D-Day Photos

[PSUFAN]

Yes - and if they didn't, they grew them pretty quick.

[Tom In VA]

RACK PSUFAN.

It amazes when I read, listen to, and - growing up - heard accounts from men who were called to such duty. I am in utter awe of the humility displayed by these men. BSmack sports a quote in his sig that captures it. But to a man, it seems, each - fully realizing how lucky they were to survive, it's just humbling.

That I breathe the same air as them ? WTF ?

[Wolfman]

I knew a guy at our church here. Was at Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. Lived through all that and down here in his 80's gets T-boned by a dump truck running a red light. I always say that "when your ticket is punched--it is punched."

[Tom In VA]

I knew a guy at our church here. Was at Normandy and the Battle of the Bulge. Lived through all that and down here in his 80's gets T-boned by a dump truck running a red light. I always say that "when your ticket is punched--it is punched."

My grandmother's cousin came back from Korea. Pork Chop Hill, guy to his left - killed, guy to his right - killed. He gets home to Brooklyn, run over by a truck.

Dad worked with a dude who was on Omaha Beach. The 29th Infantry Division, 116th Infantry Regiment. His foot was blown off and he couldn't move, the only reason he survived was because he was surrounded by dead Soldiers.

[Goober McTuber]

My uncle fought in the Battle of the Bulge. He died last year at age 91.

[Screw_Michigan]

My uncle fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

That's something you fight every day, right Tubby?

[Shlomart Ben Yisrael]

Just a thought:

Do you think WWII vets see Iraq and Afghanistan vets as "soft,winy pussies"?

My guess would be yes.

[Goober McTuber]

My uncle fought in the Battle of the Bulge.

That's something you fight every day, right Tubby?

I see you're of the school that believes that if you repeat a lie often enough, it eventually becomes the truth. You flaming heterosexual.

[Van]

I am in utter awe of the humility displayed by these men. BSmack sports a quote in his sig that captures it.

And then some, I'd say!

BSmack's sig...

Jizz-mopping isn't 9-to-5. Trust me, I know.

[MuchoBulls]

That guy up front in the raft (lower right) looks like he thought he'd found a way outta the invasion, but got dragged back into it!

It almost looks like both dudes in the raft might have been wounded.

[Goober McTuber]

That guy up front in the raft (lower right) looks like he thought he'd found a way outta the invasion, but got dragged back into it!

It almost looks like both dudes in the raft might have been wounded.

Dude on the right looks like he’s talking on his cell phone.

[Tom In VA]

I am in utter awe of the humility displayed by these men. BSmack sports a quote in his sig that captures it.

And then some, I'd say!

BSmack's sig...

Jizz-mopping isn't 9-to-5. Trust me, I know.

He must have changed it. It used to be this quote.

Sergeant Mike Ranney, "'I cherish the memories of a question my grandson asked me the other day when he said, Grandpa, were you a hero in the war?' Grandpa said 'No… but I served in a company of heroes…'"

[Shlomart Ben Yisrael]

Sergeant Mike Ranney, "'I cherish the memories of a question my grandson asked me the other day when he said, Grandpa, were you a hero in the war?' Grandpa said 'No… but I served in a company of heroes…'"

The most cringe-worthy assembly of words I have ever seen on the interwebs.

Probably fake, too.

[Tom In VA]

The most cringe-worthy assembly of words I have ever seen on the interwebs.

Probably fake, too.

That's your problem bro. As for its authenticity, the dude who said it was quite decorated

http://www.frankdeangelis.com/Staff%20S ... Ranney.htm



Probably wrote a bit. So -- I'm a believer.

[Goober McTuber]

Sergeant Mike Ranney, "'I cherish the memories of a question my grandson asked me the other day when he said, Grandpa, were you a hero in the war?' Grandpa said 'No… but I served in a company of heroes…'"

The most cringe-worthy assembly of words I have ever seen on the interwebs.

Probably fake, too.

Probably being honest. I assume Grandpa was a Canadian serving in a US company.

[BarFlie]

It's hard to imagine where those guys got the guts to hit the beach under those circunstances. When I first saw "Saving Private Ryan" I thought I was gonna hurl during the begining. Having served in nam in a combat platoon of the 101st Abn Div i've seen a few things but it was like a walk in the park compared to d-day. Unfukinbelievable. Rack those dudes!

[mvscal]

Just a thought:

Do you think WWII vets see Iraq and Afghanistan vets as "soft,winy pussies"?

My guess would be yes.

Not a chance. They would probably be a little jealous of the chow, though.

[mvscal]

The most cringe-worthy assembly of words I have ever seen on the interwebs.

Probably fake, too.

That's your problem bro. As for its authenticity, the dude who said it was quite decorated

http://www.frankdeangelis.com/Staff%20S ... Ranney.htm



Probably wrote a bit. So -- I'm a believer.

