World War 2 Vets - The Greatest Generation

[PlanetFrnd]

I know and there was none tdaken. :p

ddick

 

[Saw31]

Grandfather on mother's side was a naval aviator (navigator) on some kind of bomber in the Mediterranean searching for U-boats. Never injured.

Grandfather on father's side was old enough to miss WWII (in terms of serving in the armed forces). Instead he worked in a Ford factory producing war material, where he lost 3 fingers in a press.

Always found this interesting...

 

[Smudger]

Hawaii Sen. Daniel Inouye, 88, dies - USA Today

First elected to the Senate in 1962, Inouye's tenure is second only to Democrat Robert Byrd of West Virginia, who died in 2010.

Yet it was on the battlefields in Europe during World War II where Inouye first earned distinction. At a time when the federal government placed thousands of Japanese Americans into relocation camps, Inouye and his Asian-American peers petitioned the White House for the right to serve in the military. He dropped out of school to join the Army's 442nd Regimental Combat Team, made up of "nisei," or Americans whose parents were born in Japan.

In 1944, Inouye narrowly avoided death in France when a bullet struck him in the chest and hit two silver dollars he carried in his shirt pocket for good luck.

Second Lieutenant INOUYE, DANIEL, K., U.S. ARMY - CMOHS.org

Presented the Medal of Honor by President Bill Clinton on June 21st, 2000, 55 years after his actions in Italy that he was awarded it for.

Citation

Second Lieutenant Daniel K. Inouye distinguished himself by extraordinary heroism in action on 21 April 1945, in the vicinity of San Terenzo, Italy. While attacking a defended ridge guarding an important road junction, Second Lieutenant Inouye skillfully directed his platoon through a hail of automatic weapon and small arms fire, in a swift enveloping movement that resulted in the capture of an artillery and mortar post and brought his men to within 40 yards of the hostile force. Emplaced in bunkers and rock formations, the enemy halted the advance with crossfire from three machine guns. With complete disregard for his personal safety, Second Lieutenant Inouye crawled up the treacherous slope to within five yards of the nearest machine gun and hurled two grenades, destroying the emplacement. Before the enemy could retaliate, he stood up and neutralized a second machine gun nest. Although wounded by a sniper's bullet, he continued to engage other hostile positions at close range until an exploding grenade shattered his right arm. Despite the intense pain, he refused evacuation and continued to direct his platoon until enemy resistance was broken and his men were again deployed in defensive positions. In the attack, 25 enemy soldiers were killed and eight others captured. By his gallant, aggressive tactics and by his indomitable leadership, Second Lieutenant Inouye enabled his platoon to advance through formidable resistance, and was instrumental in the capture of the ridge. Second Lieutenant Inouye's extraordinary heroism and devotion to duty are in keeping with the highest traditions of military service and reflect great credit on him, his unit, and the United States Army.

Amazing life he lived. Somehow survived (Lost his right arm) the war as cannon fodder with the 442nd Regimental Combat Team & went on to be the 2nd longest tenured senator in U.S. history as well as becoming the President pro tempore of the United States Senate in 2010.