Posted on 12/10/2006 9:53:00 PM PST by kms61
Shirly Ray Trumps, 84, a retired Army colonel who led commando operations behind German lines in support of the Normandy invasion, died of lymphocytic leukemia Nov. 15 at his home in Annandale.
Born along the Bayou Teche in Breaux Bridge, La., in the heart of Louisiana's French-speaking Cajun parishes, he joined the Army in 1940 as a member of the Louisiana National Guard and was commissioned a second lieutenant of infantry in 1942. On a weekend pass to Washington in 1943, he heard that the Army was searching for French-speaking volunteers to train for special missions. He applied for and became part of the Office of Strategic Services mission called Operation Jedburgh.
Organized into three-man teams, the Jedburgh men
(Excerpt) Read more at washingtonpost.com ...
RIP, gallant warrior.
Leni
May he rest in peace. Prayers for his family.
Believe it or not, it wasn't an uncommon male name in the South back then. I've known a couple of older gentlemen by that name.
Given the dates in the story (August 4, 1944) it wouldn't have been in support of the invasion. Even the initial breakout of Operation Cobra (July 25 -29) was over by then, and by August 4, the main drive was to the east, rather than toward Brittany.
To the extent that the WaPo can be relied upon, it would seem that the commando operation was intended to shield Patton's right flank.
Surely, you jest!
I kid you not. It is, or was, a southern thing. Doesn't seem to happen any more, but 50-75 years ago, it wasn't just a girl's name.
I thought D Day was 6 June 44? If the man was OSS, I wish my dad was still alive.
RIP, Colonel.
I knew that. I think.
Just had to make a pun.
It was. That's why I'm saying his jump into France in August, 1944 wasn't in support of the invasion. It says he jumped into western Brittany, which would have still been in German hands on that date, but other than providing diversion, his activities would not have been related to the main attack out of Normandy toward Paris. They might have forgotten to call off his part of the plan when the German defense collapsed and the bulk of Patton's forces were sent toward Paris instead of Brittany.
Beverly/Beverley
Shirley/Shirly
...
Unlike John Kerry, who took a piece of rice to his ass, these guys didn't weren't self-proclaimed heroes.
I'm fifty and one of the crew of the Enola Gay lived nearby and I never heard of it either.
How ya'll are, I'm glad for you to hear me. La. to LA? You are one tough CA, I gerontee.
lol reminds me of the Johnny Cash song a boy named sue http://sacredscoop.com
The real pros do not talk about their medals.
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