Today, I wanted to give thanks to a group of people that have been refered to as "The Greatest Generation". Not only the men who fought in WWII, at Normandy, The Buldge, the Alps of Italy, the Pacific campaign, so many places it would take up all your day to mention them all. The civilians of this Country also sacrificied, giving their sons and daughters, giving up the pleasures of living in a free society, all to support the efforts of victory in Europe and the Pacific.
Selfishly I wanted to mention one person as well, John M Gartner. He was a career Navy man, and during WWII he served as Chief Quartermaster on the U.S.S Guardfish. Between August 6 and September 15 1942 his sub patrolled the waters of Honshu and Hokkaido on the east coast of Japan. In all, this sub destroyed 58,000 tons worth of Japanese vessels. One such incident, a freighter had just just dropped its anchors, and while a crowd had gathered to welcome it home, a torpedo hit it right under the stacks, causing the boilers to explode immediately. While dogging depth charges, and aerial bombers on their exit from the harbor, the Commander of the sub Lt. Comdr Klakring sighted six more vessels in the periscope, sinking another on their way out. On the shore, the crowd of Japenese looked on in puzzled wonder.
John M Gartner was my grandfather. He was quiet and kind, never boasted of his duties during the war, was always bewildered how much everyone at home sacrificied, and hated war. I miss you grandpa and I love you.
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