World War II Chronicles A Quarterly Publication of the World War II Veterans Committee ISSUE XXXVIII, Spring 2007 Supreme Headquarters Allied Expeditionary Force Soldiers, Sailors and Airmen of the Allied Expeditionary Force! You are about to embark upon the Great Crusade, toward which we have striven these many months. The eyes of the world are upon you. The hopes and prayers of liberty-loving people everywhere march with you. In company with our brave Allies and brothers-in-arms on other Fronts, you will bring about the destruction of the German war machine, the elimination of Nazi tyranny over the oppressed peoples of Europe, and security for ourselves in a free world. Your task will not be an easy one. Your enemy is well trained, well equipped and battle hardened. He will fight savagely. But this is the year 1944! Much has happened since the Nazi triumphs of 1940-41. The United Nations have inflicted upon the Germans great defeats, in open battle, man-to-man. Our air offensive has seriously reduced their strength in the air and their capacity to wage war on the ground. Our Home Fronts have given us an overwhelming superiority in weapons and munitions of war, and placed at our disposal great reserves of trained fighting men. The tide has turned! The free men of the world are marching together to Victory! I have full confidence in your courage and devotion to duty and skill in battle. We will accept nothing less than full Victory! Good luck! And let us beseech the blessing of Almighty God upon this great and noble undertaking. Dwight D. Eisenhower World War II Chronicles A Quarterly Publication of the World War II Veterans Committee WWW.WWIIVETS.COM ISSUE XXXVIII, Spring 2007 Special Feature -In This Issue- 4 The Third Annual National Memorial Day Parade It was war on a scale unimagined by any On May 29, 2007, a crowd of 250,000 spectators lined before. Stretching from Europe and Africa Constitution Avenue, in a demonstration of respect in the Atlantic to scattered islands across and reverance for those Americans who have fought the entire Pacific, the Allied victory in and died in service to our country. World War II saw the preservation of free- dom in the West—but at a cost. Millions Articles American GIs prepare to storm lost their lives, and in the East, a new threat the fiery beaches of Normandy, arose, hidden behind an Iron Curtain, June 6, 1944. Omaha Beach and Beyond by which would doom millions more to suffer 9 John Robert Slaughter for decades more under the tyranny of communism. The invasion of “Bloody Omaha” as told by one of the thousands who experienced it first-hand.. In this issue, we share the first-hand accounts of those veterans who suffered through some of the most terrible fighting of World War II, so that others might be free. From Omaha Beach to the Aleutian Island of The Battle of Attu by Attu to the tiny Pacific Island of Pityliu, this is World War II in their 18 Major William S. Jones, USA-Ret words. Finally, we end with a tribute to those who, after the defeat of For the first time in 130 years, American soil is occupied Nazism and Japanese Imperialism, continued the struggle against com- by a foreign army. Here, one man recalls his experience munism. in taking it back. PLUS 22 WWII: A Legacy of Letters by Clinton Frederick Beyond Courage: A Musical Tribute to the Survivors of One man’s World War II story, lost with his death in the 30 the Bataan Death March Pacific, is found once more through his letters home. A new orchestral work honors the bravery of those who suffered through one of history’s great tragedies. Caring for the Fallen: A Personal Story by 25 George Ciampa The Dedication of the Victims of Communism Memorial One man’s experience performing one of the war’s 31 Committee President James C. Roberts helps dedicate the grimmest tasks, and his mission to keep the legacy of memorial in Washington, DC honoring those who lost their the fallen alive, 60 years later. lives to one of history’s most evil ideologies. From the World War II Veterans Committee World War II Memorial Tapestry Throw Blanket Since its dedication in 2004, millions of people have come to the National World War II Memorial in Washington, DC to remember those 16 million Americans who served in history’s greatest conflict. Now available from the World War II Veterans Committee is this new, full color tapestry throw blanket commemorating the World War II Memorial. The blanket, made from 100% cotton grown in North Carolina, measures 54x70 inches, and makes a great gift. This beautiful blanket can be ordered from the World War II Veterans Committee for $65 (plus $8 shipping) by calling 703-302-1012 ext. 203. World War II Chronicles - Spring, 2007 - 2 From the Editor Thank You By