Yes, Dad was a Marine. He. said he never went overseas, but spent his time in the States. No one ever called. No reunions. After he died I sent for his service records. There it was: Foreign Service in the Pacific, 1 year and 14 days. My older brother recognized that he had the symptoms of PTSD. He went into the Marines a buck nothing and came out a Captain. He never shared with us anything. He'll always be my hero. Dad was my John Wayne. (Not the real JW...)

Your dad and his buddy’s are the reason you can sit and chat with us holding your rifle. God Bless the greatest generation.

My Father was drafted in 1940, he was 35 years old. On 7 December 1941, when the Japanese bombed Pearl Harbor, he knew he was in for the duration. He ultimately went ashore at Normandy 6 June 1944, at age 39 years old. My Father and 6 Uncles all served. Guadalcanal, Iwo Jima, North Africa, Sicily, Salerno, Normandy, and bombing of Germany and all came home, unscathed. I am retired US Army, 30 years. My son is retired Us Marines, 20 years. His son, my Grandson has 15 years in the USAF and has 5 overseas deployments. This country is worth it!

So many gave so much for our freedom. People today just don't understand what they are taking for granted.

Sad that they are almost all gone now

Dad landed on Omaha Beach D-Day, fought in a Sherman, until legs blown almost off at the end of The Bulge.

My dad was a Wireless Air Gunner, 415 Squadron Royal Canadian Air Force. Overseas 1942. He was one of the many contributors to Ryan's book The Longest Day. My greatest hero.

My dad and all my uncles were combat veterans of WWII. They wouldn’t normally talk about their experiences until you got a room full of them and then, man, did they ever let it out. Group therapy and beer.

Thank you Mr. Hickok! I get so aggravated with the American people! They tend to forget what great price was paid for our freedom! They wouldn't take me because I had crippled feet, but I appreciate our vets! My father landed on Omaha Beach on D-day. There were 1251 men in his battalion. At the end of the 1st day 899 of them were dead. Guys he had lived with, trained with, come to know & love like brothers because they had become brothers. Dead. They paid the ultimate price because they loved this nation. In his late years I got him to talk of it a little. Enough to put a life long appreciation within me for out vets. Freedom is not free! To all of you vets out there, Thank You from the bottom of my heart! And remember, there is one that loves us so much He laid His life down for us!

Land of the Free because of the Brave.

My Dad was on Omaha Beach and was wounded, And had a steel plate in his forehead What he said about that day, 6 June 44, wouldn't complete 2 sentences. He wouldn't say a word to me about it growing up. But the scar he had, was always there. He was in The Korean War as well. Thank you for Talking about your Dad's experiences. I very much enjoy Hickcock 45 !!

My Grandfather started in Egypt. Fought 9 major battles. Earned 1 silver and 2 brons stars. Ended the war in Berlin. One of 6 people left from his origional Battalion. Sargent Chester H Davis. God rest his soul. Army. Infantrymen all the way.

A much better time when people were still sociable. I remember it well. Nice recollection.

My Dad Korean war veteran..I was a Cold War Veteran West Germany...Much Respect for your Dad Hicock45!!😊

My Dad was in the 82nd Airborne, He went threw the Battle of the Bulge. I can still remember all the stories he would tell us. Amazing Generation.

My grandad had a list like that too. They didn’t physically meet much, but they called each other on holidays and sent Christmas cards every year. The cards were proudly put on display for the whole family to look at. I remember pops sadness when the cards kept getting fewer and fewer.

My dad served in the Navy as a fighter pilot. His aircraft was a Gumman f6f Hellcat. He was in the Pacific theater but claimed he never saw any action. Still he said it was the greatest adventure of his life. After he coming out of the service he was a lifelong private pilot. Me and my siblings have good memories of the several airplanes he owned and flying with him. He passed in 1996:-(

Iam a big Fan of Hickok45 , my grandfather Willi was also in the Normandy June 44. I have a old Photo he and his Group dated 31. of May on the backside is written: 31. of May 1944 awaiting tue enemy. My grandfather was in the 176. Infantery Division of the Wehrmacht close to Omaha Beach . I understand how Hickok speak about his Dad. My grandfather was my friend, teacher and hero

My mother was a rose the riveter building planes. Her brother was a marine raider and served in the Pacific

I am 70, dad was born in '25, drafted in '43. Served in the Philippines and stayed in touch with several guys in his unit. One of them was a cousin of Yogi Berra from St. Louis. There was no organized reunion, just families stopping to visit whenever they were in the area. It was a great time when buddies showed up; large meals, playing cards, reminiscing. They never talked about combat when I was around, just all the funny things that happened. Like one guy tamed a pet monkey called Tojo who scampered up a captain's leg and pooped on his shoulder. I miss those guys- the last one passed away in 2015 at age 90-something.

