivillent to the Army rank of Master Sergeant) when the Japanese invaded the Philippines. He was in charge of a battery of guns which eventually were wiped out and all of the crews killed or wounded. Well, this man stayed on Corrigador and fought until sometime in 1943!! He finally had to surrender because he was too sick (had an acute case of Malaria) to do anything, so he surrendered. Well, after the war ended and he was released from captivity, he weighed about 115 pounds-from his previous 200 or so pounds, and spent many months recooperating. Anyway, I met him at a local Museum in Kingsville. This guy recieved many many military awards-but not the MoH. Sadly, he passed away about 24 years ago.

Sorry for my lecture but, this subject brought it back to the forefront of my mind. In short, I guess I really want to say that i've met many-a-historical character in the last 30++ years-many of them very famous, some not so famed but equally deserved it so. Heck, before he passed away, I even had a phone conversation with Maj (later) Col. Gregory "Pappy" Boyington-who was in Florida at the time.

Among the more famed WWII German Vets I got to know are: Major Martin Drewes-who was a Night-fighter Pilot and who had I think 60 victories? with the vast majority of them being at night. Baron Burkhard Freiherr von Mullenheim-Rechberg-who was the 4th Gunnery Officer on the Battleship Bismark-he passed away a few years ago, and several others of note.

WWII Navajo Code Talker & Medal of Honor recipient dies on Memorial Day.

Jerry C. Begay Sr. was 83 years young. He was awarded the Medal of Honor in 2001 for his service in the USMC as a Code Talker.

Among the places he served, this man served on Okinawa using his skills of speaking his native language as code-a code that the Japanese never broke and still is classified today.

Rest in Peace Jerry.

PS, if im not mistaken, I THINK he was the last living Navajo Code Talker living. Thankfully there are others still living who were from other tribes.

These men served their country well.

Medal of Honor recipient: Jack Lucas passes away in the pre-dawn houres on June 5th, at the age of 80.

This man lied about his age to enlist in the Marines after Pearl Harbor was attacked on Dec 7th 1941. Jack was 14 at the time and had forged his Mothers signature on the enlistment waiver. Military censors found out his age through a letter from his 15 yr old girlfriend. He was assigned as a truck driver in Hawaii when they threatened to send him home. "He said if they sent him home, that he would just join the Army."

He stowed away on a Navy ship headed for combat in the PAcific. He turned himself in to avoid being listed as a deserter and volunteered to fight. He got his wish. Having just turned 17 in Feb 1945, when his heroism on Iwo Jima earned him thenations highest military honor.

He used his body to shield three fellow squad members from two Japanese grenades, and was nearly killed when one exploded. "A couple of grenades rolled into the trench. I hollered for my pals to get out and I did a Superman dive at the grenades. I wasn't a Superman, after I got hit. I let out one helluva scream when that thing went off." He was left with more than 250 pieces of schrapnel in his body and in every major organ and endured 26 operations, in the months after Iwo Jima.

He was the youngest Medal of Honor Recipient of WWII and since the Civil War. "By his inspiring actionand reliant spirit of self-sacrifice, he not only protected his comrades from certain injury or even death, but also enabled them to rout the Japanese patrol and continue their advance," the Medal of Honor citation read.

Rest in Peace Sir.

A very good post, Ringo Kid - thanks for posting it.

I remember spending a boring, rainy afternoon once just reading about the Medal of Honor winners of the past few wars. I think I just sat in front of my computer for the better part of an hour or two feeling absolutely overwhelmed by the the stories of courage and sacrifice I read about and wondering "where" does this type of courage come from. What would possess a man to jump on a live gernade to save his friends / brothers-in-arms where every instinct we know about would compel you to get the hell out of there?? How is it possible to display so much courage..???

When I was younger and growing up in the United States, I drew a very high number in the "draft" lottery so the likelihood that I would ever spend time in south east Asia was very remote. But I remember thinking about how I would "perform" under fire if, in fact, I drew a low number and went overseas to serve.

While I have nothing but respect and admiration for ALL of the fighting men and women who serve in the military, the Medal of Honor winners are incredibly inspirational people. To me, they redefine the word "courage"..!!

Wow, true hero!!

RIP Mr. lucas. The heavens just got another good one.....

Thanks Carl.

Thank you both Mark, Todd, i'm glad that I can be of help, to make this heroic soldiers story be known. I'm in total awe, of these guys-as well as all who serve.

Mark, thank you for serving-I owe you much.

Take care and best regards--Carl.

Rest in Peace, Jack Lucas. you earned it.

I am always amazed at the bravery it took to jump on a live grenade. I think that trumps storming a beach head or a machine gun nest. Not that I am trivializing any type of heroism, but when you charge into enemy fire, there is a chance you just might make it. When you jump on a live grenade....Nah, not much of a chance at all. But a few men have done that very thing. To me, to give up your life so others can live is the ultimate sacrifice. He thought of his buddies, not himself. A well deserving Medal of Honor winner!

Mark

I heard about this on Friday evening on the news. It was amazing that he was (I heard) 13 years old. Even if his mother's had signed a waver for him to enlist, how could they let him in at an early age? That is too young, and this was the 20th century. He is a hero and dedicated person. Some of those men and women today should know about this boy who loved his country and stop complaining about this country.

