such a pleasure to read your father’s story, both inspiring & delightful…brought to mind my father & his tour of many European countries chasing down the Nazis during WWII…they truly were leaders of one of Our Nation’s greatest generations…on this Memorial Day celebration, let us remember all of our fellow citizens that serve, with special tribute to those that paid the ultimate sacrifice…
Armed Forces Day is for those still in their uniform.
Veterans Day is for those who hung up their uniform.
Memorial Day is for those who never made it out of their uniform.
Interestingly, the war in Burma was often referred to as the forgotten war because the press often overlooked it. Most of the attention was focused on Europe and the Japanese/American battles in many of the Japanese occupied islands in the Pacific. However, the campaign to retake Burma from the Japanese was extremely bloody, resulting in the deaths of over 15,000 British and Indian soldiers. Under Japanese occupation of Burma, approximately 250,000 civilians died.
Indeed Lou, Richard and I went for 10 days to Burma 20 years ago---it was the last place on my bucket list---the country had a brief "opening" to tourists. Our guide was wonderful but very afraid to say anything that wasn't "permitted" by the generals. But, as she came to know us and my father's story, she confided in us. Burma (mostly called Myanmar now to try and shed its colonial past) is still a beautiful and fascinating country and hopefully will survive its very complicated and disturbing present. CJC
My Dad Frank Perry was the lieutenant commander of a minesweeper off the Santa Barbara Coast during world war two. One day they lift it out of the water what they thought was a 75 pound mine, since the only place the Japanese tried to torpedo was in Gaviota. But when they got it out of the water, it turned out to be a 75 pound lobster. The men on that boat feasted on it that night.
Our history is special, because it is ours. Thank you so much for sharing yours. This is fantastic. (Brought to mind my own family history from WW2 and the Korean War.)
My father too was in CBI, the forgotten theater. I have many of his photos similar to yours and mementos too, no jewels though. He has a journal that he wrote on his trip home on the transport ship and my wife helped him write his memoirs. He worked in the Signal Corp, decoding secret messages. He had great stories of being in this foreign land, that a young boy from the hills of Kentucky had never seen nor heard of. He was only a handful of young men that could read and write. He wrote many letters home to families of these boys from the hollers of America. He told me some of the soldiers got their first pair of shoes when they joined the Army. Hmmm... what can we say of the privileged young these days?
such a pleasure to read your father’s story, both inspiring & delightful…brought to mind my father & his tour of many European countries chasing down the Nazis during WWII…they truly were leaders of one of Our Nation’s greatest generations…on this Memorial Day celebration, let us remember all of our fellow citizens that serve, with special tribute to those that paid the ultimate sacrifice…
Armed Forces Day is for those still in their uniform.
Veterans Day is for those who hung up their uniform.
Memorial Day is for those who never made it out of their uniform.
May they Rest In Peace w Honor…forever & a day…
Merci! CJC
Such a wonderful way to honor your father. Great stories and photos.
Interestingly, the war in Burma was often referred to as the forgotten war because the press often overlooked it. Most of the attention was focused on Europe and the Japanese/American battles in many of the Japanese occupied islands in the Pacific. However, the campaign to retake Burma from the Japanese was extremely bloody, resulting in the deaths of over 15,000 British and Indian soldiers. Under Japanese occupation of Burma, approximately 250,000 civilians died.
Indeed Lou, Richard and I went for 10 days to Burma 20 years ago---it was the last place on my bucket list---the country had a brief "opening" to tourists. Our guide was wonderful but very afraid to say anything that wasn't "permitted" by the generals. But, as she came to know us and my father's story, she confided in us. Burma (mostly called Myanmar now to try and shed its colonial past) is still a beautiful and fascinating country and hopefully will survive its very complicated and disturbing present. CJC
My Dad Frank Perry was the lieutenant commander of a minesweeper off the Santa Barbara Coast during world war two. One day they lift it out of the water what they thought was a 75 pound mine, since the only place the Japanese tried to torpedo was in Gaviota. But when they got it out of the water, it turned out to be a 75 pound lobster. The men on that boat feasted on it that night.
So many societal stanchions we know not.
Only the dead have seen the end of war. Plato, died 347 B.C.
Only a foolish woman would allow her man to earn his living as a moving target. Colonel David H. Hackworth.
You didn’t look too good the last time I saw you, laying on that trail covered with blood...I had no idea you were hit that bad.
Some people spend an entire lifetime wondering if they made a difference in the world. But the U.S. Armed Forces don’t have that problem.
Our history is special, because it is ours. Thank you so much for sharing yours. This is fantastic. (Brought to mind my own family history from WW2 and the Korean War.)
Looking forward to reading it.
Very nice. Wish my Dad had done the same when flying bombers in the Slot.
Merci! He must have had a great story also worth telling. CJC
Great story…thank you!
Thank you! CJC
wonderful story about someone who sounds like a remarkable man and patriot.
Merci! CJC
The Greatest Generation indeed , God Bless 'em alll ,
giddyup
Oui!CJC
WOW
Merci! CJC
My father too was in CBI, the forgotten theater. I have many of his photos similar to yours and mementos too, no jewels though. He has a journal that he wrote on his trip home on the transport ship and my wife helped him write his memoirs. He worked in the Signal Corp, decoding secret messages. He had great stories of being in this foreign land, that a young boy from the hills of Kentucky had never seen nor heard of. He was only a handful of young men that could read and write. He wrote many letters home to families of these boys from the hollers of America. He told me some of the soldiers got their first pair of shoes when they joined the Army. Hmmm... what can we say of the privileged young these days?
Thanks for your article.