Hi Hickock.. I thank your dad for his service. We're about the same age. My dad was a dive bomber piolet in the South Pacific in WW2

I want to personally thank your father and all of the American servicemen and women who made it possible for me to celebrate my birthday in the United States of America today. ❤

Thank you for sharing this story, Sir. Both of my Grandfathers served in the Second World War, and I am an OEF-OIF combat veteran. I have been following your channel for many years, and I always enjoy your content. Bless you.

My father was 89th infantry 354 reg, was late in the war but did their job,thank you for remembering for all who have served

Thanks for all you do Mr. Hickok always enjoy your videos and the woods walk you do ❤ QuiNhon Vietnam 67/68 544th medium boat welcome home to all who served !😊

Hello Hickok 45, always enjoy your video's...my dad was from the red clay of far western North Carolina. He learned to fly the'Moth' trainer aircraft in Canada then went to England joining the R.A.F. before the U.S. entered the war. He flew many sorties out of southern England and flew with the Polish Night Fighters. He volunteered for a D-Day minus one mission as part of the U.S.A.A.F. He was wounded but survived to eventually retire as a Colonel in the U.S.A.F. I miss him dearly. God bless all our dad's who heroically served in WWII!

You have been a teacher. That's a service to society. My brother and later mum became teachers. A tough gig that I would never tackle. As an ex-teacher told my daughter, " you even start to dislike your own kids." My daughter tried then discarded teaching. Kids nowadays have zero discipline. "

Hickok, no one absolutely no one is going to take away your beautiful memories and nostalgia!!!! I am past 40’s and from Europe, my country ceased to exist for 123 years and went right into WW I and WW II,,,, more than half of my school peers take everything for granted, no effort whatsoever, being pretentious is their way of life, all must be given to them - they exist so they deserve it,,,I was lucky to have Holocaust survivors in my family- their stories mostly horrific shaped my understanding of life and appreciation for little things,,,,as a US citizen I could not be more grateful to Your Father and ALL his comrades,,,, sadly nowadays there are very few individuals who can even comprehend the idea of sacrifice, courage and love,,, God be with You,,,,

Both my grandfather's where in WW2. One of them flew bombers, the other was a navy captain of a ship. All my uncles, in Vietnam, all my friends are veterans. Much respect.

My Dad didn’t talk much of the war either. Dramatic for 18, 19 year old to see. Peace

Many thanks to you and your Dad for your devotion to this country. And I can't get over how the commenters have some amazing family experiences related to the war. God Bless you and them, from the heart!

My dad was 18 years-old during the D-day invasion. He was a 20mm oerlikon AA gunner on a merchant vessel that was carrying supplies for the invasion. He passed on in '96.

It's nice to reflect on childhood and earlier memories. That's how we stay connected to those from our past. Thanks for sharing.

2 uncles were in WW-2 Battle of Bulge. 2 were Korean Veterans. Bunch of Cousins were NAM’ veterans. God Bless all Veterans ❤️🇺🇸 Our Nation is in the throes of Evil from within! Let us Not lose what they fought for

Thank you for the story about your father and some of the Great Heroes of our Country.

Those fellas are like brothers. Saved each others lives. Greatest generation for sure

I’m so sorry for what we’ve allowed to happen to America! You father a true American hero is turning in his grave! But the fight is not over it only appears to be! God bless

I'd like to thank all veterans for serving. Our freedoms are not free, they have cost many lives God Bless you all!

Whilst there loss is hard to take, they will never be forgotten...be appreciative that you knew them then and that you can keep their memory alive by remembering them today...that goes for everyone that means something to you...

God bless your dad, family and all the veterans, THANK YOU!

