3 Quarters Today

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veterans day

Marine Corps Birthday and Veterans Day

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Marine Mom Annual Letter

This Marine Mom has written several previous letters to the Marine Corps. It’s been a couple of years since I wrote my last letter. But this year I felt compelled to write again.

It’s late at night this year and I’m reviewing the past couple of years. Two of my Marines are veterans. My third, a son from another Mother, is finishing up his last tour after two enlistments.

The years 2020 and 2021 have seen a lot of changes and challenges. Everyone has had their challenges and obstacles to overcome. I do have to say that my boys have gained the skills from the USMC to not only deal with the challenges but come out the other side better men.

Dear Marine Corps,

Thank you Marine Corps for teaching my Marines, patience, flexibility, motivation, and endurance through trials and life.

Thank you for teaching them patience. They learned patience in many ways. Patience was needed during the Covid-19 pandemic. The lockdowns, masks, and shutdown of a career that was just getting started required not only patience but flexibility.

Patience, from the “hurry up and wait” mantra of the Marine Corps taught them to endure this past 18 months. The inability to attend college classes, and not being able to go to the gym on base.

A Marine stand in front of the Eagle, Globe and Anchor at MCRD San Diego.

The constant need to adapt to the needs of the Marine Corps gave them all the flexibility to change, adapt, and create new daily goals to stay motivated and help others do the same.

Motivate!

Yes, thank you for this phrase. I hear often from my oldest Marine veteran. It was not only a challenge to stay motivated during the lockdown, but to keep his colleagues motivated during the lockdown and work shutdown.

A US Marine who served in Afghanistan during Operation Enduring Freedom 2012

He not only endured but thrived and took the lessons he learned from the United States Marine Corps, and experience in Airwing supply logistics and applied them organizing crews unloading semi-trucks for stadium tours and Broadway shows.

Lastly thank you for the endurance given to a specific deployed Afghanistan Marine this year. I am sure he saw more than he probably wanted to see, and will never look at freedom and home the same after the end of August.

Honoring our Armed Forces on the Marine Corps birthday and Veterans Day.

I haven’t had a chance to give him a hug yet and tell him how proud I am of him. He doesn’t think I thought of him often, but I did. He has grown so much during these since I first met him at age 10 and now he has the eyes of experience. Thank you for bringing him home safe and sound.

Thank you again,

A Thankful Marine Mom

Marine Corps Birthday

So on this unofficial holiday of the Marine Corps birthday, I want to remember how the Marines have helped make men out of boys.

Stories of a WWII Navy Veteran on the Edison Destroyer, a Story Rarely Told

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Stories of WWII Navy Veterans

Every year around Memorial Day and Veterans Day I add a little bit more to my Dad’s military story I never heard when he was alive.  

WWII Naval Veteran who served on two destroyers

Like many World War II veterans, they rarely talked about their wartime years and service. My Dad’s seabag was lost in New York City at Times Square when he returned home. All of his papers, records, uniforms, and medals were lost.

My Dad was one of those veterans. The terms shell shock, war fatigue, and PTSD were just not discussed, yet emotional withdrawal, depression, and disconnection of life is now something I can see when I look back on my childhood.

PFC Leo T. Tyrrell 1952

After both of my parents died I found a single photo of my Father from the World War II era. From this photo, I started searching records, learned the names of the Navy Destroyers on what he served. This is just the beginning.

These were military photos I had NO IDEA existed!

I had an AMAZING phone conversation with not only a WWII veteran who wrote the book Joining the War at Sea, and served on the same ship as my Dad.  He was my Dad’s Gunnery Officer, Captain Dailey on the USS Edison destroyer.

ORDER D-Day Soldier Art Print – Hand Drawn Art – Veterans Day / World War II /

You can read the story of how it came to be here, but I want to chronological list my Dad’s service records in hopes there are others who served during that period.

Maybe you have a have father or Grandfather who served on the same ship.  Or maybe your relative was in the 508th Airborne division during the early 1950’s when he reenlisted in the  82nd Airborne with Leo Tyrrell.

I REALLy want to hear from you. I want to piece together more pieces of my Dad’s Military history

I would love to hear from anyone who had family serve aboard these ships and learn more about my Dad. Maybe there is an oral history recorded.

Maybe your Dad or Grandfather told stories of the days escorting battleships across the Atlantic, firing against the German Nazi’s or dodging the Kamikaze planes in the Pacific.

