IamA (98th Birthday/WW2 VET) AMA!

Happy birthday!!! What's the strangest think that exists today that you never imagined would exist back when you were younger?

He said "one of those" pointing at my computer :p

How would you put the entire war in 1 word. And in one line.?

"Waste" (lives lost/population reduced/destroyed material(buildings)

The war in Africa isn't widely discussed. What is something that he would like more people to know about?

In the fall of 1942 they were low on supplies. He says they stayed in unheated tents.

Thank you for doing this AMA. What is one piece of life advice he would give a young adult?

Get a good education.

What was it like upon hearing the news of Hitler's death?

He was happy! :D "there was so much bad about him."

Even though we read and learn about the war, do you think we will ever truly understand what it was like?

Also whats your Favorite song :)

Thanks for everything

He said "probally not". His favorite song was sentimental journey.

What do you think the defining moments of the 20th century and/or your life are? Thank You for Serving our Country.

Space travel (going to the moon) and the atomic bomb.

What would you consider to be the hardest part of your life?

What would you consider to be the best part?

Hardest: He said IDK at first, then someone suggested the depression and he said "that was probably the worst part". He never went hungry, he had cattle and milk so he can't complain to much. I would say losing my great grandmother was very hard on him. Best: Living with his grandparents.

Thanks for your service. What do you think of the way the government (or people in general) treats its veterans today when compared to 1945?

At first he said "no comment". He said there were limited benefits after WW2 and he and many other people had to get back to work right away after the war. I think he's proud that he got back to work right away. He's a very hard worker.

Living and presumably raising a family in the US during the Cold war, were you ever genuinely afraid that you could wake up to a Nuclear war?

He never was to shook up about it. War is continuous... He does think something might happen to significantly reduce the human population one day. :( edit: spelling

What did Lucky Strikes taste like? Were they better because they were toasted?

I asked him if he ever ate any Lucky Strikes and he said you don't eat cigarettes lol. He barely ever smoked in his life.

What was his favorite decade?

To follow up - What made the time so great in his life, and what was/has been his least favorite? Why on that one as well.

30s were the worst because of the Great Depression. 60s were the greatest because it was the highlight of his bridge career (big project, west blvd).

Any other big project's he's been involved in that he thinks fondly of? Other than liberating a continent of course.

He said there were several other bridges he was fond of some of which don't even exist anymore.

Thank you for your service, sir! I'm currently an airman stationed at Hickam in Hawaii. Have you ever been here? Also, what did you exactly do in the military?

He was in Wing Headquarters over the bomb squad. He maintained the record of how much ammunition, bombs, ect (inventory). He has never been to Hawaii, and thank you for your service.

What was your favorite Movie and Radio Show when you were younger? What do you miss about popular culture from the past?

His favorite movie was Gone With The Wind and his favorite Radio show was fibber mcgee and molly. Can't come up with anything about what he misses.

What movie do you think that it portrayed WWII authentically? And what movie you think it didn't?

cant remember any

Which President you've seen do you think was the best or more capable of the job?

Dwight Eisenhower was probably the best.

Thank you for your service and happy birthday! You've seen so many new inventions and advances in technology throughout your lifetime. What is your favorite?

He was having a hard time answering this one. He finally said advancement in medicine.

What hasn't changed throughout the years that you thought for certain would?

He says the problem of alcholism is still a big problem.

Which was harder, your childhood days or bridge construction? Also are you still recognized for your service during veteran events?

Bridges were pretty much all hand labor during that time, but he said they were both challenging. Yes he is still recognized for his service during veteran events, in fact he was just in a parade a few months ago.

Thanks for the AMA. What was your favorite plane from the war? What squadron were you stationed with?

B17 was his favorite plane. He was stationed with the 42nd wing headquarters.

Thank you for your service. What do you think of the situation in Ukraine and how far do you think it will go?

He can't figure out why they keep "stirring that up." He doesn't know how far it will go.

What's your favorite Bridge?

He said he can't think of a favorite.

After each war, soldiers come home with psychological wounds as well as physical.

What have you noticed that was different about the way the forces from each war reacted mentally to combat?

Perhaps if you could differentiate shell shock from combat fatigue from Post Traumatic Stress Disorder, etc., from a soldier's perspective?

Thank you for doing this.

He said he never heard of PTSD all his military service. Which isn't to say it isn't a real thing, just back then there wasn't very much help for people after the war.

Thank you for all of your service, both in the military and then in domestic infrastructure. How do you think society has changed the most over the past century?

Its changed so much he doesn't really know what exactly. He says his generation were a lot more hardworking. People are a lot more liberal also.

What's his secret for living a long life ?

Living healthy ie no alchol, no smoking, eating right.

Happy birthday! Thank you for your service and thank you for doing this AMA. Since the 70th anniversary of V-J Day was last month, how was it like hearing the war was over? How did it feel? How is it like knowing that was 70 years ago?

He was very happy to hear that it was coming to and end. Being in a foreign land not knowing if you will make it back is hard. Looking back on it 70 years later he's glad it is a thing of the past and no other world wars have been started.

Thanks for doing this! What do you think about America using the atomic bomb on Japan to end the war?

He was just happy that it was put to an end.

From one Vet to another, thank you for this. My question for you is, How did y'all feel about Irwin Rommel?

He was close to over running them at one point.. One time he was told to "get out the best he could if he came over a certain point, fortunately there force held" so he didn't have to. So I guess the answer is he was feared.

What can we do to help Veterans who return from Iraq and Afghanistan the most?

More medical hospitals.

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He had a camel spit on him once when he was in Egypt.

Did you ever fight with an African-British soldiers during the war? If so, what were they like?

He wasn't a fighter, but he mostly worked with other Americans.

What was the most dangerous moment of the war for you?

Being bombed.

Thank you for your service, not only to the US, but the entire planet. What do you think about US government intervention in Latin America, specifically Chile and Guatemala. Do you think you live a comfortable life in your late 90s?

He said he's not doing to bad for being in his late 90s. He doesn't know much about the intervention in Latin America, sorry.