What is the most fascinating military fact you have discovered in your family tree?

2016-03-04T07:59:04-05:00

Ever do ancestry research? I have. Like most Americans, I have discovered ancestors who fought in all our nation's wars. Especially fighting against each other in the Civil War. I found several true patriots and revolutionary immigrants. One of my ancestors signed the Declaration of Independence (Lynch from South Carolina). But probably the most exciting thing of all was discovering a few high ranking commodores in the British Navy, and further back than that, the famous Bond of England who inspired Ian Fleming's 'James Bond.' My ancestors family crest is the famous "The World Is Not Enough." Sure, I found alot of goats to go with the heroes.

But what about you? Can you share some military connections in your family tree?

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2016 8:01 AM

2016-03-04T08:01:35-05:00

I found out that I descended from a General Marceaux from France.

Response by SPC Andrew Griffin made Mar 4 at 2016 8:05 AM

2016-03-04T08:05:58-05:00

I'm still learning about my Genealogy! But I have found out my Family is from DeKalb, MS!

Response by CW4 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2016 8:08 AM

2016-03-04T08:08:03-05:00

Everything that I've learn over the years from my grandfathers service during WWII as a Merchant Marine has always fascinated me. Initially after I found out what he did during WWII, I conducted a research assignment on the entire Merchant Marine service during that war just to get the entire picture of what they went to and how they supporting our country.

Response by Maj Kevin "Mac" McLaughlin made Mar 4 at 2016 8:16 AM

2016-03-04T08:16:04-05:00

I too have a 5th Great Grandfather who signed the Declaration of Independence (Jon Witherspoon). The research my father did on our genealogy helped him discover that his grandson started a trust fund for all those who follow the Witherspoon line. This trust enables us to attend any public college in the state of North Carolina with tuition and fees covered. Several of my family members, including myself, have taken advantage of this scholarship. Just goes to show how looking into your genealogy can be quite valuable.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2016 8:16 AM

2016-03-04T08:16:30-05:00

Two of my Revolutionary War ancestors, father and son, fought on opposite sides. The father was a captain in the Loyalist militia, and the son, an officer in the Continental Army. The father died in action, and the son changed his last name.

Response by 1stSgt Eugene Harless made Mar 4 at 2016 8:50 AM

2016-03-04T08:50:07-05:00

Shit load 3 confederate (2 died) 1 Yankee, 2 War of 1812 8 revolutionary Soldiers, Henry Huds0n the Exployer. Lord Emulderson who was killed with his Enyire commanded at Hadreon Hill. As well as Rollo the Viking 1st duke of Normandy.

Response by Sgt Tom Cunnally made Mar 4 at 2016 9:00 AM

2016-03-04T09:00:17-05:00

My Great Grand Father was a draft dodger ..he tore up his draft notice during the Civil War and went back to Ireland rather than take up arms He also lost friends and family in this war because Irish were used as canon fodder by the Union's Generals. My uncle was aboard a sub that was sunk by a friendly ship in WWII and we were told his sub was sunk by a Japanese Sub But after years of investigation the Navy said it was a US Destroyer who sunk my uncle's sub. I'm the only one in my extended family who was in the Marines just about all the rest were in the Navy..must be something in the water in Boston ??

Response by SMSgt Thor Merich made Mar 4 at 2016 9:27 AM

2016-03-04T09:27:13-05:00

My grandfather worked on U-boats in both WWI and WWII. Yes, he was with the other side.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2016 9:27 AM

2016-03-04T09:27:41-05:00

My great grandfather was drafted as a cook during WW1. He returned home to be a cook at a hospital for many years until he retired. I never met him. Found his draft card on Ancestry.com.

Response by SGT James Puff made Mar 4 at 2016 9:33 AM

2016-03-04T09:33:54-05:00

My great grandfather was stationed at Fort Bliss 1914-1917. He was sunning around Mexico chasing Pancho Villa. I was stationed at Bliss 95 years later. I still live in El Paso today.

Response by MSG Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2016 9:40 AM

2016-03-04T09:40:41-05:00

Not military per say, but Daniel Boone is in my line somewhere. And so is Mary, Queen of Scots............as so the family stories go.

My Grandfather joined the Navy just a few days after Pearl Harbor attack. One of his brothers was killed on the USS Arizona. One of my Great Uncles was a Side Gunner on B-17s during WW2 in the ETO.

Response by Alan K. made Mar 4 at 2016 9:44 AM

2016-03-04T09:44:52-05:00

My cousin Lawrence.....

Response by PO1 William "Chip" Nagel made Mar 4 at 2016 9:51 AM

2016-03-04T09:51:12-05:00

Coming from the Bastard Line of William Dawes who rode with Paul Revere on that Famous Night. Being GrGrandson of Lord Throckmorton Noted Catholic in the Tudor Realm (War of the Roses). Being of Prussian (Northern German, Protestant/Lutheran) and Bavarian (Defenders of the Catholic Faith) heritage that fought for a long time about the correct form of Christianity, Some Serious Tribal Warfare. Also finding out fairly recently about my Eastern German Jewish Roots (Poor Buggers that were always the victims of my other family members). I'm Scottish, Many Great Battles between the Catholics and Calvinist trying to kill each other over the correct form of Christianity. Lots of Bad Tempered Warriors in my Family Line.

