Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: DREDIOCK on September 18, 2010, 07:32:29 PM
-
As some of you may know I have written a few times about my father in law Being a WWII Navy vet serving on the USS Pasadena CL-65. 1944-45
(http://upload.wikimedia.org/wikipedia/commons/thumb/8/89/USS_Pasadena_%28Cl-65%29-Tarn.jpg/300px-USS_Pasadena_%28Cl-65%29-Tarn.jpg)
(http://mighty90.com/images/1944_07_21_pasadena_cl-65_boston_700x.jpg)
During his time in WWII they earned 5 Battle stars, including but not limited to operations against Luzon and Formosa, Participated in the bombardment of Iwo Jima, survived Pacifc Typhoon, Cobra December 18 1944 in which three destroyers were lost. USS Hull (DD-350),USS Monaghan (DD-354),USS Spence (DD-512) at the cost of 790 lives.
He's told me several times of the event saying that they had the crew running back and forth across the fantail to keep the ship upright. in his words "I dont know if we were doing any good or not or if they were just trying to keep us busy. But thats what they told us we were doing it for. Back and forth back and forth. ehhh what the hell did we know. We were only 18"
His ship was also not only present in the harbor. But docked right next to the USS MISSOURI (BB-63) in Tokyo Bay for the Japanese surrender where he witnessed it first hand
He told me a story about what happened during this attack which I have written about somewhere here I think in the General discussion. I will repost if I can find it
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=4IDV_Yn8qcg
Well it seems we are near loosing this treasure as he ended up in the hospital last week with congestive heart failure and has since been diagnosed with Mesothelioma
And a great deal of fluid on the lings They say there isnt anything they can do for him and are suggesting Hospas care. So its really just a matter of a waiting game now.
For all his faults and there are many. I am proud to say he is my father in law and that I know him as a person. I have nothing but the utmost respect for this man and for what he has had to deal with in his life. Lord knows it hasnt been an easy one. Nor always particularly kind one.
I feel particularly honored that he has chosen only me over the years to talk about and tell his wartime stories to in any great detail. Like many veterans. Other then a very brief overview or some occasional humorous incident. He has always been reluctant at best to discuss the war in any depth. And any information his family has received. They have gotten through me,from him as I have been able to piece the stories together over the years.
In fact. untill I came along and he decided to start telling me. the only thing they knew was what I've heard him say in front of them 100 times (often when drunk)
CL-65, 44-45, Jap surrender Tokyo Bay. And that during their first battle he tried going to sick bay, thinking he was going to get in trouble then looking behind him and seeing half the crew all trying to do the same thing. (to which he would always laugh)
But thats pretty much it.
So as I've said. I've had the honor of being the one he talked to.
In any event
What I am asking for is not prayers. Though they are certainly welcome.
But information.
I'd like to know what upon his death. He is entitled to from the military by way of services And what we will need to do to acquire those services when that time comes
Which is looking more and more to be sooner rather then later now.
Any help or guidance would be greatly appreciated
-
Found it. to go with teh link to the video above
Originaly posted in General dscussion
My father in law who was a gunner on a cruiser in WWII almost laughed when he saw the ships gunnery here. His exact words were and I quote.
"Jeeessus Chrisst, If the )@*)@ g= AA guns were that _@*)$@ easy back then not a single M)($)%^*#!@ Jap plane would have gotten through and Mac would still be alive."
"Mac" From what I've been able to peice together from the bits and chunks of stories he's told me was a buddy of his with whom for whatever reason he switched places with during a Jap attack in 44.
I say "from the bits and peices" because he has never been able to tell the complete story to me all at once and be able to finish it.
During the most complete version he manages to get out he completely zoned out for about 10 minutes.
Abriviated it goes something like this
"This one day Mac and I decided we were gonna change places when the call came out that there were jap planes comming so we ran to our guns see, and we could see em comming in and this one )(#&*$# Jap was comming right at us like this (holding his hand at about a 15 degree angle) and we're trying to blast the hell out of his but this )()(#(*$# just keeps coming like this and...and...and.."
At this point this tough as nails crusty old man completely zones out. and I mean COMPLETELY zones out and he just keeps saying "and..and" while loooking out into the distance and tears rolling down his face.
I was dumbfounded for a moment. Then I realised he was reliving the entire experiance over again.
So Im like "poppop its ok, you can talk about it another time" but he just keeps looking into the distance and saying "and...and" the whole time. And I keep saying "Poppop while gently shaking him but nothing doing, he's completely locked in another place and time.
Like I said. this went on for like 10 minutes before finally he lowered his hands looked at me wiping the tears from his eyes and said "and the next day we (raising both hands in the air) "Whoosh, dumped em overboard and buried him at sea"
"Damn nice guy too. Just found out he had a kid two days before. And if we hadnt changed places that one day. they would have buried me instead of him"
-
DREDIOCK,
I can't help with anything that you requested but I can state that my respect level for you, which was already high, just went up a couple of notches.
