My Genealogy WW II History results

[Leslie]

The coolest thing happened as I was researching my Uncle.  I sent for his military records because I knew he served in the Pacific in WW II. Turns out he was in Tinian, Saipan and Iwo Jima.  Anyhoo, enclosed in the records was a real poor photocopy of a photograph of him that had appeared in some magazine.  I had seen the photo when I was a kid, and I really want a cleaner copy of it. 

Also included in the packet was some correspondence from the last surviving medic on the islands.  And some brief unit history, telling who the commander was, etc.  So I get to Googling these guys and discover that they are still alive, and I wrote to two of them--mostly to inquire about the photograph.  I got long letters back from each!  Although neither of them could tell me where the photograph was published, the Colonel thought it might have been taken in Saipan.  They each sent me lovely handwritten letters, and they each enclosed some cool stuff.  One sent a mock Million Dollar bill with his photo in the portrait oval,with the inscription "One in a Million -- Iwo Jima survivor", and the former medic sent me a photocopy of himself helping some poor guy into a foxhole.  He wrote on the back that he was pretty mad at the photographer, because he was standing in the foxhole, blocking the way.

Of course I thanked them both profusely, both for their kind response and their service to our Country.

So, if anyone wants to know how to lay hands on WWII military service records, I'll post the link to National Archives application form.

[doxielady5569128]

Leslie~ That's way cool!!  My great uncle was stationed in the Phillipines as a mechanic for the Flying Tigers.   He tells of lots of cool stories about being there.   Perhaps he and your uncle crossed paths sometime during the war.  Way neat!!!   :thumb:

[David C.]

That's awesome.  Your uncle, as so many from that generation, was a hero.   None of those islands were cakewalks, especially Iwo. 

I've had the honor of meeting and corresponding with many World War II vets (history has always been a passion of mine).   They are all almost universal in their attitude "We weren't heroes...just doing the job that was asked of us".     That generation had to grow up fast with a childhood during the Great Depression and then having to fight a World War.   I look at some of today's young adults and wonder if they could do the same thing.

[auntydoxzz]

Just noticed this post.  Our father was somewhere in the pacific but I never heard him say much about it. I remember as a grade schooler findinga picture in the basement of this "handsome dark haired guy" and took it upstairs and asked mother who it was. It was my father.  Apparently he went away with dark dark hair, and when he came back it was salt and pepper and he was still in his 20's.  I seem to recall he was in at least one fight where only he and one other guy survived!! A few times he went to visit others from units he was in and some reunions of them. 

[Leslie]

There are heaps of on-line resources.  Just type inthe unit name or number and you'll gets lots of info. I can understand how anyone would come back with graying hair!  yoinks.