Response by LTC Stephen F. made Mar 4 at 2016 10:10 AM

2016-03-04T10:10:29-05:00

Thanks for starting an interesting discussion CH (MAJ) William Beaver.
I am a firts generation USA citizen who was born with dual citizenship from my British parents and the fact that i was born in the USA three months after they relocated to the USA from London, England.
My paternal grandfather fought as part of the British Army at Gallipoli. Turkey during WWI and later fought in the trench warfare in France and Belgium as a British Army Lance Corporal. His brother Ernest also fought in the trench warfare in France and Belgium. Ernest and his wife were killed in 1941 when a German bomb destroyed their house - their two youngest children survived - one was under a table and the other in a closet. During the war British families were trained how to protect the selves during the bombing.
My my mother's family is Edwards which descends from Wales and my fathers family descents from southern England.
Images: Ford Coat of Arms - Ford Family Crest; Ford Ancient Coat of English Arms; Edwards Family Crest from Wales; Edwards coat of arms - English
While my family heritage bis English from at least as far back as the 15th century, before time began, God designed me and HE destined me to be one of HIS adopted sons in the faith, In the fullness of time I was born on October 9, 1956 and in God's timing i was born again in late September 1987
FYI COL Mikel J. Burroughs LTC Stephen C. Maj William W. 'Bill' Price Capt Christopher Mueller Capt Seid Waddell CW5 Private RallyPoint Member SMSgt Minister Gerald A. Thomas SFC Joe S. Davis Jr., MSM, DSL SSgt Private RallyPoint Member SP5 Mark Kuzinski SGT John " Mac " McConnell SGT Robert George SP5 Robert Ruck SCPO Morris Ramsey CPL Eric Escasio SPC Private RallyPoint Member SrA Christopher Wright SPC Margaret Higgins SGT Gregory Lawritson

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Mar 4 at 2016 10:57 AM

2016-03-04T10:57:41-05:00

CH (MAJ) William Beaver I discovered the truth about something my father had casually told me when I was a teenager. The family name s/b an Irish one. Old records showed my grandmother marrying and taking the name HAYDEN, 10 years after my father's birth!

Response by SPC David S. made Mar 4 at 2016 11:22 AM

2016-03-04T11:22:08-05:00

As my father has Dupuytren's contracture otherwise known as 'Viking disease' I come from a Viking bloodline. Doesn't get anymore bad ass than that.

Response by Lt Col Jim Coe made Mar 4 at 2016 11:43 AM

2016-03-04T11:43:12-05:00

My family embodied the tragic story of the Civil War. Read notes on family genealogy from my uncle (now deceased) saying that my great-great grandfather had two sons and stating their names and two other sons who "rode with the Confederate raiders." The Confederate raiders remained unnamed. Family lived in Southwest Missouri. Apparently they were Union supporters and not proud of those in the family who favored the cause of the South.

My grandfather (James C. Coe) served in WW I. I didn't know about it until after my father died and I had already served 22 years in the Air Force. My Uncle (same one as above) said my Grandfather wouldn't talk about the war with the family. He assumed the experience was too horrible. After my dad's death, my step-mother gave me a couple of small boxes of "military stuff." It included pictures of my Grandfather (as above) in US Army uniform, circa 1918, newspaper clippings, his diary, a bible, overseas cap, and a World War I victory medal, with France clasp, in it's original cardboard box. James C. served in the 164th Infantry Regiment, 41st Division. He was in the ND ArNG before the war and was assigned to a Headquarters Company in his Regiment. He held the rank of Corporal. There is no indication in the Army history of WWI that the 41st Division was ever in combat. I assume they arrived in Southeast France too late to actually participate in the fighting. Much may go unsaid in the diary. Few complaints are entered and there is no serious grousing about sergeants or officers. He was discharged at Camp Dix, NJ, in 1919.

Response by SSG Ed Mikus made Mar 4 at 2016 12:15 PM

2016-03-04T12:15:14-05:00

a forefather of mine joined the US Navy with his pirate brothers under Jean Lafitte to fight for the US in the Revolutionary War

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2016 12:47 PM

2016-03-04T12:47:01-05:00

At one time, my father had found an ancestor who was a horse thief for General Washington. I don't know if he was able to confirm that. I will have to check with him.

Response by MAJ Ken Landgren made Mar 4 at 2016 1:36 PM

2016-03-04T13:36:17-05:00

We believe my mother's father died in a Russian prison camp.

