Pearl Harbor

[zappaa]

Dec 7th 1941.
I think it's important and necessary to remember and recognize the incredible sacrifice the men and women of this great country made to free the world of tyranny

 

[e5fdny]

Amen.

We are who we are and are allowed to do what we do and live the way we do because of all of them.

 

[knightinaz]

Bump... Because this belongs close to the top of the page today

 

[MadRU]

75th anniversary of the attack on Pearl Harbor. So few of the Greatest Generation left. Bless them all, and thank you to all that have served.

 

[srru86]

One of the cooler gifts I've gotten over the years is someone found a copy of this art work that had been signed by several surviors.
The Final Moment

 

[phs73rc77gsm83]

I still remember my father and grandfather telling me how they were listening to the radio that Sunday when the news came over. Shortly afterwards my father joined the air force where he became a navigator of a B-29 in the Pacific theater. I have his Distinguished Flying Cross and some other medals on the shelf by the fireplace, along with two, one dollar bills onto which he recorded the day and destination of each mission he and his crew went on. He made it back, obviously, but so many others didn't and made the ultimate sacrifice.

 

[RUTGERZ_R00LZ]

My uncle Eddie served on the USS Arizona from 1936-1940. He re-enlisted Dec 1941. Since I was a navy guy he left 2 leather bound Arizona cruise books to me from 1938. He was discharged from the Navy in November 1945 as a Chief Radioman.

Miss you, Uncle Eddie.

 

[knightfan7]

All you need to do is look at the MSN homepage. Under the headline "Today in History" is a pic of Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson. I guess that's what's important these days. Such a shame.

On a day like today my thoughts are with my Dad even more than normal. 88th Division. Italian campaign. Among the first units into Rome, Po Valley, etc. Was near the Brenner Pass when the war ended.

 

[LevaosLectures]

My grandfather fought in both theaters of the war. My great uncle, Phil Schalmberg (his wife's brother), is recognized as the last pilot to be killed in the war, the very day of the Japanese surrender.

Jerry Yellin
U.S. Army Air Corps

Jerry on Iwo Jima, April 1945.
Born: 1924
Residence:
Vero Beach, FL
United States
Original home:
Newark, NJ
United States

Jerry's P-51 taking off from Iwo in April, 1945.

Phil Schlamberg, lost over Japan on the day the war ended.
My memories of August 14, 1945 are very clear. I flew P-51's from Iwo Jima over Japan during WWII as a 21-year old Captain and Flight leader.

On August 6, I returned from a mission when LT. Phil Maher jumped on my wing and shouted, "We dropped one bomb and wiped out a city, it's over!"

There was a sense of relief in the entire squadron. No more 8-hour missions. No more guys being killed. We had survived. Our motto "Back Alive in 45," seemed to have been fulfilled.

But it wasn't to be.

A notice was posted in the ready room on August 13, with our assignments for the next day's mission. The briefing would start at 1600 hours.

Major Jim Tapp, squadron commander, stood in front of the map of Japan and started to talk, "Why another mission?" someone called out. Tapp responded,"We have to keep them honest. We will take off at 0800 but I doubt we will reach the target before the war is called off. If you hear the code word OHIO, we will abort the mission and return to HOTROCKS (the code name for Iwo Jima)."

I was scheduled to lead Blue flight. Phil Schlamberg, a 19-year old pilot from Brooklyn, NY, was my wingman. Schlamberg, sitting next to me, leaned over, and said, "Captain, if I go, I won't come back."

Startled, I said, "Why?"

"Just a feeling I have."

When the briefing ended, I approached Tapp, told him what Schlamberg told me and asked if there was a replacement. "There isn't anyone to take his place, Jerry. Doc Lewis can get him off if there is a medical reason and Schlamberg agrees," Tapp replied.

When I asked Phil, he said, "No way."

On the morning of the mission, I told Phil, "Just stay close on my wing, tuck it in tight, you'll be OK. We will probably abort before we reach the target."

