P Ron, I apologize for the thread drift. I just completed the Tin Can Sailors book a few days ago. I think you recommended it on some thread, possibly the what book thread.
Can you imagine what was going through George Gay's mind as he floating in the sea for those hours surrounded by all the enemy ships? His survival and rescue are miraculous.
I re-watched MIDWAY last night- thought of my Uncle Bill, and My Dad. Dad was buidling airplanes (Grumman) that were used in the battle that my uncle was in. Lots of spin off history from world changing events!
Actually, Tobia, it was Woody who started the thread about the book which got me to read it.
Wasn't George Gay played by Eddie Albert Jr.?
His dad was a real hero of the war in the Pacific. As I recall he waded out in the coral at Tarawa and recovered many wounded men.
As Hollywood is want to do, they threw some imaginary characters into the greater story, but the film did a good job of depicting a complicated battle.
Compass & map over open water....all those guys (fliers AND sailors)had bowling balls...
I think Ensign Gay was quoted, in reply to a question re: treating his wounds, that he "soaked them in salt water for several hours"
What a f'in stud.
Curt -- I've checked out the website of your dad's squadron / group -- good stuff!!
Somewhat related (WWII) drift -- my sister's dad-in-law (RIP) flew the Burma Hump (157.5 round trips!), her hubby showed me a big plastic storage bin with ALL his maps, logbooks & mementos -- there's a currency strip (money from posts) that's signed by probably half the CNAC pilots -- WAY COOL!
Credit to Woody then, it was a great read. I read the Rising Sun prior to that.
The sacrifices the role players made in that war and all other wars is humbling. I feel good about picking up litter. I am not sure I am made of the same metal as these guys were and thankful that I may never have to find out; their gift to me and everyone else.
I have never seen a brass wrench before, Ron can you post a picture of it?
found the wrench, but my batts on the camera are kaput- will post a pic later..And Cragman is correct- they used the brass wrenches to avoid sparks in critical areas like FUELING stations and AMMO/powder storages.
To be honest I kept wondering why brass, thinking about how malleable it is; it wouldn't be a strong wrench maybe corrosiveness? I never considered sparks.
Fat dad, thanks for the video link. It wasn't too long ago I streamed the whole documentary.
Let us know!