US Naval Destoryers, joining the war at seaJoining the War at Sea 1939-1945: A Destroyer’s Role in World War II Naval Convoys and Invasion Landings [Paperback] [2009] (Author) Franklyn E. Dailey Jr.

The dates and locations below are taken from the book Joining the War at Sea 1939-1945 written by Captain Franklyn Dailey.

When I spoke to him he was 95 years old and I am so honored to have found him and spoken to him several times. To think he knew and worked with my Dad as his Gunnery Officer gives me chills.

Explanation of Service Ribbons

WWII and Korean War Veteran Ribbons

Leo T Tyrrell- Date of enlistment branch USNR Sept 23, 1943

The other pins and patches above are from my Dad’s time in the Army Airborne with the 82nd Airborne, he earned his glider patch and was not only a parachute packer but a quartermaster at the end of his service.

I am a little confused about this glider patch though. I vaguely remember my Dad saying he started planes on the deck of a ship by flipping the propellers.

This was while watching the black and white WWII television series in the 1970s. While doing history on the patch it seems to be a WWII era patch, but maybe someone can clear it up for me.

Below is a running chronological listing of dates, coordinating them with the ship of record. I will continue to update this list as I find specific dates and events.

ORDER HERE – I’m A Grumpy Old Navy Veteran My Level of Sarcasm Depends On Your Level of Stupidity Popeye Version T-Shirt

If you have any information you can add please send me a message at the bottom of this page. Records highlighted in bold reference an official military record which documents a time and place where my Dad was present.

If you click on the date it will bring up a PDF report from Fold 3, part of my Ancestry.com subscription.

ORDER : Sand from the Iwo Jima Landing Beaches Map WWII

USS Kendrick DD 612 :  The Year 1943

December 3: L. Tyrrell arrives on the USS Kendrick Benson class destroyer from RecS NYK, Auth CSF Ser. 24043 if 11/20/42 rating S2c from Rec Station NYK, Auth: CSF Ser 24043 of 11/20/43

December 28: Kendrick L.Tyrrell AWOL since 11/26/43 Trans. to R/S Pier 92 NYK. Auth BuPers Cir Ltr 160-42 (this appears to be a typo in the records, or they didn’t know he had been transferred to Edison on the 3rd) 

My Dad stayed aboard the Kendrick from December of 1943-April of 1944 when he went aboard the Edison. From what I have read the USS Kendrick was also involved in the

USS Edison Combat Awards The Edison won six battle stars and my Dad received four

  • 1 Star/Sicilian Occupation 9-15 July, August 1943
  • 1 Star/Salerno Landings 9-21 Sept 1943
  • 1 Star/Anzio-Nettuno Advanced Landing 22-13 Jan 1944, Feb 1944 (L. Tyrrell served)
  • 1 Star/Invasion of Southern France Aug 15-Sept 1944 (L. Tyrrell served)
  • Navy Occupation Service Medal from Sept/Oct 1945
ORDER WWII 75th Anniversary of D-Day, Normandy Landing, Custom Ammo Can, WWII Collectable, Military Gift, Veterans Gift, Father’s Day

USS Edison DD 439: The Year 1944

52,855 Nautical Miles

I always thought my Dad was at Normandy, he mentioned participating at D-Day, I just didn’t know there was more than one D-Day. 

For Normandy to be successful, the Allies had to assure a supply line to the British Isles and then wrest back control of the Mediterranean from Germany.

He earned four service stars participating in the European-African-Middle Eastern Campaigns, two aboard the Kendrick and the other two on the USS Edison.

  • February  : Edison- Algiers, Oran and Casablanca
  • April : Edison- Mediterranean as a decoy for the German spotters in Algeciras to draw attention from the English Channel
  • Log record notes first received on board April 17, 1944 
2nd Division Gunnery Unit
My Dad is seated in the middle
  • August : Edison- Operation Dragoon, Southern France for the 3rd D-Day (didn’t know there was more than one)
  • August 17-22: Edison- Operation Anvil
  • September 15: Edison- Cape Mortola  took out a bridge
  • September 16th: Edison-at work five separate time, gun emplacement, supply warehouse, storage tank, troop concentration
  • September 17th: 89 rounds to five targets
  • September 22: Edison- Ventimiglia Italy

