Veteran's stories

[stormrider]

Let me hear of your experiences. Not a vet but would like to share briefly of my Vet hero. His name is William Cary Jarvis. 87 years old. Served in the Army during WWII. Was at Normandy on D-day. Was involved in the Battle of the Bulge. Survived on onions and stale bread the locals gave them as they were being forced back. He still drives to our house from Tampa and just recently developed a passion for eating raw oysters. Guess what we will have for Thanksgiving. He's my mother-in-laws cousin. Thanks Bill and all you Valkyrie Vets.

[SANDMAN5]

Mine is nowhere near that. I went to  Desert Shield/Storm and basically
just pulled guard duty every other night for 14 hrs per. We did have some
bullets pushed in our direction, but thank God our unit didn't hand out
any Purple Hearts. A lot of the Scuds launched went over our heads
toward troops in Saudi. We spent a lot of time watching jets refuel over
our heads. A big thanks to those in all wars who actually were "in harm's way"!

[ArmyValker]

I'm a SGT in the Army, deployed to Iraq once in 2004 for a little over a year.. it's not that important, I'm sure my story is similar to many others.

My neighbor on the other hand, is an 83 year old WW2, Korean war, Vietnam War veteran who retired as a CSM after 35 years of service. He joined (volunteered) in 1943 illegally (too young) and went to Germany during World War 2. After the war ended in 1945 he was sent to England and spent a few years there where he met his wife, a Polish Jewish Refugee who's entire family was murdered by the Nazi's. When the German's pushed into Poland, she quickly realized her family had been taken and she began walking towards Berlin (from Poland). She hid her identity and worked as a nurse taking care of Nazi soldiers at a hospital in Berlin, until allied forces bombed the city and she spent a week in the rubble of the hospital until concerned family members (looking for other people) dug her out. As soon as allied forces pushed into Berlin, she was flown to England where she worked as a barmaid.

They met in England and where married a short time later. Over the next 35 years, my neighbor was stationed in Panama, Argentina, Korea (during the war) and spent two tours in Vietnam. Now, he lives here in Richland Missouri, and battles daily with the effects of Agent Orange.

I really admire my neighbor and I hope everybody takes a little time to learn about those who may be in need of a little helping hand this Veteran's Day.

[Snoopy]

I am a Nam era vet dont talk about my experience they are better forgotten but my Hero is my day a WW11 vet who also fought in the battle of Bulge and was the first Solder to cross safely cross the Reine river on the Bridge at Remmogin (sp?). He never talk about what all he endured except that he went from Oct to May with out a bath or change of cloths any other thing about his experience he would talk about and if someone started talking about the war he would leave the room

[X Ring]

I was a USAF Law Enforcement Specialist from '83-'92.  The USAF Security Police (now Security Forces) are the ground combat unit of the Air Force, charged with Air Base Defense.  I served in Operation Just Cause (Panama) and Operations Desert Shield, Storm and Calm.  My most vivid memory is of Panamanians approaching us after Noriega was captured.  They shook our hands, hugged and kissed us while thanking us for their freedom.  Just can't get over that feeling, knowing you helped free an oppressed country.  

[Rowdy]

  US Marine 67 thru end of 1970 Vietnam era
I was fortunate - I was assigned to the Air Wing as a radar operator - what duty I did have was in an airconditioned unit on top of a hill - they had to keep that equipment from over heating  never seen so many operators willing to voulunteer for watch in one of those units 
Now the computers and system are so small they are in the planes instead on the ground    :

Thanks for your service especially the ones that where in harms way 

[R J]

My time in the Corps was 1950 to 1954.....  Korea twice.

Went in the Corps because of my dad.

Dad was drafted after Pearl Harbor was bombed, I was like 9 years old when he left.  He was drafted into the Marine Corps.......   Yes, every 3rd member coming into the Draft Center was a Marine, rest were in the Army.

Dad went to San Diego for Boot training, to Camp Pendleton for Foot Soldier duty.   From there he was assigned to head across the Pond.

They couldn't write in their letters where they were headed as all mail was edited, and strips cut out.

