Don Moore

Posts Tagged ‘Salerno’

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American POW talked 40 German soldiers into surrendering to him – Lt. William Standish’s fast-talking did the trick

In Bronze Star, Purple Heart, Silver Star, U. S. Army, World War II on November 12, 2012 at 4:38 am

1st Lt. William Standish is pictured after WWII wearing his Combat Infantryman’s Badge and his ribbons indicating he fought in four major campaigns and received the Silver and Bronze Star medals. Photo provided

It was 1st Lt. William Standish’s worst nightmare. He and the men in his platoon were charging a German-held house in the fog atop Hill 566, just south of Bologna, Italy, during World War II. The fog lifted and they were standing in the open, 50 feet away from an enemy machine-gun position. Read the rest of this entry »

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He was in 1st Ranger Battalion in WW II – Sgt. Lawrence Gilbert landed in Sicily, Salerno and Anzio

In Korean War, World War II on September 21, 2012 at 4:38 am

Sgt. Lawrence Gilbert stateside with the National Guard during summer maneuvers. Photo provided by Lawrence Gilbert

Sgt. Lawrence Gilbert of North Port, Fla. was a member of the 1st Ranger Battalion attached to the 1st Division, part of Gen. George Patton’s 7th Army that landed in Sicily on July 10, 1943 during the middle of World War II. Read the rest of this entry »

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Cpl. Sam Burns shot down 2 JU-88 bombers over Tunisian desert in 1942

In U.S. Air Force, World War II on September 14, 2011 at 4:38 am

Sgt. Sam Burns wearing the Distinguished Service Cross, the second higest medal for bravery, on his breast pocket. Directly above is a ribbon noting he took part in the Italian Campaign and participated in four major battles during World War II. He was 22 when the picture was taken in Baltimore, Md. after the war. Photo provided

The barrel of Cpl. Sam Burns’ .50 caliber machine-gun glowed red from the heat of 1,000 bullets. He was firing at the twin-engine German JU-88 “Junkers” bombers strafing their artillery outfit in the Tunisian desert of North African in December 1942. Read the rest of this entry »

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Pete Self fought in Italy with 5th, France with 7th, Germany with 3rd Division

In U. S. Army, World War II on March 11, 2011 at 4:38 am

Escaping German soldiers plod along a road heading west in their escape from the advancing Russian army at the end of World War II. Photo provided

Pete Self of Englewood was a rifleman in H-Company, 143rd Regiment of the 36 Infantry Division when he first came ashore at Naples, Italy on Sept. 9, 1943 during World War II.

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Sgt. Harold Glover fought at Salerno, Anzio, Monte Cassino, France & Germany during WW II

In Pacific, Purple Heart, U. S. Army, World War II on February 28, 2011 at 4:38 am

This was "Anzio Annie," the giant German artillery piece mounted on a railroad flat car, that terrorized American troops trapped on the beach at Anzio. Sgt. Harold Glover is one of the soldiers standing on the barrel of the gun with his Thompson. The picture appeared in Stars and Strips, the military newspaper during the war. Photo provided

Harold Glover of La Casa mobile home park in North Port, Fla. was a sergeant in the “Fighting 36th Infantry Division” that first saw battle in North Africa in World War II, went on to Italy and before the war was over made the invasion of Southern France and marched into Germany. He received three Purple Hearts while fighting at Salerno, Anzio, Monte Casino and finally crossed the Rhine River into Germany at war’s end.

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Alex Brast flew a B-26, twin-engine ‘Widowmaker” in WW II and survived

In U.S. Army Air Corps, World War II on August 2, 2010 at 4:58 am

2nd Lt. Alex Brast is pictured at 22 shortly after graduating from Aviation Cadet School and receiving his silver wings. He was designated as a pilot of a B-26 “Widowmaker” bomber. Photo provided

Alex Brast of Blue Heron Pines mobile home park, south of Punta Gorda, flew a B-26, twin-engine bomber in North Africa, Sicily, Sardinia and Italy during World War II.

These bombers were called “The Widowmaker.” Because the planes were hard to land, particularly with one engine out, a lot of airmen died when the hot attack-bomber lost air speed and fell out of the sky. It also had a tendency to develop engine trouble on takeoff and crash.

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