3 Quarters Today

My Life, my photography, my passions

World War II

WWII Peace At Last

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“Peace at Last” . Three words in a WWII edition of Stars and Stripes. My Dad holds a copy Stars and Stripes from 1945  for someone to snap his picture of this historical occasion. It was a momentous decisive event, one he wanted to record it for posterity. I also find it humorous that the camp dog also holds the honor of being in the photo.

WWII Peace at Last
Stars & Stripes “WWII Peace at Last” Sept 1945

I didn’t know who this was at first, but as I have researched and compared other photos this is my Dad.  I never saw this photo, there wasn’t any writing on the back but I am now sure this photograph is my Father.

There are no other photographs from this time period, I found one I believe of him just before he left, but then there is over a ten year gap between when he was 16 and twenty years old.. I would like to believe is my Dad, in many ways it doesn’t look like him, but in some ways it does.

I had four relatives that served in World War II as part of the greatest generation. Back then almost everyone could say they had a relative in the war.

My Dad, Leo Tyrrell, served aboard a destroyer in the Pacific around this time.  This shot bears a family resemblance  to his nephew Michael Morrill who has a similar nose, slight build, and dark complexion.  In various pictures of my Dads youth, he often had a dog with him. This article has been posted on Twitter numerous times and I’ve asked for help in getting more information.

Here is what I learned about the photo:

  • This is a field hospital, note the bandage on the right hand (how did I miss that)
  • The uniform is a general issue given to anyone at the base

My other relatives that served in WWII were my Uncles Otis and Herman Faries, and my Great Aunts Gussies’ husband Master Sgt. Grover Hale.

I would like to find a copy of this Stars and Stripes and hang it next to the photo next to my son’s Marine Corps photographs. Haven’t found any of this issue yet (that I can afford) but I did find someone on Amazon that does sell the original WWII Stars and Stripes along with several books about this iconic newspaper.

Great GERMANY SURRENDERS Nazis Quit V-E Day 1945The Stars and Stripes: Story of World WarStars and Stripes: World War II and the5 U.S. OCCUPATION OF JAPAN Stars & StripesRare FRANCE EDITION Stars and Stripes Post D-DAYThe Stars and Stripes, Mediterranean, Vol. 1, No.The Stars and stripes: World War II front

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You Fly to Work, in The US Airborne

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In continuing story of my Dad’s Korea War 82nd Airborne experience here is an ad I found in a large envelope where he kept clippings from his time in the 508th. After doing  a little searching I found this was published in Modern Mechanix magazine.

1950s Army Airborne Ad
1950s Army Airborne Ad

The original is yellowed, badly wrinkled, and the bottom corner torn. Since my dad graduated from Ft. Benning in June 151 I can only think he saw this ad and was proud of being part of the finest fighting outfit in the world.

“The Mark of A Man!”

The paratrooper’s wings of the U.S. Army Airborne are the mark of a man! Those who wear this distinctive insignia belong to the finest fighting outfit in the world.”

August 1951

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Honoring My Dad, an 82nd Airborne Paratrooper

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My Dad was a two time veteran, first on a destroyer in World War Two and then later when he served in the 508th Airborne Infantry as part of the 82nd Airborne Division.

82nd Airborne Paratrooper Division Training 1951, Ft Benning

On this Memorial Day weekend I find myself going through my Dad’s military photos and paperwork. Unfortunately his World War II records and US Army 82nd Airborne Veteran desktop flag. American Monster Projects (AMP) is veteran owned and operated. The AMP family has served for generations and uses this tradition to make products geared to fellow veterans and people who are proud to be American!

ORDER US Army 82nd Airborne Veteran Desk Flag HERE

However, I do have his records and articles from his second enlistment in the Army Airborne during the 1950’s including paratrooper training photos from the 1951  508th Airborne Infantry division.

I found the family photo albums when my Mom died in 2011, many I have never before, nor any of the articles. I’m in the process of scanning and restoring the photos I inherited.

I also found his original Airborne Creed, I should frame it like this one.

The Army Airborne creed is near and dear to all 82nd Airborne veterans. Find Army Airborne gifts and remember Airborne All The Way
ORDER an Army Airborne Creed framed print

I hope with this post maybe someone will remember, have memorabilia, or even the WW II personal items of Leo Thomas Tyrrell. His nickname was “Tiny Terry the Terrible” during his time on a destroyer in the European and Pacific theatre.

