My dad was in the invasion force (Army) of Japan when the bomb was dropped, and served in the occupation in Yokohama. Without the bomb, he’d likely have been an invasion casualty. He wore a cross (Episcopal) that I wore during Vietnam that my son now wears in the USMC. We hope it’s a lucky one.
Seems to be, so far!..:=)
Thanks for your Service!!
Sheesh, I was in Nam too, so long, long ago!
Same here. I remember my dad saying they were already issuing winter uniforms for the Japanese invasion when the bomb was dropped. He was glad it ended the war. I am too—I might not be here!
When I went into the Marine Corps in the summer of '66, my brother's father in law (Guadalcanal) gave me his "lucky" Globe/Anchor emblem -- to be returned upon the end of my safe enlistment -----.
Back then, there were a few old salts left over from the end of WW II, and when they'd spot that on my pisscutter, they'd have two questions:
"Where the HELL did you get that, 'bootcamp'??"
"How much do you want for it?? I want to buy it!"
Same with my Dad. He was in engineering school and joined the Marines while at Cornell. I think he did his basic at Pendleton, then did his radioman and sonar training at Treasure Island at San Francisco. He was on a ship in the Pacific amassing the invasion force when the bombs were dropped and ended the war. He became part of the occupation force for a year or so in Japan. When he came home, he brought a Japanese rising sun flag with him and a Japanese silk parachute which became my Mom’s wedding dress in 1947. I know that the bombs brought him home and my sisters and I are here only because of the bombs and will to use them. My late uncle was a B-17 pilot in Europe, but I never learned any details before he died. My wife’s grandmother served many years on a Red Cross Hospital Ship in the Pacific during and after WW II. Thanks to all the courageous servicemen and women who made it possible for all of us to be here to share our stories.