cuteyellowbug Posted August 29, 2007 Report Share Posted August 29, 2007 My husband’s grandfather passed away last week. He died a true WWII hero. He was a paratrooper with the 507th. He was dropped behind enemy lines on D-day. They were supposed to have been dropped eighteen miles to the northwest at drop zone “T” near Amfreville, but instead they ended-up in the vicinity of the village of Montmartin-en-Graignes. Theirs was the worst misdrop of any airborne unit on June 6, 1944. He saw many fellow soliders drown in the marsh after being dropped at the wrong spot. He, himself was tangled in a tree and had to cut himself loose. During this battle, several soldiers approached a hedgerow where the Germans had machine guns set up and shooting down soldiers where they stood or knelt. He ran under the machine gun and threw over a gernade, taking out the machine gun and gunner. He saved several lives and took schrapnal to the neck and chest which he carried with him the rest of his life. He died with 22 medals. He will be sorely missed. RIP Link to post Share on other sites
juleebella Posted August 29, 2007 Report Share Posted August 29, 2007 My deepest sympathies to your family - sounds like a great man. Link to post Share on other sites
DreamGirl Posted August 29, 2007 Report Share Posted August 29, 2007 prayers Link to post Share on other sites
jjtully Posted August 29, 2007 Report Share Posted August 29, 2007 On behalf of the American Legion, Sons of the American Legion, Auxiliary and American Legion Riders of Post 111, Dallas, Ga. We thank your Grandfather for his service to our country. We pray that God blesses your family with peace. Please know that the Hearts of our community are saddened by your loss. Jim Tully Chaplin, SAL, ALR God Bless Our Service Members around the globe Link to post Share on other sites
DallasRed Posted August 29, 2007 Report Share Posted August 29, 2007 RIP Link to post Share on other sites
Purple Rider Posted August 29, 2007 Report Share Posted August 29, 2007 What a HERO!! Link to post Share on other sites
smitty Posted August 29, 2007 Report Share Posted August 29, 2007 ...snip... He will be sorely missed. RIP ...By the whole nation. Link to post Share on other sites
Deb0019 Posted August 29, 2007 Report Share Posted August 29, 2007 What a man!!!!!! I am sure he has his 22 jewels in his crown in heaven.... Oh how we are so thankful for such a hero!!!!!!! Link to post Share on other sites
crossroads Posted August 29, 2007 Report Share Posted August 29, 2007 God rest his brave soul. Prayers for the family. Link to post Share on other sites
Bigun3026 Posted August 29, 2007 Report Share Posted August 29, 2007 May he wear those medals proudly as he walks the streets of Heaven. Link to post Share on other sites
pwilhelm Posted August 29, 2007 Report Share Posted August 29, 2007 No words ......... my thoughts are with you and your family ..... Link to post Share on other sites
bvrat5199 Posted August 29, 2007 Report Share Posted August 29, 2007 RIP Link to post Share on other sites
Guest Oscar Posted August 29, 2007 Report Share Posted August 29, 2007 What an interesting story and what a hero!! May he rest in peace. Link to post Share on other sites
gadawgfan Posted August 29, 2007 Report Share Posted August 29, 2007 Wow! What an amazing and brave man. I would have loved to have met him. May your family find peace. Prayers re with you and your family. Link to post Share on other sites
DonBrownJr Posted August 29, 2007 Report Share Posted August 29, 2007 It's great to have those memories! May God grant you and your family peace and grace as only He can. Link to post Share on other sites
REV Posted August 29, 2007 Report Share Posted August 29, 2007 May he wear those medals proudly as he walks the streets of Heaven. That was beautiful, I agree. RIP Link to post Share on other sites
NewHope Posted August 29, 2007 Report Share Posted August 29, 2007 Reminds me of a guest speaker I have come out every year to speak to my classes. Carl Beck was with the 501st and he too was seperated from his unit at D-Day and spent a week in a French Barn. His stories of D-Day, Bastogne, and a Bridge too Far makes my kids excited every time. What a GREAT generation of Americans. Maybe you would like to come out in April to hear his story. Link to post Share on other sites
jk rogers Posted August 30, 2007 Report Share Posted August 30, 2007 Hello all, I agree with you. Losing him is a tremendous loss. For those that don't know the 507th...505th they are PIR's. Parachute Infantry Regiments. These regiments are known as Airborne units. We sometimes take for granted what Airborne soldiers do for us offensively and tactically. They allow us to do things that the vast majority of potential enemies cannot do. Move soldiers quickly to battlefields around the world and drop into a theater of operations. Because of the skill and bravery of the 82nd and 101st Airborne Divisions in WWII and how easy they made jumping out of airplanes look we forget just how innovative and dangerous what they did was. Being an Airborne soldier in WWII was a new concept and it dropped soldiers in unbelievable amounts of harm. These soldiers allowed us to be free. Prayers are with you and your family. Sincerely, jk Link to post Share on other sites
DallasChick Posted August 30, 2007 Report Share Posted August 30, 2007 Prayers for the family. RIP. Link to post Share on other sites
armymom Posted August 30, 2007 Report Share Posted August 30, 2007 Prayers for your family Armymom Link to post Share on other sites
tess Posted August 30, 2007 Report Share Posted August 30, 2007 My husband’s grandfather passed away last week. He died a true WWII hero. He was a paratrooper with the 507th. He was dropped behind enemy lines on D-day. They were supposed to have been dropped eighteen miles to the northwest at drop zone “T” near Amfreville, but instead they ended-up in the vicinity of the village of Montmartin-en-Graignes. Theirs was the worst misdrop of any airborne unit on June 6, 1944. He saw many fellow soliders drown in the marsh after being dropped at the wrong spot. He, himself was tangled in a tree and had to cut himself loose. During this battle, several soldiers approached a hedgerow where the Germans had machine guns set up and shooting down soldiers where they stood or knelt. He ran under the machine gun and threw over a gernade, taking out the machine gun and gunner. He saved several lives and took schrapnal to the neck and chest which he carried with him the rest of his life. He died with 22 medals. He will be sorely missed. RIP THANK YOU SIR....FOR YOUR SACRIFICES FOR US.. Link to post Share on other sites
pokadot Posted August 30, 2007 Report Share Posted August 30, 2007 thats a legacy to leave...we owe much to men like him, and I sure hope you continue to share his life stories for generations ....prayers for your family.... Link to post Share on other sites
pins4me2 Posted August 30, 2007 Report Share Posted August 30, 2007 my uncle clarence briggs got 2 purple hearts and is buried in french soil. respectfully. sending up prayers for your whole family and you. he must have been quite a man that i would have liked to have met. God bless you and yours. i know how it feels to miss a person real bad. struggling thru depression about dad still, a month later.... i found the old war dept letters about his brother clarence last wk, i cried more.... thought i was done crying, i was crying for 2 guys then.. i hope they are finally able to swap stories after so long..... i need a plumbing check for all the leaking i am doing lately. be rested in spirit that my son just graduated basic, with honors, top of his class, and is a fine warrior who will uphold and defend our freedom too. he is quite the fine warrior. he will keep us all safe and free, and then come back home safe and sound. Link to post Share on other sites
Bradybunchmom Posted August 30, 2007 Report Share Posted August 30, 2007 Prayers said for the family of this TRUE AMERICAN HERO!! This is just another great example of why I stand and place my hand over heart and say the Pledge and sing The National Anthem. God Bless. Link to post Share on other sites
Lady Raider Posted August 30, 2007 Report Share Posted August 30, 2007 RIP Link to post Share on other sites
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