How many WWII soldiers stayed in, had a great career, and retired?

SPC Richard Skeen — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 21:21:02 -0500

Response by SGT Robert Pryor made Dec 18 at 2019 10:31 PM

SGT Robert Pryor — Wed, 18 Dec 2019 22:31:36 -0500

The obituary from my B-Detachment commander in Viet Nam:

SOUTHERN PINES–Retired Army LT Col. Mearlen Guy “Pappy” LaMar, 84, of Southern Pines, died Monday, Sept. 27,2004 in Pinelake Health & Rehabilitation Center in Carthage. Mr LaMar was born on Sept. 4, 1920 and enlisted in the Army at the age of 14 and served from 1935 to 1970. He was a veteran of World War II, the Korean War and the Vietnam War, where he served for three tours. He was awarded the Silver Star for service in Korea in 1952, the Bronze Star in 1964, the Air Medal with “V” device in 1967, the Legion of Merit for service in Vietnam in 1967 and 1968, three Purple Hearts, one for World War II and two for Vietnam, and the Army Commendation Medal in 1968 for his service in Vietnam. He retired from the Army after 32 years of service.

Response by LTC Stephen C. made Dec 19 at 2019 12:13 AM

LTC Stephen C. — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 00:13:07 -0500

SPC Richard Skeen, my father, Jack Curlee (now deceased), enlisted in the Navy on 12MAY43, entered on active duty on 1JUL43 and was commissioned an ensign on 29JUN44. After serving aboard ship in the Pacific, he was released from active duty on 23JUN46 and was honorably discharged from the U.S. Naval Reserve on 1SEP55.
Three years was enough for him, and a career in the service was not in his plans. Many of his Navy friends encouraged him to join them in the active USNR. He declined and felt most fortunate, as many of his Navy buddies at the reserve center ended up in Korea in the early fifties.

Response by SGT Robert Pryor made Dec 19 at 2019 1:04 AM

SGT Robert Pryor — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 01:04:29 -0500

I'm having to say this from memory, so pardon me if I screw up the dates. An old friend of mine, SMG Rudolph Cooper, and I became friends after he retired from the Army. He was a tough old bird, if I ever saw one. He was a triple CIB recipient, as well as a Silver Star (WWII) and three awards of the Purple (Korea and Viet Nam) recipient. He joined the Army in about 1939 or 1940, and retired in 1976. He was on active duty for every day of WWII, Korea and Viet Nam. He was a motorcycle scout in WWII and had some amazing stories about his long life. One of those amazing things about Rudy was his retirement jump. He streamered in. He spent the rest of his life wearing full leg braces. He dedicated himself to helping cripple children through the the Shriners -- serving as a clown at Shrine circuses where his big flowing trousers hid his braces and the children though of his uneasy gate as part of the act. He told me of being at a circus one day and noticed a little girl that refused to come down to the main rings with the other children. Rudy hobbled up to try and encourage her down. In doing so, he gave a tug to the coat on her lap. The coat accidentally fell free, exposing the full leg braces that she wore and was ashamed to let others see. Rudy hiked up his trouser to show her his matching set, but covered her legs back up with her coat and hobbled back down to the main floor. He understood like no one else could. When he got back down out of the stands he turned to see the little girl was hobbling down behind him. He was a great man and a good friend. A closer look at both of our arms in the above picture you can see Rudy and I had many of the same scars from our combat wounds -- but that's where the similarity ends. I wasn't worth to carry Rudy's spit. May he rest in peace.

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 19 at 2019 4:29 PM

SGT Private RallyPoint Member — Thu, 19 Dec 2019 16:29:11 -0500

My father enlisted in the Navy 1940, served through out WWII, and retired CPO as a submariner in 1961.
My grandfather Navy retired, served through out WWI, then was a POW in WWII, where he was placed at a POW camp in Japan, and released after the war.

Response by SSgt Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 11 at 2020 10:03 PM

SSgt Private RallyPoint Member — Wed, 11 Mar 2020 22:03:48 -0400

My father, Army Quartermaster Corps until the war broke out. At that point he became a pilot in the Army Air Corp. Shortly after the war was over he retired as a Major. 36 days later he went back in for most of the next decade, rejoining the Army Quartermaster Corps. Because of being over the 30 day limit at that time, he came back in as a 2nd Lt, worked back to Major before retiring a second time.

After retiring the 2nd time he went to work for a central servicing corporation, the civilian side of the supply line for military PXs and Commisaries.

Born 1916, died 1975 (cancer).

Response by CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 13 at 2020 5:55 PM

CWO3 Private RallyPoint Member — Fri, 13 Mar 2020 17:55:34 -0400

My Dad always wished he had, but was hit in Korea and had lifelong problems. 1st ID after D-Day, 24th ID in new year's offensive korea, SGT both times, light assault infantryman, we have cib and expert with 4 weapons, buried with PH on suit. Told me once that the thumping noise heard was him kicking himself in the backside for not staying in. Said, "I'd be a top kick by now and about to retire". From what I've read about that charge by Chinese, it was every man for himself. Lines eroded quickly. His preferred weapon was 12 ga with buck shot, because they moved in probing so quietly that they were in your position. Just said it was the coldest he'd ever been. 24th was out west and north.