How many here have parents or grandparents who served in WWII?

Question

Have they shared their stories with you?

Answer 1

In WW2 my grandmother, mother, 2 uncles and 4 aunts were civilian POWs held by the Japanese in Santo Tomas Internment Camp, Manila, Philipinnes. My mom was 9 years old when she went in and 12 when she got out. I have heard a few things but it is difficult for her to discuss.

My uncle was in the navy during WW2 and served in the Pacific.

My granduncle, who was like a grandfather to me, served in the Seabees (Navy Construction Battlion) during WW2. He served in the Pacific and was one of the first Seabees on Guadalcanal. It was difficult for him to discuss.

Answer 2

My late father served in New Guinea during WWII [fortunately he was not taken prisoner]. He told me very little about it, apart from the following:

the "screaming woman bird" whose blood-curdling screeches could be heard in the jungle in the middle of the night, when they were on edge, expecting an attack by the Japanese;

and the antics of US fliers, who he said would turn off the radio during flights in order to listen to music, and were liable to shoot at anyone: he joked that the Aussies were more alarmed by the Yanks than by the Japs! Obviously, knowing what we know about how the Japanese Imperial Forces treated Allied prisoners of war, this was very tongue-in-cheek.

To be fair, he learned a collection of "shaggy dog stories" from the Americans, and we hung on his every word as he expertly retold these long, involved, and very amusing tales. Regrettably I can't remember any of them.......



EDIT: I feel contaminated even reading what "Supreme Knowledge" [sic] wrote above.

Answer 3

Both my Grandfather and Grandmother on my Mother's side served. My Grandmother was in the British Airforce, and my Grandfather was a Bombardier for the US Airforce. We have their diaries which include details of D-day and everything. My Grandfather has a purple heart as well. He has a lot of medals, but I don't have a list of them right now.
My Grandfather on my Father's side served as well in the US Marines.
I come from a long line of miltary background. I too am proud!

Answer 4

My dad was in the Navy during WWII. He died when I was 11 so I never heard any stories directly from him. My mom said he had a lot of sleepless nights and nightmares but by the time I came along as the third kid, he had us for nightmares.

Answer 5

My Great Grandfather Howard C. Beck Jr. served in WW 1 and WW 2. His son H.C. Beck III also served in WW 2. And my Great Grandfather's, Great, Great, Great Grandfather, Jacob Beck fought for 7 years in the Revolutionary War. Jacob's grandson, Charles Augustus Beck fought for the North during the Civil War.
In case you couldn't tell, I am very proud of my patriotic heritage.

I have several letters written to or from my Great Grandfather during WW1 and WW 2. Very interesting to read of his time in France and to hear of the hot air balloons they used in WW 1.

Answer 6

I do and I have a book full of memoirs, written by a bunch of soldiers, so maybe I could help if you need something. (: