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Today was the "Longest Day"

My grandfather was one of those who went over Omaha on his way to Germany.

He never spoke much about it, until right before he died, then it was just with the men in the family who had seen combat, (my great uncles, father, and uncles) and those who were "old enough to understand" which thankfully I was included with. He admitted to being scared shitless, but knowing he needed to do what had to be done. Even though he died almost 20 years ago, I can still remember his recount of the landing. Scared the hell out of me then, and even now, I can honestly say I would be scared as hell doing what they did then.
 
MasterBates said:
My grandfather was one of those who went over Omaha on his way to Germany.

He never spoke much about it, until right before he died, then it was just with the men in the family who had seen combat, (my great uncles, father, and uncles) and those who were "old enough to understand" which thankfully I was included with. He admitted to being scared shitless, but knowing he needed to do what had to be done. Even though he died almost 20 years ago, I can still remember his recount of the landing. Scared the hell out of me then, and even now, I can honestly say I would be scared as hell doing what they did then.
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They were issued brass testicles back then. My grandfather was the same. I can only hope if the time comes to do something somewhat as brave, I do what needs to be done the way they did.
 
My grandfather was busy hopping islands in the other ocean.

No doubt, that generation had big fat hairy ones.
 
I would like to think every generation has people who would heed the call. I think..(hope) every one of us would have been at the recruiter the next day 08DEC1941.

Saying that; of course they were the greatest so far, but in a popular war effort just like World War 2 was, we would have done the same thing. Do you remember all the neighborhoods the next few months following September 11th? I can't remember a house without an American flag. World War 2 stayed popular with the people for the duration, it's tough to say if it would have been the same had Vietnam or GWOT been in staged in the 1940's.
 
OUSOONER said:
I would like to think every generation has people who would heed the call. I think..(hope) every one of us would have been at the recruiter the next day 08DEC1941.

Saying that; of course they were the greatest so far, but in a popular war effort just like World War 2 was, we would have done the same thing. Do you remember all the neighborhoods the next few months following September 11th? I can't remember a house without an American flag. World War 2 stayed popular with the people for the duration, it's tough to say if it would have been the same had Vietnam or GWOT been in staged in the 1940's.
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Yes and no. If you read enough about the home front and talk to some of the veterans and their sweethearts, there was a considerable amount of 'war weariness' by late 1944 and early 1945. The picture of the Marines raising the flag on Iwo Jima lifted American spirits, but the country was looking at the probable massive casualties of invading Japan with a wary eye. One has to think Truman thought of all of this when he decided to drop the bombs in August.

Things are not always as rosy back then as painted by some modern commentators.
 
Rocky3168 said:
The Greatest Generation.
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And they were. But I spent October and November 04 in Fallujah with a bunch of 20 year old Marines and have to say I've never before or since been so proud of our country or as hopeful for our future.

The same Americans who landed in France, are serving in the current conflict. I believe that with all my heart.
 
BrandonJ1780 said:
....I don't know my history as well as I'd like, but did we have UDT-types at the beach before anyone else?
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Absolutely:
"....Of the 175 UDT men on Omaha beach, 31 where killed and 60 wounded. Their Teammates on Utah Beach faired far better because the beach was considerably less fortified. Four were killed and11 wounded, when an artillery shell landed among one of the teams working to clear the beach...."

Check the NAVY UDT-SEAL Museum website
 
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