Aces High Bulletin Board
General Forums => The O' Club => Topic started by: -ammo- on May 27, 2013, 09:26:31 AM
-
When my father and his wife visited us in Germany in 2011 to attend my retirement ceremony, we had no idea we would discover where my Uncle Oscar's final resting place was.
In 1917, my grandfather decided to enlist to help the war cause in Europe. His brother Oscar, 3 years younger, enlisted several days later after having lied about his age (16). Not to be outdone by his older brother, He literally snuck off from home. That was the last time any family would see Oscar. He would die fighting for General Pershing in the Meuse Argonne offensive.
I took my dad on some European excursions to include several places in Italy, Germany, and France. We scheduled the trip to Normandy and Paris, which took us through Verdun. While stopped there, my father mentioned he believe Uncle Oscar's unit was engaged near there, so I searched for American Military Cemeteries. There are more than a few there, with several big ABMC (http://www.abmc.gov/cemeteries/cemeteries/ma.php) American Battlefield Memorial/Cemeteries in France.
We visited the Meuse Argonne battlefield memorial. While there, my father asked the curator if Oscar was buried there (14,296 American Soldiers, Marines, and Airmen are buried there) and sure enough - he was! We were the first Wells' to visit his grave. The next year, I flew dad back over to attend the Memorial day service. It was an amazing experience.
Honor those that have fallen in battle!
(http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb1/bigsargewells/VacationwithDad_Becky2012188.jpg) (http://s207.photobucket.com/user/bigsargewells/media/VacationwithDad_Becky2012188.jpg.html)
(http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb1/bigsargewells/DSC_0554.jpg) (http://s207.photobucket.com/user/bigsargewells/media/DSC_0554.jpg.html)
(http://i207.photobucket.com/albums/bb1/bigsargewells/VacationwithDad_Becky2012161.jpg) (http://s207.photobucket.com/user/bigsargewells/media/VacationwithDad_Becky2012161.jpg.html)
-
:salute
Neat finding.
-
:salute
-
great pics and story!
-
:salute Ammo...thank you for sharing that story. and :salute :salute to your grandfather and your great uncle.
-
Was he from Mississippi ? Thanks for sharing .
-
Is that you on the left with your dad in the first pic? You don't look old enough to retire???
-
Was he from Mississippi ? Thanks for sharing .
Yessir - my family is from NE Mississippi. Been there for generations.
-
Is that you on the left with your dad in the first pic? You don't look old enough to retire???
Well thank you! Did 23.5 years in the USAF. I was 45 when that photo was taken.
-
Must have been very rewarding to uncover that story.
Thank you for your service.
-
This is your Grand Uncle correct?
When did he tell the family he had enlisted?
-
This is your Grand Uncle correct?
When did he tell the family he had enlisted?
He is my father's uncle, so great uncle, right?
Not sure - what I garnered from dad is he just left. I guess the family at home just figured it out - honestly, I'm not sure.
-
Thanks for posting this and <S> to you, your Grandfather and his brother.
My family is going to Normandy in October. Saw Arlington last year and it was an emotional experience.
-
He is my father's uncle, so great uncle, right?
Not sure - what I garnered from dad is he just left. I guess the family at home just figured it out - honestly, I'm not sure.
Yes, Great-Uncle is correct. I've been fortunate enough to know a few of mine.
-
Yes, Great-Uncle is correct. I've been fortunate enough to know a few of mine.
That is because you all must start your careers really early and retire really early (in life). ;)
I am jealous.
-
Yessir - my family is from NE Mississippi. Been there for generations.
Same here <S>
-
That is because you all must start your careers really early and retire really early (in life). ;)
I am jealous.
That doesn't mean I don't have to work! My pension is 54% of my salary as a 23.5 year E7 - IOW, not that much:)
-
I do more work now after I retired as far as that goes .
-
Great story and thanks for sharing Ammo!