Response by MAJ Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2016 2:00 PM

2016-03-04T14:00:45-05:00

My son is the deputy Public Affairs civilian at the Norfolk Shipyard. His great grandfather on his mother's side, listed on his WWI discharge he performed media relation for 5th Naval District. He was a MM, petty officer. We have a photograph on postcard of him, Major Thomas Bloxom, at the Jamestown Tri-Centenial taken in 1907. He was recalled for WWI. Captained his own patrol boat (mine and sub search?). Then HQs work. Is it in the genes?

Response by CPT Jim Schwebach made Mar 4 at 2016 2:14 PM

2016-03-04T14:14:39-05:00

My maternal great-grandfather served in the 1st Wisconsin Cavalry. Fought at Gettysburg and participated in the pursuit and capture of Jefferson Davis. On my father's side I found a stone in Luxembourg describing the departure of the men of Schwebach on the Crusade to rid the Holy Land of the heathen Muslims. That worked out well.
More recently my grandparents sent four sons off to WWII. My folks sent three boys to RVN. I took two daughters to a revolution in Iran. Everyone made it back.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2016 4:38 PM

2016-03-04T16:38:17-05:00

My very Great Uncle is Richard Caswell, 1st and 5th Governor of NC and Major General during the Revolutionary War.
Wars my family has participated in:
Revolutionary War
War of 1812
Civil War
WW1
WW2
Korea
Vietnam
OEF

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 4 at 2016 5:00 PM

2016-03-04T17:00:40-05:00

I found out that I am a descendant of Clyde Barrow (Bonnie and Clyde), AND Jefferson Davis. And that my family has ties to the Abruzzi mafia, as well as the Irish mob. In short, there is a lot of controversy surrounding my family. I thought that was actually pretty cool.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Mar 5 at 2016 6:29 AM

2016-03-05T06:29:17-05:00

I had family that fought on both sides during WW2, 2 uncles in the USN, a great uncle that was a member of the Nazi SD, and a cousin that was a conscript for the SS.

Response by Capt Daniel Goodman made Mar 5 at 2016 5:48 PM

2016-03-05T17:48:52-05:00

My wife's dad got a bronze for leading a minefield charge at the Moselle river in France during the battle of Nancy with the 9th army right behind the group that took the bridge at remagen and my uncle my dad's sisters husband was the unit comedian of the 3118th signal svc battalion that RAM the SHAEF radio com net and broadcast the Telex of the German surrender at the little red schoolhouse I'm rheims my uncle actually swiped one of the Telex copies then showed it a local library by us every 4th july meml day and vets day Eisenhower actually remembered seeing him near nis personal trailer at southwick house before the invasion when he handed my uncle his bachelors diploma from Columbia Univ when he was president there before being elected my uncle also saw gwns Marshall and Bradley as well as Patton and also Churchill as well.

Response by PO1 Private RallyPoint Member made Mar 8 at 2016 8:40 AM

2016-03-08T08:40:47-05:00

I have a few that have served but let me share this about my non-veteran father first:
* Dad was only 17 at the end of WWII, that didn't keep him from trying earlier.
He and a buddy went to several recruiter when the were 15 or 16.
One said the ears were bad, one said the eyes were bad, one said "go away boy, you're botherin' me", one (I think it was the Marines) you're too skinny. So, the two of them sat out front of the recruiters office chowing down on bananas. He told me they ate so many they almost puked. Still wasn't enough and still under weight. He went home discouraged and never tried again in the future. He also told me it was nearly 25 years before he ate his next banana.
* His dad, my grandfather served stateside with an Army searchlight battery.
Skip a generation to my 2nd Great grandfather, served and eventually deserted from the NC CSA company he was assigned to. Good thing, the war might have taken a different course (haha).
* A few generations back, one of my 5th Great Grandfathers was a Quartermaster in the revolutionary war.
Nothing amazing but interesting to our family.

My wife's maternal Grandfather was from Italy. He was one of the few Enlisted Sailors that was actually a pilot for the Italian Navy during WWI. I've had hours of fun paging through a translation of the diary he kept for about the last year of that war. Flew both sea launch and ground launch biplanes from the east coast of Italy over the Adriatic on recon flights, and also bombing runs over what is now Croatia. Bombing in those days meant reaching down between your legs and grabbing what was essentially what we would call a mortar shell and tossing it over the side of the aircraft.

Response by CSM Charles Hayden made Mar 17 at 2016 12:28 AM

2016-03-17T00:28:05-04:00

CH (MAJ) William Beaver One GGF was wounded at Peach Tree Creek near Atlanta. Upon his return to the family farm near Gallipolis, OH, he married, fathered my GM and shortly after died of Smallpox.

Response by Capt Walter Miller made Jun 6 at 2016 11:53 AM

2016-06-06T11:53:33-04:00

We are distantly related to Francis Scott Key.

It was a surprise to find out that his son Barton was shot dead in front of the White House by Gen. Dan Sickles in 1859.

Sickles was defended by Edwin Stanton, later attorney general and SecWar during the late unpleasantness.

