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My Dad a WWII, D-Day Veteran

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My Role Honoring Veterans of WWII

WWII Peace at Last

How did you spend your nineteenth birthday? For my Dad on June 7, 1944 he spent that day sitting on a gunner of a destroyer overlooking the beach of France.

It was D-Day, code name Operation Overlord when Allied forces landed on the beaches of France to liberate France from the Nazi Germans.

My Dad was NOT at Normandy, like I thought. But was in Southern France in the third D-Day which lasted several weeks and was a battle at sea.

I didn’t know this when I was a kid, he never told me about his military service. So now my role in honoring veterans of WWII is telling my Dad’s story.

ORDER History Of The United States Navy Wood Sign

Life on a Navy Destroyer

I know very little about my Dad’s military life, he rarely spoke about it and when he did I was too occupied as a teenager to really listen and remember.

When I was thirteen we went to Fall River Massachusetts to tour the USS Massachusetts and my Dad was more interested in showing us the  USS JOSEPH P KENNEDY JR DD850 destroyer. We climbed aboard the gunners and that was one of the few times I heard him talk about WWII.

The role of destroyers at Normandy is recounted in detail in an online book Destroyers at Normandy published by the Naval Historical Foundation. Most of which I don’t understand and can’t appreciate due to me know knowing the terminology.

Order USS Fiske DD DDR 842 T Shirt Vintage 90s United States Navy Destroyer Ship 50/50 Mens Size Medium

Through official military records, I have since learned my Dad served on the USS Kendrick DD612 and USS Edison.

He was very young and  first  was a “runner” then became a “gunner”. He wasn’t very big, about 5’8″ and about 125 lbs. His nickname was “Tiny Terry the Terrible” he was a scraper from what I could tell.

My Dad said the deck it was loud and confusing. His hands burned from the heat of the gun and at the time they didn’t really know what was happening.

Remember, this was before the days of instant communication, all they could do was their job, do what they were told, and pray for the best.

WWII and Korean War Veteran Ribbons, us army 82nd airborne division

Because my Dad’s WWII duffel bag was lost, stolen, or lifted immediately upon returning to the United States. He lost all of his medals, paperwork and memorabilia from World War II.

Enlistment in US Army Airborne 

He enlisted into the US Army 82nd airborne Division just five years later. I wonder if his WWII experience with the Army Airborne was part of his desire to become a paratrooper.

Although his medals were lost, his still wore ribbons from his previous service in World War II. It is these military ribbons that hang in my shadowbox on the wall.

Why Dad Decided to Join the Military

PFC Leo T. Tyrrell 1952, US Army Airborne

My father was one of five kids and his Mother had just died during childbirth. Their father was in and out of their lives and at this point had abandoned them.  Dad and his brother Vern Tyrrell (“Jub”) tried raising their sisters on their own, but they were teenagers themselves.

Eventually, the kids were divided between family and the poor farm. At the time being 18 years old was the only requirement to enlist in the navy.

According to official military records, my Dad joined the military on his 18th birthday. However, according to oral family history, he was 16 years old when he joined.

I can’t imagine having one of my sons at age 19 in such a battle. Yes, they are both Marines, but we don’t fight wars as we did back then. Thank goodness. I heard on the radio this morning that over 2,500 men lost their lives on the beaches of Normandy on one day, June 6, 1944.

My Dad died in 1995 and today he would be 89 years old. Happy Birthday, Dad. I miss you and wish you were here to watch your grandsons grow up to be fine young men. He would be so proud of them and they would love to hear your stories.

