Posted on 12/04/2022 8:04:39 AM PST by fugazi
Pictured on today’s front page are soldiers from the 506th Parachute Infantry Regiment, commanded by Col. Robert F. Sink. They just completed a 115-mile forced march from Camp Toccoa to Atlanta, a record “unparalleled in continental American history,” according to Sink (who also marched). 2nd Lt. Richard Winters of Company E, 2nd Battalion (better known as “Easy” Company, portrayed on the HBO mini-series “Band of Brothers”) is among the men, having graduated from Officer Candidate School in July. Col. Sink will jump with his men at Normandy and Operation MARKET GARDEN and leads them during the Battle of the Bulge. He turns down promotions to stay with his unit…
Pfc. Barney Ross, retired lightweight, light-welterweight, and welterweight world boxing champion, has earned a spot promotion and the Silver Star for valor on Guadalcanal. Hit by an ambush near the Matanikau River, the force is ordered to withdraw and leave their casualties behind. Marine privates Ross, Myron L. Guarnett, and Leo J. Washvillo refuse to leave the wounded, fighting off Japanese attacks until help arrives two days later. Ross’ 1st Battalion, 8th Marines arrived at Guadalcanal as reinforcements on November 1. Washvillo is killed in action on January 15, 1943...
(Excerpt) Read more at untothebreach.net ...
This is depicted in “Band of Brothers” for 3-4 of its 10 episodes. It is a good series to watch over Christmas.
Nothing against the great men and leaders in the 506th, but I would argue without everyone uniting against Sobel during training, Easy company wouldn’t have become as effective as they were.
There are a lot of Baby Boomer boys who NEVER get tired of reading about World War II.
One question, though.
I have read previously that "Major" was the highest rank allowed to jump on D-Day, for obvious reasons - high risk of injury, death, or capture.
Is that not correct?
“The Paratrooper Generals: Matthew Ridgway, Maxwell Taylor, and the American Airborne from D-Day through Normandy”
Generals during World War II usually stayed to the rear, but not Matthew Ridgway and Maxwell Taylor. During D-Day and the Normandy campaign, these commanders of the 82nd “All-American” and the 101st “Screaming Eagle” Airborne Divisions refused to remain behind the lines and stood shoulder-to-shoulder with their paratroopers in the thick of combat. Jumping into Normandy during the early hours of D-Day, Ridgway and Taylor fought on the ground for six weeks of combat that cost the airborne divisions more than forty percent casualties. The Paratrooper Generals is the first book to explore in depth the significant role these two division commanders played on D-Day, describing the extraordinary courage and leadership they demonstrated throughout the most important American campaign of World War II.
Winters and Nixon point this out, stating evidence. Repeatedly
I haven’t seen that before, but Sink did jump. https://history.army.mil/documents/WWII/506-Nor/506-nor.htm
Recently bought a Lucky Bag 1939 Naval Academy yearbook. Many interesting background info Francis Weiler DOD March 26, 1942. USS Houston sunk during battle of Sunda Straits. He swam to shore but died of wounds as POW. His ring was found on dead Japanese soldier on Guadcanal.. It was returned to USNA.
I came across a digitized version of the Class of 1941. Not great quality but it is neat reading about these men before they became Naval and Marine officers.
Edward Price DOD May 8, 1942 Valedictorian for class of 1939 highest scholastic record in class. Died when struck by bomb fragment on USS Lexington at Battle of Coral Sea. USS Price would be named after him.
You can get great background info from USNA visual wall memorial. Online app features all academy graduates who died while serving in military since it was established.
It was good to see Barney Ross mentioned. He was an amazing person. He was one of the great Jewish boxers. After being wounded he became addicted to morphine and eventually quit cold turkey. They made a movie about his recovery called “Monkey on My Back.”
William Pace... DOD Aug 7,1943 Member of Black Sheep Squadron. Jumped from plane at 100 ft Ground chute did not open. Landed in3 feet of water. Died instantly.
It is not talked about much but Strom Thurmond went into D-Day in a glider with the 82nd Airborne - at the age of 41.
I think I read he was a colonel at the time but that may not be correct.
Sorry, I don’t mean to highjack your thread, but I wonder if you or any of the other guys could help me.
I am a woman who knows nothing about the military, and I am trying to identify a great-uncle in 2 unmarked family military photos.
If I can zero in on the time frame, I can be a little more confidant of which great-uncle it is.
Photos are of groups. I have tried to find websites that discuss the various changes in American soldiers’ uniforms over time. But I have not been successful.
If someone could help me by directing me to a site that isn’t too esoteric, I would really appreciate it. I need illustrations in simple terms, as I am barely able to know the difference between a tunic and a tourniquet.
TIA
I've been subscribing to it for years.
Rose was commander of the 3rd. Armored Division, known as “The Spearhead''. The 3rd. was one of the hardest fighting armored units in WW2. Rose, who was one of the very few Jewish Americans ever to reach such a rank. He was also one of very few American generals to be killed in combat.
Based, I believe, on his book. Likewise pleased to see a mention of him and his heroics.
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