Walt

Response by LT Bob McFarland DC USNR (Ret'd) made Nov 11 at 2016 4:47 PM

2016-11-11T16:47:57-05:00

Bob J. Mc Farland Lt. DC USNR (Ret'd)

Below are the military connections in my family tree.

My great grandfather Jesse Buffington Mc Farland served in the civil war from 1862-1865. He was a member of the 94th Illinois Infantry, Co. G. This was a voluntary group from Illinois that Abe Lincoln requested to be formed. He fought for the North from the beginning to the end of the war. He was released from Active duty in 1865, in Galveston, Texas.

General John Sevier, who was a direct ancestor on my mother's mother's side of the family. He was a young officer who led his troops against the Indians in the Indian Wars. After his military service he became the first governor of Tennessee. Birth: Sep. 23, 1744
Death: Sep. 24, 1815

The ironic part of this story is that My Cherokee great grandmother's (Nancy Watts) ancestors fought against General John Sevier and his troops in the Indian Wars. 1790-1830.

My mother's father, David Patterson, who was 40% Cherokee Indian married my mother's mother who was a direct descendent of General John Sevier. Nancy Watts' great, great grandfather, John Watts Jr. was the Cherokee Chief of all of the southern Cherokee Indian tribes in Georgia. He led his warriors against General John Sevier in the Indian wars. At the end of the Indian Wars, Chief John Watts Jr. sided with General Sevier and his American Army. The two fighting families from the early 1800's intermarried and the rest of the story is peaceful. Enclosed are photos of Nancy Watts, Jessie Buffington Mc Farland, General John Sevier, Jesse's mustering out papers and John Sevier's memorial statue. My Dad's memorial stone at Fort Sam Houston Cemetery, in San Antonio, Bexar County, Texas and my plank owners certificate from the USS Forrestal CVA-59 in 1955. And a Photo of General John Sevier's statue in his uniform.

As you can see, I have some good military connections in my family tree.

Hope you enjoy this genealogical story.

Bob J. Mc Farland Lt. DC USNR (Ret'd)

Response by PO2 Richard C. made Nov 30 at 2016 1:23 PM

2016-11-30T13:23:59-05:00

I have one particularly interesting military occurrence in my family. My paternal grandfather was born in England and came to the USA as a baby in 1886. Tracing his family in England was not particularly easy, but I was successful in connecting with a current distant relative with lots of family history information. My mother's side of the family are Mayflower descendants, so they were easy to trace. About 2 years ago I discovered I had blood uncles X-times removed on both sides in the War of 1812. Military records show my American uncle leaving Washington, DC as the British approached, and British military records have my British uncle entering Washington, DC at about the same time. Until it was lost during a move, I had a wooden goblet family tradition said was made from a post taken from the White House when it was burned. In one email, my British cousin told me about a wooden goblet that had gone to America with someone in the family. He did not know I used to have it.

Response by CW3 Doyle Frost made Dec 13 at 2016 9:55 AM

2016-12-13T09:55:38-05:00

Found an ancestor, on the British side in the War of 1812, was the Surgeon General for those forces. Have found many interesting things regarding my genealogy over the years, from both sides of the Atlantic and Pacific Oceans. Do know of several ancestors in the American Civil War fought on both sides of that terrible conflict, and have lost family during all the wars since then. I don't think I am alone in this, as even in my generation, we had one brother serving in the British Royal Navy, while another served in the U.S. Navy, (as did I, for a couple of years before going into the army.) Guess that's what happens in mixed nationality military families.

Response by SPC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 18 at 2016 12:38 PM

2016-12-18T12:38:38-05:00

I've had family serve as far back as King Henry II, I can't find any further history than that.

Seven Years War (French and Indian War) - Ancestor went AWOL - Reasons and Outcome Unknown. He did return to duty.
Colonial Militia - All males were required to serve in the Militia for a period of time to prevent attacks from the Natives or any other threats. One of my ancestors took on the enlistments of other men for extra pay so that he would serve on their behalf.
American Revolution - Had various family serve. One under Paul Revere and another under Washington.
War of 1812 - One was listed as Quartermaster General.
Mexican-American War - Declined to re-enlist and be commissioned as a Lieutenant after the war in favor of working for the United States Mint.
Civil War - Served in the Union.

I think I had a Draft Dodger family member during Vietnam, we don't talk to that part of the Family much.

Keeps going from there all the way to my brother and I serving today, as well as a few cousins.

Though as well as Family History I want to learn more about my Unit History as well.

Response by MAJ Karen Wall made Dec 18 at 2016 10:29 PM

2016-12-18T22:29:53-05:00

This is my ancestor, COL Richard Sparks in the Revolutionary War. HE was kidnapped as a baby by Shawnee Chief Blackfish, who was also adopted father to TEcumseh. When he was released as a young adult, he spoke no English. He became a Ranger and Scout helping the relations with the tribes.

Response by SFC Ted Brumet made Jan 4 at 2017 10:38 AM

2017-01-04T10:38:24-05:00

My 5th Great Grandfather fought for the Brunswickers, and was captured at the Battle of Saratoga. Later he would serve 3 years with the 3rd Massachusetts line, fighting the British.

