One of my uncles was in the Army prior to the attack on Pearl Harbor. In fact, he was on course to complete his tour which was just a few weeks away, when the attack on Pearl Harbor occurred. He stayed in the Army, states-side, as a master sergeant training and preparing soldiers to deploy overseas.
Another Uncle was a MP in the Army. He was stationed in England and later deployed to the European Mainland.
Another uncle served in the Army throughout the Pacific. He was in the battle of Okinawa (Ryukyu Islands), Aleutian Islands, Southern Philippines, and Eastern Mandates. Among his awards he was awarded 2 Bronze Stars and a Purple Heart.
Another uncle served in the Army in the European Theater as part of the 66thInfantry Division, 263rd Infantry Regiment. He, as a 19 year old was in the 1944 Christmas Eve Convoy of ships crossing the English Channel. Their destination was Bastogne to be part of the Battle of the Bulge. The Convoy was attacked by a German U-Boat. The largest ship, The Leopaldville, was hit by a torpedo and sunk in the channel. My uncle witnessed this horrific event from his ship, unreal devastating human loss. They were then sent to France where he was part of several battles. As an Army Medic, he was awarded the Bronze Star Medal and Citation for heroism for aiding a wounded comrade under intense enemy machine gun and small arms fire in Brittany France.
Another uncle, who served in the Army in the 747th tank battalion during WWII. He was part of the tank corps that landed on Normandy, Omaha Beach D-Day +1. The unit received 4 battle stars for engagements in Normandy, Northern France, the Rhineland, and Central Europe. The unit received the Criox de Guerre bravery award, along with a palm from the provisional government of the Republic of France for the defeat of the enemy and the liberation of France.
My father, joined the Navy (Seabees) at 17 and served in Guam. He was training for Operation Downfall, the plan for the invasion of Mainland Japan, as part of the first human wave, until the unconditional surrender that ended the war.
Also had 3 great uncles in Poland. Two were killed in battle, one was put in a “work” camp. He survived but it took an immense toll on him physically and mentally.
