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Reporting for duty!

Discussion in '☆☆ New Recruits ☆☆' started by Scott Rogerson, Apr 3, 2018.

  1. Scott Rogerson

    Scott Rogerson New Member

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    Hello my name is Scott, my member name is not unique, but I am glad I found this forum. I am 41 and I became interested in WWII when I was a teenager (unfortunately not as much as I should have). I was able to spend the day with one of my grandfathers who served on the USS Idaho (BB42) during the war. He was a 20mm gunner. He spent the day telling me some stories, showing me pictures, and old shells. I recall that he could still remember the smell. My other grandfather served in the Utah guard until it was activated in 1940 and then was assigned to the 25th infantry division. He was a medic and was active until Japan surrendered. Neither of my grandfathers talked much about it. My grandfather who was a medic wrote a history and in it, he talks about the unopposed landings (Guadalcanal, Northern Solomon's, New Georgia, and Luzon). I had a picture in my head of Utah or Normandy beach. Only after much study did I realize this was a tactic to allow the Americans a small beach head and then attack.

    My interest is all things WWII, however, the topics that interest me most are BB42 and Tropic Lightning. I have several rare books. One is my grandfathers Cruise Book for the Idaho and the others are The 25th Division During WWII. Another book I have is spiral bound called 165 days: A story of the 25th Division on Luzon. It was sent to my grandfather from a buddy when he and my grandmother missed a reunion. There is a drawing in the book of soldiers loading wounded troops into a vehicle. The writing in the front said, "Joe, look at page xx, you should remember this." It gave me a whole new insight into my soft spoken grandfather. His history talked more about the marching, mud, tropical disease, and the brief R&R in New Zealand where he and a buddy were able to live with a farmer and help during the day. However, it was short lived as they were off for 18 months of training.

    I have some pictures, I have some propaganda that he took home. One has a skull and cross and says HELLo Doy Boys! It is very interesting and rare. He also talks about how the entire unit was down when General Dalton was killed by a sniper at around the same time FDR died.

    Scott Rogerson.

    To all current and former veterans, I salute you!
     
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  2. Slipdigit

    Slipdigit Good Ol' Boy Staff Member WW2|ORG Editor

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    Welcome Scott,

    It is good to have you join us.
     
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  3. GRW

    GRW Pillboxologist WW2|ORG Editor

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    Welcome to the forums, Scott!
     
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  4. JJWilson

    JJWilson Well-Known Member

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    Welcome Scott! Great to have you here, would love to here more stories later on :)
     
  5. Scott Rogerson

    Scott Rogerson New Member

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    I will get his history and post it along with some of the pictures and other information I have found.
     
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  6. TD-Tommy776

    TD-Tommy776 Man of Constant Sorrow

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    One of my uncles served with the 35th Infantry Regiment of the 25th ID. The 25th Division history one of the better division histories. I also have a copy of the "165 Days..." though my copy is not spiral bound. It has the very awful original binding. Regardless, it is a great book.

    I hope you'll consider sharing some of those items here on the Forum. Balete Pass was renamed Dalton Pass in honor of General Dalton who was killed there.

    Oh, I almost forgot. Welcome to the Forums, Scott.
     
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  7. Scott Rogerson

    Scott Rogerson New Member

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    Yes, I have seen the memorial to the 25th and then Dalton Pass. Thanks for the reminder!
     
  8. CAC

    CAC Ace of Spades

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    Welcome aboard...
     
  9. USMCPrice

    USMCPrice Idiot at Large

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    Welcome aboard. Enjoy your time here! BTW, CAC that just posted a welcome, is from Darwin so he actually lives in the area.
     
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  10. KJ Jr

    KJ Jr Well-Known Member

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    Welcome to the forum
     
  11. Half Track

    Half Track Well-Known Member

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    Welcome to the Forum! Nice Avatar
     
  12. KMZgirl

    KMZgirl Member

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    Hello and welcome! My knowledge of the 25th is severely limited. My father was in Hawaii for a short time before ending up in the CBI. I never was able to place him with the 25th, but it was a possible fit his timeline. I don't know much of anything, but I sure enjoy hanging out here and learning. :)
     
  13. Scott Rogerson

    Scott Rogerson New Member

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    Here's a bronze medal citation my grandfather received on Luzon. He was a medic and platoon leader.
     

    Attached Files:

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