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 ."
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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.................
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Originally Posted by wallenba
