The last one

[Hillbilly stalker]

Mr. Woody Williams, the last living CMH recipient from WWII, has passed. I never met him, but I have a picture of him with my childhood friend Mr. Brian Nimmo. He is in charge of the VA hospital in my hometown. Mr. Williams earned his CMH on Iwo Jima.



https://www.google.com/url?sa=t&rct...s/index.html&usg=AOvVaw1oF4SfrAcrQBGkLx-S-hT7

 

[kmckinnie]

He was a brave man. Flame thrower.

 

[Hillbilly stalker]

 

[trad bow]

A real man.

 

[Ruger#3]

A great man from the greatest generation.

 

[GeorgiaBob]

I do not understand what made them different, but the young men and women in this Republic when WWII began were significantly different from every generation since. People like Woody Williams demonstrated seemingly impossible heroism, skill, courage, and determination on the battlefield and then came home to keep living that same heroism, skill, courage, and determination as citizens. In losing our last WWII CMH recipient, this nation has lost a valuable connection to that greatness.

My dad was one of those heroes, serving in B-24s in the 11th Army Air Corps. Dad was in the air bombing the Japanese before Marines first landed on Guadalcanal. (Our B-24s could reach Japan's northern Home Islands from Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Islands.) My Mom served in the Women's Army Corps. One uncle built bombs and three other uncles served in, the 3rd Army Europe, Seventh Fleet Pacific, and the 1st Division USMC. They are all gone.

We were, as a nation, united in those years by a determination to do right and young Americans saved the world. The people born between 1910 and 1925 were something different, something this nation hasn't seen since. I wonder whether there is a chance that the magic elixir from WWII could be recreated - because I think we need it!

 

[jrickman]

I do not understand what made them different, but the young men and women in this Republic when WWII began were significantly different from every generation since.

The Great Depression. We might be in the process of setting up another such incubator.

 

[Railroader]

I do not understand what made them different, but the young men and women in this Republic when WWII began were significantly different from every generation since. People like Woody Williams demonstrated seemingly impossible heroism, skill, courage, and determination on the battlefield and then came home to keep living that same heroism, skill, courage, and determination as citizens. In losing our last WWII CMH recipient, this nation has lost a valuable connection to that greatness.

My dad was one of those heroes, serving in B-24s in the 11th Army Air Corps. Dad was in the air bombing the Japanese before Marines first landed on Guadalcanal. (Our B-24s could reach Japan's northern Home Islands from Dutch Harbor in the Aleutian Islands.) My Mom served in the Women's Army Corps. One uncle built bombs and three other uncles served in, the 3rd Army Europe, Seventh Fleet Pacific, and the 1st Division USMC. They are all gone.

We were, as a nation, united in those years by a determination to do right and young Americans saved the world. The people born between 1910 and 1925 were something different, something this nation hasn't seen since. I wonder whether there is a chance that the magic elixir from WWII could be recreated - because I think we need it!

Small world Bob...

My Dad flew P38s for the 11th in the Aleutians... Probably escorted your Dad at some point, or maybe had a card game or a beer.

Here's to Our Dads...

 

[Redbow]

RIP old soldier you have earned it. Thank you for your service to our country.

 

[dwhee87]

Lost breed of men of courage. RIP

 

[turkeykirk]

Brave men who saved the world. RIP.