No one heard the code word before we dropped our wing tanks and started strafing airfields near Tokyo. Phil was on my wing while we strafed our targets and on my wing when we started back. I gave him a thumbs-up and led the flight into some clouds. When we emerged into clear skies, Phil was gone, no radio transmission, no visual contact, just gone.

When we landed back at Iwo, we learned that the war had been over for three hours while we were over Japan.

In my mind Phil Schlamberg was the last man killed on a fighter mission over Japan and may very well have been the last man killed in combat in a war that took the lives of 60 million people."

Phil's modern ancestors include myself and my second cousin ScarJo.

 

[arigoldrutgers]

I agree with the sentiments of this thread wholeheartedly.

Let us also remember to honor the thousands of military servicemen and women from marginalized communities (black, Muslim, lgbtq) who continue to serve despite the injustices their people face here in the United States. They serve because they believe in the founding pillars of this country, that this country at its core is good, and that this country will always be striving towards being the most tolerant and welcoming place for all.

 

[MadRU]

I still remember my father and grandfather telling me how they were listening to the radio that Sunday when the news came over. Shortly afterwards my father joined the air force where he became a navigator of a B-29 in the Pacific theater. I have his Distinguished Flying Cross and some other medals on the shelf by the fireplace, along with two, one dollar bills onto which he recorded the day and destination of each mission he and his crew went on. He made it back, obviously, but so many others didn't and made the ultimate sacrifice.

Don't know if you have had the chance (honor) to get to the WWII Memorial in Washington DC. At the entrance to the memorial are a series of plaques that depict how Americans heard about the attack, thru enlistment, to service etc. first plaque is a family listening to the radio.

 

[knightfan7]

My grandfather fought in both theaters of the war. My great uncle, Phil Schalmberg (his wife's brother), is recognized as the last pilot to be killed in the war, the very day of the Japanese surrender.

Jerry Yellin
U.S. Army Air Corps

Jerry on Iwo Jima, April 1945.
Born: 1924
Residence:
Vero Beach, FL
United States
Original home:
Newark, NJ
United States

Jerry's P-51 taking off from Iwo in April, 1945.

Phil Schlamberg, lost over Japan on the day the war ended.
My memories of August 14, 1945 are very clear. I flew P-51's from Iwo Jima over Japan during WWII as a 21-year old Captain and Flight leader.

On August 6, I returned from a mission when LT. Phil Maher jumped on my wing and shouted, "We dropped one bomb and wiped out a city, it's over!"

There was a sense of relief in the entire squadron. No more 8-hour missions. No more guys being killed. We had survived. Our motto "Back Alive in 45," seemed to have been fulfilled.

But it wasn't to be.

A notice was posted in the ready room on August 13, with our assignments for the next day's mission. The briefing would start at 1600 hours.

Major Jim Tapp, squadron commander, stood in front of the map of Japan and started to talk, "Why another mission?" someone called out. Tapp responded,"We have to keep them honest. We will take off at 0800 but I doubt we will reach the target before the war is called off. If you hear the code word OHIO, we will abort the mission and return to HOTROCKS (the code name for Iwo Jima)."

I was scheduled to lead Blue flight. Phil Schlamberg, a 19-year old pilot from Brooklyn, NY, was my wingman. Schlamberg, sitting next to me, leaned over, and said, "Captain, if I go, I won't come back."

Startled, I said, "Why?"

"Just a feeling I have."

When the briefing ended, I approached Tapp, told him what Schlamberg told me and asked if there was a replacement. "There isn't anyone to take his place, Jerry. Doc Lewis can get him off if there is a medical reason and Schlamberg agrees," Tapp replied.

When I asked Phil, he said, "No way."

On the morning of the mission, I told Phil, "Just stay close on my wing, tuck it in tight, you'll be OK. We will probably abort before we reach the target."

