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ARMY
Iredell County sent over 4400 men and women to fight in World War II. As could be expected, the largest amount served in the Army. Over 2300 served in the forests of Europe, the deserts of Africa, the jungles and islands of the Pacific area, and at training bases here at home.
The letters from home, the thought of going home again, and just to get the job done and stay alive doing it kept these gallant Soldiers trudging on. They fought in places most had never heard of before, or at the very least, ever thought they would visit.
Places like Luzon, China, India, Normandy, Okinawa, and Burma. They walked more miles together than any modern army since. But through the blood, mud, and noise, it was all worth it in the end. The world was and still is a better place because of their sacrifices.
Each had stories to tell, or more often than not, stories they couldn't tell. Some, like John Miller, would only share that he was getting on a ship bound for England when the news of the Normandy landings was announced. Or that he was a .50 caliber machine gunner and armorer.
Pat Cruse would only tell about working on the Burma Road so supplies could be moved into China. Pat would later be recognized riding into Kunming, China on the outside of his communications truck in the old "Victory at Sea" series. He was one of the first U.S. troops to enter the city after the road was completed. His brother Tate served on a bomber in England and barely made it home from one mission.
copyright 2005 Iredell WWII
Oct 2005