30 years late, still my condolences for the loss of your father. My grandfather served stateside in the MPs in WWII.

My Dad was lucky on D-Day. The LST he was aboard developed engine problems and had to put back to Portsmouth, England. Like most veterans, he didn't talk about his experiences fighting in Europe, unless it was to another veteran. He finally opened up to me when I retired from the Navy after 22 years service in 1991.

MR Hickok I'm sincerely sorry for your loss. I also lost my dad at the end of 94 2 weeks before Christmas. My dad wasn't a combat vet but he did serve in the Army in between the Korean and Vietnam conflicts. He was only 58 when he passed, I am now soon to be 64. Also like your dad, my uncle served in ww2, but with the Army in the pacific theatre In New Guinea at the tender age of 18. When you lose someone you care about there will be well meaning people who will say it will get easier with time but I have found that, at least personally, this isn't the case, rather I learned to deal with it better. I never had the pleasure of meeting your father but trust me, and I hope this makes sense, he is one of my heroes.

This is a common trait of some veterans , both of my uncles served in Korea and were the same way and both are gone now

Truly the greatest generation 🇺🇸 we honor your father’s memory for his service to our country.

My grandfather served on D Day as well, very little is known about his time during the war as he served on behalf of the US, had a wife in France then one in Ohio before finally settling with my grandmother in our home of Mexico in the 50s, much love to all our veterans 💜

Thanks for sharing that great story. My father also landed at Utah beach. He never really talked about it either.

My Dad was a Navy Chief. Never said a word about the war. He was in the South Pacific for 3 yrs.

Dad was working 4 Morrison-Knudson in Pearl Harbor, putting in fuel storage tanks for the navy. He was injured on 12/7; recovered, came home and enlisted (30 yoa). He landed in Eurooe as a combat engineer, fought to Remagen Germany and was on the Ludendorf Bridge removing explosives when it was detonated. Next to JESUS CHRIST, he has always been my hero. He's been gone 31 long years...not a day that I dont thank GOD for him and Mom. The day I was commissioned in the USMC, they drove 3k miles to be there.SEMPER FI, thanks to all who've had the courage to serve!

My Father was at D Day, June 6th. with the 1st. Infantry Division, was awarded a Bronze Star with a V for Valor that day...

My father was a Sea going Marine on the Battleship USS Arkansas BB-33 as an Anti Aircraft gunner. His ship made several trips to Europe as convoy escort and helped bomb Omaha beach and Point Du Hoc on D-Day. Later operations were Cherbourg, Southern France, Iwo Jima and Okinawa. We were fortunate that he gave us kids his war memoirs before he passed in 2003.

I want to thank all who served so we could enjoy the world we live in I can only imagine what them men went through they were real heroes

The sad thing these days is that a lot of young folks are living off the sacrifices made for them by our fathers and grandfathers, but they don’t want to know about it or even seem to care. If things keep going south with China, Russia, and many evil powers in the Middle East, they may just find out and history will repeat itself, because they don’t bother to learn from it. I am saddened and worried for the future of America! Thanks for sharing your Dad’s story with us all. My uncles were in Korea and Vietnam. I admired them so much, I did 20 years in the Marine Corps myself. God Bless America!😊

You always do great videos. My dad went through the attack on Pearl Harbor. He rarely if ever talked about his experiences except for incidental stories. What I learned was from my mom, relatives and some newspaper articles. Truely a member of the "Greatest Generation". Keep up your good work!

My step-father enlisted in the Navy after Pearl Harbor and served for 20 years. I was fortunate enough to have met a few of his shipmates at their reunions. Not once did I hear them talk about attacks or action. They only spoke about their friendship bonded by their service. They are all gone now. We only have some photos from the reunions. RIP to the greatest generation... 😞

Jerry picked a fight with the wrong Hickok! Thankful for your father’s service. God bless!

My dad was in the 11th airborne I was just old enough to piss him off just not old enough to respect him, was a great man always be missed, as all the great men and women who served.

Thanks for your Story 😊😀

My dad also WW2 1st armored division, north Africa, Italy, Germany . Bornz and silver star, good conduct metal. He is Captain America too me, love and miss u Dad.🇺🇸

The cost of FREEDOM is not cheap. My uncle that I never got to meet or to get to know. Gave it his all in 1944, Saipan. Salute to the greatest generation.