No one heard the code word before we dropped our wing tanks and started strafing airfields near Tokyo. Phil was on my wing while we strafed our targets and on my wing when we started back. I gave him a thumbs-up and led the flight into some clouds. When we emerged into clear skies, Phil was gone, no radio transmission, no visual contact, just gone.

When we landed back at Iwo, we learned that the war had been over for three hours while we were over Japan.

In my mind Phil Schlamberg was the last man killed on a fighter mission over Japan and may very well have been the last man killed in combat in a war that took the lives of 60 million people."

Phil's modern ancestors include myself and my second cousin ScarJo.

Don't know what to say other than bless them all.

 

[RUBand]

Doris "Dorie" Miller enlisted in the Navy in 1939, cook 3rd class assigned to the USS West Virginia, which he was aboard during the attack. After helping several wounded to safety, he secured an unattended anti-aircraft gun and shot down 2, and perhaps as many as 6 planes before running out of ammunition.
His courage under fire was initially overlooked, but he was subsequently awarded the Navy Cross.
Unfortunately, he was assigned to the USS Liscome Bay when it was sunk in 1943. Miller was awarded the Purple Heart, among other medals.
The Knox Class frigate USS Miller is named for Doris "Dorie" Miller.

Thank you to all of the Doris Millers who served our country.

 

[e5fdny]

I still remember my father and grandfather telling me how they were listening to the radio that Sunday when the news came over. Shortly afterwards my father joined the air force where he became a navigator of a B-29 in the Pacific theater. I have his Distinguished Flying Cross and some other medals on the shelf by the fireplace, along with two, one dollar bills onto which he recorded the day and destination of each mission he and his crew went on. He made it back, obviously, but so many others didn't and made the ultimate sacrifice.

My wife's grandmother's friend was also navigator on a B-29. Shot down or had to ditch 3 times. He said if it wasn't for the Marines on Iwo Jima he and his crews would never have made it back.

For the rest of his life whenever he met a Marine out and about that Marine never paid for a drink or a meal.

 

[NickKnight 1]

All you need to do is look at the MSN homepage. Under the headline "Today in History" is a pic of Paul McCartney and Michael Jackson. I guess that's what's important these days. Such a shame.

On a day like today my thoughts are with my Dad even more than normal. 88th Division. Italian campaign. Among the first units into Rome, Po Valley, etc. Was near the Brenner Pass when the war ended.

My father's brother was in on the Italian campaign also, Another North Africa,
another Germany, My
father was in the Pacific. My father never talked about it, but after he died his brothers told us
about all the action he saw. By the way my grandfather sent 5 sons to the war, he was born
In Sicily, as were my father's older bothers and sisters. My grandfather Took down all Italian
flags because he said he was an American above all else. He is one that came here in 1909
with $3 in his pocket and worked for years to earn money to bring his family.
This is the America I know..

 

[miker183]

If you ever get the chance to visit the Arizona Memorial, don't pass it up. Truly one of the most solemn experiences of my life.

Way to young to have served at that time, but after being there, every Memorial Day or Veteran's Day causes me to reflect on those who served. They are called the "Greatest Generation"; I'm not sure that goes far enough.

 

[AshSaturday]

One of the cooler gifts I've gotten over the years is someone found a copy of this art work that had been signed by several surviors.
The Final Moment

Cool but said picture. One of my late great Aunt on my mother's side had a picture of her brother? (my great? uncle?) in uniform defending the Capitol in DC on the night of December 7th, 1941. Must have been eerie and scary.

 

[MrsScrew]

There are only 5 men left that were at Pearl Harbor that day....4 of them are there today for the ceremonies. Truly the Greatest Generation.

