I lost a good friend today.

My good friend died today, Jack Dailey.

Jack was a true American ! Red, White and Blue.
I enjoyed the many hours we spent together , I remember
him telling WW II stories that would " curl your hair " just
to listen to them.

Jack was a brave man. There are " takers " and " givers "
in this old world.....Jack was a giver !

When I grew up as a child in the early 1950's , his type
kept me from wearing a black swastika arm band or
eating with chop sticks ( and / or most likely a lot worse.....) .

America needs more men today like Jack ! !
Jack was a volunteer in WW II. He was called to do
a job for the United States of America as an infantry soldier
in the United States Army in Northern Africa, France and Germany.
He served as a sergeant with great pride in the Texas 36th Division.
He was a modest man , but was a highly decorated soldier.
When asked about his medals......He would always tell me ....

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" I was just trying to do the job that my country trained me to do.
I was trying to keep myself and ALL my men under my
supervision alive for another day ". I've heard him say many times,
" I'm no hero, but I served with MANY ."

************************************************** *****

Once, while firing his water cooled .30 cal. machine gun, his position took
an 88 mm round. He took a large amount of shrapnel in his shoulder and
his back, loosing a lot of blood. His friend in the gun position with him
was killed instantly. Jack refused medical treatment and continued
to stay on his gun firing most of the night as the Germans tried
repeatedly (unsuccessfully) to take their position. He said...." My men
were counting on me, I couldn't let them down......"

By the way, Jack was a great shot, he fired expert with the M-1 Garand
and the .30 cal. , water cooled, heavy machine gun.

I took this photo below of Jack in 2008. He looks to me like he may
have held an M-1 previously.................


http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...y/PICT0001.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...y/PICT0002.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...y/PICT0003.jpg

http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v4...PICT000567.jpg

God bless Jack, and all the great men of his generation. They gave us all so much.

Thanks for the great remembrance of a hero.

BvT

Rest in Peace Jack. Thanks for sharing his memory with us Ben. Another Great one gone. :cry:

..............A shame as it's happening faster as time passes. I heard it said that between 700 - 1000 WW2 vets a day are leaving us. Survived the depression of the 30's and then turned around and won a world war. God lov'em all.

...............Buckshot

Quote:

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Originally Posted by wallenba

God bless Jack, and all the great men of his generation. They gave us all so much.

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Just what I was going to say.

Gear

Thanks for sharing the story with us Ben. Sorry for your loss. Stay strong and keep moving forward.

Jack was the kind of fellow that I'd have wanted in a foxhole with me in WW II.

Ben

Ben, sounds like the kind of man one would want around anytime, anywhere.

High school friend was a tank driver in the late 60's and early 70's, Southern Germany and Viet Nam. Even though it was hot and humid he like Vietnam better. All the tanks looked just like his. While in Viet Nam Charlie took a little trip with his tank and relieved the Marines who were pined down in the Ah She Valley. He said it was no big deal, Army and Marines thought differently. Ben your friend earned that Silver Star. The world is a better place because he was here and did much more than the bare minimum.

While this was written of a Chief Petty Officer for another Navy Chief.... It would seem to apply to all of the greatest generation.

My respects, Sir...

Eight Bells
Copyright LCDR Bob Lockett; May, 2005


Eight strikes chime the quarterdeck’s bell
Loud and crisp let each be clearly heard.
Over the roar of the wild spindrift wave
Through hulls to those far below interred
Ring it to proclaim that his time was one
Of long and faithful service well conferred

Send him home with our traditions revered
In formation with all heads bowed in prayer
Eternal Father’s soft refrains ‘Strong to save’
Fiddleboard then tilted to nostrum mare
Marines at attention deliver the 21 gun salute
He’s now cradled in God’s loving hands there

The living already closing our ranks while
Chaplain consigns his remains to the deep
Hand salutes rendered in precision array
Sound taps to the depths ‘our shipmate keep’
Daily routine may return to the crew but
Empty rack tells where now he must sleep

Turn to, Shipmate, ring your bell smartly
Heard by crews in port or detachment far
Ring your bell to ever honor his memory
Sound it to announce crossing of life’s bar
Toll your bell in following sea or in storm
Steady on course ‘neath Southern Cross star

His revered place with us forever remains
Standing in our unbroken bluejacket line
So solemnly strike the bell and remember
Over vast lonely expanse of abyssal brine
Ring it at muster as he no longer answers
His watch, finally relieved, now is thine.

So steadfast in performing your duty, Sailor
As he now watches you from Heaven’s gate
His duty to bear is now your sacred burden
Now carry on whatever be your rank or rate
Until he welcomes you to his eternal patrol
Piping you aboard by golden bells of eight

My sincerest sympathies Ben.

Folks who had significant combat roles get my attention with tear emission, especially after learning a little of their story like you presented here, Ben. Stories like this help me keep looking UP for His Grace to endure. ... felix

I asked Jack one day while we were discussing WW II, this question..........

" Jack, are there enough American 18 and 19 year old's today with the commitment , grit and determination needed to unload on Omaha and Utah beaches , June 6th, 1944 and do it all over again ? "

He looked at me for a few seconds, smiled..... and said " I doubt it ........... "

The Greatest Generation for sure.

I wouldn't underestimate the young people of today though.

It's a shame what we have done with what they gave us.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by mold maker

It's a shame what we have done with what they gave us.

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You speak the TRUTH with that statement !

Ben

Thoughts and prayers to his friends and family. Men like Jack have earned our respect.

That is a great story Ben, and I am sorry for the loss. I do know that we are all better for knowing people like Jack.

Doug

I love t hear stories about heros like this. Thank you.
Sorry for the loss of your friend. He is with the heros he served with now.

Shiloh