June 6th 1944

[Truck Guy]

[Dan Dlabay]

True American heroes from the greatest generation who risked thier lives free the world from Nazi tyranny. May God bless all the D-Day vetrans and those who died.

[Blademaker]

[mrvette]

I was 2 months and 2 daze old......

My uncle followed Patton had a similar Jeep accident, came home with a heart attack to meet my cousin...1 month older than me....

[MattW]

A friend of mine, active duty Marine, reminded me that 6 June 1918 marked the assault on Hill 142 in the Battle of Belleau Wood.

"At 03:45 on 6 June, the Allies launched an attack on the German forces, who were preparing their own strike. The French 167th Division attacked to the left of the American line, while the Marines attacked Hill 142 to prevent flanking fire against the French. As part of the second phase, the 2nd Division would capture the ridge overlooking Torcy and Belleau Wood, as well as occupying Belleau Wood. However, the Marines failed to scout the woods. As a consequence, they missed a regiment of German infantry dug in, with a network of machine gun nests and artillery.

At dawn, the Marine 1st Battalion, 5th Marines—commanded by Major Julius Turrill—was to attack Hill 142, but only two companies were in position. The Marines advanced in waves with bayonets fixed across an open wheat field that was swept with German machine gun and artillery fire, and many Marines were cut down. Captain Crowther commanding the 67th Company was killed almost immediately. Captain Hamilton and the 49th Company fought from wood to wood, fighting the entrenched Germans and overrunning their objective by 6 yd. At this point, Hamilton had lost all five junior officers, while the 67th had only one commissioned officer alive. Hamilton reorganized the two companies, establishing strong points and a defensive line.

In the German counter-attack, Gunnery Sergeant Ernest A. Janson repelled an advance of 12 German soldiers, killing two with his bayonet before the others fled; for this action he became the first Marine to receive the Medal of Honor in World War I. Gunner Henry Hulbert was also cited for advancing through enemy fire during the counter-attack.

The rest of the battalion now arrived and went into action. Turrill's flanks lay unprotected and the Marines were rapidly exhausting their ammunition. By the afternoon, however, the Marines had captured Hill 142, at a cost of nine officers and most of the 325 men of the battalion."

[VITE1]

Originally Posted by Wadoka

A friend of mine, active duty Marine, reminded me that 6 June 1918 marked the assault on Hill 142 in the Battle of Belleau Wood.

I did not know that.

But I do know Gunnery Sergeant Dan Daly, Two time recipient of the Medal of Honor, was there that day and coined the Phrase

"Come on you Son's of Bitch's, do you want to live forever?"



http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Daniel_Daly

[GS Ragtop]

Originally Posted by VITE1

If I got him and Dad a few drinks then hid they would start talking among themselves about the S**t they did and saw.

Everybody seems to have different thoughts about sharing their experiences, Paul. My dad and all of his brothers saw combat action in WWII, but I *never* heard a word about their experiences while growing up. Not a single conversation.

Ten years ago, his church decided to ask many of the veterans to stand and tell their stories during special services. The church leaders recognized that many of these WWII soldiers were passing away before telling the younger generation about the great sacrifices that shaped our country and citizens.

It was a great series and brought out many horrifying and heartwarming tales. That started my dad talking about his experiences during the war - he also began attending reunions of the 75th Infantry, something he still does.