 

[AshSaturday]

My father's bother was in on the Italian campaign also, Another North Africa,
another Germany, My
father was in the Pacific. My father never talked about it, but after he died his brothers told us
about all the action he saw. By the way my grandfather sent 5 sons to the war, he was born
In Sicily, as were my father's older bothers and sisters. My grandfather Took down all Italian
flags because he said he was an American above all else. He is one that came here in 1909
with $3 in his pocket and worked for years to earn money to bring his family.
This is the America I know..

One of my Uncle's on my father's side (Perth Amboy) served in both the Italian Campaign and North Africa. I believe all the brothers (my Grandma on that side had/took in about 16 including at least one from the Hungarian Revolution) served at one time or another. I bELieve all the brothers who didn't serve in WWII served either overseas or stateside (my father) in the Korean War. Ditto my Uncle (Godfather RIP) on my Mother's side (Colorado, England ,etc.).

 

[Scarlet Bri]

My paternal grandfather served in the Pacific as Chief Medical Officer on a destroyer. His destroyer was ultimately hit and sunk by a kamikaze, but many of the crew were able to evacuate to another destroyer nearby before it sunk. As an officer, and a doctor, he was one of the last men off the ship.

My maternal grandfather served in Africa. He was an engineer so mostly did salvage and repair on planes.

Greatest generation indeed.

 

[knightfan7]

My father's bother was in on the Italian campaign also, Another North Africa,
another Germany, My
father was in the Pacific. My father never talked about it, but after he died his brothers told us
about all the action he saw. By the way my grandfather sent 5 sons to the war, he was born
In Sicily, as were my father's older bothers and sisters. My grandfather Took down all Italian
flags because he said he was an American above all else. He is one that came here in 1909
with $3 in his pocket and worked for years to earn money to bring his family.
This is the America I know..

Very similar story on my Mom's side. Great grandparents came from Italy around the same time. Both were under 20. Dowry was used to by into a barber shop in West Orange. Raised 11 children. One was a paratrooper on D Day. One went on to be president of two different universities, including SHU.

 

[rubaseball78]

Dec 7th 1941.
I think it's important and necessary to remember and recognize the incredible sacrifice the men and women of this great country made to free the world of tyranny

Agreed. Both my father and my uncle got lucky. My uncle was on a boat heading to Europe when Germany surrendered; turned boat around and he came home. My father was stationed in Japan. Went in right after Japan surrendered and got out of the service just before the Korean war.

 

[PRH_RU]

Nothing to add but needs to be at the top

 

[knight82]

I think there are a lot of us in this group whose dads were part of the Greatest Generation. If it wasn't for them, our lives would be drastically different today

 

[phs73rc77gsm83]

Don't know if you have had the chance (honor) to get to the WWII Memorial in Washington DC. At the entrance to the memorial are a series of plaques that depict how Americans heard about the attack, thru enlistment, to service etc. first plaque is a family listening to the radio.

Thanks for posting that. I've been to the Arizona memorial but not the WWII in DC. I definitely will.

 

[phs73rc77gsm83]

And let's not forget the sacrifices made on the home front. While the folks at home didn't risk their lives in the way soldiers did, the way the Nation mobilized to support the effort (men, women, kids) was incredible.

 

[MadRU]

My father was in the Pacific, Guam. Was training for the invasion of mainland Japan, would have been in the first human wave. Always thanked Harry Truman for saving his life.

One uncle was in Europe, was crossing the English Channel on Christmas Eve 1944 heading to Bastogne. He was in the convoy of ships alongside the Leopaldville which was torpedoed by a German uboat. What he witnessed still haunts him to this day, especially around this time of the year, he is 91. They never made it to Bastogne, instead fought in St. Lo.

Another uncle was all over the pacific, including Okinawa.

Two other uncles in Europe, one in the tank corpse landing D-Day plus 1.

As someone mentioned, they never talked about their service, they just did what had to be done.

 

[MadRU]

And let's not forget the sacrifices made on the home front. While the folks at home didn't risk their lives in the way soldiers did, the way the Nation mobilized to support the effort (men, women, kids) was incredible.

