The Down Range Forum
Member Section => Down Range Cafe => Topic started by: warhawke on December 03, 2008, 01:25:49 AM
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Ok, I am trying to find out something and it is a bit strange (which from me is saying something)
My Great Uncle died of cancer recently, yes it sucked but he had a long run and with cancer I feel better he went quick.
Anyhow;
My Uncles name was James L Martin of Knoxville Tenn. and he was a member of the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment in WWII.
There is a famous incident during the Battle of the Bulge;
Dec. 23, 1944 - "Battle of the Bulge" - An entire U.S. armored division was retreating from the Germans in the Ardennes forest when a sergeant in a tank destroyer spotted an American digging a foxhole. The GI, PFC Martin, 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, looked up and asked, "Are you looking for a safe place?" "Yeah" answered the tanker. "Well, buddy," he drawled, "just pull that vehicle behind me -- I am the 82d Airborne and this is as far as the bastards are going."
I guess you know where this is going.
My father and I never asked, don't ask me why it just never came up, but not only was he there and it was his unit but if you knew him you would know just how much it sounded like him. I am attempting to prove (one way or another) whether it was my uncle who uttered this famous line. However, my Google-fu has failed me (and my Google-fu is strong) so I'm gonna start pestering the people on the boards to help. I have dug at the web for a while and cannot confirm or deny that it was him, in fact some sites refer to the person as Staff Sargent Martin or PFC Martin and at least one gives an entirely different person.
I know it seems silly, but it is just one of those things that nags at me. If he was cool, if not then I know the truth, and that is whats important (not that I'm above bragging a little).
Thanks
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Try the Unit association, most have one, Or Army Veteran groups .
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I've tried their websites and so far nothing. My dad's in the 82nd Abn Assn. and no soap there so far either. I will continue to pursue these avenues but I'm getting frustrated, hence the appeal to a wider audience so to speak.
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WWW. togetherweserved. com is a Veterans Web site, they have different sections for each service try asking on there.
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+10 on what Tom said, get hold of any and all of the associations for his unit.
Also, find the quote in print, contact the author if you can, and ask him/her to cite their source for that quote. It will take a while, lots of - well, public knowledge? But hang in there, with my Dad's reticence to talk, I had to glean what I can from various articles, books and the 398th BG Assoc. So I know what you're facing.
And count your blessing for having known him in your life - how cool is that?
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Give the WWII museum in New Orleans a call. Sounds like something up their alley and if there is any memorabilia of his from his experience they could immortalize it.....
Everyone needs to go to that museum and bring a child with them. It exudes the greatness and sacrifice that seems to be slipping from US.
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Give the WWII museum in New Orleans a call. Sounds like something up their alley and if there is any memorabilia of his from his experience they could immortalize it.....
Everyone needs to go to that museum and bring a child with them. It exudes the greatness and sacrifice that seems to be slipping from US.
With out a doubt one of the goals of my life is to go there, to stay for days inside. Wish it was in someplace with more to do. ;)
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Warhawke, great story.
I know you've probably already seen this one, but I thought it would fit here, as well as some links.
Good luck with everything.
Pegleg
excerpt from speech:
"The poster is a photograph of a dirty, scrappy, tough paratrooper, PFC Vernon Haught, of the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, marching in the dead of that cold, snowy winter with a rucksack on his back. Going to reinforce the retreating American forces in Belgium. His expression leaves no doubt about his determination. He is moving out to go toe-to-toe with the enemy in Belgium. As you look at the poster, it strikes you that nowhere in this photograph do you see a parachute. And you and I both know there doesn't have to be one -- you simply know from the look: he's Airborne.
Under the photo is a quote from PFC Martin, also of the 325th Glider Infantry Regiment, who during the battle asked a retreating tank destroyer commander, "Are you looking for a safe place?" When the tank commander answered yes, PFC Martin replied, "Well buddy just pull that vehicle behind me -- I am the 82d Airborne and this is as far as the bastards are going." Imagine, an Airborne PFC telling a guy in a tank to follow him."
--General Henry H. Shelton
Chairman of the Joint Chiefs of Staff
Remarks at the 60th Anniversary of the Airborne
Fort Benning, Georgia, April 13, 2000
http://www.517prct.org/documents/82nd_airborne_poster/82nd_airborne_poster.htm
http://www.copthetruth.com/cop_the_truth/2008/08/national-airborne-day-2008-iii.html
http://www.strictly-gi.com/page132.html