Fallen Hero (my Dad)

[RacerX]

Well my father passed away Friday at age 86

he was a hero ... I'd be happy to end up a half the man he was. Funeral went well I received the military flag from the soldiers present who presented it to me (and I gave it to my Mom after).

You know he was one hard a$$ ... he landed a B-17 bomber with no tail ... it was shot off by the Luftwaffe (I am sure he was one of a very select few ever to do that ... land a plane/bomber with incredible damage) and saved the lives of all his crew except the tailgunner (who began to panic) and didn't come up to the cockpit as told).

Nazi's captured him March 9th, 1945 ... thank heavens the war was nearly over then (he bombed the sh|t out of central Germany on several dozen bombing missions (he was 1st lieutenant ... i.e. - captain of the plane as well). Was captured in Kassel, Germany and separated from his comrades b/c of his high rank (need for details). Marched for miles and miles on foot w/ with no food or water ...before imprisonment .

He was born in 1922 and joined (not drafted) the Army/Air Force while studying in college at Univ. of Illinois

22 was also the age he was when he was sent to the European Front ( he had been a pilot since high school and was thrown right into the fire! )

I salute all the vets out there for their sacrifices & bravery.

Thanks for reading

 

[irishScott]

:beer:

 

[guyver01]

Originally posted by:RacerX
I salute all the vets out there for their sacrifices & bravery.

Thanks for reading

i salute your father, for the hardships he had to endure as a hero.

:beer:

 

[OILFIELDTRASH]

cool stuff. My life seems really boring after reading that but thats thanks to people like your Dad that we can live nice peaceful lives.

 

[shortylickens]

Appreciated, but I'm not brave. All I did was drop Tomahawks on Kosovo, and in my entire life no one could explain to me how that helped America.

 

[JD50]

 

[roguerower]

Your father was indeed a member of one of the greatest generations this country will ever see because of their selfless service.

 

[roguerower]

Your father was indeed a member of one of the greatest generations this country will ever see because of their selfless service.

 

[roguerower]

Your father was indeed a member of one of the greatest generations this country will ever see because of their selfless service.

 

[JJChicken]

:beer: No "" because his life should be celebrated. Rest in the Skies

 

[TallBill]

I'm always glad to read some good stories like that, I'm sure he'll be missed.

 

[PlasmaBomb]

:beer:

Thanks for posting.

 

[MrMatt]

RIP and congrats to your father on a life well lived!

 

[Slapstick]

I know how you feel, my father and uncles also served in WWII and they've all passed on. A :beer: :thumbsup: to all who have served and continue to serve.

 

[TheVrolok]

It bums me out that all the Great Depression/WWII survivors are passing on. Few Americans left that can truly say they lived through those kinds of times, and have such an appreciation for the American way of life.

 

[Perknose]

Originally posted by: RacerX
Well my father passed away Friday at age 86

he was a hero ... I'd be happy to end up a half the man he was. Funeral went well I received the military flag from the soldiers present who presented it to me (and I gave it to my Mom after).

[...]

I salute all the vets out there for their sacrifices & bravery.

Thanks for reading

:beer:

I have my Dad's flag as well, and will until the day I die.

It is in honor and deepest appreciation for the men like your Dad and my Dad that I make sure to pause and stand in reverence whenever and wherever our National Anthem is played.

We owe these men . . . everything.

Here is the Steve Goodman song I tried to sing at my Dad's funeral. It has the kind of poetry that, yeah, makes me cry.

 

[BoomerD]

Originally posted by: roguerower
Your father was indeed a member of one of the greatest generations this country will ever see because of their selfless service.

Roguerower felt so strongly about this that he had to post it 3 times...and I agree. It's WORTH posting 3 times.

Your dad WAS indeed one of a special group of people...<takes my hat off to him>

Everytime I run into an older fellow who wears a hat or t-shirt that identifies them as a WWII vet, I stop, shake their hand, and thank them for their service and sacrifice.
My dad and step-dad were WWII vets. Both Pacific theatre vets. My dad was a Marine who fought on Guadalcanal and Iwo Jima, my step-dad was a radio operator in the US Army Air Corps. (later in the USAF) He served on many bombers and cargo planes flying around the South Pacific.

"All gave some, Some gave all."

<Flag at half-staff for RacerX's dad>
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[GasX]

My mother's oldest brother died in a japanese POW camp. Her other brother is convalescing in a home with alzheimer's. He parachuted into Normandy. Heroes the both of them...

 

[Nik]

 

[Cremaster]

:thumbsup:

:beer:

 

[Chaotic42]

:beer:

 

[StinkyPinky]

My grandfather was a British citizen living in the US in the 40's. When war broke out, he signed up in the British army and made it all the way to Captain. He was killed in 1942 by a German mortar in Northern Africa.

I think my dad always resented my grandfathers choice, but he was just defending his place of birth. You can't fault a man for that imo.

 

[Red Squirrel]

Wow sounds like one tough man. I have a hard time landing a plane properly in flight simulator without bumping it around a few times, I can't imagine how landing a REAL damaged plane must be. Just the war scene alone... I could not handle that. Thanks to all those who have served. It's sad that we are starting to see most of them go now. There are so many untold stories out there that will never be heard, as many never made it back at all.

 

[clamum]

Reminds me of my Grandpa on my Dad's side of family. Fought in the Battle of the Bulge... if I could be 10% of the man he was I'd be satisfied.

Sorry about your loss man. :beer: to your Dad.

 

[Mide]

Sounds like a great man, kudos to his life; sorry for your loss.