Response by SFC Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 3 at 2017 7:03 PM

2017-12-03T19:03:50-05:00

I found a lot of noble, royal and knights in my family tree! Way too much history in mine to have summed it all up in one great deed or military fact.

My Fathers last name was Andrews, My moms last name is Jones. And everyone a long the way to the past has some kind of Knightlyhood, Lady or Lord. I'm also linked to the Bastard son of the first King Nil of Ireland. The story that's connected to it, during one of the battles if Ireland he came a cross a small boy in a wheat field. Seeing him orfand he took him in as his own son and gave him the name Wheat. To indicate the boys origin. All the crests with a bale of wheat are his direct line. So my family tree has a lot of interesting background to it. A lot of my family on my moms side still have what you would call wealthy blood lines, in DC.

So in short, I'm just a mixed up royal pup hahaha

Response by SSgt Robert Marx made Dec 3 at 2017 7:42 PM

2017-12-03T19:42:47-05:00

I do not mean to kid anyone, but if I really told the unvarnished truth of this matter, really spilled it out, I would then be responsible to have to kill you, and no one would like that at all.

Response by Cpl Brett Wagner made Dec 3 at 2017 8:02 PM

2017-12-03T20:02:34-05:00

My family are newbies except for my mother’s father who was 100% Blackfoot Sioux. Otherwise her mother came from Islay Scotland and my father’s family from Germany both came around 1900.

Response by SSG Edward Tilton made Dec 3 at 2017 8:30 PM

2017-12-03T20:30:21-05:00

Two Medals of Honor in the Civil War, both were Doctors. EDWARD G. TILTON was a Naval Captain at the Academy who killed himself in 1861. His son Maclane was a Marine Captain who spent the Civil War on the blockades. In 1871 he led the punitive mission against Korea in 1871.
We arrived here as indentured slaves disowned in England for being Quakers in the 1600s. One became the servant of the tax collector in suburban Boston. At any rate the old tax collector never payed attention and soon the taxes and his servant were gone.

Response by PO3 Donald Murphy made Dec 3 at 2017 8:39 PM

2017-12-03T20:39:09-05:00

My English wife's grandfather Ted was one of the last men off of the beach at Dunkirk. His unit was pretty much wiped out as they were to be a "buffer" to buy time for the main BEF force to withdraw. They saw a Naval officer walking and he asked what they were doing and they replied that they had been told there were no more ships. The officer told them one more ship was there and to grab their gear and head out now. They went to the beach in single file. Ted was a loader and was assisting the Bren gunner with his load. He turned around to ask the Bren man if he needed help and he was gone (later found out a sniper got him). He was then pulled onboard the boat and headed back to England.

There were no more blankets onboard so Ted was bitching rather loudly about it. Upon arrival in England, the men were sorted by unit and Ted was off by himself and an officer arrived asking how the men were. Ted complained again to the officer that "after all he had been through he should at least have a blanket." The officer gave Ted a look that only an officer can give and went away. "Hopefully to get me a blanket" remembered Ted. The officer then came back and said to Ted that "his temperature problems were over and he'll never be cold again." He was given orders to the 8th Army in the desert!

Response by SPC Douglas Bolton made Dec 3 at 2017 9:25 PM

2017-12-03T21:25:16-05:00

CH (MAJ) William Beaver I had two three Uncles who fought in WWII. One was infantry soldier in France. He was wounded and had to play dead while to Germans came through to make sure no one was alive. My second Uncle Uncle was in the tank Corp. He was the lead driver of a tank. They were attacked and a grenade was thrown into their tank. My Uncle's best friend was killed instantly, and everyone else was wounded. My third Uncle was in the Seabees. Two purple hearts for them, and total admiration from me. One of the is still alive today.

Response by SFC Greg Bruorton made Dec 3 at 2017 9:28 PM

2017-12-03T21:28:29-05:00

William, I have been working on my lineages for many years and I was blessed to have what my father had learned through his 20 years of doing genealogy without the Internet. I had one ancestor during the Civil War that wrote home claiming he was a general. When my father learned otherwise that the soldier was simply a private he notified our cousins in Greenville, SC of the fact. My father was never invited back to visit any of them.
Of more modern times, Dad had served as a PFC in the 2nd Cavalry Regiment (with real horses) at Fort Oglethorpe, GA. He was proud as punch to learn that I decided to make a career of the Army. He confessed that he wanted to continue his service, but was medically discharged after a jeep ran over his foot (of all things.)
My genealogy files have amassed greatly from the 20-year endeavors of my father and while I've traced lineages of my wife and several offshoots of my own back to the 1400s, I cannot place the link of Bruortons in England--either through different spellings as Brereton, Bruerton, and more past 1745.
I use RootsMagic and FamilySearch (an LDS website that is most helpful.)
I do have ancestry in the Van Tassel lines--the same that had begun the story of the headless horseman of Sleepy Hollow.