Sicily-Salerno-Anzio: January 1943-June 1944 (History of United States Naval Operations in World War II) (v. 9)With Utmost Spirit: Allied Naval Operations in the Mediterranean, 1942-1945

  • October 1: L. Tyrrell present for muster roll 

USS Edison 439: The Year 1945

51,979 Nautical miles

  • January: Edison-New York yard overhaul
  • May 8: Edison-New York, received news of V-E Day
USS Edison 439 Ship Party May 1945 in World War II, my Dad served on this Destroyer for two years
Click to see full size photo

When Captain Dailey emailed me this photo I couldn’t believe that I could find my Dad. It was obviously his posture. When I compare it to the photo on the ship a year earlier what a change. It appears he had lost weight.

Edison SHip Party May 1945
  • June: Edison- Training with USS Eberle Guantanamo Bay
  • June 27: Panama Canal
  • July 6: San Diego San Diego
  • JULY 24: Dad reported declared straggler after being absent over liberty July 9-13, BNP 60 issued, BNP 641 submitted, published deck court. (Appears he was gone the same time as William L Roden and had some fun in San Diego) Information obtained from Ancestry.com military records
  • August 2: Pearl Harbor engaged in Pacific Fleet training exercises
  • September 1: Sailed for Saipan
  • September 12: Rescued a man overboard from USS Dawson
  • September 13: Arrived in Saipan
  • September 16th: Tanapag Harbor
  • September 22: Sasebo Japan
  • Between September and November made port in the following cities
    • Nagasaki, Japan
    • Nagoya, Japan
    • Matsuyama, Japan
    • Mindanao, Philippines
WWII Peace at Last
Stars & Stripes “WWII Peace at Last”
  • October 1: L.Tyrrell present on muster roll Slc SV6 rating
  • October 25: Battle for Leyte Gulf (reclaiming the Philippines from Japan)
  • November 3: left for Adak Alaska, served as North Pacific weather station
ORDER Vintage WWII Navy Undress Service Uniform Named Jacket Shirt Pants WWII Reenactment M72

USS Edison DD 439: 1946

4,973 Nautical Miles

  • January 1: L. Tyrrell present for muster roll 
  • January 2: Left Alaska for the Canal Zone
  • April 1: L. Tyrrell present for muster roll 
  • May 18: Charleston placed out of commission

The World War II Memorial: A Grateful Nation RemembersWorld War 2: The Untold Stories81 Days Below Zero: The Incredible Survival Story of a World War II Pilot in Alaska’s Frozen WildernessSoldier’s Heart: The Campaign to Understand My WWII Veteran Father: A Daughter’s Memoir (You’ll Never Know)

I am looking for additional stories of the USS Edison and Kendrick.

There is a small community of family members of Edison veterans who would like to hear anecdotal stories aboard ship.  

If your Dad, Grandfather, or other family member kept a diary, photos I would love to hear more. Please send me a message below.

“Brother, My Brother”, a Tribute to Veterans

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On Veterans Monday I had the opportunity to merge two of my passions, my pride for my sons in the Marine Corp and my love of music, specifically the Elmwood-Murdock choir and band. Just wanted to share a preview of the the choirs song, “Brother My Brother” before I put together the full post, which will recap both schools and the local G.A.R museum.

It’s obvious this song was written with the American Civil War in mind, but I couldn’t find any other history. If anyone can point me in the direction I’d love to add it to the post.

Lyrics “Brother, My Brother”

Brother my brother
One blue and one gray
Will meet upon a quiet field
The morn of judgement day

Brother my brother
God has heard your battle call
Now he’ll watch his precious children
Learn how to stand, learn how to fall
And his eyes will look away

For his heart will so be torn
As his fields of gold turn scarlet
From the rage of battle born
And the silence of the night
Will be broken by the cries
Of the ones who’ve been forgotten
On the quiet field where honor lies

Give me now a splendid sun
With all his light full clear
Give me now a gentle autumn
Before the dying of the year
And some green unbloodied grass
While I can still see far
Give me one night on a river
And one unfailing star

Brother my brother
One blue and one gray
Will meet upon a quiet field
The morn of judgement day

Brother my brother
God has heard your battle call
Now he’ll watch his precious children
Learn how to stand, learn how to fall

My favorite Veterans Day piece the choir sang, by far, is the one a did a few years back of the choir singing Flanders Field. Take a look you won’t regret it!

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?)

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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