Salute to sevaral family vets [View all]
My father was a gunnery officer on board the cruiser U.S.S. Reno in WWII. The ship participated in the Leyte Gulf battle in the Philippines, deemed the largest sea battle in history. The Japanese Navy was essentially broken in this battle. Shortly thereafter, the Reno was torpedoed in the San Bernadino Straights but remained afloat after being tied to a sea going tug because of the danger of the ship rolling over. Dad survived and was decorated for actions helping to save the ship.
One uncle was a B-24 pilot flying missions into Germany from England and took part in one of the massive Ploesti raids against German oil sources. He was shot down over occupied Holland and was later spirited back to England by the Dutch underground.
Another uncle was a materials officer at the Normandy landing and went across France with Patton's army.
What was notable about all three? They never mentioned how we "kicked butt" or bragged about how tough they were. They all joined understanding that there was dangerous job, and rarely talked about it afterwards.
They would have HATED Hegseth.
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