A Piece Of An Old Puzzle Is Found
All my life, I wondered what my dad did in The Second World War.
Last night I got the answer, from a man who served alongside my father in the Pacific Theater.
It wasn't like I never asked. I did. But Daddy would always kind of mumble something about being in G-2, the intellegence division of the army. Or, he would joke that he crawled across Alabama then crawled across the Phillipines.
One of my father's old war buddies called my stepmother to inquire about any records my dad might have had about his time inside Japan after the surrender. I knew he had been in a few Japanese towns, including Kobe. I am looking through papers to see if I can find documents.
My dad's old friend told me that he never told -his- children what he did in the war, either. He said they just did their job, came home, and went back to work.
But what a job. These young sergeants were attached to headquarters company for the 6th Army. They were assigned the task of collecting intellegence reports from Japanese-Americans who were questioning prisoners-of-war, looking over photos and other information obtained from the enemy, then writing reports to the commanders, colonels and generals at the headquarters company. It probably scared them to consider that what they reported might have a life-or-death effect on American troop movements on the battlefield.
My dad's old buddy also told me that half of the day was spent training with Army Rangers. Their outfit would be in one of the first waves of the invasion of mainland Japan.
Now if fits together. Daddy had told me that he had all new stuff, new blanket, rifle, new trucks were coming in. The build-up toward the invasion was on.
I can imagine what he was thinking, after seeing reports that no doubt outlined horror after horror visited on American forces and their friends on the islands.
I know some of the photos he brought back are ghastly, and were kept away from my children until they were old enough to understand what they were seeing. Aftermaths of invasions, battles, fights.
I have read the actual intellegence estimates of expected casualities had The U-S had invaded Japan.
Chances are I would not be here.
So .. Thank you, Mr. Truman, and Mr. Oppenheimer, and Prof. Einstein.
It's been more than ten years since my dying father called me to his desk and had me retrieve his "Ike" jacket from the closet. He had me help pin his medals in the proper place.
It all makes more sense.
I found out that, even as a young man, my dad had a sense of humor and liked to have fun. In the words of his contemporaries, he was a "regular guy". That is, if any of those guys could ever be considered regular.
I thank God for that puzzle piece that I always wanted, but never seemed to be able to cajole from my dad.
Last night I got the answer, from a man who served alongside my father in the Pacific Theater.
It wasn't like I never asked. I did. But Daddy would always kind of mumble something about being in G-2, the intellegence division of the army. Or, he would joke that he crawled across Alabama then crawled across the Phillipines.
One of my father's old war buddies called my stepmother to inquire about any records my dad might have had about his time inside Japan after the surrender. I knew he had been in a few Japanese towns, including Kobe. I am looking through papers to see if I can find documents.
My dad's old friend told me that he never told -his- children what he did in the war, either. He said they just did their job, came home, and went back to work.
But what a job. These young sergeants were attached to headquarters company for the 6th Army. They were assigned the task of collecting intellegence reports from Japanese-Americans who were questioning prisoners-of-war, looking over photos and other information obtained from the enemy, then writing reports to the commanders, colonels and generals at the headquarters company. It probably scared them to consider that what they reported might have a life-or-death effect on American troop movements on the battlefield.
My dad's old buddy also told me that half of the day was spent training with Army Rangers. Their outfit would be in one of the first waves of the invasion of mainland Japan.
Now if fits together. Daddy had told me that he had all new stuff, new blanket, rifle, new trucks were coming in. The build-up toward the invasion was on.
I can imagine what he was thinking, after seeing reports that no doubt outlined horror after horror visited on American forces and their friends on the islands.
I know some of the photos he brought back are ghastly, and were kept away from my children until they were old enough to understand what they were seeing. Aftermaths of invasions, battles, fights.
I have read the actual intellegence estimates of expected casualities had The U-S had invaded Japan.
Chances are I would not be here.
So .. Thank you, Mr. Truman, and Mr. Oppenheimer, and Prof. Einstein.
It's been more than ten years since my dying father called me to his desk and had me retrieve his "Ike" jacket from the closet. He had me help pin his medals in the proper place.
It all makes more sense.
I found out that, even as a young man, my dad had a sense of humor and liked to have fun. In the words of his contemporaries, he was a "regular guy". That is, if any of those guys could ever be considered regular.
I thank God for that puzzle piece that I always wanted, but never seemed to be able to cajole from my dad.
Recent Comments
It was great seeing you on Friday when
Thanks ag