Ranney was being bluntly, soul crushingly honest not modest. He has no awards for gallantry in action. His bronze stars do not have "V" device which means they were awarded for meritorious service and anybody could pick up a purple heart. The rest of the medals are 'atta boys' and participation awards.

[JMak]

Rack mvscal...that was an absurd question in the first place. Very few vets that I have talked to attempt to minimize a contemporary solder's experience in war and try to run comparisons about how tough their war was compared say the current war in Afghanistan. And of those who did, they stayed intrawar, e.g., the WWII vets that went into Italy and who are a little chafed about the D-Day guys getting all the glory...

[Shlomart Ben Yisrael]

Just a thought:

Do you think WWII vets see Iraq and Afghanistan vets as "soft,winy pussies"?

My guess would be yes.

Not a chance. They would probably be a little jealous of the chow, though.

WWII Vet: "If I can just crawl past that enfilade fire from the two MG-42's, I can slide this charge under the Panther..."

Iraq/Afghan Vet: " Wahhhh! I have PTSD! The air-conditioning in my trailer is broken and my Fresca is warm! CORPSMAN!!!"

[BarFlie]

WWII Vet: "If I can just crawl past that enfilade fire from the two MG-42's, I can slide this charge under the Panther..."

Iraq/Afghan Vet: " Wahhhh! I have PTSD! The air-conditioning in my trailer is broken and my Fresca is warm! CORPSMAN!!!"

[Wolfman]

Obviously "Marty" has no concept of what combat is like for the guys in A-Stan or anywhere else for that matter. STFU asshole!

[Tom In VA]

Ranney was being bluntly, soul crushingly honest not modest. He has no awards for gallantry in action. His bronze stars do not have "V" device which means they were awarded for meritorious service and anybody could pick up a purple heart. The rest of the medals are 'atta boys' and participation awards.

The sentiment was echoed by his C.O. and while the words weren't the same; by many who did in fact win medals for gallantry.

Quick blurb on the minimizing of PTSD.

http://www.warfoto.com/AudieMurphy.htm

Audie suffered from what is now known as Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTS) and was plagued by insomnia and depression. During the mid-60's he became dependent for a time on doctor prescribed sleeping pills called Placidyl. When he recognized that he had become addicted to this prescription drug, he locked himself in a motel room, stopped taking the sleeping pills and went through withdrawal symptoms for a week.

Always an advocate for the needs of veterans, he broke the taboo about discussing war related mental problems after this experience. In a effort to draw attention to the problems of returning Korean and Vietnam War veterans, Audie Murphy spoke-out candidly about his personal problems with PTS, then known as "Battle Fatigue". He publicly called for United States government to give more consideration and study to the emotional impact war has on veterans and to extend health care benefits to address PTS and other mental health problems of returning war vets.

While on a business trip on May 28, 1971, (Memorial Day Weekend) he was killed at the age of 46. A private plane flying in fog and rain crashed in the side of a mountain near Roanoke, Virginia. Five others including the pilot were also killed. Although Audie owned and flew his own plane earlier in his career at Hollywood, he was among the passengers that tragic day.

Roanoke, VA not far from Bedford, VA.

[mvscal]

Ranney was being bluntly, soul crushingly honest not modest. He has no awards for gallantry in action. His bronze stars do not have "V" device which means they were awarded for meritorious service and anybody could pick up a purple heart. The rest of the medals are 'atta boys' and participation awards.

The sentiment was echoed by his C.O. and while the words weren't the same; by many who did in fact win medals for gallantry.

There is a very profound difference between modesty and honesty.

When Dick Winters says something like he wasn't a hero he just served with them, he is lying out his ass. That particular type of dishonesty is called modesty.

[mvscal]

I can't imagine what it must have been like to step off of one of those landing craft into that hell.

You really ought to make the trip someday. I've stood on Omaha beach and looked up at the bluffs and I've stood in the German fighting positions covering the beach. It's a pretty fucking bone-chilling experience.

[Shlomart Ben Yisrael]

asshole !

FTFY

[Tom In VA]

There is a very profound difference between modesty and honesty.

When Dick Winters says something like he wasn't a hero he just served with them, he is lying out his ass. That particular type of dishonesty is called modesty.

I accept that as your perception of his statement.

[Shlomart Ben Yisrael]

There is a very profound difference between modesty and honesty.

When Dick Winters says something like he wasn't a hero he just served with them, he is lying out his ass. That particular type of dishonesty is called modesty.

I accept that as your perception of his statement.

Tom, if I was in your Virginia militia unit and a grenade rolled into our trench...

...I would definitely tell you about it.


WAR ~ real heroes

[Tom In VA]

Same here man. If you were here and we were in a foxhole when the shit hit the fan ( a citizen kept trying to go down a blocked road to get to their home), I'd let you know that warm liquid pooling in our fighting hole was really me pissing my pants.