Response by LTC John Shaw made Dec 3 at 2017 10:41 PM

2017-12-03T22:41:37-05:00

Father's name is Shaw, Mother's last name (maiden) name is Beyerle.
Grandfather was Shaw and Grandmother was Reno (which is French in origin) and this is where my story starts: The family story is that Major Marcus Reno is my Great, Great, Great Uncle (three generations removed)
Who is Major Marcus Reno, why he was the second in Command during the Battle of Little Bighorn. Custer decided to split his force that day. MAJ Reno fought all his life to have his name cleared.
His story:
Standard depictions of Reno’s conduct at the Battle of the Little Bighorn are unflattering to say the least. On the hot afternoon of June 25, 1876, Reno led three companies of 7th U.S. Cavalry down the valley of the Little Bighorn to attack the combined Sioux and Northern Cheyenne village while Lt. Col. George A. Custer led five companies along the bluffs to attack from the north.

Response by LTC Trent Klug made Dec 4 at 2017 12:52 AM

2017-12-04T00:52:27-05:00

My maternal 2nd Great Grandfather served in E Co, 45th Pennsylvania Volunteer Infantry during the Civil War. He served from1861 to 1864.

Response by SSgt Christopher Brose made Dec 4 at 2017 5:06 AM

2017-12-04T05:06:55-05:00

I share ancestry with General-Marshal Josip Broz Tito, the former dictator of Yugoslavia. My dad's dad's mom was Tito's aunt. My name Brose is an Anglicized version of Broz. I know this because of family history, though, not because of genealogical research.

Response by SGT David A. 'Cowboy' Groth made Dec 4 at 2017 5:42 AM

2017-12-04T05:42:27-05:00

The number of relatives that fought for the Union Army, compared to those that fought for the Confederate Army.

Response by LTC Wayne Brandon made Dec 4 at 2017 8:48 AM

2017-12-04T08:48:25-05:00

My fraternal family descended from Holland, England and Wales and entered the U.S. via one of the many trans-Atlantic trips made by the Mayflower in 1622. The family name was Van Valkenburg (or as some might spell it Van Valkenburgh) and they settled in New York but eventually spread out as far west as Wisconsin.
My mother's family arrived in New York from France and settled in New York and Canada spreading as far west as Calgary and Minnesota. Militarily, the Van Valkenburgs (and eventually the Brandons) were found to be in the American Revolutionary War, the War of 1812 and every succeeding war save for WWI. My sister and my daughter are members of the DAR (Daughters of the American Revolution)
(At some point, my great grandfather changed the family name from Van Valkenburg to Brandon. To this day, no one knows the reason for that)
The Van Valkenburgs served at Gettysburg, Shilo and in other major battles during the civil war.
An uncle Roi (Pronounced Roy) Mathieu served in France during WWI and was the Commander of the American Legion in Michigan for a number of years.
My maternal grandmothers family arrived from England and settled in Virginia as one of the founding families in that state. From her side came the Halsey's which became my grandfathers middle name (Wallace Halsey Brandon) whose first cousin was William (Bull) Halsey. The name Wallace is also my fathers first name as it is a carryover from his father who is a decent of William Wallace.
My grandfather who was too young for WWI and too old for WWII did not serve. However, another cousin Franklin Butler Van Valkenburg, a 1917 graduate of the Naval Academy served as captain of the USS Arizona and was awarded the Medal of Honor for fighting his ship Dec 7, 1941.

Response by Cpl Howard Dingman made Dec 4 at 2017 9:20 AM

2017-12-04T09:20:15-05:00

I found relatives on both sides of the Civil War, and both sides of the American Revolution. The latter was no surprise, but I had no idea I had relatives who fought for the Confederacy.

Response by SGT Bryon Sergent made Dec 4 at 2017 9:28 AM

2017-12-04T09:28:05-05:00

Well my mothers side of the family Is named Ballard. We traced it back to a General named Bland Ballard. The name flip flopped from Bland Albert Ballard to Albert Bland Ballard who is my Grand Father. He was on the USS Bunkerhill in WWII. My Uncle was in the Navy. My Mother doesn't speak of his name much. Just as her brother. He was shot dead, after Vietnam, by his neighbor that stole a tire from him. My uncle went to retrieve it and was murdered. The man served 15 years and was released. My Aunt Victoria Ballard served in the WAC and received her pilots wings and civilian license.

The White family which is my actual last name before I changed it to my step fathers name was traced back to the middle ages from northern England. Do not know much of that history but will be finding out as my Great Uncle is getting up in age and he has the family history book. I am the only on besides my father to serve in the military. Dad was in the Army as a combat engineer between Korea and Vietnam in France. I have served in the Army and the National Guard for nearly 20 years.

Response by SSgt Harvey "Skip" Porter made Dec 4 at 2017 9:55 AM

2017-12-04T09:55:31-05:00

I recently discovered a great uncle of mine who fought in WW11 is on the walls of MIA from 1943 in American Cemetery Manila. He was also awarded the Purple Heart.

