WWII: Three Fathers and an Uncle

I have always been interested in World War II due to my dad and my uncle serving during the war.

In my adult years I developed three friendships that all had dads that played a role in significant WWII events as American service men. To honor the sacrifices on the anniversary of D-Day I wanted to tell a brief version of their stories.

My former boss and friend Bob’s dad was in the 101st Airborne (Screaming Eagles) that defended Bastogne, Belgium in the Battle of the Bulge. The town was surrounded but the 101st held of a major offensive battle by the German’s including a demand of surrender by the German commander which was rebuffed (“NUTS”) and the Americans held. The cost was high with nearly 400 killed and over 1600 soldiers wounded. Bob’s dad survived one of the worst battles of the war. His name is on the monument honoring those men in the town of Bastogne.

I had the pleasure of working with Jim, a fellow project manager several years ago. We started talking about our dads who both served in WWII. Jim told me an amazing tale of his dad landing with the Rangers at Pointe Du Hoc on D-Day. They had the tough task of climbing the cliffs of the Pointe that morning while the Germans shot and threw grenades down on them while they climbed basically straight up the cliff. I visited there in 2013. It’s a wonder they made it at all. They made it and captured the entire area and held it. The cost was high. Out of 225 men that started up those cliffs only 90 men survived by the end of the second day holding that ground. Jim’s father survived that day and the war. Jim was lucky to be born.

I got the honor to meet my buddy Warren’s dad before he passed. His father witnessed the attack on Pearl Harbor and was later involved in the battle of Saipan. His dad’s ship was in a position where the Japanese zeros turned to go up battleship row to drop their torpedoes. His ship was not a target. They responded by shooting back at the Japanese planes and actually took two of them down. He said the planes were near eye level and he could see the pilots. Havoc was all around his father but he survived and made it through the war. It was amazing to meet him.

And finally, my uncle Jimmy. Second Lieutenant James H Montgomery Jr., a bombardier of the 303rd Bomb Group was shot down and killed in action on his 24th mission over Germany. His B-17 plane was named “The Hunting Club”. He and the pilot both died. He was 21 years young. I am reading the history of the 303rd. I salute you uncle Jimmy and the three fathers who’s stories I’m proud to share.