Nice video! My dad flew in B-24’s in Italy, also had a great uncle that was both WWI & WWII.

My grandpa was with the 82 ABN on D-Day. He was a pathfinder and they volunteered him to go, because he was in England to rest from fighting in Italy, he didn’t talk much about the fighting sometimes about when he was in Berlin after the war

God bless your Dad, he sounds remarkable

Hickok, thank you for your dad's service. God bless you & yours. 🙏 look forward to your & John's videos.

My grandad was a Lt in the Pacific on a tin can. Was at the surrender in Tokyo Bay. He served through Korea. His father, my great grandad, was Maj in the 89th 353. He was awarded the Silver Star (Upgraded from citation star as SS wasn't issued then) went home with a hole in his leg from an artillery shell at Meuse Argonne. The other side of my family was 1st gen immigrants. My grandad served in the Army at Ajax/Nike base during the Cold War. I never served but I respect them a great deal and am proud of their service. In many ways it shaped who we became by the sacrifices/heroics (they didn't see it as heroics, it was just a job to them) they endured. The demons they fought which were many I am sure. The core values it taught them in discipline/determination. This country wouldn't have made it this far without strong men like your father, my grandfathers, and their brothers creating good times. Forever indebted.

My dad was over there at the same time. He also didn't share a lot, but did pass on some interesting stories as I got older. I think the great depression helped make these men the warriors they were. You had to be tough to survive in those days and it showed during the war.

A lot of the men and women I served in the USAF deployed with the 424 and 70 MTD in Iraq driving convoys with the Army. Some talk, and some don’t. I never got the chance to deploy because the USAF would pull people from different units across the globe to go deploy. I was already serving overseas in the UK and Japan and I was only there for 2 years then I had to leave. Part of me wishes I got that chance to go deploy with my brothers, but it is what it is. Much respect to your dad Hickok45.

As you say, they don't like to talk about it. They always have a look of gratitude in their eyes when someone tells them that the sacrifice that they made hasn't been forgotten.

Thanks for sharing. Why isn't he and men like him nominated for "Man of the year?".

So cool hear your story about your dad and his patriot friends surviving the war and living for his lost friends freedom is never cheap it's measured in blood the veterans will say we would love to see more and hear more of your dad.

So much respect for those WWII soldiers. Those guys literally saved the world.

My grandfather was seaman on an LCI and went in a DDAY at Omaha. I asked him about it once and he said "the cliffs were so high he didn't see how the men could ever get up there. He could see the Germans shooting down at our guys and he was firing back with a machinegun but it just didn't do any good." Ironically, after he was done in France the Navy put him on a boat, shipped him through the Panama Canal, and he went in at the Battle of Okinawa. He was a great bear of a man who loved all his grandkids very much. Miss him.

My grandfather drove a truck for Patton was in the Ardennes and I am sure many more places. I am still researching all of that. Unfortunately, I never got to meet him and he didn't die over there but shortly after over here. I love you grandpops and very proud of you!

My grandfather served in the Navy in WWll I had a great friend Jack Abner who landed on Utah beach. They all deserved the medal of honor in my opinion. They were real men. God bless them all

My father did the invasion of Saipan a small island in the South Pacific on the same day as the invasion of Europe ( d-day) it only made 3rd page news because more was focused on the European invasion.. he didn’t talk to much about it in his early days, but I noticed when I was very young he hated Japanese people..one day when I just finished up college and got a job I bought a brand new Toyota car.. he threw me out of the house.. he eventually mellowed in his later life.. but I knew there where shadows that he never talked about… an amazing generation! I MISS YOU DAD!

Now that's something to be proud of you must swell up with pride every time he crosses your mind

You are always on target - remembering many great folks I have known and hiding my leaking melancholy - thank you

God bless your dad and all of our veterans!

Bless you and Bless your Dad for his service! My Grandad served in the RAF, Almost never spoke about the war. A different generation and REAL men! Big Love from Canada!

