One less WWII vet tonight

[Capt Nemo]

Just lost my father at 91. Served 41.5 years, and retired as a major. In WWII, he served as a radar navigator on the B24 and was scheduled to go to Saipan just as the bomb got dropped. He was a senior aviator and flew both fixed wing and helicopters. His proudest moment was pinning my aircrewmember wings at Ft. Rucker. I got to work on the same aircraft that my father flew.

 

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[kcm]

He lived a long life. My prayers are with you and your family.

Oshkosh is an amazing aviation town! Have always wanted to visit one of the EAA Fly-Ins at Oshkosh, but never made the trip.

Two salutes to you sirs; one to your father, and the 2nd to you.

 

[BagLady]

So sorry to hear this. Sounds like you were both proud of each other, and well you should be.
God Bless you both.

 

[RustyGold]

We thank you and your father's service.

 

[DeepseekerADS]

Sadly the greatest generation is passing from us now. I'm sorry for your loss.

The Southeast Asia generation is passing away now too - but we were never seen as a great generation. Except by family, we won't be missed.

 

[Capt Nemo]

And for you Marines out there, my father also did all the industrial time studies for the Rockwell axles on the LAV.

Vietnam Vets were some of the best men we had in my Guard unit.

 

[kcm]

Growing up, I remember stories of how my Grandfather (Dad's dad) worked on many of the bridges and hi-rise buildings in Houston. He was so very proud of having been a part of that, and we ALL thought that his accomplishments would stand for well over 100 years!

Sadly, not one of the structures he worked on is still standing. Buildings get razed all the time, with no regard for those who gave blood, sweat and tears to build them. Their monuments are gone.

I think this is a lot of why we (society) don't remember as well as we should. I've always believed that we had an EXTREME wealth of knowledge in the older generations - people who have seen more; experienced more; have a better understanding of how things "should" be. ...Well, that's debatable I guess. In "my" opinion that's how it should be. But I guess the exploding population combined with the explosion of technology helps to mask the older generations, as well as thee vast wealth of knowledge and wisdom that they hold.

Dad's dad fought in WWI. Don't think he was a part of WWII. Dad served during Korean War. I served during peacetime. ...Hopefully one day there will be no more war. If that time ever comes, it will either be WONDERFUL, or it will be a fully oppressed society controlled in its entirety by only a few.

Sorry, started going a bit into never-never land.

I know this post isn't directed specifically to the persons mentioned in the OP, but it IS directed at ALL former military, as well as the rest of our aging society. ...A tribute to our lost generations.

 

[Mackaydon]

Capt. Nemo,
I salute you and in memory of your father.
"kcm", during Nam, I served 6 years in the OR at March AFB hospital assisting with triage of those injuries in Nam--and the locals when the C-119s were not transporting in the injured. Today, that hospital is gone, the land given to the community for the building of a community project.
As I frequently pass by there in current times, I recall the blood sweat and tears experience by many at that time--now just a fading memory or blocked from memory by others. I want to believe that at least some of the lessons we learned then have been accepted by the more current generations.
Don.....

 

[BARKER]

Hi; May God Bless You Both & Yours. Now he has a different set of Wings. Thanks for both your Services. PEACE:RONB

 

[vpnavy]

My prayers are with you and your family. Your Dad is now with his former crew members talking about old times and watching over you and your family. God Bless.