[Shlomart Ben Yisrael]

Same here man. If you were here and we were in a foxhole when the shit hit the fan ( a citizen kept trying to go down a blocked road to get to their home), I'd let you know that warm liquid pooling in our fighting hole was really me pissing my pants.

They definitely broke the mould when they made us.

RACK us.

[Diego in Seattle]

Conditions for today's soldiers (especially chow) is definitely better than what they had in WWII.

But back then soldiers enjoyed a lot more support on the homefront. It was a united front that saw sacrifice by most, if not all. Today the general public barely notices that there are soldiers involved in combat, with a lot of doofuses who protest against them.

[BarFlie]

Ranney was being bluntly, soul crushingly honest not modest. He has no awards for gallantry in action. His bronze stars do not have "V" device which means they were awarded for meritorious service and anybody could pick up a purple heart. The rest of the medals are 'atta boys' and participation awards.

The sentiment was echoed by his C.O. and while the words weren't the same; by many who did in fact win medals for gallantry.

There is a very profound difference between modesty and honesty.

When Dick Winters says something like he wasn't a hero he just served with them, he is lying out his ass. That particular type of dishonesty is called modesty.

He does have a CIB in the mix and there are strict guidelines as to who gets awarded one. Chances are he was in the vicinity of a hero or two.

[mvscal]

Chances are he was in the vicinity of a hero or two.

No doubt. That's what he said, right?

[Diego in Seattle]

There is also a bill in Congress that would, if passed & signed, would award Maj. Winters the CMOH (although I have my doubts that will ever get passed, unfortunately).

[BarFlie]

Chances are he was in the vicinity of a hero or two.

No doubt. That's what he said, right?

yes , so i'm thinking lying out his ass was a bit harsh is all.

[Goober McTuber]

Audie suffered from what is now known as Post Traumatic Stress Syndrome (PTS) and was plagued by insomnia and depression. During the mid-60's he became dependent for a time on doctor prescribed sleeping pills called Placidyl.

I got my hands on some Placidyls back when I used to imbibe the recreational drugs. We called them horse tranquilizers. Good times, good times.

[smackaholic]

Rack the D-Day photos and all of those soldiers.

Here are some more military photos, taken recently in Afghanistan. Rack those soldiers too.

nice link chip.

rack those dudes indeed.

my stepdad was a WWII paratrooper. he saw action in italy, but was lucky enough to get himself shot up before D-Day. This was probably a good thing as the paratroopers at D-Day saw horrendous casualties.

as for poo-pooing later actions, i do remember him saying that the guys in nam had it a lot easier than he in that they had helos to drop them off and bring them back wereas he and his buddies were kicked out of c-47s and were on their own.

i would say that he is partly right in that later troops had better transportation options, but, i'm sure any nam or afghan vet would gladly trade ROE with a wwII dude who was pretty much free to shoot the shit out of anything he felt needed it.

[mvscal]

Chances are he was in the vicinity of a hero or two.

No doubt. That's what he said, right?

yes , so i'm thinking lying out his ass was a bit harsh is all.

I think you misunderstood what I was saying. I said a guy with a DSC or MOH saying, "I was no hero, I just served with them." is lying out his ass. It was just an example to distinguish simple honesty from misleading modesty.

When Ranney said he was no hero, he was just telling the truth. He served with honor and did his duty commendably, but there is nothing in his awards to show that he went above and beyond the call of duty.

[mvscal]

i do remember him saying that the guys in nam had it a lot easier than he in that they had helos to drop them off and bring them back wereas he and his buddies were kicked out of c-47s and were on their own.

Did he serve in Vietnam?

One key difference between WW2 and Vietnam and Iraq/A-stan is that while the WW2 battles were larger and more intense, there was more down time between them. Combat troops in Nam and Iraq were either patrolling or manning the perimeter almost every day they weren't involved in an op. Add the language barrier, different culture and the difficulty disthinguishing between friend and foe and you stay keyed up for a very long time. That takes a toll.

I don't think there is a whole helluva lot of difference. A dude in Vietnam could easily spend 90-100 days in combat in a 13 month tour. Barflie could speak to that more authoritatively, I'm sure. That is comparable to WW2.

[BarFlie]

I think you misunderstood what I was saying. I said a guy with a DSC or MOH saying, "I was no hero, I just served with them." is lying out his ass. It was just an example to distinguish simple honesty from misleading modesty.

When Ranney said he was no hero, he was just telling the truth. He served with honor and did his duty commendably, but there is nothing in his awards to show that he went above and beyond the call of duty.

right after posting i thought wait! maybe he's being satirical or something. ya, i misunderstood but i'll rack the dude for staying out of the crosshairs