C.D.Bledsoe USN

Panzermacher · #1 (**permalink**) February 26th, 2008, 10:18 PM

This is a snap of my dad at Great Lakes Training Center...sometime in the spring of 1943, just before he shipped out for the war. HE served as a Gunner's Mate on everything from Destroyers to Many stints on Liberty ships as part of the "Armed Guard". One ship he was on was Torpedoed in Chesapeake bay, and he was slightly wounded by hitting his head on a rack as the explosion threw him from his bunk. He served in many actions in the ETO and PTO, including the invasion of Southern France. He said his duty on D-Day was to "go on Leave home" to help fool any spies.

HE was 17 when he enlisted and in the picture.
Born in Pekin Illinois in 1925. He Served from 1943 to 1946
He is still around and spinning sea yarns today.
Thanks Dad....

cyberia · #2 (**permalink**) February 26th, 2008, 10:28 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Panzermacher

This is a snap of my dad at Great Lakes Training Center...sometime in the spring of 1943, just before he shipped out for the war. HE served as a Gunner's Mate on everything from Destroyers to Many stints on Liberty ships as part of the "Armed Guard". One ship he was on was Torpedoed in Chesapeake bay, and he was slightly wounded by hitting his head on a rack as the explosion threw him from his bunk. He served in many actions in the ETO and PTO, including the invasion of Southern France. He said his duty on D-Day was to "go on Leave home" to help fool any spies.

HE was 17 when he enlisted and in the picture.
Born in Pekin Illinois in 1925. He Served from 1943 to 1946
He is still around and spinning sea yarns today.
Thanks Dad....

Very nice, PM. To your dad, "Prosit!"

Panzermacher · #3 (**permalink**) February 26th, 2008, 10:31 PM

Thanks!

Jim O · #4 (**permalink**) February 26th, 2008, 10:40 PM

to you and your Dad.

Thanks for sharing PM.

lufttiger · #5 (**permalink**) March 3rd, 2008, 06:03 PM

Very cool PM, no wonder you joined the Navy.

TRDG · #6 (**permalink**) March 14th, 2008, 02:17 PM

Thanks for sharing Panzermacher, I would also salute you and your families time in the Navy.

Best respects and regards

Tom Young

Panzermacher · #7 (**permalink**) March 14th, 2008, 02:30 PM

Thank You Tom....

TRDG · #8 (**permalink**) March 15th, 2008, 02:56 AM

The least I can do, I'm going from first (posted) to last from those here, I can't beleave how many people don't "do this", for anyone in someones family who fought for their (any) country.

To me, it means a lot.

Tom

gi-rene · #9 (**permalink**) March 16th, 2008, 11:23 AM

IIRC I heard a show on the HIstory Channel once claim the Armed Guard had a 75% casualty rate throughout the war.

Biscuit · #10 (**permalink**) March 16th, 2008, 05:28 PM

Thanks for sharing PM and for the picture! Its always nice to put a name and a face together.