My father spent 3 years in Europe with 42nd Division. He was at the liberation of the Dachau concentration camp, and what he saw affected him deeply. He was a sargeant and got together with his men each year for several years. My mother would serve them coffee and sandwiches and leave them alone. She said she could hear them laughing and crying. In my youth, I asked him if he had ever killed anyone, and now that I am older, he gave an excellent answer to the young me: "Well I shot at people." Like most WWII vets, he didn't care to talk about his service.

My father was in the first wave at Omaha Beach, and you're right - they didn't talk about what they went through. About 35 years after WWII, PTSD set in, which he fought for the rest of his life. During his life, if I could get 10 minutes a year of information out of him, I was lucky. When he died, a whole encyclopedia of knowledge and experiences died with him. Dad, may you rest in peace...

My father was a D-day first wave army engineer. I served and was a combat vet. All my uncles served. Something changed after I became a combat vet with my dad and uncles. There was a silent respect they did not give their sons or my cousins. I asked dad why no reunions. He told me lost contact after the war and he loved them but so many died. When I bought him and mom a vacation trip to Europe he refused to go. Oh cried. I asked him what was going on. Dad told me he would never set foot on Europe ever again. He said I got shot there, I got pneumonia there, I got constipated there and I lost my buddies there. Never going back son. SomI told mom to go with her sister. He was happy for her. Then when the 50th anniversary of D-day came I asked dad if he wanted to go with me. Walk the beach, see the Cemetary, pay our respects. He looked at me and said in a firm voice, “son I told you before I will never visit Europe”! He meant it. Never talked about it much. Freedom is paid with blood. I know a seditious traitor when I see one. Wise up people. I hope to be buried in the same military cemetery as my father.

This gentleman has a gift! listening to him is like listening to a nice grampa. It gets better when he's telling stories like this one. I'm grateful for the existence of the internet, that providies us the opportunity to enjoy such a rich content from this distant place called Brazil. Thank you Mr. Hickok, and God bless you!

Great story. Thank you for the video. I'm in my 70s my dad served in WWII in Italy. Dad didn't ever talk much about it. My mom told me some of what he had told her but said he didn't talk about it very much.

One pap flew 25 missions as A Turret Gunner in a B 17. The other pap was a Motorcycle medic was wounded in the Battle of the Bulge and I have his Purple Heart.. The Greatest Generation. you better believe it 👍

Thanks for sharing that story about your Dad and his buddies and their service. I am sure I can't imagine what they went through, thanks again

My father served in the Swedish army during WW2, emigrated after the war, one uncle was a marine in the south pacific, another Kia pearl harbor. As you mentioned, if they talked about the war, it was amongst themselves and quietly. Most died early from too much drinking to forget. That generation got a raw deal, as they say. So grateful to have known some of them.

Thank you for the story. I love the Veterans stories.

Thank you for sharing this. My Dad was a Royal Canadian Air Force veteran of WWII - he initially served in England as a wireless technician, keeping the essential radio communications system working for Fighter Command during the Battle of Britain. As a farm kid from Manitoba, he greatly admired the British fighter pilots he would see, driving their MG sports cars (coming from upper crust British society, as many of them did). He later applied for pilot training and was sent back to Canada for that, which he completed just before VE Day, and at that point, they were no longer needed for the European theatre. Thankfully he never had to fly a combat mission, but while he was serving in England, his airfield was bombed. He said he took cover in a ditch full of cold water, his whole body shaking with fear because there was no other cover close by. In his later years, he said he was thankful not to have suffered the nightmares and other PTSD symptoms. He lost close friends and buddies during the war. As noted, he did qualify as a pilot, and he always said it was the proudest day of his career.

I served on USS Normandy CG-60 during the Gulf War. I was proud to serve on a ship of the line named for those beaches. Prior to the Normandy, I was onboard USS Lexington AVT-16 for a few years, a decorated WW2 Essex Class carrier, we were the flight training ship for the Navy until 91. Needless to say, ever since, I've studied the heck out of WW2. It's part of my American identity.