Peace!

Response by SSG Private RallyPoint Member made Dec 4 at 2017 11:14 AM

2017-12-04T11:14:47-05:00

I had two relatives that fought in the Revolutionary War, and one who was a Captain for the Union Army in the Civil war. All survived their conflicts to go on and have families.

Response by PO2 Scott Fahsbender made Dec 4 at 2017 11:57 AM

2017-12-04T11:57:35-05:00

Growing up, no one in my family ever talked about military service, but I knew that my dad was in the Air Force during Vietnam. After I joined I started looking into it more and found that every male in my dad’s side of the tree had served since they came to the US. My great-grandfather was in the Army in WW1, my grandfather in the Army in WW2, my grandfather’s brother was in the Army in Korea, my dad was in the Air Force in Vietnam, and I served in the Navy during the war on terror. To realize my family had a tradition of service was eye opening. It’s not something we ever talked about.

Response by AN Donald Miller made Dec 5 at 2017 6:54 AM

2017-12-05T06:54:53-05:00

After discovering I was adopted I began doing research into my family tree on dads side. To start on blood dads side of family I am of Irish decent. Met a gentleman on Facebook that helped me with the history about my ancestry. Ireland has a registry of all Irish which goes back to the first Irishman from there it goes into the Old Testament in Gods written word. The first Irish man as it turns out was the second to last Pharaohs Army General. He was King Solomon's contemporary. When the general retired the Pharaoh fulfilled the Generals request. The general was given three wooden ships supplies and crew. The general came upon an uninhibited green grassy land we now call Ireland. One the families crest there are three lions which represents the three Lions the man had killed with his bare hands at the same time. Also discovered that the Irish was the only people the Norms could not conjure. Have found the ancestry on moms side yet but I believe it is just as fascinating. The words at the bottom of the image "Vulneritus non Victus" I was told, is loosely translated into "Beaten not Bowed" or "Bloodied not Conquered".
I was not given my birth dads name of O'Grady.

Response by CPO Robert (Mac) McGovern made Dec 6 at 2017 2:00 PM

2017-12-06T14:00:14-05:00

My Grandfather fought in WW1. I was and still am shocked. He never mentioned this fact in all our conversations.

Response by LTC Brian Croteau made Feb 11 at 2018 4:37 PM

2018-02-11T16:37:43-05:00

Several... 1) First person in New World w/ my last name was with French regiment raised to protect settlers in St. Lawrence River valley, in 1660s. Did his 5-yr stint, stayed in Canada, got a farming plot & a marriage-brokered wife, had 7 sons... 2) My great-grandfather skipped up to Canada to avoid Civil War draft. But his cousin & cousin's son both enlisted in Vermont militia. The cousin's son applied for military pension in 1930s while living w/ his daughter & son-in-law, which was same street I lived on for a while & just up the street from a college buddy. Also, I have their family bible, picked up by a cousin at a yard sale, just by luck. 3) I have a relative (uncertain specifics) who was one of first officers in the OSS. 4) My father enlisted in USMC in WWII, turned 30 in boot camp, oldest guy in his platoon, by 12 yrs.

Response by PO1 Don Mac Intyre made Feb 12 at 2018 12:36 PM

2018-02-12T12:36:08-05:00

So far I have only gone back as far as the 1700's. Family members fought on both sides in 'The 45. The clan chief hedging his bets. Some service in the British Armed Forces through WWI, In WWII my father fought in the Pacific, USA and his brother was KIA while fighting with the 95th Infantry "the Iron Men of Metz", December 4th 1944 "In Germany". He is buried in the cemetery in Metz. My grand father on my mothers side fought in the British Army in WWI, as an engineer. Many uncles fought in the US Armed Forces, My wife's uncle was on the USS Indianapolis.

Response by SSG John Eroh made Feb 19 at 2018 11:09 AM

2018-02-19T11:09:08-05:00

My father was born in PA and my mother in Washington, D.C. with Virginia roots and in my research I have found a lot more who fought for the South than the North. My Great Grandfather fought at Gettysburg with the 174th PA Volunteers. After I retired from the Army we settled in Western North Carolina. During Sherman's March to the Sea, my great grandfather was attached to the Pioneer Corps, forerunner of our present day Corps of Engineers. Sherman passed thru the North Carolina piedmont close to the foothills not far from here. Found that out after we were here.

Not family related but good stuff: This area leaned both ways with a massacre of suspected Unionist about 30 miles NE of here. The last shot of the Civil War east of the Mississippi was fired here in Waynesville a couple of days after Lee surrendered. Col. Thomas's unit routed the Union troops.

Response by MSG Charles Turner made Feb 19 at 2018 12:25 PM

2018-02-19T12:25:19-05:00

Many of my Ancestors, all branches of my DNA Tree served in the United States and / or Colonial military.