USS Fiske DD-842 Destroyer “World’s Greatest Navy” Embroidered 2-Sided Blue Satin Jacket

World War 2 Books and References

US Navy Ships Camouflage WWII: Destroyers and Destroyer Escorts - Specials series (6099)US Navy Ships Camouflage WWII: Destroyers and Destroyer Escorts – Specials series (6099)Scurvy Dogs, Green Water and Gunsmoke:Fifty Years in US Navy Destroyers, Vol 1, us navy destroyers ww2Scurvy Dogs, Green Water and Gunsmoke:Fifty Years in US Navy Destroyers, Vol 1US Navy Destroyers WW2, naval destroyer shipsUS Navy Ships
Three Years Aboard A Navy Destroyer, life on a navy destroyerThree Years Aboard A Navy DestroyerDestroyer Captain: Lessons of a First CommandDestroyer Captain: Lessons of a First CommandUnited States Navy Destroyers of World War 2, life on a navy destroyerUnited States Navy Destroyers of World War 2

History of Destroyers in WWII

US Navy Ships Camouflage WWII: Destroyers and …

US Navy Ships Camouflage WWII: Destroyers and Destroyer Escorts – Specials series (6099) book download Al Adcock Download US Navy Ships Camouflage WWII: Destroyers and Destroyer Escorts – Specials series (6099) …

Navy Matters: Warship Design

The 5”/38 was splitting the difference, and for armored mounts on WWII destroyers, needed electrical power for AAW or even rapid surface fire. And there were sailors who swore that the Sumner was much more vulnerable …

TaskForce/Convoy Attacks Pre-1944 Advice Please …

And so were the WWII destroyers. They might have stayed there for 24 hours or even longer. At the end of the war there were destroyers as close escorts and as hunter killer groups. The hunter killer groups were not tied to the …

Navy Matters: Mk45 Assessment

Consider the size of WWII destroyers compared to today’s versions or the size of WWII cargo ships compared to the supertanker size vessels of today. Finally, the 5” gun of WWII was an effective AAW weapon (to the extent that …

Capt. Kirk Takes Command Of Hot New Ship – Really! USS …

We had several WWII Destroyers that took several hits and continued fighting. After the battle they would limp back to port, get repaired, and rejoin the fleet. You could penetrate the hull with a 30 caliber bullet. John Taylor.
 

Colonel Tom Brewer: Warrier to Congressman

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I am honored to know Tom Brewer, and his family. I don’t normally venture into politics on my blog, photography is my gig, but have made a few exceptions, Colonel Tom Brewer is reason to make that exception.  The more I learn about politics the more I’m fed up and tired of politics as usual and the career politicians who place their own interest first. We need more people in Washington that love America, understand what freedoms we truly have, and are willing to fight to keep that freedom.

Colonel Tom Brewer for Congress 2014
Click to go to the official Tom Brewer for Congress website

We have a commander in chief who has never served in the military, who doesn’t understand international politics and policies and has made decisions that have not only hurt our country but put thousands of our men and women in the military in harms way and placed them in danger.

This is where my endorsement (for what it’s worth) and political stance is front and center. I totally believe, trust and stand behind Colonel Tom Brewer for Congress for the third district in Nebraska. I have been fortunate to know him and his family for many years as they have lived in Eastern Nebraska and his kids have gone to the same high school as mine. His daughter is a good friend of my sons and I think the world of her.Click to the Colonel Tom Brewer for Congress 2014

Tom has not only served his country with honor and commitment, stood in the line of fire to protect his men, but also been placed in diplomatic leadership positions with international leaders and advisers. He was critical in helping build the Afghan National Army in the years after 9/11. There is much I can say about the man and his values, but I have decided to link to the media stories and interviews to let him tell it himself.

People in the third district don’t have “bad” things to say about Adrian Smith, but they really can’t say something positive he’s done either. Although it has come to light that Rep Adrian Smith In a recent poll in the Grand Island Independent  more than 70% think the 3rd District needs a military man to represent them in Congress.

Since then Colonel Brewer has taken Congressman Smith to task for not supporting the families of the men killed at Benghazi and has urged him to support HR 36 which would would support Congressional action to investigate the terrorist attack on Benghazi on September 11, 2012.

Tom Brewer speaks about Benghazi
CLICK to hear the radio interview

I have been following the events of Benghazi from the beginning as my oldest son was at Camp Bastion just a few months before the attack and it really hit close when men he knew and worked with died and were injured in the attack. Colonel Brewer knew and served with Navy SEAL Glen Doherty and in a radio interview this week stated the following:

“The mortars used to kill Americans on September 11, 2012 in Benghazi had American tail fin numbers. They were killed with our own weapons. And for the life of me, I don’t understand why Congressman Adrian Smith will not support an investigation that would allow the truth to come out.”

