Remembering those that perished and those that went on to become part of the "Greatest Generation".
For my uncle William S. Blackstock who was serving aboard the USS West Virginia that morning. He was a survivor who also was aboard the USS Missouri in Tokyo Bay to witness the surrender. He passed away a few year ago but told the stories proudly, my he rest in peace.
Salute!
"Details make perfection, and perfection is not a detail."
Leonardo Da Vinci
Without the sacrifice of those brave servicemen and women and the too many civilians who died that day and the subsequent declaration of support by Mr Hitler for the Imperial Japanese Governments cowardly attack on Pearl Harbour My country would have been alone in those dark day's,
We shall not readily forget the price paid by our friends on that day 75 years ago and the following years,
It pleases me that today at Pearl Harbour President Obama of the United States is visiting that place in the company of the Prime Minister of Japan Mr Abe in the true spirit of friendship.
Shaun.
Last edited by jarndice on Wed Dec 07, 2016 2:29 pm, edited 1 time in total.
My uncle Pete was in the Navy as a machinist, that Sunday morning he drew the short straw and left the barreks to get the coffee. He got about half way to the mess hall when he heard planes coming in, he stopped and watched as Japanese planes flew over head and started dropping bombs. The 2nd of which went through the front door of the barreks he just walked out of. The whole building exploded knocking him on his ass. No one from his barreks survived but him.
The armory was locked, no one could find the keys, finally someone was able to get hold of a .50 cal machine gun but only 1. My uncle was able to find barrels and ammunition. The gentleman on the machine gun went through barrel after barrel after barrel and case after case of ammunition. Uncle Pete said he doesn't know if they ever did get any planes but God damn it they tried!
If you watch the movie Pearl Harbor I believe there is a scene where they show a portion of this and I know the guy who manned that .50 cal was hit like 9 times and was awarded a stack of medals. Don't think uncle Pete got so much as a passing thanks for bringing barrels and ammo but he said he didn't need a medal to remember all his buddies being blown up while half were still asleep.
My father's parents met building B-17 bombers. Grandmom was a regular "Rosie The Riviter" grand dad was an electrician.
My mom's dad was a major in WWI and in WWII he was a full bird colonel in charge of what would become the National Guard for most of the east coast, the war dept wouldn't let him go back to Europe due to his age and what he went through in WWI.
I'm sorry I din't see this thread before I posted a thread on the "Historic Events" section. I retired several years ago from a career at Pearl Harbor Naval Shipyard, and working there was always made you aware of what happened on that day.
Although Mr. Obama gave an initial affirmation that he would attend; in the end he chose not to.
It is a deeply moving experience to visit, and I encourage anyone who has the chance to do so. -Mike
jackalope wrote:My uncle Pete was in the Navy as a machinist, that Sunday morning he drew the short straw and left the barreks to get the coffee. He got about half way to the mess hall when he heard planes coming in, he stopped and watched as Japanese planes flew over head and started dropping bombs. The 2nd of which went through the front door of the barreks he just walked out of. The whole building exploded knocking him on his ass. No one from his barreks survived but him.
The armory was locked, no one could find the keys, finally someone was able to get hold of a .50 cal machine gun but only 1. My uncle was able to find barrels and ammunition. The gentleman on the machine gun went through barrel after barrel after barrel and case after case of ammunition. Uncle Pete said he doesn't know if they ever did get any planes but God damn it they tried!
If you watch the movie Pearl Harbor I believe there is a scene where they show a portion of this and I know the guy who manned that .50 cal was hit like 9 times and was awarded a stack of medals. Don't think uncle Pete got so much as a passing thanks for bringing barrels and ammo but he said he didn't need a medal to remember all his buddies being blown up while half were still asleep.
My father's parents met building B-17 bombers. Grandmom was a regular "Rosie The Riviter" grand dad was an electrician.
My mom's dad was a major in WWI and in WWII he was a full bird colonel in charge of what would become the National Guard for most of the east coast, the war dept wouldn't let him go back to Europe due to his age and what he went through in WWI.
Sir,
A heartfelt Thank you for your families service! I had an uncle who was Island Hopping in the pacific with the Marine Corps, my family is military as well, I do understand the sacrifice that is needed to maintain the freedom we hold so dear.
A Salute to the "Greatest Generation" may we never forget!
Thank you sir. My dad served 2 tours in Vietnam in the Navy on board the U.S.S Hancock. His brother my uncle also was in the NAVY in Nam. I was in the ARMY as a 63S heavy wheeled vehicle mechanic and was attached to the 1st Marine expeditionary force in a fun little conflit in Iraq.