Response by SFC Greg Bruorton made Feb 19 at 2018 7:46 PM

2018-02-19T19:46:39-05:00

My father had done extensive research in the Bruorton lineages before the age of the personal computer. In one instance, he discovered that a certain General Bruorton in the Civil War was, in fact, simply a private, but had mailed letters home attesting to his grandiose achievement as a flag officer. Naturally, when Dad informed our cousins living in South Carolina of this discovery he was never invited back again. Fancy that?

I have continued in the search for all my ancestry that includes distant cousins and grandparents and do that based on Malachi 4: 6, not for the sole purpose of hanging a pedigree on my wall or a book of genealogy to rest on my coffee table. It is done in sacredness.

Response by LCDR Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 20 at 2018 11:25 AM

2018-02-20T11:25:00-05:00

Awesome post Chaps! When I was sent to the NATO School IWas about an hour from my maternal ancestors hometown, and was thrilled to go and meet the people in that small mountain village in Germany. I’ve found Swabian/Wurttemberg German, Prussian German, Hessian German, Burgundian French, Norman French, Cherokee, Choctaw, Rappahonnock, lowland Scots, Northern Irish, midland English, African American, and waaayyy back some Danish, Swedish, Hungarian, Croatian, Ukrainian, and Russian. My wife is Hawaiiian, and also has Chinese, Puerto Rican, Filipino, Portuguese, and Granada’s Spanish. So....our children can check “Caucasian, African American, American Indian, Polynesian, Asian, and Hispanic”, all the boxes on the census.

George Washington, Willam the Conqueror, King James VI and I (and his ancestors), Emperor Charlemagne, the Roman Senator Flavius Afranius Syarigus, Baron Robert FitzWalter (the leading baron of those who forced King John to sign the Magna Carta), the Hungarian Arpads are a few millitary leaders in my family tree. Few Catholic Saints in the mix too. But really, most everyone in the world, of all races, can eventually trace ancestry to Charlemagne and some of those guys, so nothing special there.

Did find an ancestor on the Mayflower, Civil War, Revolutionary War, French and Indian War....Both sides of the Battle of Bannockburn.

More personally, while I’m Navy, my dad was an Army dentist, and my granddad an Army Signal SFC. Those are more meaningful to me, personally.

Response by MSG Johnathan Mathes made Feb 21 at 2018 1:16 PM

2018-02-21T13:16:33-05:00

THE MATHES LINE HAS SERVED WITH DISTINCTION IN QUITE A FEW BATTLES... INCLUDING A COUSIN WAY BEFORE MY TIME IN GERMANY WHO WAS A UBOAT COMMANDER

Response by SGT Private RallyPoint Member made Feb 21 at 2018 1:58 PM

2018-02-21T13:58:56-05:00

Ancestry of Veterans:
Grandfather was veteran of WWI, retired Navy.
Father was veteran of WWII, retired Navy.
Mother was a registered nurse at Key West Naval hospital 1950's.
Older brother was a veteran of the Vietnam war, 101st ABN.
I'm a veteran with the Army, 82nd. ABN.
Two son are now active military servicemen, US Coast Guard.
Salute!

Response by MAJ Edwin Webster made Feb 21 at 2018 10:57 PM

2018-02-21T22:57:43-05:00

My great grandfather was a sergeant of Ohio volunteers during the Civil War.

Response by SPC Ted Maltzie made Feb 24 at 2018 11:20 PM

2018-02-24T23:20:37-05:00

My 6 great Uncle was Gen George Armstrong Custer. My great grandmothers maiden name was Custer.

Response by CW4 Jim Webb made Mar 20 at 2018 5:51 PM

2018-03-20T17:51:57-04:00

After we retired, one of my sisters and I began to do some genealogical research. We had about as little information about our ancestors as anyone could imagine when we started out. Three of our four grandparents had died long before we were born. We never knew them. Our father was an orphan who did not remember his father or his mother. Our mother's father passed away when she was only 7 years old. I was especially curious about any veterans in our family tree because of my interest in military history.

After several years of research, we discovered that our fifth great grandfather was a fellow named Archibald Everett McCravy (McCravey). Archibald was born in 1741 and, as a young teenager, he secretly followed his father to fight with colonial forces in the French and Indian War. When his father discovered him in the service, he beat him with his ramrod and sent him home. Archibald, however, did not return home and he and his father reunited and finally did return home some time later after the battle of Quebec.

Archibald later joined the Continental Army and served with General Washington at Valley Forge.
He was 6'3" tall and weighed over 200 lbs, which was quite large for men in those time. He served for seven years and left the Army as a Sergeant. He lived to the age of 99 years and six months. Archibald married Frances Hembree and had 11 children, eight sons and three daughters. When Frances passed away, he married Jane Cathcart and they also had 11 children, eight daughters and three sons. Many descendants have gained membership in Sons or Daughters of the Revolution by tracing their ancestry back to Archibald!

It has been said that Archibald retained his faculties into his old age and was still able to shoot a squirrel out of a tree with an old flint and steel musket.