Tim Holbert For the tens of thousands of patriotic Americans like yourself theme of the parade was a celebration of the 60th anniversary of who receive World War II Chronicles, it goes without saying that the U.S. Air Force, with the event including such legendary aerial you believe in preserving the legacy units as the Doolittle Raiders, Flying of the World War II generation for Tigers, and Tuskegee Airmen. generations to come. Unlike any other publication, Chronicles is devoted to let- This celebration of America’s heroes ting the veterans of World War II would not be possible without the share their own experiences, in their support of thousands of individuals own words. The World War II Vet- who, like you, care passionately about erans Committee is honored to have honoring their sacrifices. Thanks to your support in this effort, and we you, the National Memorial Day Pa- hope that you enjoy reading World War rade has quickly become a tradition II Chronicles as much as we enjoy bring- our entire country can take pride in. ing these first-hand accounts to you. The Grand Marshals of the 2007 National Memorial Day Parade Our mission to provide a forum for However, there is so much more be- - our wounded warriors from Operation Enduring Freedom and America’s veterans to share their ex- yond the printing of this publication Operation Iraqi Freedom - pass by the National Archives. They periences continues year-round. In that your support enables the World are joined by Honorary Marshal Gary Sinise. addition to the National Memorial War II Veterans Committee, and its parent organization, the Ameri- Day Parade and World War II Chronicles, our projects include the can Veterans Center, to do. This support was most recently dem- two weekly radio series Veterans Chronicles and Proudly We Hail, onstrated as we put on the third annual National Memorial Day which feature the stories of American heroes in their own words. Parade, held along the National Mall in Washington, DC. Here, We are also currently planning our 10th annual conference, to be an estimated 250,000 spectators gathered to thank those who held Veterans Day weekend, at which our country’s greatest vet- have served, and remember those who have been lost—all in the erans will gather to share their experiences with hundreds of high defense of freedom. The parade featured veterans from across school and college students, as well as an admiring public. Finally, the generations, and was covered by network and cable news your support also allows us to continue sponsoring periodic din- channels and dozens of newspapers from around the country. It ners for our wounded service members currently at Walter Reed was also filmed to appear in the IMAX film, Proud American, set Army Medical Center, giving them an opportunity to get away to be released nationwide in 2008. from the hospital to enjoy a nice evening out. The Grand Marshals of the 2007 National Memorial Day Pa- It is a tremendous honor to help bring the stories of courage and rade were a contingent of our wounded heroes who have served sacrifice of our nation’s service members to the public, especially in Afghanistan and Iraq, and were joined by actor and veterans today’s younger generations. And as we continue our work, we activist Gary Sinise. The parade also featured Frank Buckles— wish to thank you, once more, for your gracious support. one of only three remaining veterans of the First World War. The WWII World War II Chronicles World War II Chronicles, Issue XXXVIII, Spring 2007. A quarterly publication of the World War II Veterans Committee, 1100 N. Glebe Rd. Suite 900, Arlington, VA 22201. Telephone: 703-302-1012. Fax: 571-480-4140. The World War II Veterans Committee is a division of the American Veter- ans Center. World War II Chronicles is mailed to donors to the World War II Veterans Committee who make a contribution of $50 or more per-year. David Eisenhower - Honorary Chairman Contributions help to fund the Committee’s various speaker conferences, James C. Roberts - President student programs, the National Memorial Day Parade, documentary and Tim Holbert - Editor/Program Director oral history projects, and this publication. To make a contribution or sub- Jim Michels - Director of Development scribe, call 703-302-1012 or e-mail [email protected]. Michael Paradiso - Publisher World War II Chronicles - Spring, 2007 - 3 The Third Annual National Memorial Day Parade Presented by the American Veterans Center On Monday, May 28 2007, an estimated 250,000 spectators gathered along Constitu- tion Avenue in Washington, DC, for the third annual National Memorial Day Parade, pre- sented by the American Veterans Center— the parent organization of the World War II Veterans Committee.