Cheers :cool:

I've read many-a-story about Soldiers from both sides of the Battlelines, doing so many things like what Jack did. Audie Murphy (one of many) called in an artillery barrage on his own position. Those Gents sure did have Zeus's brass &@!!$.

A modern case in point, just about a week or so ago, Pres Bush posthumously awarded the Medal of Honor to a Soldier who threw himself on a grenade that was thrown into his Humvee. This man was either an Army Sergeant or a Sergeant in the Marines. Some people wonder why in so "into" this stuff, it's partly because they never fail to amaze me with their deeds and self-sacrifices.

The last Australian WWI Vet passes away. John "Jack" Ross was aged 110. He passed away in his sleep in the early morning hours on Wednesday at a Nursing Home in Bandigo, In the State of Victoria. He was 18 when he enlisted in the Australian Armed Forces in January 1918. Ross was the last of some 417,000 Australians who served in WWI.

Rest in Peace "Jack". :-(

So few .from so many R.I.P.....back with comrads

RIP Mr Ross.

R.I.P. Mr. Ross - We Americans tend to forget the contribution the Aussies (and others) made to keep the world free.

R.I.P. Mr. Ross - We Americans tend to forget the contribution the Aussies (and others) made to keep the world free.

Hi Jay, aint that the sad truth. Some of my most favorite of soldiers I like to read about as well as the WWI battles they were in-has to do with the Anzacs and the Diggers. Names like Gallipoli, Anzac Cove and Beersheba come to mind-as well as their contributions on the Western Front.

I don't know if this was mentioned here before or not? but-just earlier this week or late last week-Milvina Dean (SP?) was the last Titanic survivor-and she sadly passed into history. I guess by now she is visiting with her Father, Mom and Brother.

I do regret the day our last WWI Vet also passes into history. I wonder who will drink a toast to his memory-with Cognac?

For those who don't know, Carl (aka The Ringo Kid) is our resident 'expert' on things related to the World Wars, and he often posts when members of those generations pass away. I've merged all those threads into one (and renamed it), to make it easier to read about all those who have served to protect world-wide freedom.

Thanks, Carl, for all your hard work!

Chester :newyear:

Carl, I heard that another WWI vet passed away sometime within a month. You know that any WWI vets would be over 100 years old right now, and I heard that there were maybe two or three left. Do you have any idea how many and where they are from?

Cheers :cool: Hondo

For those who don't know, Carl (aka The Ringo Kid) is our resident 'expert' on things related to the World Wars, and he often posts when members of those generations pass away. I've merged all those threads into one (and renamed it), to make it easier to read about all those who have served to protect world-wide freedom.

Thanks, Carl, for all your hard work!

Chester :newyear:


Heh hhe, many thanks. It does help keep track on things ;-))

Carl, I heard that another WWI vet passed away sometime within a month. You know that any WWI vets would be over 100 years old right now, and I heard that there were maybe two or three left. Do you have any idea how many and where they are from?

Cheers :cool: Hondo

Hi Hondo, I had not heard about any WWI vets passing recently and I HOPE he was not ours-because that would be the last known American WWI Veteran. He I THINK was about 113?? The two more recent WWI Vets that I heard that had been called home-were both WWI British vets both passing within about a week of each other :-( I know that 1 WWI Canadian vet still lives and he lives in Washington State somewhere.

Any WWI Vet to still be living-will all be over 100 ;-)) and bless them all ;-))

Take care--Carl.

Hi Hondo, I had not heard about any WWI vets passing recently and I HOPE he was not ours-because that would be the last known American WWI Veteran. . . . . . . . . . .

I think it was in Europe. I heard that he was the last in his country. I'm sorry I don't know where it was but it was sometime at the first of this month. It was announced on the news and I was half way listening when I heard it.

Cheers :cool: Hondo

I think it was in Europe. I heard that he was the last in his country. I'm sorry I don't know where it was but it was sometime at the first of this month. It was announced on the news and I was half way listening when I heard it.

Cheers :cool: Hondo

Thanks, ill have to do some looking around and see if I find anything out. I know that this Gent wouldn't be the last WWI German Vet to pass away, as that already happened several years ago. I knew one WWI German Vet-by the name of Fridolin von Spaun-who was also in Freikorps Oberland-which was made up of men from Bavaria. Sadly, he too passed on some years ago.

It's possible that the vet you heard about could have been Belgian-as I think theirs was still alive? I know all the WWI French Vets are gone as allegedly all WWI Russian vets, trouble is, is there were so many nations involved and id have to do alot of looking to see who was who and what was what on this. Im leaning towards this vet being that Belgian vet-but I can't prove anything. Its also possible that he could have been Italian, or even a Turk?? Hard to say.

Don't mean to go off topic a bit but, regarding WW1, I've seen a trailer for a new movie called The Red Baron, about Baron von Richtofen, Germanys air ace from that time.

Hi Jim, do you known who is in that movie? I'd love to find out more. ;-))

We had a WWII vet who recently passed at 89. He has been featured in the Montgomery Alabama Newspaper for years not including this past year around the December 7th anniversary of the attack of Pearl Harbor.

He was stationed there when the Japanese came to town. I guess that made him around 21 years old. Anyway his name is Billy Golson. Not sure where he was or what ship he was on, but he was Navy. I wll check into that. His wife passed back in December due to an extened illness.

Cheers :cool:

That's sad to here. I've met only a handful of Peale Harbor Vets and always enjoy talking with them.