[Mark17]

I think the Bull Halsey was something I picked up from the Time-Life books on World War 2, which I read when I was a young puppy. I haven’t seen them in decades.

There is no doubt Halsey was called Bull. My point is, that he hated it, and I doubt anyone called him bull, to his face.
More than Halsey, however, the greatest American hero, in the Philippines, is Douglas MacArthur. Every Filipino on earth, knows who said, “people of the Philippines, I shall return.”
I have been to Palo, where he DID return. I have seen the monuments, up close and personal. I was right in the middle of history. I was a bit overwhelmed by it all, since my uncle, for who I am named, died on the Bataan death march. That was gut wrenching moment number one, even though it all happened long before I was born. I have never been to Camp O’donnell myself, but my catholic friend 😁 whose wife is from Tarlac, has. They went to the Battling Bastards of Bataan Memorial, at Camp O’donnell, Capas, Tarlac. The worst gut wrench of all, came, when he was able to find my uncle’s name, and photograph it. It was tough to take.
Then I knew a couple of guys, that I played little league baseball with, who were killed in Vietnam. It’s not been easy, but I survived.

[ealgeone]

I've been re-reading about the Battle of Leyte Gulf. Man, talk about a bunch of things that could have gone really south for the US but didn't.

Awesome story about your family.

Thank you for your service, and that young fella of yours!