Hang in there bro... :salute
and :salute :salute to him..
Dicho
-
DREDIOCK ..prayers sent......and..get on the phone with the Veterans Administration first thing Monday Morning. They can help answer all your questions..
-
Many of the hospice staff in the community are some of the best trained to deal with not only the death and dying process of the patient, but are also good with families as well. Lean on them as much as you need, they even have social workers at their beck and call if you need them.
Contact me via PM if you need any advice on where to turn medically with him. :salute
-
Dred, sorry to hear this my friend. Cant help you with the admin stuff, but will pm my number if you just want to talk or something (regardless of time of day).
:salute to your Father in Law, and stay strong bud, we'll help any way we can.
:salute
Wurzel
-
He's going downhill fast. My personal opinion is it wont be much longer.
When he first went into the hospital we while concerned all thought he'd be back out in a couple of days like he normally is.
He's been in and out every so often for several years no since my mother in law died. Usualy as a result form him drinking.
this wasnt the first time for these initial reasons. But he usually bounces right back to his same old crusty Irish self in a few days.
Which is why I havent posted about it sooner.
Then the diagnosis came back on the Mesothelioma came back a few days ago (which everyone including the doc assumes is from the time he was in the navy) BUT wasnt the greatest problem at the moment. Its the fluid in the lungs. And he's been getting increased fluid on the lungs which has been getting worse.
My wife just called a few minutes ago from the hospital saying he's having more difficulty breathing and she is going ot stay the night with him.
Sooo. thats where we currently stand.
And its my birthday tomorrow..whoopie
-
DREDIOCK ..prayers sent......and..get on the phone with the Veterans Administration first thing Monday Morning. They can help answer all your questions..
TY, Will do
-
<salute>
I am sorry to hear this, DREDIOCK. My thoughts to your family.
-
Look up your local VFW or American Legion. If they dont provide services they can point you in the right direction.
-
He is entitled to at least a Full Honors Military Funeral. Contact your nearest Military Installation HQ, ask if they have a Casualty Assistance Officer. They are the ones that set everything up, with your (families) input. Also, contact your local Veterans Affairs Office. They will also assist you in getting entitlements due.
:salute and Thank him for his Service for our Nation.
PS, I see you are in NJ. Call HQ Command,Fort Dix
and the NJ Dept. of Veterans Affairs- 1-800-827-1000
God Bless,
Oz
-
Thank you one and all. I just woke up a little while ago and will start making some phone calls as soon as I have some coffee and clear my head a little to get things ready to set in motion.
Update:
I just got off the phone with my wife. They have started giving him more morphine and basically they are just waiting for the inevitable
-
Dred, The VA is your best bet for info for him and his burial benefits.
May his passing be peaceful and his welcome joyous on his return to the family and shipmates that went before. :salute
Cherish the time you had and keep his memories with you.
-
Everything you need is here...
http://www.cem.va.gov/
:salute
And also you are going to need his discharge papers or see about getting a copy immediately. Not absolutely needed but helps.
http://www.cem.va.gov/hm/dischdocs.asp
Here's where to start the process for getting a copy...
http://www.archives.gov/veterans/military-service-records/dd-214.html
-
Your not alone in the losses section these days dried. :(
Prayers and a :salute for you all.
:pray
We are here, we always are.
-
Dred... I am very sorry to hear the news.
My Family will include you and your Family in our prayers.
It looks like folks in here have you on track for the info you required. <S>
-
<S> poppop
-
:pray
For you and your family Dred! Don't know what I can do to help but if you need anything just let this guy from Alabama know and I will do what I can.
-
(http://www.vpnavy.com/misc_06/memorial_21jun2003.gif)
McNulty Paul P.
Seaman Second Class
1926 - 2010
Its over. Shortly after midnight this morning with his immediate family surrounding him at his bedside he passed quietly into the next world.
I after a bit of a typical government fashion runaround. VA, Va services They finally put me in touch with the U.S. Navy Funeral Honors dept.
Have a small form to fill out that I have to Fax in along with his discharge papers that I have to send over today. But he will be receiving 2-3 Navy Personell, Taps and the flag folding and presentation ceremony.
Dunno why, but somehow I expected they did more. But regardless I'm grateful for what they do do.
Thank you everyone for your help and your sentiments
-
All men in history, no matter how great, must come to an end at some point. My grandfather served in Okinawa and I have heard horror stories he told my Uncle. I have a great deal of respect for your father-in-law as I do for my grandfather. These men did so much and asked for so little. I am truly sorry for this. My condolences.
:salute
-
:salute Paul McNulty
Thank you for your service and sacrifice. May the good lord bless and keep you and your loved ones until you are all reunited.
My most sincere condolences to you and your loved ones Dred.
-
R.I.P Mr. McNulty :pray
Thank you for your services for our country :salute