According to his discharge papers, Leo T. Tyrrell attended training at TIC Fort Benning, GA and QM School Fort Lee, VA between May 1951-Jan 1952.

He completed the Basic Airborne and Parachute Packer and repairman courses as well as Basic Military Training.

Along with the photos were clippings of many training airborne maneuvers between 1951 and 1953 including the biggest maneuver in U.S. history  Operation Longhorn.

This military exercise at Fort Hood Texas involved The 508th Regimental Combat Team. Over 3,089 troops dropped as part of an Army exercise also included the 82nd Airborne in a make-believe war involving over 100,000 military personnel over a 17 day period. 

Order a Vintage Army Airborne print

Over 20,000 civilians either participated as their towns were invaded or watched maneuvers, unfortunately just like in real war there were two fatalities and 221 were injured.

Below is a photo of my Dad, he’s inside the glider so it doesn’t do much good but I love the glider, someone told me they were left over from WWII

Cargo Glider at Fort Hood 1952
Cargo Glider at Fort Hood 1952

Dad was also stationed at Fort Bragg and Camp Drum NY, where he participated in Exercise Snowstorm at Snow Ridge ski resort near Turin New York.

He was honorably discharged as a Private First Class on August 17th, 1954. It appears he was attached to the 623rd Quartermaster Company as his most significant duty assignment.

PFC Leo T. Tyrrell 1952

Leo Thomas (Terry)  Tyrrell born 1925, died 1995

Miss you Dad, wish you had been around to see my kids grow and your grandsons become U.S. Marines. You would have loved the US Army Airborne Christmas ornament I created below.

UPDATE: 4/14/2014

I was recently contacted by a fellow Blogger who is documenting her family history and genealogy. Her Dad John G Hopkins was in the 508th with my Dad and there is a photo of the plane with the all the men sitting in front of it. My Dad is in the photo!! I think I have it narrowed down, he is either 4th from right on top row, or 4th from right on the bottom row.

82nd Airborne 508th before leaving for Operation Longhorn, much like Jade Helm
82nd Airborne 508th before leaving for Operation Longhorn

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Books About the 82nd and 508th Airborne

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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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Memorial Day Weekend in Washington DC

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Memorial Day weekend is special in any part of the country, but Memorial Day weekend in Washington DC is something not to be missed. The patriotism and overwhelming sense of pride and country as Americans gather to honor our military veterans who died fighting for freedom and liberty brings a tear to your eye as you wreaths are placed at every memorial.

Vietnam War Memorial- Memorial Day 2010

Whoever says that small schools don’t give their students opportunities that bigger schools can offer has never heard of Elmwood-Murdock High School. Our whole school district, K-12 has only 403 students, and an average graduating class of 36 kids. But this has not held them back.

Elmwood Murdock Marching Band, Washington DC

The band consists of over 70 students (3/4 of the student body) and in 2010 they had the opportunity to march in the Memorial Day parade and spend Memorial Day weekend in Washington DC. I was lucky to be a sponsor and the trip was nothing short of spectacular.  In just 4 1/2 days we took over 80 people to the following locations

  • Arlington Cemetery
  • Tomb of the Unknown Soldier: (Laid the schools band wreath)
  • Nations Capital: (experienced security at it’s finest when an abandoned baby stroller caused a evacuation of a marked perimeter)
  • World War II Memorial
  • Vietnam Memorial
  • Korean War Memorial
  • Iwo Jima Memorial
  • Lincoln Memorial
  • Memorial Day Concert on the Capital Lawn
  • Holcoust Museum
  • Memorial Day Concert on the Capital Step
  • Smithsonian Museums
  • Marching in the Memorial Day Parade

Our kids learned important lessons that weekend. Many family member serve in the military and the Vietnam Wall held special meaning for them. Tears were shed, and by the time our students placed a wreath at Arlington Cemetery there wasn’t a dry eye in the group.

WWII Memorial Washington DC on Memorial Day

My son was especially impressed by the World War II Memorial and I watched him quietly stare at the wall of stars. He asked about his grandfather and other relatives that served during WWII. That son is now a United States Marine and I couldn’t be prouder.

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Memorial Day Weekend in Washington DCIf you ever get the chance to spend Memorial Day Weekend in Washington DC I would highly recommend it, take your time, soak in the atmosphere, and be proud of our country.

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