Mom and Dad devised a code to let mom know where he was headed.  The 1st letter of every paragraph spelled out the destination.

Example:  No brackets in the letter.
(I) can't tell you where we are
(W)ould you make sure Russ does his chores the same time every day
(O)ut here on the water the sun is beautiful setting
(J)iggling along in the water sure makes ya seasick
(I) try to stay in the middle of the ship to get away from the bouncing.
(M)om sent me a letter, seems as how dad is fooling around again, damn him no how.
(A)unt Em sent me a birthday card, 1st one in 10 years.

Dad was in the 1st wave to land at Iwo Jima.   He was KIA the 3rd day on the beach.   As far as I know, his body is still buried on the Island.

I'd like to go over and search for his grave before I croak, just so all the family will know where he is located.............

I was luckier than my dad was.  I came home alive, with 5 Hearts and with metal all up and down my left side.

[SlowRoad]

A big THANK YOU to all the Heroes who have served.

[X Ring]

RJ, I could be wrong but I believe they moved all those heroes to Hawaii when we gave the island back to the Japanese in '68.  Here's the link to the Veterans Administration Gravesite Locator.  http://gravelocator.cem.va.gov/j2ee/servlet/NGL_v1

Marty

[solo1]

I served in Korea in 1953-54.  I was in a Army Medical Clearing Company 2 miles north of the 38th pararell.

Our outfit didn't see action but we saw the results of it.  I was trained to be a medical aideman and xray technician but I drove a duece and a half in  the motor pool.

Here's a pic of the terrain back then.  This was a main road.

[PAVALKER]

I am a Retired Sailor, with 22 years of service, enlisted in 1974.... served on quite a few ships and even a few shore facilities in Naval Communications.   I was in Beirut Lebanon on Amphibious Assault Flag Ship (USS Guadalcanal  LPH-7) serving with the MultiNational Peacekeeping Forces  when the Embassy blew up.  Served during Desert Shield/Desert Storm (1st Gulf War) onboard the USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and retired off the USS Nimitz (CVN-68) in 1996.  Highest enlisted rank was E8 (RMCS) and highest Commisioned Rank was O3E LT (LDO).   Ships served on include:  USS Plymouth Rock (LSD-29),  USS Guadalcanal (LPH-7), USS LY Spear (AS-36), USS Theodore Roosevelt (CVN-71) and USS Nimitz (CVN-68).  Shore duty in Norfolk Va, Dam Neck Va and Keflavick Iceland.  Been around the world and above the Arctic Circle (Blue Nose), but never below the equator (unfortunately).... still a Polly Wog.  Had it not been for China lobbing bombs at Taiwan, which diverted us to the straights of Taiwan, I would have had a port visit "down under" and been a Shell Back..... another good reason for me to boycott products made in China.  

Thanks to all that have served before me, with me and after me.  God Bless......    

[3fan4life]

I enlisted in the Army after graduating from high school in 1982.

After 3 years of active duty as a medic I came home but stayed in the reserves.

Went to Desert Storm as a reservist in 1990.





My experience was an easy one overall. 

Never got shot at but took care of some guys that did.

My two oldest brothers were in Viet Nam and my Dad was in the South Pacific during WWII on a Destroyer Escort.  They all made it home but their experiences have haunted them.



I'm thankful for all of our veterans, especially the Veterans and their families who've made the ultimate sacrifice..........




So that we are able to live in freedom.

[sandy]

I served in the USAF from July '67 to Oct '71. After tech school, I spent my whole term at McConnell AFB in Wichita, KS. I had a support function for Titan II ICBMs. I'm glad we didn't ever use them but when the Pueblo was siezed in '68 and the Chinese mobilized, we were more than a bit worried. During WWII, my Dad was in the Navy and two Uncles were in the Army. None ever saw action.

