Thanks to all Veterans , especially the ones that made the ultimate sacrifice . Here's a link we should all know http://www.usmemorialday.org/backgrnd.html . rzage
And remember those that have lost their lives defending our nation. As the inscription on the Korean War Memorial states, "Freedom is not Free".
Happy memorial day to all... I wrote a little something on my grandpa, who passed in 04', I typed this a little fast, so forgive the spelling errors... [FONT="]My grandpa enlisted in the army infantry at 17, and transferred to the USAAF Trained as a aerial gunner and flight engineer. He completed 99 combat missions in the C-46's Air Command Unit. He was assigned to the 14th AF for 2nd and 3rd air offensive driving japense out of china. He Completed 22 missions In late 1945 he was attached to French Forces, Indo-China, for six months. He was then re-assigned to the USA/AAF to China's Nation-alist Air Forces and direct support of the Kuomintang, completing 75 combat missions in the civil war, finishing the assignment, with extensive ground actions, and 3 months of retreat. In 49' he was re-deployed to States, then Europe as flight engineer, tech sergeant, for Berlin Airlift for 103 missions...[/FONT] [FONT="]Remained sergeant until 53' and was commissioned to to 2nd LT in KOREAN WAR in December of 53' completing 10.5 years in enlisted status. 1955-1957, passed many flight schools, and became a navigator As combat crew navigator he flew worldwide, US and UN missions. Completed 3 combat tours in South Vietnam... From 1965-1969 he completed 255 combat missions, and was decorated for heroism by USAF and awarded the Cross Of Gallantry with palm by RVN during TET offensive[/FONT] [FONT="]Mission Commander in NASA Space Recovery Program... Profect Mercury mander MA-7 and MA-9 in Africa and Indian Ocean areas, nuclear special weapons and safety officer for atomic energy commission, royal navigator for family, of royalty in Libya. He served with Royal Saudi Arabian AF in 1963 during their war with egypt and yeman, where he flew numerous combat, RE CON missions as a part of USAF strike force, has command of maint. He survived 10 aircraft crashes, due to battle damage..Also ditched his unit twice, and CRASHED ONCE IN OPEN SEA! He was alone for 10 days.[/FONT] My grandpa fought in 27 major air/ground operations, he was awarded 38 battle stars and 5 bronze arrowheads. He is creditited with 4.5 enemy aircraft destroyed, two cargo ships, and 16 small ammo supply boats and sampans. He accrued 17,575 flying hours of which 2,770 is aerial combat, amounting to 535 combat missions during his 26 years of military service. He completed over 65 global humanitarian type missions.
tmoneyeagles, I really enjoyed reading what you wrote of your grandfather and like you I recognize my grandfathers achievements and hope to someday fill my grandfathers shoes,,, needless to say, I have a loooonnggg way to go ;-)
I guess I would have a long way to go if I wanted to fill my grandpa's shoes... He also had a $300,000 coin collection...but, his son of a B#(@#$ second wife sold them, and the will left them to my dad... But what is done is done, and I can honor my grandpa now.
Dude, that :headbang: soooo bad. I do hope my collection passes to my children and having it poorly handled after my death does sadden me to believe could happen. But alas, as you say, I also do not dwell on the negative of the past, nor let any fear of the future keep me down :thumb:
It is because of soldiers like your grandfather that we enjoy the freedom we have today. I just retired 1 May after 26 years in the USAF.
Thank you... Major William Fenlon will be greatly honored be me, and me family for years to come I enjoy memorial day, and veterans day, I get a chance to share with others about my grandfather, but I think about him everyday I don't have the book with me, at the moment, but is says how man purple hearts, and other awards he had I think the purple hearts, was around 7 Never will get any of that army memorabilia either...The second wife sold that too, along with the $300,000 coin collection
