"Was your father in the military? " Topic

Yes. US Army in the late 50s. My grandfather built Liberty Ships in Quincy during WW II.

Mike

Yep, Both grandfathers served in WW2, one in the paras, the other in welsh fusiliers.

My dad, and uncle were both in the Prince of wales's own, as was i, until it became the 1st bn the Yorkshire regiment. Im now in 2 Yorks (Green Howards).

Steve

Yes, Dad was in the US Army from March of '42 through January '46. Was initally trained as forward observer but because of his knack for languages he was sent to U. Michigan to learn Italian and later served as an interpreter for Italian Co-Belligerents in US; in OCS when war ended. His older brother was an Army Medic in the Pacific, my Mom's younger brother was an infantryman and was wounded in the Ardennes in January '45, he was 18 at the time. My Wife's uncle was a Seabee in the Pacific. My maternal grandfather seved in the US Army pre-WWI but discharged when we entered the war because he was still an Austro-Hungarian citizen.Sadly the're all gone now.

Yes, for 30 years. He served in last year of World War II, then Korea, & Vietnam. Entered as a private in the Army Air Corps and exited as a Colonel in the USAF.
Had on uncle in the US Army that recieved the Silver Star during WWII and had another uncle in the Navy that served for 42 years and saw action in World War II, Korea, and Vietnam.

My dad was drafted in 1944 and served in the 35th division. He was wounded twice, the second time was bad enough to finish his time in the army. One of his influences on me was history, he was a history teacher. I have always been interested in history.

Tom

Father: Auxiliary Fire Service '39- '41; Royal Army Service corps (Despatch Rider) '42 – '45 Normandy through to Germany.

His brothers:

1 x Royal Army Medical Corps; North Africa & Italy

1 x some infantry regiment; North Africa & Italy

1 x KRRC; Normandy through to Germany (WIA)

1 x Royal Navy

1 x some infantry regiment; Burma & Malaya (did stint in Chindits)

1 x 1 Airborne (maybe 3 Bn)

Mother's side all reserved occupation (engineering at Trafford Park, Manchester), but were involved in the ARP, Home Guard etc.

In-laws:

1x Auxiliary Fire Brigade

1 x Royal Navy

1 x Merchant Navy

Balance: reserved occupation: engineering in Crewe, but same conditions as the Manchester / Salford people above.

I think this background must have influenced my interest in modelling / gaming, but actual service was hardly mentioned until I was late teens and joined the RN. Then some things did come out, but 'The War' was something my generation is acutely aware of as most of the adults we grew up around had been involved one way or another.

He was a private in the Army Air Corps in WW II. Served in a C-47 unit stationed in the CBT. Flew the Hump. Came home on a freighter with jury-rigged bunks. He hated the military and was appalled when I became enamored with military history and joined the High School ROTC unit. As he got older though, he actually got interested in the history of WW II and appreciated the books I loaned him.

Dad was Staff Sjt RAOC in WW2, disposing of bombs etc and landed at Juno on D-Day as part of 15 Ordnance Beach Detachment.

One Uncle did Dunkirk-Desert-NW Europe, others Italy, Burma and Bevin Boy, one was in training for the FAA in Texas when it all ended, and the last was too young to go.

Grandpa was on the Sommme in 5th (Pioneer) Bn South Wales Borderers, his brother-in-law was killed at Salonika.

John D Salt – I know the problem, Williamses here! If you can find his army number on a medal or know some details of his address on call up you might be lucky.

Father served in AAF and then USAF from 1947-1949 as a mechanic. He was too young to join for WW2 but enlisted after the war to get the GI benefits. He spent most of the time in Japan as part of the occupation forces. He returned home and was invalided out for medical reasons, thus missing the Korean War as well. Lucky on his (and mine!) part.

Mom's brother got drafted in 1940 and spent the war in the 2nd Armored Division from North Africa to Germany. He was wounded but came home in one piece in 1945.

Rest of family military history typically involves a single term of service, usually during a war, and then a dedicated attempt to never repeat the experience. As such, I am the black sheep of the family with 25 years service (now retired) in the USN. I think Mom's interest in history/reading had more effect on my interests in the military and gaming than Dad's USAF service, for what it's worth.

Sherman tank Battle of the Bulge

Yes my Dad was a Marine and so was his dad as well as my great grand father. My Dad was killed in Vietnam the start of his third tour 3 months before I was born.

No "family tradition," in WWII Dad volunteered for Canadian Army at 17, in training when the war ended.

Couple of uncles and an aunt served; one uncle lost a leg and "shell shocked"

Yep, Father joined in Sept. of 41. Was at Paris Islamd when Pearl Harbor was attacked. Gunnery Sgt. of a 75mm Howitzer Battery Guadacanal, wounded by Grenade.

Respectfully,

Gunny

No, but I was.

Exploiting a useful format:

Yes, and more.