What is going on in Washington? Why are some state representatives hiding their head in the sand? The sitting Republican Congressman Adrian has time and time again turned down Tom Brewers request to debate before the primary. What is he afraid of, I say let’s get Tom Brewer elected, send him to Washington and let him take names and kick butt.

 

I encourage you to visit his website, contribute what you can, pass his information along to anyone in the country. It’s not just Nebraska he represents but all veterans, patriots and Americans. If you have contacts in the media or in the press get them in contact with Colonel Brewer and his campaign office. He not only has a story to tell, but is a leader who will get things done in Washington.

Colonel Tom Brewer Official Links

Video Stories

Nebraska Soldier retires After 36 years

  • http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=kAEYYxFoC8w

Watch the Brewer vs Smith Debate

Watch the Republican primary debate between Tom Brewer and Adrian Smith at UStream.com decide for yourself who won the political debate. I have watched many political debates over the years and Tom Brewer did a fantastic job in my opinion, you would never know he hasn’t debated before, or been in the political area. I didn’t know he had such a public speaking presence.


Video streaming by Ustream
 Political Interviews

Learn where Tom Brewer stands on abortion (Pro-Life), the second Amendment (life time NRA member), Benghazi, immigration, the national budget, national defense, the Keystone Pipeline, the Tea Party, immigration, leadership, and more important issues facing our country today. He has a vast amount of knowledge and experience in domestic and international affairs.

Articles About Colonel Tom Brewer

Tom Brewers Military Career

Books

Chronicles the attack near Kabul Afghanistan where Tom Brewer and his men were outnumbered 10 to one, yet they held off the enemy for more than an hour before support arrived. Tom Brewer was shot six times yet still continued to fight and received his first Purple Heart.

If you know Colonel Tom Brewer you understand what he stands for, if you don’t get to know this man, he will tackle Washington like he has him military life, with honor and commitment.

 

Remembering Veterans Day

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It is time to pay respect and honor to our county’s military veterans. Yesterday was the Marine Corps birthday and today is officially Veterans Day.

I have three sons who are veterans, although one is still an active duty Marine. They learned to always have your buddy’s back. Never leave someone behind and respect authority. You can question, but you still must carry out your duty and responsibility.

Honoring our veterans

My Dad served on a destroyer in WWII and was also a Korean wartime veteran. I never heard of his experiences. Never knew what he did, never knew what it meant until I found his military records. Back then the term was shell shocked.

WWII Naval Veteran who served on two destroyers

Now we know this as PTSD. Post-traumatic stress syndrome. I don’t know if he had nightmares, but I know he “checked out” in many ways. He got silent, would shut down during stressful times.

Since then I have gotten to know many veterans and seen some “hit the ground” when a metal folding chair falls to the floor at a school function. Serving in wartime affects you the rest of your life. It shapes you in more ways than you can count.

May we never forget to honor those veterans who have served in all branches of our military: The Army, Navy, Air Force, and the United States Marines.

Don’t just remember our veterans on the national holidays like Memorial Day or Veterans Day, but remember and thank them every day.  

Next time you hear of conflict in another country, every time you see an American flag, and every time you hear on the news that another soldier died, remember the veterans.

Remember they defend our freedom of speech, our way of life, and liberty of the United States of America.

Remember them every day, not just on Veterans Day

In addition to my three sons, currently in the Marine Corps, this day and weekend I also remember my “Daddy”.

I wish I had asked more questions, I wish I had listened when you started to tell me the stories, but alas I was a child and only thought of childish things.

I wish I had more time with you, and I wish you had lived to see your grandchildren grow up.  You would be proud of them. I miss you now more than ever. I finally learned your military history and wish you were here to tell me more.

Private Leo Tyrrell, 82nd Airborne
Private Leo Tyrrell, 82nd Airborne (1952?)

How Marines Relieve Stress in Afghanistan, with “Call Me Maybe”

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I don’t know why this Call Me Maybe song by Carly Rae Jepsen has inspired so many lip synch covers but everyone seems to be doing it, including the United States Marines.