[Sludge]

Flew in CH-46 helos for the Marine Corps 86' - 92'

I didnt go to Desert Storm though.  As Saddam invaded I was in the process of transferring to a training squadron to be an instructor.  As fate would have it the monitor wouldnt let me return to my old squadron and so I along with the only 46s on the east coast not to leave sat and watched it all unfold on TV.  I was a hard Marine to live with I assure ya.  My name did make it over there though.  It was still painted on the side of my old helo.  I saw it on CNN one night.  Ranting and raving soon followed... 

I had no craving for war, but like a firefighter... you dont desire a house to burn down, but if one catches fire you want to be there to finally do what you have spent years training to do...  Marines want to run to the sound of the gun fire...

I truly loved the Corps, but parents in poor health, no brothers or sisters to help.... I ended up returning home.  I was needed, and it was the right decision, but I miss the Corps daily even after all these years.

[Mike in AR]

Served in the USAF Dec.'71-Jan.'76. Was a crew chief on F4-D's. Two years at Hahn AB in Germany. Actually only spent about 9 months there. The rest of the time I was TDY to Spain, Italy, Greece, and a few other places. Stationed at Holloman AFB in New Mexico from June '74 to Jan.'76. Saw no action, but while in N.M. I had the pleasure of having Captain Charles DeBellevue fly my aircraft. He was the first Air Force WSO Ace in the Vietnam war. 

[stormrider]

Not being military, I hope it is appropriate to salute you guys and gals that have served or are serving. ATTENTION: SALUTE!

I've read each of the posts and know there are many more military in our great club and I salute you as well. And RJ, sorry for the loss of your dad. Maybe the link x-ring gave you wil prove fruitful.

May God bless you all.

[RodMyers]

USAF, 1977 - 1988.

Stationed at RAF Lakenheath, when we deployed F-111F's to make a visit to Libya

[X Ring]

Rod, I was at High Wycombe Air Station then.

[Jess from VA]

USAF JAG '84-'92. 

I was stationed at Ankara AS Turkey when the F-111s visited Momar Sunday night.  My wedding at the off-base (downtown) O club, had already been scheduled for the following Friday.  Security at the club included bluebird busses nose to tail, and Turk military and swat police armed to the teeth.  Two hours into the affair, Turk secret police grabbed several Libyans outside the club with a suitcase full of Soviet hand grenades intended for the 250 Americans and 50 Turks inside.  The Turks, never standing on political correctness (God bless them), took those boys down and hooked them up to 220 volts for a full debriefing.  No one inside was told because they did not want a crowd out on the street to get hit by a potential secondary team, but a sapper was later caught out back and his home made bomb was taken up on the hill and blown up, which rocked the club, which ended the wedding.  I lived off base in a City suburb with my Chevy SS El Camino parked out front, less than two blocks from the Libyan embassy (where the Libyan hitters were supplied with all their demolition materials).  For several weeks, I had to do a complete security check on my car every morning before heading out to the base.  Several weeks later, I PCSed to Incerlik AB in the South for another tour (with my new wife).  Rotated home to HQ 15 AF before Gulf 1.

Scroll down to 18 April 1986.
 http://www.prophetofdoom.net/Islamic_Terrorism_Timeline_1986.Islam

[barbarianthemadserb]

Nam vet. Cannot talk about it.  Also best left alone.  Anyone talk about Nam and I just get away from them.

[pitbull]

Not personally been involved but my Father was in the Army during WW11, he went up the beach at Arromanches on D-day(Gold beach).

When he came out of the Army he threw both his medals in the bin as he said "I don't want two pieces  of tin to remind me of what I saw and the friends I saw get killed" He never spoke about the war,something he kept to himself until he died in 1992.

Next summer I am taking a trip to the Normandy beaches to pay my repects to all.

Rod, I live about 35 miles from Lakenheath and quite often I ride my Valk past the base.

[Hollywood]

My husband, Redneck, Gulf War Vet. served aboard USS Whidby Island 1st Us ship to be allowed in the former USSR ports. 

[DKBILL]

Navy Corpsman,68-72. 1 1/2 years Great Lakes Hospital, Neuro Surg ward,1 1/2 years Subic Bay Dispensary, 1 year sea duty, Uss Blueridge LCC19. No Nam duty. Just put guys back together.

DkBill