Paternal side

Father, US Army, scooped up by the OSS since he spoke fluent German and French, did an officer exchange that took him to Algeria from 54-56. He retired from the Army in 1968 right after Tet.
Uncle, for whom I am named, US Army, 16th Inf Regimental Combat Team at Omaha KIA June 8th '43.
Uncle, for my brother was named, US Army, 4th infantry, MIA during operations in the Hurtgen Forest.

Maternal side

- Grandfather, German Heer, KIA North Africa
- Uncle, German Heer, 73rd Infantry Division, MIA Sevastopol May 1944, we didn't hear anything about it until his son came up in a security interview for me in 1976.
- Uncle, Luftwaffe, Flight surgeon, retired in 1964 and ran a Gasthouse in Bad Tolz while I was stationed there. His grandson (my second? cousin) is current general staff officer with the Bundeswehr.

Me, US Army
My brother, USAF

Dad was in the Army Air Corps in WW2 had Uncles in the Navy and Army in WW2 and an uncle in the army in Korea, now all gone. Older Brother was in the Army in Vietnam, Son is in the USAF Res. now, me nothing.

Yep, dad was USMC. Did three tours in Vietnam.

My father was an RAAF armourer working on flying-boats, Darwin 1943-45
My maternal grandfather was in the 1st AIF and was one of the very first on the beach April 1915 and my paternal grandfather was in the Queensland mounted rifles in the Boer War

Yup. In the navy in WWII. In an amazing twist of fate, the Navy made him a photographer. This was astonishing, since that is what he was in civilian life, so already had a strong set of skills in that area. He expected to end up a cook.

Doug

My dad put in 20 years in the Texas and Missouri National Guard.

My step-dad did two tours on USS Midway during Nam as a CSAR helicopter crewman.

My grandfather – USA 19178 to 1920
My father – USMC 1941 to 1945; USN 1947 to 1951.
Me – ILARNG 1983 to 1991; PAARNG 2010 to present

Yes, My Dad was in the U.S. army during the Korean War. He served in the infantry. He used to answer questions and sketch out unit organizations for me. He taught me about army ranks. He loved to read about WWII and was an avid ACW researcher. He got me into history which lead me to study and learn military history.

My Father was from Boston and joined the Navy in 43 when he turned 17. He served aboard baby flattop's in the Pacific as the rear gunner in TBF Avengers. After the war he was station in Japan for a year. Left the service for 3 years until he joined the Air Force in 49. Served in Korea outside Seoul as a crewmen on a B-17 used for air/sea rescue. Was stationed at Loring AFB, Maine during the Cuban Missile Crisis loading Nukes on B-52's. During the Vietnam War was stationed in Thailand and South Vietnam loading munitions on F-4's. Retired after 28 years as an E-8.

Father in Navy spent most of WW2 shuttling convoys across Atlantic and was off the beaches warding of e-boats on D-day.
Mother was in Auxiliary Fire Service.
Have photos of both grandfathers in uniform (WW10 but no further details.

My Grandfather served in WW1, was gassed and died from complications in 1928, my father, born 1924 was in the Home Guard WW2 and gained some local notoriety by shooting at an officer who refused to identify himself (he was in a reserved occupation, his two brothers served in France). I tried to join the navy but was refused on medical reasons.

Yes. Royal Artillery, 1940 to 1946

I'll save the rest of the military family tree for the next polls on serving rellys.

Grandfather in the 82nd in WWI, WWII worked at a classified plant here in illinois making parts for the bomb. Dad WWII as a driver and gunner on AA gun. Was in the Battle of the Bulge using his guns as direct fire weapons. Found a box in the storage area with some WWII stuff he brought back. about 20 Hitler stamps in the mix as well. He talked to me when I came back from Grenada about it, only time he did. Uncle was in the Army as well during WWII stationed in Alaska. Step-farther US Navy during late WWII on a mine sweeper in the Pacific. Step brothers both Army both Intell. One mostly far east, Korean linguist, other Arabic and still works as an Air Force civilian in CI. Me? US Army 1976-2002. Never considered us a military family but I guess we were.

VR
James Mattes

Yes ..

He joined the Navy to see the world … and what did he see? He saw the inside of Conference rooms and Offices in Blighty …

So he didn't turn it into a full career and made his fortune as a civilian.

Did it have any influence? Well, that's for me and my analyst :o) But we differed strongly over the 'respect for authority' thing …

Phil

Yes. He was in the TA for a few years. My grandfather was killed out in the Far East in WW2.

Hoser

My Dad,no.He tried to enlist in the Navy during WWII but was turned down due to his kidneys.My Uncles,though bothe served in the army.One in the Army Air Corps and the other one said he was in the 20th wave at D-Day.My Grandfather was an infantryman in France during WWI.His regiment was part of the "Buckeye" Division.