US Marine overseas heading to AfghanistanWhen my son returned from his Afghanistan deployment in late July he had not seen the below video yet and was super excited.  He knew some of the Marines in the video via his job in Air Wing support at Camp Bastion, but this was filmed in Kandahar before the squadron moved to the larger, more secure, base. It wasn’t until he returned home he learned about  the video.

This version below is especially poignant now. They are part of the 3rd Marine air Wing‘s Marine Aircraft Group 13 out of Yuma AZ,  the same ones attacked September 14, 2012 ,where two of their Marines were killed.

I heard first the news on Facebook where I’m friends with a number of Marine Moms who have sons stationed at Yuma, or connected to the Harriers, posted the news on Friday and I slightly freaked out thinking it could have been my son if he was there.  I can’t help but think of the Marines and their families as they waited for news from their sons and husbands.

As my son said, this is what we do Mom, other Marine bases get a “..whole lot more IDF’s”  (indirect fire) it’s our job. So as a good Marine Mom, I go on and want to remember the young men and women as they took time out for this very fun video.  I think they would want their families to remember them this way, with a smile on their face, taking a break from the seriousness of their jobs.

Marines Lip Synch Call Me Maybe

Now for a version the Marines REALLY like to watch. Before you watch it, here’s a little bit of background. For obvious, logistics and otherwise, most Marines and soldiers don’t have internet access and they rely on other forms of electronic entertainment. For example, my sons group had a  “Deployment Drive”. This is a portable hard drive loaded with an electronic library of  specific downloaded YouTube videos, games and movies

The the Miami Dolphin cheerleaders version was watched SEVERAL times a day, my son said he had it memorized and knew what cheerleader came on at what time.  The look on his face when he talked about this song at the dinner table was priceless. Can you just guess why it’s popular with a bunch of testosterone filled young men, in the middle of a desert, in Afghanistan?

Hey, the stress over there is hard enough, 12 hour+ days, seven days a week. Whatever can take their mind off terrorists and people who want to kill them for a little while  is fine with me.

Gift Ideas for Deployed Military

By the way, for anyone looking to buy a gift for someone in the military who is going to be deployed or already in country, this solar charger is ideal. They listen to a lot of music, but batteries can be difficult to come by in the desert, especially if they are outside the wire. It will charge a cell or smart phone in less than two hours in the sun.

Marines in Afghanistan

Day 297-298: Honoring my Dad on Veterans Day

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My Dad was a private quiet man. He served in World War II and in Korea. However I know very little about his WWII experience other than he was in the Navy, on a destroyer operating one of the big guns at Normandy and in the Pacific. His papers and commendations were all lost when he arrived home on New Years Eve and put his sea bag down in Times Square. Someone else picked it up. Considering he used his brothers ID to get in at age 16 I don’t know what I can find out.

For the sake of possibly finding anybody who served with my Dad I’m listing his full name: Leo Thomas “Terry”  Tyrrell, his nickname in WWII was Tiny Terry the Terrible. He wasn’t very big, 5’6″ and weighed 125 lbs sopping wet. But, from what I understand you didn’t want to mess with him. He fought like a little bantam rooster. I often compare his physique to Clint Eastwood, not an ounce of fat on him.

Leo Tyrrell, Korean War Memorabilia
Leo Tyrrell, Korean War Memorabilia

He reenlisted in the Korean War with the Army airborne and I do have his papers and airman’s wings which I treasure greatly. (There is a longer story on this shadow box which I will relate later) He was a paratrooper and after the war worked for a parachute factory in Manchester Connecticut. The area is now called Silk City. For many years he didn’t talk about the war, but he would watch all the black and white television shows on WWII and occasionally he would say “I sat there, that’s what I did.” I wish I had paid more attention when I was a kid.

Here’s to my Dad and all the veterans today that served our country and have given us the freedom we enjoy today. We are a safer country and world for what you did many years ago. We salute you.

Veterans Honor Memorial Flag
Veterans Honor Memorial Flag

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