And the families especially the Gold Star Families.

 

[rutgersron]

We must continue to honor all the sacrifices so many families have made for us to have our freedom today. I had an interesting adventure when I visited the USS Arizona Memorial. Someone was re-enlisting so it is a great honor to raise a flag over the Memorial except that you NEVER take down the flag that is flying. An airplane overhead spotted the flag being taken down and the next thing was a swarm of MPs/SPs swarming the Memorial. A female MP/SP got into the commanding officer's chest. I thought she was going to shoot him but he stood down. You don't mess with our sacred sites no matter who you are and that is part of what makes this country so great! We value all the sacrifices and will never forget!

 

[RU-ROCS]

Well said. Here is a picture from the 2015 gathering of survivors:

 

[Knight Shift]

Thank you to all who have served and continue to serve to defend this great nation.

 

[retired711]

Writing to bump the thread. My parents (with my mother seven months pregnant with my older brother) were dining at a Navy function -- my father was an electrician at the Brooklyn Navy Yard -- and noticed all of the officers leaving. That's when they knew. My father, btw, got a lungful of asbestos in the Navy Yard and died at 56 of cancer.

 

[c_husk]

Dec 7th 1941.
I think it's important and necessary to remember and recognize the incredible sacrifice the men and women of this great country made to free the world of tyranny

My father was Army in Pacific. Deployed in Australia before fighting in New Guinea, Philippines and was part of occupying troops of Hiroshima 3 weeks after bomb was dropped.

 

[MADHAT1]

 

[ru8081]

I just visited the memorial in Hawaii this summer. When going to Hawaii it is a must see. My dad fought in the south Pacific. He was in the Philippines, Borneo, Australia, and Japan. They saved the world, the greatest generation. RIP heroes from Pearl Harbor.

 

[ruready4somefootball]

I Grandmother told me a story about when my Uncle Jack came back from the war. He was shot in the leg at Pearl Harbor and was sent home. Back then they didn't know what PTSS was, and one morning when the alarm went off for my Uncle to get up, he instinctively jumped out of bed, took the alarm clock, and threw it through the bedroom window.

 

[RC1978]

On this day I always remember my father. At 21 he left like so many of the greatest generation to go to war. He went to the Pacific while his older brother went to the European theater . What makes me so proud is how this Greek immigrant rose through the ranks. It was not easy in those days for the Southern Europeans, Greeks Italians etc. to be recognized.

Not to bore you he ended up at the rank of Commander (CDR) under Nimitz and was his Attache towards the end of the war. But my proudest moment was at his funeral when he died at the nice old age of 91. When we got to the gravesite somehow the Nimitz family found out about his passing. They had 6 Commander or Captains standing there to bring his casket home. I didn't cry at the church or funeral home. But when those Captains snapped to attention when my mother walked by, I broke down.

I always wonder if any of us or future generations could ever do what these men , The Greatest Generation , did.

 

[formerlyknownasrutgers100]

My grandpa was 16 and lied about his age to join. He went over in 43' he's turning 89, in 6 days !!!

 

[RU from Jersey]

I have been to the Arizona Memorial twice and I would go back again in a second as it is both very moving and very interesting. When I saw the oil leak up from the ship I got goose bumps and I still get goose bumps thinking about it.

 

[jmg75]

My brother is a voluntary flight surgeon for the California Central Valley chapter of Honor Flight, a non profit group that takes WWII veterans to Washington D.C. to visit Arlington National Cemetary, see all the monuments, and gain closure. He considers it the greatest privilege of his life to be able to do this. The stories he tells about all the people who come up to these men and women to express gratitude are the most heartwarming tales I have ever heard; just incredibly moving. He has done about four of these flights now, but they are winding down as there are not many of these folks left. But he has had a front row seat as America has honored some of our greatest men and women and has heard many of them describe their incredible adventures. He told me after talking to so many of them it can be no accident they are called America's greatest generation.