Neither my dad or my grandfathers served in W.W.2 but several cousins &and friends did! One particular friend, survived the Battan death March! He has since passed away, but I will never forget Cecil Mauldin! He didn't talk much about his time in the war, but one Veterans day Celebration at our church, he did give a testimony about his time as a P.OW. & it wasn't easy to hear! As a result of his time as a WW2 veteran, he would not allow his children or grandchildren to buy,sell, or own a vehicle made in Japan or Germany! I remember once his son in law bought his grand daughter a V.W. battle for her high- school graduation ; it had a white body & pink fenders... Cecil told his kids & grandchildren ; from that day forward..." if you want me to be a part of your life, sell the ☆☆☆☆ German piece of junk or I will never set foot in your house again" I know it is a true story, because I was there & the very next day, her parents went to a car dealer & traded the V.W. for a FORD pickup! & everybody learned a life lesson from Cecil & I can honestly say that I personally have driven a Ford or Chevy truck all of my adult life!

You may be a couple years older than me but we had the privilege to be raised by the greatest generation. Things have kinda gone to hell since those days.

I'm still in touch with my friends from the Air Force. A number of us that went through Air Force basic still see each other when we can. I lived in a barracks at one base for a longer time than any house I had ever lived in as a kid. My dad was in the Banana Wars as they were called in the 1930s, he was born in 1904. He became a machinist and when WWII broke out he went to work building B-25 parts in Memphis. I grew up listening to my uncles and cousins talking about WWII and Korea. BTW, my dad was 50 when I was born. My scoutmaster had been in the US Army in New Guinea and the Philippines, we learned so much about how to camp properly, taking care of gear, etc. Things I hope I passed along to my kids and my Scouts.

Those annual reunions must have been awesome. My family used to be involved in an annual reunion with a pretty good sized group. Great memories.

my dad was in the coast guard(served with a naval unit on a transport ship,USS Mayo)...brought home the 101st Airborne from the European theatre after the war was over. I think he made another trip to bring home American POW's. made two more trips across the pacific Japan to bring back American POW's that had been held by the Japanese. got married in 1947, delivered mail, raised 4 kids(I was the 1st,.was a deacon in the church, taught Sunday school, coached little league baseball, started 3 Boy Scout troops in our town, belonged to the volunteer fire department.taught me to duck hunt, deer hunt, how to catch Snook.he died a slow and painful death(Parkinsons disease at the age of 82.) he never went to any veteran get togethers, never really talked about the war. when he passed I wrote and requested his service records. they told a story about his part in the war that I wish I could have heard from him, he was a hero....a real hero...I never knew! based on my own war experiences. (Vietnam, USMC ,"grunt",1969 -1971, I can understand why he didn't talk much about his service time. I didn't either .no one would really be interested in hearing "war stories". with me, we were told when our plane came back to California ,when we got leave home, we were advised not to wear our dress uniforms at the airport(LAX) there were protesters who might "bother you".

My uncle was a medical officer with Patton's troops and ended up in Berlin Germany where My father, mother, sister and I had been during the fighting . My uncle, who had immigrated to the US before the war had a big reunion with us when he finally made it to Berlin. Our place was right across the street from where the Russians had established their local headquarters. They came over to chat with my uncles driver. This was before East Berlin was shut off from the Western powers. Still have the photos my uncle took that day with a battlefield pick up 35mm camera. Big to do.

That’s neat that you’re father and his comrades did that. My great grandmother to my grandfather when he got back the first time, you’re home, now you focus on getting this family started. Then he left the second time in late 49 for Korea, came back in 51, same thing. He never had a major group like that because he had 5 boys to look after and I’d imagine some of it had to do with he the fact he made master Sargent by the end of the line in ww2. Then in Korea he made lieutenant. So being in charge of so many young men and losing a few along the way was difficult for him to remember. As they liberated concentration camp after the Rhine River, he cought a disease that would bother him for the rest of his life. He passed in 88 at the age of 68 odly enough, my other grandfather passed in 88 as well but at the age of 87. My Uncle Tom, the oldest born between the times my grandfather left for war, has severe shakiness and sweats a lot. I don’t know if the war did something to my grandfather and he was always nervous after what he’d been through or what because non of the other 4 boys got that. My grandfather was 5th army, 10 armored division, supply and radio man. He said he remembered when Patton came through around the Arden’s to see the company’s or whatever the reason was. My grandfather was one of however many pulled from his regiment to go to the battle of the bulge.

Thank you for sharing Hickok45

I don't know if you know it or not but you inspire alot of people by sharing your life experiences

That was a great Clip! Thanks for resharing that Professor.