Nov 10, 2011

One of My Hero Veterans



My Daddy has always been my hero! I think all little girls believe that their daddy is just some superhero. In most cases they are. If we are one of the lucky ones to have such a daddy who truly is, that is great! I was blessed with just such a person. Today I talk of him and history.  You might be surprised at what you'll read.


In the years since his passing, I have met several of his WWII Unit friends and they are all heroes!
To the 83rd Chemical Mortar Battalion of WWII, I salute you! To the best secret Unit, there ever was in WWII.  To the artillery of Darby's Rangers  83rd Memorial Page Darby's Rangers, as well as numerous other units.  Hero's One and All. To the most humble men, I have ever met! I thank God for you all!



Carl D. Johnson
83rd CML BN

Badge that they were not allowed to wear because they were a secret Unit
Rounds Away An excellent history of this Unit




Standing on the steps of Cathedral in Amalfi, Italy


The Sinking of the LST-422

Daddy was on board this and then the rescue. The ship that picked some of the survivors sank too! Interesting history of 83rd Mortar Bn.

The story of my daddy and his friend Jimmie Wheeler on this particular sinking can be read here:  WWII True Story:  Sinking ship, Leaky Vest, Two Men Hanging On.

A Fun Fact:
Did you know that as a child actress Sophia Loren would visit this unit?  She was treated for a cut on her chin by the unit's doctors and to this day has a little scar from the accident.  I do remember daddy talking about meeting her and her mother.  They would sometimes take in some of the soldiers and feed them meals.  Sophia herself along with other young children loved the chocolate the soldiers would give to them. 










To the men who helped keep our country free
Mt. Versuvius in the background.


This Veteran's Day we all may want to stop and think about the sacrifices made by others.so that we can enjoy our freedoms. Freedoms that we all take for granted. Keep in mind, as I will try to do we would not have this day if it weren't for the soldiers of the past and present

Thank You, God for these patriots!




2 comments:

  1. What a wonderful tribute to your father, Dolly! You are right. We owe our freedom to him and others who served with him. My father was in the army prior to WWII. He served at the Panama Canal.

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    1. I am thankful to your father's service. Yes we all need to remember this. You and I do hopefully others will understand and also know this.

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