My Brother in law,though,his Dad was Hungarian and fought both in Russia and Hungary.I'll never forget once when I was a kid, we were watching an episode of "Combat",and he started yelling at the tv because they never ran out of ammunition. He calmed down and explained to me that it had happened to him when he was captured by the Russians.

Father was in the 2nd AIF (2/6 Field Regt = Artillery), '39-'46, served in Palestine, Egypt, New Guinea & Borneo.

His brother was in the 17th Infantry Bn through New Guinea. Mother's brother drove trucks in New Guinea in the Army, no idea what unit, nearly died from exhaustion & medical complications – he was rated 'not fit for tropical service'.

Paternal Great Grandfather was born at Duntroon (Oz's equivalent of West Point) & volunteered for the Light Horse in WW1 – 3 digit service number so he got in early. Served in Palestine.

Maternal G Grandfather stayed in Australia in WW1 serving in the 'Militia' guarding bridges, despite being offered a commission. He often observed that all the men who accepted a commission that he had know had been KIA.

My closest relations with the military was a few years in school Army Cadets & 30 years in the Police.

Father, USAF '52-'55 reconn Squadron.

Yes, he was in the USAF for 26 years (1954-80).

My father served in the RCAF as a WAG and saw service in RAF Coastal Command in West Africa for 1942-43 and then Bomber Command as part of a Lancaster crew He was shot down in February 1945 and was a POW till the end of the war.

My mother served "in uniform" but not military but rather a guide on the London Underground . She wa assigned to St Paul's station for most of the Blitz and for a time afterwards so probably heard more bombs then a lot of service personnel. She told me that every morning when they cam up they expected St Paul's to be gone but were always happy to see it standing although much of the surrounding area was flattened.

My father enlisted in 1948, not sure where he started out but when he retired in the 80s he was a Major in the Royal Army Ordnance Corps.

My mother was in the Royal Army Nursing Corps 1970-74.

Yes, Dad was in the 10th Mountain in Italy during WW II. His father got out of the Imperial German army in 1907. Don't know about my maternal grandfather. Mom passed away this last Tuesday and I never asked her about him. Bye Mom, I miss you already.

Yes, Dad was in 70th ID 'Trailblazers' and fought in the Battle of Forbach.

Yes Father drafted March 1939, served whole of WW II, mostly on Eastern Front.

Both Grandfathers served WW I.

I did 20 1/2 years Cold War.

My dad was in Vietnam, army.

I am the first person in my direct line to serve in any military since the American Civil War, my great-great grandfather who had emigrated from just in time to join the Union army (twice).

My grandparents were considered to be in key industries so they did not serve in the military during WWII.

Yep. Pop was a Marine Staff Sargent at retirement.

Yes, a US Marine stationed in China after WWII.

My dad was a Kentucky hillbilly who joined the US Army Coast Artillery before WWII started. Was injured in a training accident, spent over a year in hospital, honorable medical discharge as PFC about the time of the Battle of the Bulge.

One of my first toys was army men at age 3, had them ever since.

Mike "Bunkermeister" Creek

bunkermeister.blogspot.com

My father was USMC and was out just before his unit shipped to Vietnam. Three Great Uncles served in WWII.
The oldest served in the 1st Armored Division and saw action in North Africa and Italy.
The middle was a bombardier in a B-17, Oct 1943 – April 1944 was wounded on his 30th mission one of the early missions to Berlin.
The youngest was in one of the Army divisions involved in the retaking of the Philippines and was killed there.

Yes. USMC enlisted man right out of high school back in the late 50s, early 60s, did a stint as a cop in my home town for a few years (That's almost military, right?), then went on to join the army and became an officer. Why the army and not the marines again? Well, he wanted to fly helicopters and the army afforded the best chance at the time. He served two tours in Vietnam, first flying assaults and most of it flying medevac. He has lots of hairy stories about this time, some of them really dark and scary and some of them funny as hell. Got shot to pieces on the last mission (still has issues from his wounds) along with 2 other members of his crew (The helicopter, named "The Iron Butterfly", was totalled), but continued to serve until he retired in the mid-80s. For part of that time, at Fort Benning, he became the XO of the same medevac battalion he flew with in Vietnam.

After retirement from the army, he continued to fly helicopters professionally until his civilian retirement a couple of years ago. He is now building a plane in his garage, so we'll see where it goes from there.

US Navy submariner in late WWII and early Korean War.

Grandfather in US Infantry in WWI and was mustard gassed.
That is all I know.

Nope, but my grandfather was in the Navy during WWII.

Yes, USN!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

oldgamer 07 Jan 2012 6:04 p.m. PST Wrote:
Exploiting a useful format:

Flight surgeon, retired in 1964 and ran a Gasthouse in Bad Tolz while I was stationed there. His grandson (my second? cousin) is current general staff officer with the Bundeswehr.

Bad Tolz Now that brings back memories! What did you do there? I was there in I think 78 or so.
VR
James Mattes