Pop Pop wrote:
Yesterday was my Dad's birthday. He would have been one hundred years old. This is his photo when he served with the Fourth Army in the 4th Armored Division during World War II. He landed in France in July of 1944. He earned four Bronze Stars and his unit was awarded The Presidential Distinguished Unit Award as the only armored division to be awarded this for "extraordinary tactical accomplishment" in spearheading the Army advance across France and Germany. Only the second time in U.S. Army history that this has happened. His unit fought with General Patton in the Battle of the Bulge. General Patton wrote, "The accomplishments of this division has never been equaled. And by that statement I do not mean in this war. I mean in the entire history of warfare. There has never been such a superb fighting organization as the Fourth Armored Division."
His unit was awarded the French Croix de Guerre with Palms by the French government as "a magnificent unit possessing the highest military virtues contributing to the success of the campaign in Franc.
The Fourth Armored Division was recognized as the first liberating unit of a Nazi concentration camp by the U.S. Army's Center of Military History and the United States Holocaust Memorial Museum in 1985.
My dad never spoke about the war and his accomplishments. I do remember once at the dinner table my brother asked if he had fought in the Battle of the Bulge and he simply said, "yea I did."
With all that he went through his greatest accomplishment was that as a great husband, dad and grandpa!
Happy Birthday Dad!
Yesterday was my Dad's birthday. He would have bee... (
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You must be very proud of your Dad. I understand why. This story is one of the reasons I get mad when I hear younger people talk about the bad things Our Country did with wars in other country's. All people who think that generation did bad things to other country's should go to France sometime and look at the Cemeteries that they have for Our fallen Solders and how well they are maintained. All We ever asked from any Country that We fought in for their freedom was a place to bury Our fallen Hero's. God bless all of them, and your Dad.
Happy Birthday. Thanks for sharing this with us.
Happy Birthday. Thanks for sharing this with us.
It is understandable why you would be proud of your Dad. His accomplishments in life were all outstanding. The accomplishments of the 4th Armored Division is historic and they were very highly decorated. Your Dad was not only part of the "Greatest Generation" but he also raised a great family. May God bless him and his comrades in arms along with each of their families.
Flying Three wrote:
Congratulations on such a fine tribute. I'll bet that you are also a great husband, father, and . . . .
Also, the photograph looks to be a hand tinted photo, and if so, that is certainly a beautiful piece of lost art from the past.
...and grandpa to six. I try to emulate him.
khildy wrote:
Four Bronze Stars OMG. and no Purple Hearts? My dad was also part of the greatest generation!
Well my Mom told me that he was stabbed in the leg but continued fighting and it was not noted on reports. Thank you for your reply.
Thank you so much to all that replied including Jerry, John, Earnest, Danni, Tommi, kemosabi, sam, JFCoupe, BamaTexan, bodiebill, Raymond,Air Walter, Dossile, Joanne, Moondoggie and countryboy. (I apologize if I left anyone out.)
All your kind words mean a lot to me.
Great image and what a dad!!
What a wonderful tribute for a real hero. My. father served in Army and Army Air Corps We owe a huge debt of gratitude to those brave men and women who fought and served so valiantly for our freedom!
Thank you!
Another hero of that generation. They were something weren’t they! My dad, passed a couple years ago at 94. He served in the Pacific during WW2. Thanks for posting and thanks to your father for answering the call!
Timarron wrote:
Another hero of that generation. They were something weren’t they! My dad, passed a couple years ago at 94. He served in the Pacific during WW2. Thanks for posting and thanks to your father for answering the call!
They were a special generation. Thanks
Wonderful tribute
Thanks for your post.
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